Good Nairobi hotel for Impala Shuttle
Aug 21st, 2008, 12:21 PM
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Good Nairobi hotel for Impala Shuttle
Hi!
I will be arriving in Nairobi around 3 pm on 13 September. We're just transiting through Nairobi on our way to Arusha, but I'm afraid it'll be too late to catch any transportation to Arusha that same day, so I've made a reservation for the Impala Shuttle for the next day, the 14th (I wanted to go with the Impala because I'll be staying there at the end of the trip and it will be easiest to just go right from there back to Nairobi). They leave from the Silver Springs Hotel, but this is quite a pricey establishment, a lot more than we want to pay. I was hoping some of you savvy travelers could recommend something a bit (or even much) more reasonable than the Silver Springs but that is also reasonably close, since we'll need to be there for 7:30 the next morning.
Thanks so much for any help!
-Sascha
I will be arriving in Nairobi around 3 pm on 13 September. We're just transiting through Nairobi on our way to Arusha, but I'm afraid it'll be too late to catch any transportation to Arusha that same day, so I've made a reservation for the Impala Shuttle for the next day, the 14th (I wanted to go with the Impala because I'll be staying there at the end of the trip and it will be easiest to just go right from there back to Nairobi). They leave from the Silver Springs Hotel, but this is quite a pricey establishment, a lot more than we want to pay. I was hoping some of you savvy travelers could recommend something a bit (or even much) more reasonable than the Silver Springs but that is also reasonably close, since we'll need to be there for 7:30 the next morning.
Thanks so much for any help!
-Sascha
Aug 22nd, 2008, 09:22 AM
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Hi sbollag
for the majority of participants on this board "Silver Springs" is somewhat too cheap...
LP ThornTree forum has more backpackers info
1) Nairobi International Youth Hostel, Nairobi,Ralph Bunche Rd, Po Box 48661, Kenya.
http://reservations.bookhostels.com/...7&SubID=en
it's on the way from the center to Silver Springs
2) YMCA
3) any other backpackers hostel - but you may need an early morning matatu & make sure you have leave enough time margin not to miss the shuttle
the Impala Shuttle does collect tourists from other hotels, so you can ask them to collect you from "Stanley" or "Hilton". Look for a nicely priced hotel one or two streets to the north of those i've mentioned & walk over to the big name hotel in the morning.
aby
PS try to ask them to collect you from the youth hostel they may agree
for the majority of participants on this board "Silver Springs" is somewhat too cheap...
LP ThornTree forum has more backpackers info
1) Nairobi International Youth Hostel, Nairobi,Ralph Bunche Rd, Po Box 48661, Kenya.
http://reservations.bookhostels.com/...7&SubID=en
it's on the way from the center to Silver Springs
2) YMCA
3) any other backpackers hostel - but you may need an early morning matatu & make sure you have leave enough time margin not to miss the shuttle
the Impala Shuttle does collect tourists from other hotels, so you can ask them to collect you from "Stanley" or "Hilton". Look for a nicely priced hotel one or two streets to the north of those i've mentioned & walk over to the big name hotel in the morning.
aby
PS try to ask them to collect you from the youth hostel they may agree
Aug 22nd, 2008, 10:41 AM
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Hello Sascha
The Implala Shuttle leaves first from the Parkside http://www.impalashuttle.com/ that’s less expensive than the Silver Springs. Near the Parkside you’ll also find the Kenya Comfort that’s a bit more and the Terminal that’s a bit less expensive.
I had a look at the Silver Springs’ website and a Standard Room Double Use is 12,000 shillings. A double room at the Terminal is 1,700 shillings and you get a bed to sleep in and a hot ensuite shower. What more do you need? Breakfast isn’t included at the Terminal, but for the price difference you can have breakfast for two for a month. The Parkside rates are closer to the Terminal than the Silver Springs and I think that breakfast is included there.
