Was wondering if travelers felt safe going through Kenya. We were originally doing a safari that just went through Tanzania and Zanzibar, but my husband really likes the way Micato sounds and they only do Kenya and Tanzania. I am really really nervous about arriving and staying over night in Nairobi! Would love to know how people felt while there.

Lisa

Here's a recent thread that addresses your question:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34936358

i was there alone back and forth several times this summer (female) and i never felt unsafe.

african people (to generalize) are very warm and friendly and helpful, and want to make you feel welcome.

i arrived at the airport and my driver was not there and i just waited and no one bothered me and the airport personannel were extremely helpful and concerned, wanting to do whatever they could to put me at ease.

micato is an excellent tour company- their uniformed guides and happy customers were everywhere and i think you should not think about it again and just enjoy!

kerikeri

Hi Lisa 1061,
Have just got back (early- 'cause this is an exdceptionally wet year) from Kenya this year, where I have been every winter for the last 16 years. As a lone, not young, female traveller who stays initially in Nairobi, before migrating to the Mara, where I drive myself, and then to the beach for Xmas, before going back to the Mara again, I can honestly say I have never felt slightly threatened or been bothered anywhere. I shop in Nairobi, buy provisions at the supermarket, usually Nakumart, drive to the Mara, 5-6 hours and feel more comfortable than I would in parts of London. I would certainly think twice about getting the last night train home from London, but not a bit bothered if I get stuck in the mud and have to spend the night in the Mara in the truck.

On one occassion I got a flat tyre in the middle of the Mara years ago and found I wasn't strong enough to get the nuts off of the wheel. After a while a Masai group of young Morons came out of the bush in full warrior clothing, spears, head paint, the lot !
They gathered around as I painfully went through a Swahili phrase book - didn't have a Maa language book ! and explained my predicament. Then one of the young men looked at the tyre, then looked at me and said in the most perfect Oxbridge English-''WOULDN'T YOU BE MORE COMFORTABLE SPEAKING English Madam ?''- and changed it for me before going on their way with a smile and a wave.

Generally, I find most Kenyan people to be naturally happy people - more so than in many other African countries I've personally experienced. I probably push the boundaries a bit but can truly say I feel as safe there as anywhere - the world being what it is to-day - be careful, be sensible, be lucky have fun and hope for the best. X

Canary111,
I can just hear the Maasai with their polite comment. That's funny.

I cannot imagine a safer way to overnight in Nairobi than a Micato trip. Going from the airport to a hotel and then off on safari will be very safe.

Thank you so much for your replies. You guys are making me feel a lot better about booking this trip!

Lisa

<b>After a while a Masai group of young Morons came out of the bush in full warrior clothing, spears, head paint</b>

Couldn't suppress a chuckle reading this ...

<b>one of the young men looked at the tyre, then looked at me and said in the most perfect Oxbridge English</b>

If they understand English then you might want to refer to them as &quot;morans&quot; or &quot;morani&quot; instead of &quot;morons&quot; in future conversations

Bill

Canary11.
I arrive in Kenya to visit a few parks starting March 13.
Should I be worried about the substantial rains?
Are roads closed? Are any camps closed? Am I going to be a wet duck instead of a tourist taking pictures on a sunny day?
I hope the rains decrease.

BillH and canary -

Bill, You beat me to it! Moran or Morani.
Had to wonder who the moron was (no offense Canary) - a big giggle!
Just knew before you wrote it, that someone in the group would speak perfect English.

Lisa, I just got back on Sunday from my first trip to Africa and my first-ever guided tour - we did Micato's Stanley Wing tour and it was incredible! We were definitely a little nervous about Nairobi but you are in absolutely great hands with Micato. They meet you right as you get off the plane, take you to your hotel, and the next day take you on a short bus tour through Nairobi, with a stop at a gift shop where you get a rundown on smart souvenir shopping. We didn't actually spend that much time in Nairobi aside from a little shopping and the last night's dinner at Carnivore. We always felt very safe and secure. Go for it!

Although my experience was years ago, I will join in to tell you that I had a wonderful experience with Micato in Kenya and that I never felt unsafe in Nairobi. I felt comfortable walking around during the day in the central area....

If you are just overnighting you may not even have time to go outside the hotel much..

Thanks Bill et al, for correcting me, I would like to plead a typing error, but in truth I only have two brain cells, and last night, one was lost and the other out looking fot it! Tis I who is the Moran, I deserved everything I got. Everything !

To Max, it was wetter than usual in the Mara when I left on 12th Feb, having had a hard time this year.People were beginning to talk about an El Nino year again which happens every 10 years or so. I was there for the last one and was I believe one of the last people to leave the reserve on the insistence of the Chief Executive of the Conservancy- for safety reasons, but I did have Serena to myself for nearly 2 weeks first - I think that was about 1994ish, and it was fun, but hey, I was a good bit younger then and didn't need to lie about my age. This year, first there were prolonged droughts and then the so called short rains seemed to become long rains and never stopped. Flooding was the norm this year and I frequently had water coming into my lancruiser washing my feet. When I felt Trench Foot was an increasingly likely option I reluctantly returned to this cold wet little rock (the UK) as the long rains start arond April time and although it may only need 2-3days of sun for things to rapidly dry out, it didn't look too promising, but who knows, at best I can only guess !.....I initialy stayed Talek side, but after Xmas moved to the Conservancy side of the reserve which is higher, but many of the roads were closed or impassable there as well. An additional problem is of course that with lots of rain the grass grows - sorry if that states the obvious, but when all I can photograph are pairs of horns sticking above 4feet of grass, and can only guess at what the animal is like underneath, then I concede defeat.

However I confess to feeling 'homesick' to be back there and wouldn't need much of an excuse. Practically, I think I'll go back after the migration has started and the wildebeast have eaten the grass back a bit now, so I would think of aiming for mid July onwards now for me - unless other forum members 'on site' can help me in my thinking.
Good luck, would be pleased to hear from anyone who knows better. x

Hausfrau,
What parks did you visit?
Did the rain stop for you?
I sure hope that my first trip to Kenya is not &quot;rained out&quot;.

Hi Max,
We went to Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Masai Mara, in that order, Feb. 6-16. We were told the rains stopped the day before we arrived and we had perfect weather the whole time - only one evening thunderstorm in the Masai Mara which threatened to flood Kichwa Tembo, where we were staying! On the positive side, everything was incredibly lush and green and beautiful, making for some beautiful photography. On the negative side, the roads were an absolute mess, but our excellent drivers were able to handle them. The only place we weren't able to get to because of the road conditions was close to the big lake in Ngorongoro Crater. Also the grass is very tall, making it more difficult to see smaller animals and predators. In the end though the only &quot;big&quot; things we didn't see were leopard and crocodile.

Hopefully the big rains have ended for the season. You can't change the weather, so you just have to hope for the best. Be prepared for wet weather just in case - I found that a lightweight poncho worked well to protect me and my camera on our one rainy ride. I hope you have a great trip!

MAX69,
Just had a text from the Mara today telling me that its still raining there. Best advice ? Pack galoshes, sweaters, swimming trunks, sandals and hiking boots !
Good luck x

For the Yanks who have a pair of Wellies, stored in the garage, basement or the back of some closet... this is the weather they were meant for. Make good use of your investment!

It's rained the last couple of days. But what I understand from the Mara they're only having localised rains and the roads are passable and most places no problems.

We had quite a thunderstorm in Nairobi a couple of nights ago... and electric cables shorting!