garywyo

KENYA SAFARI NOTES

In doing a safari in Kenya be sure and do your homework before you go, be it the library or online surfing.
1. MONEY….remember, cash is king in Kenya, be it dollars, euros, or shillings
• For payment to a safari company located in Kenya use a wire transfer from your local bank, instead of copying your credit card/passport and emailing these documents, wire transfers are much safer
• Arrange to get Kenyan Shillings at a bank at home before you go, you may need double the amount you estimate
• Have some dollars available also for the VISA payment at the airport plus for the drivers tip at the end of your safari
2. AIRLINES
• Nairobi is served by a number of international carriers including: British Airways, KLM, Swiss Air, Ethiopian Air, and of course Kenyan Air
• We used BA because of BA’s frequent flyer program and BA has direct flights to London from Denver, Colorado
• Kenyan Air does have direct flights to New York City
• KLM direct to Amsterdam, etc.
• I cannot recommend Ethiopian Air, too many issues
3. HOTELS…quiet hotels
• Unfavorable are…..
680 Hotel…….downtown and noisy, casino on sight, rundown, price does not justify conditions....forget-about-it….
Hilton…in a rundown section of downtown Nairobi, noisy, name does not guarantee quality
• Favorites are…..
Boulevard Hotel…in a quiet neighborhood close to downtown, rooms are Spartan, but in a good way
Kivi Milimani…quiet neighborhood with many consulates/embassies close by, very good room with a restaurant & good security(they will get you a taxi) we were relieved to be here after the 680 Hotel experience…can store extra luggage here when you leave on safari for no extra charge…such a deal
Jacaranda...best of the best, in my opinion, great location, quiet neighborhood, restaurant, shopping center behind hotel…Sarti Center….which contains hypermarket, chemist, Dormands, Java, etc.
Fairview….did not stay here, but has many good reviews, quiet neighborhood…
…..all these hotels from Kivi on down are $100 plus hotels, but do not let price influence your choice, if you have a safari operator, contact them about a hotel…you might get a better price with your safari operator than an on-lineservice e.g. Travelocity/Expedia. We used ALL SEASONS SAFARIS OUT OF Nairobi, Kenya

4. COMMUNICATION…to stay in touch
• Cell phone…either have one with a compatible SIM CHIP, or buy/rent one when you cross the pond e.g. London/Nairobi for example…phone minutes can be added anywhere in Kenya…see Orange, Zain, or Safari.com or compatible network
• Computer…either have or get a connect card…you can then email using the cell phone network…minutes can be added (see above)…free WIFI is available at Dorman’s Coffee Shop or Java Café…you may have to buy a cuppa
• Coverage in Kenya is amazing compared with coverage here in the USA…look for the disguised tree in Masai Mara
5. WELLBEING
• Synthetics are more comfortable and easier to launder than cotton
• Pharmacies/Chemists are everywhere and the pharmacist speaks English
• Buy and drink plenty of water
• Exercise as much as possible…you will sit a lot on safari
• Some hotels cutoff the power at 10pm and some do the same with hot water
be aware…at the equator sunrise at 6am, sunset at 6pm more or less
• Use your down time to charge batteries, download your photos, or just read…TV is not usually available in game park hotels…bring lots of paperbacks…leave them when you are done
• Arrange beforehand for anti-malarial to bring (yellow fever vaccination before you go) and from your pharmacy at home… a RX for an antibiotic just in case (contact your MD)
• Patience….you are in a foreign country, so do not expect everything to run efficiently or when you want it (the Kenyan Airport, traffic, or Kenyans expecting all Americans to be Bill Gates and buy everything, everywhere, every time you stop”)…the restrooms can be educational or sobering

For the most part although, your Kenyan experience will be one of the most amazing things you will ever do in your lifetime, so have a Tusker beer &/or a coffee and enjoy your limited time in Kenya! And I cannot say enough that our tour operator, ALL SEASONS SAFARIS was the best.

Jan and Gary
Denver, CO, USA

LAleslie

Hmmmmm, I'm curious since you're a first-time poster. Gary, are you English even tho you live in Wyo? Americans don't refer to pharmacists as chemists. Or say "cuppa."

atravelynn

Maybe those terms are used more frequently next door in Colorado where Jan and Gary live.

"the restrooms can be educational or sobering"

I find the above enlightening tidbit to be especially fitting on the eve of International Toilet Day. Some places the holiday is already underway, depending on the time zone.

sandi

A few comments, re your comments:

- No reason to obtain Kenyan Shillings from your home country before travel, unless you want to pay the worst exchange rate. Easy enough to obtain KES on arrival in NBO, using ATM (best rates) or the Exchange Windows immediately outside of Baggage Claim.

Kenyan Air DOES NOT have direct flights from the US. KQ flights have to be picked-up in Europe - London and Amsterdam. There are still no non-stop or direct flights to Nairobi.

LAleslie

Doh!
I meant Colorado, Lynn (if that's in fact where they're from). Was looking at the WYO in his handle. I will salute Toilet Day this evening whenever I flush.
Signed,
Homer S.