Kenya Local Customs

  LIVE WITH THE MASAIS : A experience for...
by samitbabu
 
  • LIVE WITH THE MASAIS : A experience for a Lifetime
      LIVE WITH THE MASAIS : A experience for...
    by samitbabu
  • Photo capturing : LIVE WITH THE MASAIS
      Photo capturing : LIVE WITH THE MASAIS
    by samitbabu
  • LIVE WITH THE MASAIS: Song and Dance
      LIVE WITH THE MASAIS: Song and Dance
    by samitbabu
  • Discussing the details : LIVE WITH THE MASAIS
      Discussing the details : LIVE WITH THE...
    by samitbabu
  • A Masai Woman : LIVE WITH THE MASAIS
      A Masai Woman : LIVE WITH THE MASAIS
    by samitbabu
 
Great Prices, Great Rooms
hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-914-6835
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates

Sponsored Links

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Internet cafe in the hotels

by Myndo

Internet service: There is an Internet Cafe in the Flamingo Hotel (I guess in other hotels as well- not in the Dolphin, though). The ?Cafe? actually consists of two computers, connected with the internet over an analogue modem.It works, but is really really a test for ones patience (which is not far as it concerns me). To get the PCs to operate, you have to buy a code at the hotel reception. There are 3 possibilities: For 1 Euro you can ?surf? the net for 10 Minutes (which is hardly enough to check your mail, so sloooow it is), for 5 Euro you get 55 minutes, for 10 Euro 120 minutes. That is the theory, in my case they did not have any 5 Euro codes anymore ļ... Well. At least the Pcs do seem to have their own connection to the electricity, because even when we had a big black out (no more lights and air conditioning) they were still running.

Tip Photo
Languages - and a guide in tourist Kishuaheli

by Myndo

The official language of Kenya is English and Kishuaheli. It is a good idea to learn some of the phrases in Kishuaheli, brings you more sympathy, too. 50 Million of people speak Kishuaheli not that many do speak english here.So here are some useful phrases, A small guide of tourist Kishuaheli:Jambo - hello, good dayHabari (yako) how are you?Mzuri sana - very goodKaribu - wellcomeNdiyo - YesHapana - NoAsante sana- Thank youTafadhali - BitteSawa sana - okayDaktari - doctorHatari - dangerKwa heri - goodbyePole pole - slow, slowHakuna matata- No problemThe last two things you will hear especially often, it seemed to me. It is a thing of mentality. Only tourists haste and everything will work out, no problem – hakuna matata – never mind.

Tip Photo
Beach Boys

by Myndo

Reading through other Tips about that theme I sometimes think that I may be doing them wrong, but in my opinion they are a real nuisance.When I am having holidays and trying to get some quiet days at the beach, I do not want to be bothered with literally dozens of people trying to sell me something which I mostly won’t need nor want in any case. If I want to buy something, I will go look on my own, I don´t need nor want to be pushed.Yes, i know they are only trying to make their living with this, but i am trying to have some quiet, and maybe even have a swim in the sea.You should know that the beach is divided in two areas. The hotels and the beach boys (though they do not have to be boys, there are also woman). The line is mostly made by a rope. You may want to step over that rope and lazily walk up the beach or have a swim in the water, but what you actually do is step into their...

Tip Photo
Electricity

by Myndo

Kenya has plugs with three points to it (see picture). You may need an adapter. If you don’t have any, most hotels will rent you one for a small fee or depot. The ones we normally use (the 2 point one in the picture, a swiss plug) sometimes works with the plugs of the shavers in the toilets without an adapter.If you go on safari, make sure to take enough batteries with you for your cameras etc. Although most of the Camps we were on do have electricity (from generators), they sometimes only have it at special times (5 p.m. to morning in the Crocodile Camp), or no plugs (but you can give your batteries and chargers at the reception and they will do that for you).Voltage is 230 V. (220 - 240 Volt)

Tip Photo
Water

by Myndo

Kenya is a country that suffers- like many other African countries from having few water. Of course there is the sea and some bigger lakes, but most of this is not drinkable. In the hotels at the coast they use water from the sea that has been de-salted for showers and such. The water is still salty, though, which is somewhat irritating if you are not used to it.For brushing the teeth you should use the water that they have next to the sink in a bottle. That is of a little better quality- but still not good for drinking. Drinking water is available everywhere. The ASC hotels do even have their own brand (see picture) with or without gaz. It is quite good and up to the newest standards.Back to the few water: show a little ecological finesse and use water with brain. That means not showering 3 times a day, even when it is hot. (Yes, I mean you, fellow swiss tourist – it is also irritating...

Tip Photo
Cats in the Hotels

by Myndo

Many hotels have their own cat colonies. As one is told right in the beginning, they should not be fed. They have a job to do, which they will not, if they get lazy. They are here to catch the mice and rats. If they don’t the snakes will come to do that. But don’t worry, the cats are quite good looked after. The ones in our hotel are being fed once a day. My guess is, that they are also being neutered. The ones that belong to the hotel are recognized by the missing top piece of one of their ears. I thought it always interesting how the cats and the monkeys interact with each other. Mostly they tend to ignore each other, but sometimes, well ... (screech, mrow, ...)

