travel6492

Hello,
I am from the US and am leaving for Kenya on Nov. 17. This is my itinerary:

Nov. 18 arrive Nairobi
Nov. 19 -20 Nairobi
Nov 21 - Ark Lodge
Nov. 22 - Lake Nakaru
Nov 23-25 - Masi Mari
Nov. 25-26 Nairobi

What is the weather like this time of year? Also, can some one recommend a good guide for the days we are in Nairobi? I am looking for ideas on what to see and do while in Nairobi. Is it best to pre-book any of the tourist things? My mother is coming with me and she is 74 years old. She is in good physical shape so we don't need to worry about climbing or walking. I am also looking recommended restaurants while in Nairobi.

Thanks for all of your help.

sandi

Your tour operator should be able to provide a driver for you for full or half-days while in NBO. If not, see the thread below "Kennedy/Guide in Nairobi" who has gotten excellent reviews from Fodorites who have used his services.

Weather in November is the "short" rainy season. Not daily, maybe not any. If it does, it's usually magnificent afternoon thunderstorms for 1/2 to 1/hr. This settles the dust and rarely does it get humid. If not in the afternoon, then rain overnight. In 12/yrs of travel, believe I've only experienced 3 "wet" episodes when traveling in late November.

As to the temps, latest report from a friend indicated that they're rising. What I've experienced, is cool mornings and nights, daytime temps in high 70s or low 80s, but can vary depending on where you are.

NBO is at 5,000' feet, so doesn't usually get hot. Nor, do the highlands (The Ark) get hot, but it can be humid. In the Mara, it depends on where you are, as some properties are at high altitude... so figure in the high-70s.

Pumbavu

At the moment we're having a bit of rain in Nairobi, although most days have been pretty hot and sunny. Wednesday I was on Lake Naivasha when the sky opened and we got drenched. But we laughed all the way back to the shore.

travel6492 if you email me and let me know what you like to eat I an make some suggestions of restaurants. There are some VERY good ones around Nairobi.

I went to Carnivore last week. I was disgusted at the price I paid, and the service is getting more and more curt as the years go by.

aby

Hi <b>travel6492</b>
with so many days in Nairobi u may consider seeing a bit more of Kenya
out of Nairobi

even without driving far &amp; additional cost you can tour Naivasha for example

<b>pumbavu</b>
did u take an afternoon boat ride?
Afternoon showers in Naivasha can be expected even in mid dry season...
if u got drenched on an early morning cruise u r really unlucky

Patty

Pumbavu,
Have you been further north or at the coast this trip? I read that there have been torrential rains and flooding in the north and on the coast recently. Larsens and Samburu Lodge guests were evacuated http://www.bushdrums.com/news/index.php?shownews=362

Nyamera

Patty,
This afternoon I saw someone who has his family in Archer's Post, but he just complained about the Swedish weather. I had a look at the newspapers and it looks like at least 9 people have died in floods in Isiolo and 12 in Coast Province, in Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale.
To me it seems like rain always brings catastrophic flooding to some place in Kenya.

Pumbavu

Not been much further out of Nairobi than Naivasha. But been following the flooding on the news. I'm here for quite a long time this trip... to the full extent of my tourist visa and in the hope that my working visa will be sorted fairly soon!

Nyamera

Pumbavu,
amp;

Travel6429,
There are lots of things to do in Nairobi and there are several threads about it. Like this one: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860619
There's Nairobi NP, the Sheldrick's elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre, the infamous “cheetah hug” etc. Naivasha sounds like a good idea as well.

kimburu

Pumbavu.... If you're offering re restaurant recommendations, how about alternatives to Carnivore that do dinner, Kenyan curries, any other African food, Heritage House?

Thanks.

Pumbavu

Author: kimburu
alternatives to Carnivore that do dinner&gt; Well I like the Pampas Grill at The Panari, better food and cheaper than Carnivore. Really nice place and friendly staff.

Kenyan curries, any other African food, Heritage House

I've actually found it a lot harder to get African Food when eating out. But there's an outlet at Village Market and food court at Sarit Centre (although I think Sarit Centre one is being refurbished.

Nice top end lunch - Le Rustique (sat next to Ralph Fiennes there!)
Dinner? About Thyme in Westlands
Indian Curry - Again Westlands Centre opposite Tamambos, forgotten the name but great curry.

Making me feel hungry now!

Pumbavu

Curry place is Haandi in the Westlands Archade