Kenya Off The Beaten Path

 
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  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by croisbeauty
  • LOIGERO PRIMARY SCHOOL: Masai Mara
      LOIGERO PRIMARY SCHOOL: Masai Mara
    by samitbabu
  • With JACOB JNKUMUM: Senior Teacher
      With JACOB JNKUMUM: Senior Teacher
    by samitbabu
  • Sharing a joke with Kuntaai and Jacob
      Sharing a joke with Kuntaai and Jacob
    by samitbabu
  • A short Class on Geography and general knowledge
      A short Class on Geography and general...
    by samitbabu
 
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BACK TO THE BASICS with the Masais

by samitbabu

Hi,I had spent some time with the Masais in one of their villages while on my trip to Kenya.have been very luI found a very well educated Masai and have built a camaraderie with him and one with whom I am still in touch. I have also been lucky to earn their faith and this now provides a wonderful chance for us , the 'more' civilized world if I may say so, to learn about them.I am thinking on a program of Back to the Basics with the Masais. It would ideally mean living a day with the Masais and like a Masai.This program would showcase a deep insight into their lifestyle and society, knowledge of their lives and social behavoiur.I also some some wild crazy ideas of 'Marraige in Masai Style" and am trying to build on that.I would be very happy to get views from all VT members on this idea and if anyone would be interested to take part in the Program.Here is the link to my Masai Mara Page...

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safari, 30 minutes drive away from the airport

by sphynxxs

For those in a hurry or just in Nairobi, this might be an alternative to visiting Nairobi National Park - especially given the fact that entry prices have gone up dramatically to 75$ for tourists now. Swara Plains is a little private game sanctuary just off mombasa highway, a 30 minutes drive from Nairobi international airport. definitely worthwhile to go on a day trip (entry charges are 500 KES, quite a difference to the national parks) and if you plan to stay overnight, there is also Acacia Camp with a group of little banda cottages. When I was there I saw the usual suspects - antelopes, zebras, giraffes and certainly the highest number of ostriches I´ve ever seen. If you are lucky, you might even spot cheetahs

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Camunya Hotel

by Suet

This is the best place in Ugunja to eat drink and stay. At least that is what my hosts told me. It looks quite nice, reception, garden and marquee, kitchen. Address is PO Box 446-40606 Ugunja, Kenya, E Africa.We stopped off for a cup of tea and some soup. A simple enough request. I wanted hot tea with cold milk, usual Mzungu style and a bowl of asparagus soup as the menu listed.It could not have been more complicated. First a glass of cold milk arrived but no tea. Then two tea pots arrived but after the milk had been removed. 2 slices of bread arrive but no soup. The chef came out to ask what I wanted. I showed him on the menu and he said he didn't have any. I asked what do you have, he showed me, so I ordered that. Nothing happened after half an hour, no cold milk. In the end I gave up and went indoors to speak to the manager. The whole process took over an hour. We ate the 2 slices of...

Ugunja Village Life

by Suet

This is a total eye opener. I doubt whether people from the States, Britain or Europe could cope. It's fun for a while to fetch water, find and carry firewood, work in the fields to get your daily food, even sleep in the warmth of the mud hut. Try doing this for the rest of your life, cope with getting malaria because you can't afford a bed net or antimalarials and work like a dog digging up your shamba (garden/field) in the heat until you are past 70 years old. There is no Social Security or Welfare here. It's just about OK if you are young and fit and don't need medication and the mosquitos don't find you tasty and it remains dry. When the rains come, the whole place is a quagmire, travel is stopped and the mosquitos come out in force. Add to that pain, malnutrition, HIV and insecurity and all of a sudden it is not so much fun.

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Ugunja Village

by Suet

This is certainly off the beaten path, although a few Mzungus (Europeans) make it here from various NGO's (non government organisations). It's a small village on the Kisumu Road in North West Kenya. The town itself is small, there is a metalled road that takes you there, but the other roads are laterite, steeply cambered and dusty at the best of times, but certainly dangerous in the long and short rains. I only went there as my friends live in a lovely compound amongst the fields. However, in order to get to see them, it was a day long trip from Nairobi.Things are pretty basic in Ugunja, the traditional huts are made from mud with grass roofs for sleeping and living, with another hut for cooking. They have a sort of outside kitchen where you wash up, having gone to fetch the water from either the bore hole or the river. Cooking is done on open fires in the corner of the kitchen hut and...

