r/travel • u/AutoModerator • Aug 13 '15
Destination of the Week - Kenya
Weekly topic thread, this week featuring Kenya. Please contribute all and any questions/thoughts/suggestions/ideas/stories about Kenya.
This post will be archived on our wiki destinations page and linked in the sidebar for future reference, so please direct any of the more repetitive questions there.
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Unhelpful: Read my blog here!!!
Helpful: My favourite part of driving down the PCH was the wayside parks. I wrote a blog post about some of the best places to stop, including Battle Rock, Newport and the Tillamook Valley Cheese Factory (try the fudge and ice cream!).
Unhelpful: Eat all the curry! [picture of a curry].
Helpful: The best food we tried in Myanmar was at the Karawek Cafe in Mandalay, a street-side restaurant outside the City Hotel. The surprisingly young kids that run the place stew the pork curry[curry pic] for 8 hours before serving [menu pic]. They'll also do your laundry in 3 hours, and much cheaper than the hotel.
Undescriptive I went to Mandalay. Here's my photos/video.
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u/koryisma Aug 16 '15
I posted this a few days ago as a response to a different Kenya post... Alternatively, I went to Kenya alone and on a budget a few years back. It was incredible, and really, really affordable. I was in Kenya about 9-10 days total, then also spent a week in Tanzania with a friend.
I stayed at Upperhill Campsite, sometimes in a dorm room ($9/night) a few nights in my own private bungalow ($25/night still with shared bathrooms). I took matatus around (under $1 each trip), and taxis at night. I visited a baby elephant orphanage (Sheldrick Wildlife trust; minimum $7 donation and taxi was probably around $20 or $30 roundtrip) at feeding time and squeed and had my fill of /r/aww for days.
I stayed at a school for the deaf about 3 hours away from Nairobi with a Peace Corps volunteer. I didn't know him, but we had mutual connections and I stayed in his apartment for a few nights while getting an entirely different sense of the country. It was fantastic. Transport there and back was about $5; food was well under $1/meal.
I took a budget safari in the Masai Mara and Serengeti for 2 nights/3 days with people I met up with at the hostel. It was either $250 or $350 total, all-inclusive; I forget which. We were supposed to have a matatu (squatty van type thing) and stay in budget tents. We ended up with a spacious Land Rover because they stopped halfway on the way to the campsite and picked up a refrigerator and upgraded us for the full trip for the "inconvenience" of having to share space with a fridge for an hour (and because it was the only thing the fridge fit in). There were only 4 of us, so it felt quite luxurious.
They told us it was a tent-camp. I didn't realize this meant that the tents had power, fans, an en-suite bathroom with hot shower and flush toilet, and was just as nice as a hotel room. I shared with a stranger (met at the hostel) but it was really worth it. The food was good, the schedule was good, and we saw a lot!
Three days of safari were plenty. We saw most of the big 5, and by the end I was kind of safari'd out, to be honest. I got some great pics (lost now, alas!), and really enjoyed it. We did pay $10 extra each to stop at a touristy Masai village.
I also went to the giraffe center in Nairobi, got licked by a giraffe, and spent lots of time up close and personal with them. It was pretty awesome. Again- probably under $25 or so for transportation out there and the visit.
The people at the hostel connected me with two guys who weren't really tour guides, but who showed me around Nairobi, introduced me to their friends, etc. It was a really cool experience. They were part of an artist's collective, so I spent an afternoon in a treehouse-art center that overlooked the largest market in Nairobi, hanging out with people playing drums and guitars, watching people make silk-screen printed t-shirts, and drinking tea as they chewed qat and just kind of jammed.
All in all, for a totally unforgettable and fantastic 9 or 10 days, I spent well under $1000. It might have been closer to $500-600. This was after my Peace Corps service, when the U.S. government paid for my ticket home. Instead of the direct flight, the money they gave me covered flying through Nairobi, so I paid nothing for airfare.
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u/FromCape2Cairo Aug 18 '15
Do you remember the names of any of the places you went to?
