| Tips and photos of Nairobi tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Nairobi locals. Nairobi Map |
 | Nairobi Tourist Traps | Tips 1 - 10 of 11 |  |
According to the certain internet sites, Nairobi is very dangerous place for the tourists, both during the day and night. As a metter of fact, there is official city site in which I found it is called Nairobbery. I've spend three days in Nairobi, strolling all over the city center and some of its outskirts, and didn't have any kind of encounter which might be considered inconvinient. Most of the people was friendly and polite, minding their own business.
Most of the places change their faces during the night becoming less friendly, or perhaps it is just our imagination or predjudice. I was in couple of night-clubs, in the outskirt of Nairobi, but felt very safe there. What is in our nature that makes us feel scared when dark comes over the town? Is it something we barried in our minds when being kids, most likely.
In my country we use to say, "those who are looking for trouble will always find it", no metter if in Nairobi or somwhere else.
Iwas suggested in my hotel not to take out my camera during the night because it might be robbed. That is the main reason why I didn't make any night-time picture of Nairobi. In my next visit, hopfully very soon, I'll surely do it. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Nairobi?
Read reviews about Nairobi Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
When in Nairobi you wont need to call for a taxi instead ,they will call you. Only few cars around have visible taxi marks on, great majority of them look alike to a normal cars. Therefore, it is up to you to decide whom to trust for a ride.
First and the most important, all Kenyans think the same, mzungu (whiteman) tourists are loaded with the money so any price asked for a ride should be acceptable for them. Fact is, you should never enter into the taxi if the price for a ride isn't stipulated. No matter how good in bargain mzungu is, the price for a ride should always be higher than it realy is.
Another thing, make sure you have enough petty cash in your pocket because most of the local taxi drivers will pretend like having no change.
Be arrogant, make them belive it is not your first visit to Kenya and cut thier asked price at half. From airport to the city centre, the ride shouldn't cost more than 1.000 up to 1.200 kes. For the ride inside the city area it should be from 100 up to 500 kes, even if it takes long because of the traffic jam. Give them something more for a night time ride, but not too much. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
If you are near a hotel(especially anywhere near Kimathi or Mama Ngina st) you will often encounter well dressed men who have pamphlets. They usually start by asking how you like Kenya and where your from before they whip out the pamphlet and talk the talk. The pamphlets tell you that you'll see X and Y and that you can pay below luxury prices through the agent.
This is a CLASSIC scam, as you pay at the hotel. They pocket the money and you are left in substandard accomodations or with extra charges on your card.
This info comes to me by way of a former security guard and is accurate as of 2005-06.
If confronted be polite but firm. Do not make eye contact and keep walking.. the tout will get the picture and leave you alone. I often tell them I just came from said pamphlet area and enjoyed it so I have no need of another Safari, this works for the more agressive touts.
Their are many reputable tour companies that run out of the Hilton or nearby. Use these instead and your Safari will be a much better experience.
|
| | |
You have to be careful here. At the end of the day it is a place of business and there is a high potential for pick pocketing and purse theft. So be careful where you keep your belongings and don't be afraid to be aggressive...but not overly aggressive!
Keep your eyes and ears open and make sure you keep your belongings close to you. Don't wear anything fancy, such as watches or jewelry becasue those are targets of tourists!
the mall... Leave a Comment
|
 Curio shop by BorneoGrrl
If you find the price is too high, bargain, bargain, bargain!! The people are so nice and friendly so you may feel a bit guilty to reduce the price too much. Otherwise, just smile and walk away
|
Visiting Nairobi?
Read reviews about Nairobi Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Most of the tourists here seem to be attracted for the country after seeing Out of Africa. I did not lose my time and my money visiting the house of the writer. Leave a Comment
|
If you want a fair price, don't try and buy from the Indian merchants in Nairobi. They mark everything up and are very pushy when it comes to negotiating, even more then the local Kenyans. I turned them down a few times and saved myself almost 75 ksh less just by using a local merchant. I did have to haggle, but the Indian guys just became irate that I didn't want to pay their "fair" price.
Price shop first. IF they don't beat the Kenyan price.. it's time to walk. Be aware that sometimes if you buy one thing, you will be asked to buy more then you want to.
Buy Kenyan, not Indian market price.
|
One thing I noted about Kenya (and Tanzania) was the different prices for tourists and how much greater they are than for locals. While I agree in principle I did wonder a couple of times at the extent of the difference. An example is the Nairobi Museum which is KS100 for locals and KS800 for tourists (approx $US13). Leave a Comment
|
Really not worth it. Too much hassle & a bit overated. The smaller City Market in market St downtown is a calmer better affair.
Go with a local
City Market and the street around Leave a Comment
|
 David by fishandchips
If approached make sure you have a chat about expectations. Many will drop you and look for someone else while others will advise that they are looking for a few extra dollars to help feed their family. On my trip I was approached by several and ended up taking a very long walk with David. He was a Zimbabwe national living in Nairobi with siblings and looking for a few extra dollars to help out. I got a tour of much of Nairobi - parts I should not have gone into! - and ended up with a stack of photos that I would never had captued and sights that I would never have seen. Leave a Comment
|
 | 1 | 2 |  |
|
- Nairobi Serena Hotel
Kenyatta Avenue & Nyerere Road P.O. Box 46302, Nairobi - InterContinental Nairobi
City Hall Way, Nairobi - Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
P.O. Box 48690 Nairobi, Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Nairobi - The Sarova Stanley
Corner of Kimathi Street & Kenyatta Avenue P.O.Box 30680, Nairobi - LAICO Regency Hotel Nairobi
Loita Street, Uhuru Highway, Nairobi - Sarova Panafric Nairobi
Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi - Hilton Nairobi
Mama Ngina St, Nairobi - Voi Safari Lodge Nairobi
Tsavo Safari Camp East, Nairobi - Safari Park Hotel Nairobi
Kasarani On Thika Road P.O. Box 45038, Nairobi - Samburu Serena Safari Lodge
P.O. Box 48690, Nairobi - Norfolk Hotel
Harry Thuku Rd, Nairobi - Jacaranda Hotel
Waiyaki Way PO Box 14287, Nairobi - Bateleur Camp At Kichwa Tembo
Kichwa Tembo, Nairobi - Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Shaba National Reserve, Nairobi - Mara Serena Safari Lodge
PO Box 48690, Nairobi
|