The Implala Shuttle leaves first from the Parkside http://www.impalashuttle.com/ that’s less expensive than the Silver Springs. Near the Parkside you’ll also find the Kenya Comfort that’s a bit more and the Terminal that’s a bit less expensive.
I had a look at the Silver Springs’ website and a Standard Room Double Use is 12,000 shillings. A double room at the Terminal is 1,700 shillings and you get a bed to sleep in and a hot ensuite shower. What more do you need? Breakfast isn’t included at the Terminal, but for the price difference you can have breakfast for two for a month. The Parkside rates are closer to the Terminal than the Silver Springs and I think that breakfast is included there.
Aug 22nd, 2008, 11:16 AM
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I'll put a plug in for the Kenya Comfort (which Nyamera mentioned above), if that's in your price range. Perfectly comfortable, clean, a bit noisy but you'll have a functioning shower with hot water and a safe place to sleep. Breakfast was good, too.
Mar 16th, 2010, 07:44 AM
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Need to stress I didn't read the other posts.
Recently I had dinner at the Fairview.
It looked nice and the reviews on tripadvisor are quite good.
Panari despite close to the airport would definitely not be my choice: too big, lack of atmosphere even for a stop-over.
SV
Recently I had dinner at the Fairview.
It looked nice and the reviews on tripadvisor are quite good.
Panari despite close to the airport would definitely not be my choice: too big, lack of atmosphere even for a stop-over.
SV
Mar 16th, 2010, 09:20 AM
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Sv, where did you end up staying in Mara; I know you had worries after Naibor incidents; and was wondering how it went for you; I know you loved Grumeti..still jealous over that one!
I chose Serian for the entire 7 nights - 2 in mobile camp (if it is still around LOL)
Moneyburns
aka/flowerpower when you were deciding
I chose Serian for the entire 7 nights - 2 in mobile camp (if it is still around LOL)
Moneyburns
aka/flowerpower when you were deciding
Mar 16th, 2010, 09:39 AM
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Moneyburns
Sorry for not getting back to you.
We decided to give it a chance and stayed there for 2 nights.
Must say - tents are wonderful! But the wash basins are OUTSIDE the tent - one tiny sink is inside the bathroom.
Bucket shower: Any time a guest wishes (morning, evening, both, in betwen drives....)
The only thing
Hosts: 2 managers. The male is an elephant researcher. Great conversations at the fireplace (very unlike safari as we went to bed not before 01.00am but got up at 05.00am for drives)
Security:
They have at least 12 askaris plus 2 armed guards; I don't know whether that will loosen when time goes by without another incident.
Mess tent: AWESOME! Very good food and of course plenty!
Great atmosphere, exceptionally pleasant fireplace next to the river, nice vehicles - max 4 pax in one car!
Game drive times are not restricted as many camps do. You go out when you wish and come back depending on sightings.
Very good sightings and only 3 or 4 cars in one sighting!
We watched BINTI for a long time into the dark......Simon King was next to us.
The only thing which must be considered is the lack of real power for charging batteries and transferring pics from memory onto laptop as the power is weak (solar) and it takes ages to recharge particularly if there are quite a few serious photographers in camp.
Based on the location and facilities for recreation I would definitely recommend to stay there.
SV
Sorry for not getting back to you.
We decided to give it a chance and stayed there for 2 nights.
Must say - tents are wonderful! But the wash basins are OUTSIDE the tent - one tiny sink is inside the bathroom.
Bucket shower: Any time a guest wishes (morning, evening, both, in betwen drives....)
The only thing
Hosts: 2 managers. The male is an elephant researcher. Great conversations at the fireplace (very unlike safari as we went to bed not before 01.00am but got up at 05.00am for drives)
Security:
They have at least 12 askaris plus 2 armed guards; I don't know whether that will loosen when time goes by without another incident.
Mess tent: AWESOME! Very good food and of course plenty!
