It seems selfish to start a new thread when my old thread is still in the top 25 but there is a new kink in our plan so I'm asking for more advice. I'm used to the Europe boards which move so fast and things drop out of sight pretty quickly!

Anyway -- my family (two adults and a 6 year old) are spending a week in Zanzibar. We are flying out of London and most of the flights involve some pretty long layovers. We're choosing between 25 hours in Nairobi or Muscat.

In Muscat we could tour the city but have decided that Wahibi sands are too far away Are there any other day trips that would take us out of the city, but not be so far away. I'd love to see a wadi but I'm having a hard time using google earth to figure out the distances!

In Nairobi we could spend 1/2 day in Nairobi National Park but we will be there at the end of October and are worried that the season will be too "wet" to see any animals.

Any other help?

Okay, I've not been to Muscat. It depends what you like, but in addition to the Nairobi National Park, in Nairobi you can go to the Sheldrick orphanage:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Langata Giraffe Center

http://www.giraffecenter.org/

National Museum of Kenya

http://www.museums.or.ke/

I'm sure others will chime in with more ideas--the Bead Center, etc.

Have a great trip to Zanzibar! It's a very interesting place.

I've been to both, and I haven't travelled with a 6 year old.

Some random thoughts:

Getting the Omani visa at the airport took a long time. You had to pay in RO, and they would not give you change. This could have changed, but that was our experience. We have US passport, not sure where you are from.

When you are in Muscat you are in the Middle East. Its a beautiful city, and I felt it was far less daunting in size or chaos than Nairobi. Much cleaner too. We rented a car and we were fine. I would never ever do that in Nairobi.

We loved the souk. We loved the fish market across from the souk. We loved walking the corniche.

The Al Bustan Palace, about 20 miles from the sirport, is one of the most gorgeous hotels I have ever seen. The lobby looks like a mosque. We spent a day there sitting along the beach.

Nairobi visa was quick and easy; I have been there several times and this has always been the case.
I thought the Nairobi National Park was depressing. The bead market was OK. I have not been to the animal orphanage.

Overall, Nairobi seemed bigger (although I don't think it is), dirtier, and much more chaotic than Muscat. I felt Muscat is a very different environment than any city in Europe or US.

Again, completely random thoughts and I didn't travel with a child. You can't go wrong with either, really.

If with a child, definitely consider Nairobi. Yes it's a big city, lots of traffic, dirty and noisy, but so much to keep you busy, both adults and child.

Besides those mentioned by Leely above... the kid will be in heaven, there are other "kid-friendly" places, see: www.kenyakidz.com/

If looking for a guide/vehicle while in Nairobi, there's Kennedy at: www.waymarksafari.com/home/ ... many here have used his services.

Oh, you had me at the giraffe center! Thank you for all the suggestions. We booked flights through Nairobi this evening.

Queenie -- Muscat sounds lovely but it sounds lovelier if we don't have to bring a 6 year old child. Nairobi may be dirty and chaotic -- but so is he!

sandi -- thanks for the guide rec. I think we'll definitely need one to maximize our short time there.

Thanks again!