Kenya Tips???
Feb 1st, 1999, 06:23 PM
#1
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Kenya Tips???
Headed to Kenya on BOA in June for Safari. Anyone there recently would appreciate info on security, do's, dont's. Any should see's while in area. If anyone there last June or residents would you expect game viewing to be good at in June? <BR>Thanks <BR>Rich
Feb 2nd, 1999, 05:37 PM
#2
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Maintain a low profile. After dark, stay in your Nairobi hotel because the streets are not safe. Pay strict attention to personal sanitation. Wash your hands regularly; keep your fingers out of your mouth; drink only bottled water from sealed bottles; beer is OK in bottles. In the bush, put your shoes upside down to keep crawling critters from making a home in them overnight. Use plenty of bug spray on yourself. Don't brush your teeth in tap water. Take plenty of film with you; extra batteries, too. Never carry a wallet in your hip pocket. Use a money belt or neck pouch or one that straps around your calf. Be careful with bug bites; use iodine. Don't fool around if you get the trots; use cipro first thing. Carry imodium with you at all times. Leave your good watch at home. Never wear gold in any form, including wedding rings. Ladies: never but never wear any gold earrings. Keep your stuff under lock and key when you leave your room. Never flash a wad of money. Keep a few small bills in your pocket. Don't let kids put stuff for sale in front of your face; it's a set-up for pickpockets. How do I know? Been there. Done that.
Feb 2nd, 1999, 06:13 PM
#3
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Most downtown hotels will escort you to nearby restaurants of your choice for free, in fact many insist. Also many have guards (Askaris)on every floor all night.. intimidating but it works. A night or two in downtown Nairobi is all we could stand although it's great looking out windows at the bustle. We generally opt for suburban hotels like Plantation.. self contained with pleasant neighbourhoods for shopping/markets. The ex-London cabs are cheap and safe, never tried the "transport, you want transport" guys. Presume you have an arranged safari..if not, and you have a fair amount of time suggest you consider northern Tanz covering south Serengeti/Ngorongoro. If limited time then Nairobi Nat Park (good rhino)is good but pales if you're going on real safaris.. the zoo outside is depressing in parts. Recommend Carnivore Restaurant BBQ if still open for novelty value and exotic menu (poor value if you're vegetarian or repulsed at eating native fauna albeit farmed! <BR>Wrap camera gear in plastic in plastic ..and then more plastic..ie it's dusty on safari!
Feb 3rd, 1999, 11:08 AM
#4
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Just back at 11PM last night from three weeks Kenya & Tanzania tented camping. Happy to answer specific questions. I'm a bit too timezone disoriented still to do a lengthy post of do's and don'ts, but in general everything was marvelous and not as uncivilized in the bush as I had been lead to believe.