Great atmosphere, exceptionally pleasant fireplace next to the river, nice vehicles - max 4 pax in one car!
Game drive times are not restricted as many camps do. You go out when you wish and come back depending on sightings.
Very good sightings and only 3 or 4 cars in one sighting!
We watched BINTI for a long time into the dark......Simon King was next to us.
The only thing which must be considered is the lack of real power for charging batteries and transferring pics from memory onto laptop as the power is weak (solar) and it takes ages to recharge particularly if there are quite a few serious photographers in camp.
Based on the location and facilities for recreation I would definitely recommend to stay there.
SV
Mar 16th, 2010, 11:48 AM
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So glad you enjoyed your stay; it is good to know its a great place (yes I had been warned of the outside basins - what is that all about - better lighting? 
Good to know as the location is quite good; we decided to stick with mobile nearby; but hopefully we'll pass and I can have a peek!
Thanks for replying!
MB
Good to know as the location is quite good; we decided to stick with mobile nearby; but hopefully we'll pass and I can have a peek!
Thanks for replying!
MB
Mar 16th, 2010, 12:03 PM
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On an aside, here is what I said about the Impala shuttle on another thread, based on our experience this past August. If you can afford it, for pity's sake fly to Arusha.
<i>My DH and I completed that bus trip this past August - only in the opposite direction - from Arusha to Nairobi. The 6-hour drive was the trip from H**L! You couldn't pay me to do it again. Most of the route was under construction and it was incredibly rough and dusty. We had booked well in advance (with the Impala shuttle from the Impala Hotel) and had two seats in row 2. However, at the last moment, they combined two buses and we (and our fellow passengers) were booted off our bus onto the other bus, where we grabbed what seats were left. My DH and I ended up in the second last row, over the wheels. Luggage was stacked in the last row (just behind us) and several times we had suitcases come down on our heads. Normally, the luggage is put on the roof, but for some reason they didn't do it for our bus - all of the luggage was in with us - stacked floor to ceiling in the last row. As two females, you will certainly be safe as far as your fellow passengers and any locals are concerned, but watch out for flying luggage, lunatic drivers and a decrepit bus. I would avoid it at all costs - FLY!!! If you must take the bus, try Riverside - avoid the Impala shuttle!</i>
Here is the link if you want to see all of the comments. Several people agreed with my assessment of the Impala Shuttle.:
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-to-arusha.cfm
Robin
<i>My DH and I completed that bus trip this past August - only in the opposite direction - from Arusha to Nairobi. The 6-hour drive was the trip from H**L! You couldn't pay me to do it again. Most of the route was under construction and it was incredibly rough and dusty. We had booked well in advance (with the Impala shuttle from the Impala Hotel) and had two seats in row 2. However, at the last moment, they combined two buses and we (and our fellow passengers) were booted off our bus onto the other bus, where we grabbed what seats were left. My DH and I ended up in the second last row, over the wheels. Luggage was stacked in the last row (just behind us) and several times we had suitcases come down on our heads. Normally, the luggage is put on the roof, but for some reason they didn't do it for our bus - all of the luggage was in with us - stacked floor to ceiling in the last row. As two females, you will certainly be safe as far as your fellow passengers and any locals are concerned, but watch out for flying luggage, lunatic drivers and a decrepit bus. I would avoid it at all costs - FLY!!! If you must take the bus, try Riverside - avoid the Impala shuttle!</i>
Here is the link if you want to see all of the comments. Several people agreed with my assessment of the Impala Shuttle.:
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-to-arusha.cfm
Robin
Mar 17th, 2010, 09:04 AM
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WHAT? gil - are you serious? I mean are you serious about Tanzania as Kenya does NOT ALLOW HUNTING!
It's annoying - in case you are right! I regret having fed money into his operation.
No I did not meet him.
SV
It's annoying - in case you are right! I regret having fed money into his operation.
No I did not meet him.
SV
