Leely2

I think it looks fantastic! Happy birthday indeed.

1. Okay. Let us know if you need feedback just in case Macushla is booked. FYI, I stayed at Macushla twice and also the Nairobi Holiday Inn last trip. The HI was very nice too, although not personal and cozy like Macushla. I think it's kind of pricey but you may be able to get deals. My fellow travelers comped me at the HI.

2. Yes, but Macushla/your hotel can easily arrange a driver too. Might be more expensive than a taxi but I know the rate from the driving company Macushla uses is reasonable.

3. Again, I'd play this by ear. Whoever drives you to the hotel when you arrive in Nairobi is very likely to offer you a day's taxi-ing. Just make sure you have a sense of what's currently fair to pay. Ask on this forum before you depart.

Congratulations! I have a spare "design-challenged" bag if you want to borrow something sans wheels. And the Bradt Rwanda Guide.

abranz

omg! omg! omg!

i'm almost there and it is crazy scary and exciting.
i have never known the cost of our vacations before and to think that i am going to spend so much money by myself is a little terrifying.

leely, i was able to get into machusla for all 3 nights! yaay
lucky you, to have your hotel comped! your fellow travelers must love you.
what is a design challenged bag?
i guess i now need to think of clothing and luggage.

now i just have to finalize the booking to diedrik and wire the $$ to r&n.

atravelynn

You are practically on your way!

Leely2

You'll have to read crosscheck's long (long!) thread about which luggage to bring to discover my design-challenged bag.

Congratulations on finalizing your itinerary. You'll love Rwanda and Kenya.

abranz

leely,
thanks for introducing me to crosschecks report. loved it! she is so hysterically funny.
i would love to borrow your 'design challenged bag' and get tips on where to get appropriate safari clothes.
i looked at travel smith and it does not look like they carry my size. may be i should just look for chinos in local stores?

it sounds like you are in the bay area?
so am i.
i'd love to meet you if you have the time.
you can e-mail me at abranz at aol

abranz

does anyone have experience with jimcab out of nairobi?

they seem to have good prices for airport p/u as well as for a car and driver for the day i will be spending in nairobi.

Leely2

Haven't used jimcab though the name sounds familiar. I used the driving company that Macushla uses. I have their card somewhere; this is something easily arranged once you're there. I am in the Bay Area, have pretty busy work weeks the next two weeks but will email you after that. You are going to have a great trip!

abranz

i finally sucked it up and bought my airline ticket out of s.f.
i have travelled to many far away destination but have never paid this kind of $$ for a ticket before! yikes!

the only thing left to book now is a car and driver from the airport and around nairobi.
i have heard 'kennedy' mentioned many times.
can you tell me more? and give me contact info?

Local2542

Here you go - we had a lovely time with Kennedy. He had some great ideas of places to go for shopping, and took wonderful care of us our last day in Kenya.

email: Waymark Safaris <[email protected]>

His website is http://waymarksafari.com

abranz

local,
thanks a lot.
i will contact him right away and hopefully he will be available for me in june.
sounds like he is very popular.

scruffypuma

abranz - Have you tried Ex-Officio for the clothing? I am tall and many of the women's pants are capri's on me, so for some of the cargo/zip type pants I switch to men's talls! I have lots of just about everything needed for safari (and anywhere ice-covered) if you would rather borrow than buy. I am not far away from Bay Area and travel there often as my daughter works in Half Moon Bay.

abranz

scruffypuma,
thanks for the info on ex-officio. i will check them out.

you are so sweet and generous with your offer. thank you!!!
the problem is that i am not tall - 5'2'' and about 95 lbs which makes finding clothes to fit (without any alterations) very difficult.

the next time you are in town and have time, let's have a gtg.
i would love to hear first hand about your fantastic travels.

scruffypuma

Definitely check out ex officio. They have petites and they go down to a size 2 on some pants! I will email you about a gtg, sounds fun.

abranz

if you are in town this long weekend come and join us at a gtg early dinner on mon, 2/21.
nikki, from boston (i think) is coming to visit s.f. and there are few of us getting together
check out the lounge
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...m#last-comment