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Green hills of Kenya

by sphynxxs

The Shimba Hills might not appear so far off the beaten track, being within easy driving distance from the Kenyan South coast and tourist places like Diani beach, but while it is just a 45 minutes drive from the beach hotels, the hills have nonetheless a remote feeling, far away from the buzzing crowds. The national park is home of about 300 elephants and the only place to find sable antelopes in Kenya. There are a number of picknick sites and you can hike to Sheldrick Falls, provided you are in the company of a KWS ranger. There is a campsite if you want to stay over night, plus four KWS bandas that sleep up to three people each, overlooking the hills with a glimpse of the ocean at the horizon

Arabuko Sokoke Forest

by Kokkiem

Not really "off the beaten track" as you pass by on your way from Kilifito Malindi, but more unknown and thus unadmired. This forest is the juwel of the Kenyan coast, housing 600 species of birds, frogs, lots of butterflies, large mammals (caracals, elephant...) and endemic species as the Ader's duiker (antilope), the Sokoke Scops Owl, the Sokoke pipit (bird) or the difficult to spot properly Golden-rumped Elephant shrew. You won't have a traffic jam of mini-busses entering the forest. Actually, you probably won't meet anyone else. There are hiking trails and driving trails. The forest is large and exists out of different vegetation (mixed forest, woodland, Cynomytra forest, mangroves, ...). You would like to explore as much as p If you do not have your own car, you can call a cab to drive you around

Isiolo market

by muguruki

Love the market here in Isiolo. Most markets I enjoy but this one is a belter with a collection of herbalists who are mainly women from the Borana community. You will also find various Somali bangles for sale as well as daggers that the local Samburu seem to favour stuck into their belts under red and white shukas that can be bought in the market.

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Hideaway close to Naivasha

by sphynxxs

Lake Naivasha is a popular destination from Nairobi especially on weekends, but if you pass the lake and head on, you might prefer emerald green Crater lake in th heart of a small private game sanctuary. According to the belief of the local massai, the water in the crater of an extinct volcano has healing powers. you can do walks around the lake (make sure not to disturb buffaloes) or watch the numerous flamingoes. There is also a small lodge at the lake with a restaurant for non-residents as well, including a floating restaurant for lunches

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Kenya Safari

by Odinnthor

There is truly a treasure trove of things to see and do in Kenya. I will just mention a few. I have done several Safaris, as a Tour Manager, - usually a combination of Kenya and Tanzania, mostly of the expensive kind. ( I once did a camp safari where the tents had hardwood floors and tables had white linens and crystal champagne glasses, - all packed on a seperate vehicle that goes on ahead and sets up, while the group is meandering through the game reserves )The Masi Mara N Park is great and the Sarova Luxury camp is still around. Visit a Masai village either there or in Amboseli N'l Park. I have not done the Hot Air ballon ride but understand that it is worth it for the panoramic views. Mount Kenya N'l Park with the Mountain Rock Lodge and its salt lick and wooden observation platforms. The Tsavo is fantastic for game viewing, the plains are teaming with life, - elephant herds and lion...

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Unique Places in Kenya

Top 3 Hotels in Kenya

Nairobi Serena Hotel  Nairobi

 4 Reviews and 205 Opinions  The Nairobi Serena is a top quality hotel and our stay was excellant. The staff were polite and... 

 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 209 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
 
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Reviews and photos of Kenya attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Kenya sightseeing.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Kenya
  1. Nairobi Off The Beaten Path
  2. Mombasa Off The Beaten Path
  3. Masai Mara Game Reserve Off The Beaten Path
  4. Malindi Off The Beaten Path
  5. Lake Nakuru National Park Off The Beaten Path
  6. Ukunda Off The Beaten Path
  7. Lamu Island Off The Beaten Path
  8. Mount Kenya National Park Off The Beaten Path
  9. Amboseli National Park Off The Beaten Path
  10. Malindi Off The Beaten Path
  11. Nanyuki Off The Beaten Path
  12. Aberdare National Park Off The Beaten Path
  13. Watamu Off The Beaten Path
  14. Tsavo National Park East Off The Beaten Path
  15. Kitale Off The Beaten Path
  16. Mombasa Island Off The Beaten Path
  17. Tsavo National Park West Off The Beaten Path
  18. Bamburi Off The Beaten Path
  19. Kimana Off The Beaten Path
  20. Maralal Off The Beaten Path
  21. Lamu Off The Beaten Path
  22. Shanzu Off The Beaten Path
  23. Tsavo National Park Off The Beaten Path
  24. Meru Off The Beaten Path
  25. Lodwar Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Kenya

Coast Province Off The Beaten Path  Rift Valley Province Off The Beaten Path  Nairobi Area Off The Beaten Path  Nyanza Province Off The Beaten Path  Central Province Off The Beaten Path  Eastern Province Off The Beaten Path 

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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.... 

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