Kenya Riots: updates from the ground?
Jan 29th, 2008, 12:20 PM
#161
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ShayTay,
I am supposed to be driving to my locations (i know long drives) which will be Amboseli, mt. kenya, samburu, nakuru, and the mara. I am quite certain we will avoid the nakuru area. My original reason for not flying is because I am so scared of flying regular planes, let alone those tiny ones. Now im wondering if i should change that? If I avoid Nakuru, should the rest of my drives be ok? I know i read about the town of narok on the way to the mara, but i havent heard much on that in the last few days and I dont know exactly what towns i pass through on my other drives.
I am supposed to be driving to my locations (i know long drives) which will be Amboseli, mt. kenya, samburu, nakuru, and the mara. I am quite certain we will avoid the nakuru area. My original reason for not flying is because I am so scared of flying regular planes, let alone those tiny ones. Now im wondering if i should change that? If I avoid Nakuru, should the rest of my drives be ok? I know i read about the town of narok on the way to the mara, but i havent heard much on that in the last few days and I dont know exactly what towns i pass through on my other drives.
Jan 29th, 2008, 01:15 PM
#162
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Check out the KATO website for the latest news: www.katokenya.org. It says that they have special patrols on the road at Narok for tourists headed to the Mara. Around Nakuru and Naivasha, they are not recommending traveling in those areas by road for a few days until they can be certain the violence has subsided. Given that you're going to Amboseli first, it may be over by the time you get there, but you should contact your safari outfitter or planner to see if they have an alternative plan in place for you, such as flying you to the parks. You may not like small planes, but most of the ones I flew in Kenya weren't all that small, as they are in Botswana.
Jan 29th, 2008, 03:33 PM
#163
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Our plans are to leave for Nairobi on 2/6. We spend the first eight days in Tanzania; then we are in Kenya for 11 days. Our tour operator has advised travel adjustments in Kenya to avoid Naivasha/Nakuru area. How is Tsavo this time of year? Any personal recommendations for East vs. West Tsavo? How are the beach areas east of Tsavo? Anyone with recent experience in those areas? Is Tanzania experiencing extreme crowds with overflow from Kenya?
Jan 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM
#164
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I haven't asked my contact at Kibo how the Kenya situation is affecting their current business, but I'll do so in the next few days. I've heard that it's going both ways: some travelers are cancelling everything to East Africa, given that they have combined trips such as you do. Others are shifting trips from Kenya to Tanzania, as I'm about to do. "Mydogspud" had her Kenya trip rerouted to Tanzania. If I were traveling by myself, I'd hold on to my September Kenya trip, but my friends that were planning to go just can't deal with going to Kenya this year.
Jan 30th, 2008, 05:43 AM
#165
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bf -
Patty is currently in Kenya, visiting mostly Tsavo E & W; Local is also in Kenya now, and her recent thread above says all is wonderful; she too is heading onto Tsavo for 5/days. Tsavo has experienced some rain, but this only brings more green to the dry/yellow and a bit cooler during these summer months.
Tanzania is also loosing business because of the situation in Kenya. Many cancellations seem mostly from Europeans, who do head south in their winter to warm East Africa.
Patty is currently in Kenya, visiting mostly Tsavo E & W; Local is also in Kenya now, and her recent thread above says all is wonderful; she too is heading onto Tsavo for 5/days. Tsavo has experienced some rain, but this only brings more green to the dry/yellow and a bit cooler during these summer months.
Tanzania is also loosing business because of the situation in Kenya. Many cancellations seem mostly from Europeans, who do head south in their winter to warm East Africa.
Jan 30th, 2008, 09:47 AM
#166
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FWIW, I thought perhaps now, February, might be a good time to safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Perhaps the "pretty much empty" camps would offer deals/discounts. Sooooo, I saw a local (office about 3 miles from me) TA who specializes in Kenya and TZ, Somak Safaris. They came back with no great deals, apparently rack rates and at camps I'm not familiar with. (Mara Safari Luxury Tented Camp, Samburu Intrepeids Tented Camp). I was willing to spend a few thou $$$ now to go at moments notice, if good bargain, good for me and good for the camps. But I guess not. And no, I don't expect the camps to give themselves away but if they are half empty, paying guests that allow them to meet expenses might be welcome. I don't know, just my 2 cents.
regards - tom
regards - tom
Jan 30th, 2008, 10:46 AM
#167
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Here’s a new Kenyan film about ethnic and other conflicts and how they can be solved locking people up in the toilet.
http://www.malooned.com/
It can be bought at Nakumatt.
http://www.malooned.com/
It can be bought at Nakumatt.
Jan 30th, 2008, 11:00 AM
#168
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I’ve discovered that cssuen asked me questions on 3 January (my birthday).
SORRY!!!
I’ve never been to the Junction and don’t know that much about shopping. I wouldn’t waste my time there if on a short visit from JKIA. Shops usually open at 9AM.
SORRY!!!
I’ve never been to the Junction and don’t know that much about shopping. I wouldn’t waste my time there if on a short visit from JKIA. Shops usually open at 9AM.
Jan 30th, 2008, 11:04 AM
#169
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Mama Mikes http://www.mamamikes.com/shop/Specia...TOKEN=92047512 is very useful, easy and reliable for those who would like to donate food to displaced Kenyans.
Jan 31st, 2008, 12:26 PM
#172
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Thanks Lynn and Dennis! I just mentioned it to have an excuse for not noticing cssuen’s question. Or maybe I wanted some attention … Anyway, I’m too old and that’s something I could go on about if this wasn’t a serious thread. Even if I’ll just walk around in Nairobi for 3 weeks, I’m definitely going to Kenya this year. Next year I’ll be even older and there is a risk I’ll not be able to go to Kenya if I don’t find a way to stay there this year.
Jan 31st, 2008, 05:24 PM
#175
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I just realized it might be somewhat inappropriate and insensitive of me to post cheerful, self-involved salutations on this thread. Sorry guys; I lost my mind there for a moment.
Hoping for positive news from Kenya.
Hoping for positive news from Kenya.
Feb 1st, 2008, 04:54 AM
#177
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I've just read this thread and I must say it makes me sad.
Someone said earlier that Climbinghigh was missing the point. In my opinion he has <b>got</b> the point. The situation in Kenya has been serious all along. Are there still people out there who thinks the media has blown this out of proportion? We should be glad the media even bother to cover Kenya and the Kenyan people. How many African countries are left alone with their tragedies, stamped "not interesting" - noe media, no international focus.
What is status now? 1000+ killed - 250.000 people fleeing, 2 opposition politicians killed, shortage of food. I could go on. It's escalating, not calming down.
My heart is bleeding for the people in Kenya.
Someone said earlier that Climbinghigh was missing the point. In my opinion he has <b>got</b> the point. The situation in Kenya has been serious all along. Are there still people out there who thinks the media has blown this out of proportion? We should be glad the media even bother to cover Kenya and the Kenyan people. How many African countries are left alone with their tragedies, stamped "not interesting" - noe media, no international focus.
What is status now? 1000+ killed - 250.000 people fleeing, 2 opposition politicians killed, shortage of food. I could go on. It's escalating, not calming down.
My heart is bleeding for the people in Kenya.
