Nairobi Tour Guide: Kudos for Kennedy!
Sep 23rd, 2007, 04:03 PM
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Nairobi Tour Guide: Kudos for Kennedy!
Waymark Safaris in Nairobi (website www.waymarksafari.com)
As everyone online gushes, Kennedy is a great guy! He gave us a tour of Nairobi, including Kenyan Wildlife Services for the “cheetah hug” (highly recommended!), the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Langatta Giraffe Center, Karen Blixen Museum (we didn’t feel that this sight had any particular merit for us personally, and wish we had saved the time and entrance fee). Our tour also included the Utamadumi Craft Center (with optional lunch at Verandah), and the Bomas of Kenya, but we really only wanted to see the cheetah, ellies, and giraffes, so we went back to the hotel early. We paid for the whole day anyway, about $70 per person, excluding gratuities to the KWS guide, Kennedy, and the entrance fees to the sites. I think the entry fee for each site was approximately $10 USD per person; the Karen Blixen Museum was the only sight that required Kenyan shillings rather than USD. Kennedy, being the great guy that he was, agreed to change some money for us (I can’t believe we weren’t more prepared, but most of our trip was prepaid months ago). The other amazing thing that Kennedy did for us: My husband and I each bought a Tilley hat for our safari. My husband used his hat on a previous vacation, but mine was brand-new. We took the hats on our day tour with Kennedy (but didn’t use them), and proceeded to leave them in the back (luggage area) of his SUV. We didn’t even realize it until 9:00 pm that night (the night before our departure on safari). Kennedy offered to drive the hats to the airport for us, but we really didn’t expect to get them back, especially after seeing the unique airline building/departure terminal setup at Wilson. The minutes kept ticking by, and just when we had given up hope, an airline representative brought the hats out to us. We gave her a tip to give Kennedy, since we couldn’t go back out through security. We are unbelievably grateful to him! It was nice to meet since a kind and good-hearted person on our first full day in Africa.
As everyone online gushes, Kennedy is a great guy! He gave us a tour of Nairobi, including Kenyan Wildlife Services for the “cheetah hug” (highly recommended!), the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Langatta Giraffe Center, Karen Blixen Museum (we didn’t feel that this sight had any particular merit for us personally, and wish we had saved the time and entrance fee). Our tour also included the Utamadumi Craft Center (with optional lunch at Verandah), and the Bomas of Kenya, but we really only wanted to see the cheetah, ellies, and giraffes, so we went back to the hotel early. We paid for the whole day anyway, about $70 per person, excluding gratuities to the KWS guide, Kennedy, and the entrance fees to the sites. I think the entry fee for each site was approximately $10 USD per person; the Karen Blixen Museum was the only sight that required Kenyan shillings rather than USD. Kennedy, being the great guy that he was, agreed to change some money for us (I can’t believe we weren’t more prepared, but most of our trip was prepaid months ago). The other amazing thing that Kennedy did for us: My husband and I each bought a Tilley hat for our safari. My husband used his hat on a previous vacation, but mine was brand-new. We took the hats on our day tour with Kennedy (but didn’t use them), and proceeded to leave them in the back (luggage area) of his SUV. We didn’t even realize it until 9:00 pm that night (the night before our departure on safari). Kennedy offered to drive the hats to the airport for us, but we really didn’t expect to get them back, especially after seeing the unique airline building/departure terminal setup at Wilson. The minutes kept ticking by, and just when we had given up hope, an airline representative brought the hats out to us. We gave her a tip to give Kennedy, since we couldn’t go back out through security. We are unbelievably grateful to him! It was nice to meet since a kind and good-hearted person on our first full day in Africa.
Sep 27th, 2007, 01:13 AM
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I too had the pleasure of Kennedy's services when in Nairobi for all of the things you mentioned. and we arranged a surprise barbeque for the keepers at Sheldricks. We went off to the Nakumatt and bought all sorts of stuff for them and took them completely by surprise! This wa almost as much fun as seeing the eles again!!He was great! In fact, he let me k now that he arranges and does day trips to Nakuru etc. so when I go back I am going to set some other things up with him. I highly recommend his to everyone wanting to spend any time in Nairob or the surrounding areas. Glad you had such a wonderful time. He is a VERY special person that is for sure!
Aug 24th, 2008, 07:50 PM
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I just happened across this post by reading Lynda's last NEW EAST AFRICA Trip Report Index. Anyway, Kennedy has arranged the entire itinerary for my group departing on Tuesday Aug 26 and returning on Sept 10, except for the international air from the US. We're staying the first two nights at the Giraffe Manor, where we beat out Micato for the space!!! Then we're visiting Amboseli, Samburu and the Masai Mara. We're flying between all camps, so we're not using his drivers, except for in Nairobi, although I have used both Joe and Maurice before.
Kennedy has been extremely easy to work with and I trust him with my soul. We even did a "dry run" last November together. Kennedy knows a lot of people and he will get you a "deal".
I've transferred a lot of money that wasn't mine into his bank account. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't a little worried at times, especially after all the troubles this winter, but it has proved to be for no reason. If you don't hear from or get a hold of Kennedy in that time-frame, well he's with us and enjoying himself, so hakuna matata!!
Kennedy has been extremely easy to work with and I trust him with my soul. We even did a "dry run" last November together. Kennedy knows a lot of people and he will get you a "deal".
I've transferred a lot of money that wasn't mine into his bank account. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't a little worried at times, especially after all the troubles this winter, but it has proved to be for no reason. If you don't hear from or get a hold of Kennedy in that time-frame, well he's with us and enjoying himself, so hakuna matata!!
Aug 25th, 2008, 07:40 AM
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Have a WONDERFUL trip, Kristina and please give Kennedy and the whole family a BIG hug for me!
Can't wait to read the report when you get back, I know it will be a wonderful trip and I wish I were going with you!
Can't wait to read the report when you get back, I know it will be a wonderful trip and I wish I were going with you!
Aug 25th, 2008, 10:02 AM
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Yes, Kennedy is a very special person. He also took care of us while we were in Nairobi last year. Joe transported us from the airport, but Kennedy did our day tour. On our return to Nairobi after our Tanzanian safari, my sister was sick from taking Malarone. We had several hours between flights and tried to find a dayroom, but the YWCA from around the world was in town. Kennedy offered to let us stay at his home if he couldn't find us a place, but he eventually did (Flora Guest Hostel, a Catholic guest house I had stayed at before.)
