Kenya safari trip over 3/4 elections--Safety advice?
 

I'll be traveling with my parents to Kenya for a 9 day Kenya safari trip with Lion World Tours. This trip happens to coincide with the upcoming elections in Kenya about which there are numerous government and other warnings about possible election-related turmoil and violence.

I understand the general safety issues with traveling in Kenya but was not particularly concerned as we are on a guided tour in southwestern kenya that flies in and out of Nairobi but does not actually involve any time spent there. But the news about heightened turmoil has me a little uneasy.

Any thoughts or advice about the situation? How concerned should we be?

Thanks!

Even during the last elections, know that tourists were never targetted or harmed. You won't be in Nairobi long enough to even see any upheaval if there is and then once out on safari you'll be fine.

I understand that tourists aren't targeted but anyone know what happened last time just about getting around maybe from the centre to Wilson airport or the usual tourist attractions out of the city like Sheldrick's - was there severe disruption to traffic? Would travelling around on your own by taxi in residential areas, out of town malls etc be OK? I know no-one can say for sure but I mean does anyone have first-hand knowledge of how it was last time?

We spent a half day and an overnight last time. On the half day, we flew into Wilson, got picked up, went shopping at the Junction and stopped by our tour operator's office in the CBD. On the overnight, we stayed at a friend's house in Runda, went to a school play, had dinner at Village Market and went to NBO the next morning. So we covered a good cross section of the city. The only thing we noticed was more police presence and the usual amount of horrible traffic.

Thanks Patty, not so worried about security but more about possible disruption, I'm guessing insurance companies won't pay out for missed flights/hotels etc in cases of 'civil disturbance' or whatever getout clause they use! The usual traffic chaos is taken for granted.

The security is what should keep distruption to a minimum if any. And last time, the airport road had military about every 15-20' apart considering all the dignitaries arriving to help put a stop to what what happening and getting those two boys to act as adults. Protests during that time were taking place at specific areas... elsewhere, life seemed to be going on as usual.

You might want to read this from the last round of elections
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-right-now.cfm

hi

it is true that tourists are not targeted
i have been in Kenya during a coup d'etat attempt against Moi back in 1982 (or 1983?). There was some uncertainty, but no problems in the parks
during the elections, the violence focused on the Naivasha-Nakuru area (& some other parts not on the tourist route). I believe this time the security forces will be ready and alert...
personally, i wouldn't cancel a tour on that date
Trust your driver-guide
Safari njema
aby

i believe your agent must have adviced you accordingly.However,there is alot of peace campaigns around the country and we hope nothing like a repeat of the last general elections will happen.As an agent,i happen to have a group of tourists from Spain and Canada-Hamilton who are already here to depart for Zanzibar next Friday(8th March) and they are comfortable as they are doing flying safaris.
Apart from the hightened campaigns that one may encounter within towns,during and after the elections WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC ALL SHALL BE WELL and nevertheless,tourists are always protected by the TOURIST POLICE on patrol.
Fantastic trip and a memeoir experience too!

See here:
http://safaritalk.net/topic/10188-ke...ecurity-risks/

In hindsight, everything is fine and live moving on peacefully in Kenya 3 weeks after the Elections.
Enjoy Kenya na Karibu

Been in, out and around Nairobi last 2 weeks and absolutely no sign of trouble, everything going on as normal. There are some petitions to contest the election results with results this weekend but hopefully that will pass off peacefully too.