Tip Photo
How to get you to buy something

by Myndo

Be it the beach boys or the vendors on the street or any souvenir shop - they do have several ways to ?trick? you into conversation and hopefully then buying something from your new ?friend?.Most used would be to ask "Where are you from?" - this is not only a good conversation starter, this is also a first hint how much to charge you for their ?service? or goods. Also they often will proceed with what knowledge they have from your language.Also a good thing is asking about your name. Say it and before you know they quickly finish carving a key chain with your name on it. Now you just can?t refrain for buying it, can you? After all if you don?t buy it, they cannot sell it to anyone else...Next comes the "just look, you don?t have to buy anything", and lets not to forget the "I have x kids that depend on me", the "It is really cheap, it?s good quality".A lot will also ask you for pens or...

Tip Photo
Local People in Kenya Back Country

by no1birdlady

Our guide told us never to photograph local people without their permission. Some of them feel very strongly against this, feeling it will steal their soul. Others are glad to have their photo taken if asked, and others wish to be paid. But the point is that you should not take photos of them out the van windows without asking. In some places you will come upon groups of locals selling things such as wooden carvings, or jewelry. Usually they will allow photography if paid. I paid this Masai woman $1 for her photo. I also took a lot of good clothes from my sons(who moved out and left all of this stuff!), some cloth yardage, baseball hats and other things like this that I gave to the people or traded. It's nice to show appreciation to someone such as a young man who guides us for an hour by giving him a nice shirt. He was paid by the tour company for doing this but my little gift was...

Tip Photo
The Masai

by Tallchick80

Once a very proud and carefree culture, the Masai people have been swept up in the poverty of Kenya. The Masai do not believe in owning anything, and consider themselves people of the land. When they die, their bodies are taken out into the land and placed so that they may return into the chain of the world. The Masai used to completely ignore the whites and the other tribes and go about their lives as normal, but times have changed them. Now, the Masai are moving into the cities and taking jobs, they are begging, and the villages are growing ever-smaller as the Masai way of life slowly dies.The outside world is greatly influencing their culture, and with the mass of Christian missionaries and various other organisations, they are growing more and more dependant on modern means of living. This once great and beautiful culture is dying, and I predict that the only remnants of it left...

Tip Photo
globalization

by sweety3

Most of Kenian speak at least 2 languages, so it's easy to understand each other. Don' t forget to ask before shooting pictures to any person that you meet on the road. Most of them will not refuse, but it's a good use to tip them. Children will ask for hats, pens and sweeties, so if you decide to walk into a village don't forget to bring some of these items with you.Aware for female single traveler: mens are so sweet that you will immediately feel in love. I had a lovestory there and a very nice souvenir but..........Do not promise them a new life in Europe or US or you will have them knocking at your homedoor.

Tip Photo
Local traditions and culture in Kenya

Top 3 Hotels in Kenya

Nairobi Serena Hotel  Nairobi

 5 Reviews and 206 Opinions  Our partners in SA were having a business conference in Nairobi and needed a hotel with good... 

 Hotels in Nairobi

Governors' IlMoran Camp  Masai Mara Game Reserve

 4 Reviews and 67 Opinions  Little Governors Camp was built in 1976 in the Masai Mara in Kenya with its own independent... 

 Hotels in Masai Mara Game Reserve

Serena Beach Hotel & Spa  Mombasa

 1 Review and 211 Opinions  Quite a long way out of Mombasa to the North, this is said to be one of the best hotels on the coast... 

 Hotels in Mombasa

225 Hotels in Kenya
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Travel Highlights

The Place

Reviews and photos of Kenya attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Kenya sightseeing.

Experience Kenya
Local Customs: Cities in Kenya
  1. Nairobi Local Customs
  2. Mombasa Local Customs
  3. Masai Mara Game Reserve Local Customs
  4. Malindi Local Customs
  5. Lake Nakuru National Park Local Customs
  6. Mount Kenya National Park Local Customs
  7. Amboseli National Park Local Customs
  8. Tsavo National Park East Local Customs
  9. Aberdare National Park Local Customs
  10. Kitale Local Customs
  11. Samburu Game Reserve Local Customs
  12. Tsavo National Park West Local Customs
  13. Bamburi Local Customs
  14. Kimana Local Customs
  15. Maralal Local Customs
  16. Lamu Local Customs
  17. Kisii Local Customs
  18. Shanzu Local Customs
  19. Tsavo National Park Local Customs
  20. Oyugis Local Customs
  21. Marsabit National Reserve Local Customs
  22. Shimoni Local Customs

More Cities in Kenya

 

Popular Regions in Kenya

Coast Province Local Customs  Rift Valley Province Local Customs  Nairobi Area Local Customs  Nyanza Province Local Customs  Central Province Local Customs  Eastern Province Local Customs 

More Regions in Kenya

Questions and Answers

ciera profile photo

Q:  i want to go to kenya for 5 months with my 3 children and husbin im wondering what are so wonderful sites to see? 

CatherineReichardt profile photo

A: Hi Why don't you start by reading the many travel pages on Kenya that VT members have already compiled? As you're a new member, you may not yet be aware how to do this.... 

Read 2 Replies

postQuestion_button

Click here for best deals for Kenya

Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates
Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Sponsored Links