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u/koryisma Aug 18 '15
Parks: Masai Mara and Serengeti (Tanzania) Campsite: Upper Hill Giraffe place: Giraffe Center (Duma rd) Shopping: city market (touristy; bargain!); Gikomba market (less touristy) school for the deaf: in Kerugoya (but don't go without a contact/invitation) elephant orphanage: Sheldrick Wildlife trust
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u/curioushuman3524 Sep 02 '15
Do you remember the contact info/website of the place you did a tour with? I'm interested in doing a budget safari this Nov in Masai Mara. Thanks!
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u/ChrisTheDog Georgia Aug 13 '15
I'm heading to Kenya in the next two weeks for work, so I should have some good photos and stories to share when I get back.
Anybody got restaurant recommendations in Nairobi? Aside from Carnivore, I've got no plans for my 4-5 nights there before I head on safari.
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u/SIDA Aug 18 '15
There's a great new restaurant near Talisman in Karen called Marula Mercantile. Look it up on Tripadvisor. Outstanding food.
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Aug 18 '15
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u/ChrisTheDog Georgia Aug 18 '15
I've been living in Tanzania for a few months now, so I'm definitely acclimatizing to local food. Ugali isn't a taste I've managed to acquire, but I like most everything else about the local cuisine :)
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Aug 18 '15 edited Aug 16 '16
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u/ChrisTheDog Georgia Aug 18 '15
I won't say no to a good bar recommendation! Not so much a club guy - seems they universally annoy me, haha.
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u/keitherson Airplane! Aug 14 '15
I did a week in Nairobi, and it was quite challenging. The only reliable bus infrastructure is matutu's, and that's definitely not for new travelers. There's also areas I wandered, such as River Road and Eastleigh, which is generally off limits for tourists. As a "mzungu" you should definitely do a tour; I had met a fellow Canadian who was telling me the night before he had been apprehended by police downtown for not having "proper identification" (i.e. not carrying his passport on him) and he had to pay 50 USD otherwise he would "go to jail". (Obviously, officer was just looking for an easy bribe.)
Nearly everyone on the plane went straight from aircraft to tour group and off to the safaris, bypassing Nairobi completely. However, there are some things to see there: Nairobi does have a huge natural park, complete with elephant sanctuary. There's also a giraffe sanctuary as well. Distance wise, it's practically a suburb of Nairobi.
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u/CantLookUp United Kingdom Aug 16 '15
The only reliable bus infrastructure is matutu's, and that's definitely not for new travelers.
Could you elaborate on why?
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u/keitherson Airplane! Aug 18 '15
Crowded, confusing routes, shared with poor locals, very questionable safety. Makes the the private bus networks in South America seem like a breeze.
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u/87468976 Aug 15 '15
I spent three months in Kenya last summer with the International Citizen Service. I was working on a livelihoods programme with different disadvantaged groups in rural communities, but the biggest takeaway for me was the country's physical beauty. The wildlife and scenery throughout each national park combine to take your breath away.
Tourism has taken a hit recently after Al-Shabaab's retaliations (Mombassa, Nairobi etc.), but for anyone considering visiting I would recommend Il Ngwesi Lodge:
This lodge is owned by the community, meaning that the money it makes is reinvested into the conservation of land, wildlife and people. I only stayed there for one night, but it's a time I won't be forgetting soon. That may be due to the fact I spent the rest of my time with no electricity and running water, but that's another story!
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u/Odd_Custard_1959 May 19 '24
My family and I are doing a 2 week trip to Kenya in August - Nairobi, Mara, Diani - split roughly equally. Some questions:
Can anyone recommend a good eSIM card with voice & data based on personal experience?
Is cash accepted or does Kenya operate mostly on a cashless basis? If the latter, how do we as tourists access the cashless platforms? Should we still carry a little cash regardless?
What is the security and safety situation in Nairobi currently? Is Westlands a generally safe area to stay?
