Anyone been to Kenya

[Pluto]

Now I know how much we all love Florida, but has anyone been to Kenya.

I am off there in 5 weeks time. We are going on a Safari and then onto Mobassa for some R&R. Any hints and tips would be gratefully received

[LiesaAnna]

never been looks lovely, have a great time Karen, hope we get to see some photos?

[Ray&Sarah]

Sounds wonderful Karen, hope you have a great time, haven't been myself though.[msnsmile2]

[Genie]

We had lunch with friends of ours yesterday and they were telling us all about their trip to Kenya, they said it was absolutely marvelous. The accomodation was out of this world, they stayed where the elephants and giraffes came right up to the place they ate and would go back again ( they have already been twice ) I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

[Linicia]

You will be expected to pay about £1 per suitcase at the airport for the porters to carry your luggage about 5 yards. On the return to the airport, again you will be asked for £1 per suitcase for a very short distance and then again for them to be lifted onto the x-ray machine. Just be aware of these things, the locals are very poor and trying to make a living.

Take a high Deet mosquito spray and make sure you visit your travel clinic at your local GP (if they have one) for advice on jabs and malaria tablets. Again, be warned, the malaria tablets that are usually prescribed for us are VERY expensive. The last lot cost over £100 for two of us for two weeks supply.

Take some of the hand sanitising gels, now available in handy pocket sizes. There are often no facilities for you or other people to wash their hands.

Take plenty of medicine for upset tummies and some re-hydration powder.

Take plenty of film for the camera, or storage for your digital pics if you have a digital camera.

I am sure you will see some wonderful sights and some not so wonderful ones when in the towns. The wonders are truly that, wonderful but the poverty is something I will never forget. In saying that, I have seen worse in Madagascar.

Overall, an experience not to be missed.

[Pluto]

Pat

Some very useful advice - many thanks

Jabs are now up to date, malaria tablets bought (almost had to re-mortgage for those!) and got a case of Imodium!!

Really looking forward to the trip and will post some photos here when I get back.

[pepsi]

Hi Karen,

We visited Kenya about 19 years ago now. Had a brilliant holiday and one day we hope to go back. We stayed in Nairobi for the first night then went on safari for the rest of the week. We did the Samburu safari which included staying at treetops - what a lovely experience. The lodges, as somebody has already said are out of this world and the food is superb. They all have swimming pools and at one of the lodges we played crochet. We then went onto Mombassa for a week to relax at the coast. We were a little disappointed with Mombassa but the hotel which was 5 star was fantastic.

The next year we did Tanzania for a week and the Seychelles for the second week. The animals are probably better in Tanzania but the lodges and food are definitely not. The guide in Nairobi told us that if you want to put on weight go to Kenya and if you want to loose it go to Tanzania.

I am sure you will have a great holiday!!!

[Sharon G]

Hi Karen,

Went about 16 years ago now!! Stayed in Mombassa in a nice hotel on the beach. The hotel had security guards on the perimeter wall to stop the locals from hassling the tourists and staying guests.

We didn't mind walking on the beach but beware because you could get pestered to buy wood carvings of elephants, giraffes, hippos etc!
They're not that bothered for money either and will gladly exchange their handywork for items of your clothing!!!
We set off one day in T-shirts,shorts, flip-flops,and swimsuits and arrived back at the hotel in just our swimsuits!!! in exchange for an armful of beautifully carved animals![msnsmile2]

Went on a safari but came back with mild food poisoning!!!...the cause was undercooked meat ( I used to have mine cooked medium rare) Always have your meat cooked very very well done at any BBQ's you attend.

I'll see if I can find a photo of the beutiful "Hilton" hotel which was situated all on its own, with some fantastic scenic background with wild animals seen roaming in the distance.[msnwink]

[Cruella DeVilla]

It can be a bit rough and is quite desperate in places so just take the normal precautions, although these sort of places should will not be on the average tourist trail. Mr CDV lived there when he was younger and has some great tales to tell. I guess that new African programme on Sunday night, what's it called Young at Heart or summit, will increase the Safari interest.

Have a great trip.

[Pluto]

Pepsi

We too are spending our first night in Nairobi and our second night at Treetops - really looking forward to this as I have heard very good reports.