Thanks
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u/pandasex69 Jun 19 '24
Hi, my wife and I are heading to East Africa next month (7/24-8/2) for a safari, we wanted to catch the great migration. We arrive in Nairobi 7/25, and want to start the safari 7/26, and plan to get back to Nairobi 7/31, so 6 days total. I am trying to decide if we should just stay in Kenya and do Masai Mara + Amboseli, or if we should do Masai Mara and go into Tanzania for Serengeti. I've read online that Masai Mara and Serengeti have similar ecosystems so we will see similar stuff, but since it is during the great migration would the epicness of what we would be seeing in those areas outweigh what we would be seeing in Amboseli? I would like to see the view of Kilamanjaro as well.
Also if anyone has any recommendations for agencies to go through, I have looked into Shadows of Africa, but also about to look into Intrepid as well. Getting quoted around 4500 from Shadows for Masai > Serengeti > Arusha > Nairobi.
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u/JackTheLab Canada Aug 14 '15
There is a reason why everyone recommends the Carnivore restaurant.. because it is awesome and everyone should go! Great food, really exotic stuff, and it's fun to get to try pieces of meat you would never consider eating (like ox testicles). Tell the server if someone in your group has a birthday because they have an awesome birthday song routine.
If you are a nervous traveler or if you are unaccustomed to travel in third world countries, I would strongly suggest a tour. It is a difficult country to do on your own, even though the locals are all very helpful. You can't count on internet access and even cell service in places. Tour guides will take care of all the details for you, and help you get around when you have free time.
Also, if possible, try to bring some stuff to donate to the locals. My friend and I went with backpacks full of toys, school supplies, hygiene products, dollar store goodies, etc. Lots of tour companies will happily take any donations and make sure they get to the people who need them. There were also times when we stopped near schools and handed out things like pencils and notebooks to all the kids who were super thrilled to see us.
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u/HikrGrl Aug 13 '15
My husband and I are visiting Masa Mara, Ambesolli, and Nakuru as part of a budget safari tour. I believe we are staying in a camp outside masa mara, hotels outside the others. Can anyone attest to the relative safety of these areas? Or anything that you would recommend to ensure we remain safe (besides for the obvious things such as strangers, going out at night, etc)? Want to see the animals but no matter what country, people always scare me more than animals!
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u/rorydaniel Canada Aug 15 '15
Sounds like you're largely sticking to the safari areas. In my experience all of those areas were relatively safe, as long as you take the normal precautions. It's more the bigger cities you have to be wary in (Mombasa, Nairobi). That being said the Indian ocean around Mombasa is beautiful, and there are some fun things to do in Nairobi. I really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary.
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u/JackTheLab Canada Aug 14 '15
I went on a budget tour of Kenya and Tanzania and never felt unsafe. That being said, they kept us pretty isolated from the general public.. we always camped in secluded areas and the only stops we made in towns were at tourist locations like Carnivore restaurant and Kisii Soapstone. I did chat with some locals and all were very friendly, but obviously Kenya is a third world country and you will run into the same types of scammers and beggars as you would elsewhere. I would just advise staying with the group as much as possible and asking your guides for suggestions and advice when you have alone time. Overall though, I'm sure you'll be fine!
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u/SIDA Aug 18 '15
Go to Lamu (Shela Village, specifically). Amazing architecture, food (Peponi Hotel), and stuff to do (take a Dhow ride at sunset, watch a sea turtle nest hatch, etc.) Ignore the misinformed security advisories. I've lived in Kenya for 3 years.
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u/pepperedbutter Aug 19 '15
Just back from Watamu, near Malindi on the east coast.
Make sure you visit the coast if you get a chance, best time is between November and February as there is no seaweed and the place is a bit more lively (plenty of hotels closed this time of year).
Amazing beaches, friendly locals and great restaurants. New Year's Eve and Xmas are very popular with expats - hemingways, ocean sports, medinah palms and turtle bay are a few places to stay that come to mind.
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u/GeekChes Aug 19 '15
I actually had bought a vacation ticket from one of the tour operators in Kenya about a month ago but due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be able to attend the safari which is slated for Sept/Oct. I booked the vacation for USD 2500 (12-day safari minus flights). I am willing to sell it to any interested person for USD 2000 because a cancellation would see me refunded USD 1500. If you are interested or have questions, feel free to PM me.
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u/SmoothDrama2 Aug 10 '24
Anyone here who's travelled in the last month to Kenya? The protests seem to be ebbing then growing violent again. How much is it impacting tourism ?
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u/Many_Rain878 Aug 13 '24
Hi everyone,
I was wondering, has anyone traveled to Kenya recently? On there online "ETA" system which is essentially the visa, in the trip information section there is a part that asks for departure details, but if you don't know your flight then just leave it blank. However, when you get to the last category to upload documents, it says to upload both the hotel you are staying at, and then both your arrival and departure flight documents. I don't have my return ticket yet as I am playing my trip by year. Does anyone know if my visa will be approved if I simply just upload my arrival ticket and no departure ticket? Thanks!
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u/SenaSena67 Aug 27 '24
Hello
We are planning a trip to Kenya next year. We will be visiting Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha Amboseli, and Tsavo National Parks and at the end couple of days at Diani Beach.
My question is, if for all the places would 15 days be enough?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you.
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u/PromotionChance5024 Sep 24 '24
With 15 days you can enjoy a comfortable beach and bush Safari in Kenya.
You can check for flights arriving in Nairobi in the evening for an overnight stay then embark on the Southern Safari Circuit and you can do one night in Tsavo East and 1 Night in Tsavo West or spend the first two nights in Tsavo West. Head to Amboseli for 2 nights, then you can do an overnight stop in Naivasha. Then head to Masai Mara for 3 nights. Come back to Nakuru for either 1 night or 2 nights and then head to Diani.
Feel free to drop us your request with the number of pax and the period you are likely to travel and we will be happy to revert with a detailed quotation for consideration.
Email: [Travel@roveventures.co.ke](mailto:Travel@roveventures.co.ke)
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u/OkSurprise3636 Apr 01 '23
We are going to Kenya in early June for about 7-10 days to see the animals and get to know the country a tiny bit. We will be coming from two weeks in Burundi, where our son is working. Can anyone recommend a safari company that I can book from the United States? We don't need to scrimp on money. (I'd also love all other recommendations, but I want to get the safari nailed down so that I can buy my plane tickets.) Thank you!
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u/safarisexpert Aug 21 '23
Sorry, I know its late for this, I would recommend considering the services of "Comprehensive Kenya Safaris," a well-established safari company based here in Kenya. They offer a variety of safari packages that cater to different preferences and durations. Since you're not looking to cut corners on expenses, they should be able to provide you with a comfortable and memorable safari experience.
You can easily book your safari with Comprehensive Kenya Safaris online from the United States. They have a user-friendly website that allows you to explore their safari options, accommodations, and other details. Additionally, their staff is usually responsive to emails and can help tailor a safari itinerary to your specific interests and timeframe.
Once you have your safari plans in place, you can then proceed to book your plane tickets with the confidence that your safari is arranged. This way, you can enjoy your time in both Burundi and Kenya without any last-minute worries.
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u/Doziglieri Aug 13 '15
spent about a week in Kenya this past June.
1.5 days in Nairobi - found the city rather unimpressive, lots of shops selling the same touristy stuff, lots of people asking for handouts or explaining why we should give them money with some long sob story. Most of the people were very nice, and the restaurants we wandered into had great food for inexpensive prices.
next 5 days were spent in Maasai Mara on a guided safari tour. For those who don't know this is a huge wildlife reserve a couple hours from Nairobi in the great rift valley. I would highly recommend spending time here if possible. the scenery is beautiful and we got some great views of Lions, black Rhinos, Elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, etc. We stayed in a tent lodge where our meals were prepared for us and had a great experience. met lots of interesting people and had a lot of fun. If I didnt have so many other places to travel I would absolutely go back here. if anyone is thinking about it and has any questions feel free to ask.