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When we finally arrive at the Amboselli gate, desperate locals, trying to sell their crafts, meet us. We buy some beautiful carved hippos and elephants as well as some beads. I guess it helps them out in some small way. I wish we had bought more when I see their faces as I go to sleep at night!
There is very little opportunity to buy as you are sort of wisked through. So be ready or do as we did and insist your driver pulls over before the entrance to give you an opportunity.
What to pay: Pay as much as you can!! This is poverty in the extreme!!
Written Mar 31, 2010
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The shop at Amboseli Serena Lodge has a good selection of souvenirs and some essential items. The prices are non-negotiable but sometimes cheaper than the stuff sold by some souvenir shops along the roads to the game reserves. This also means that you don't have to haggle when you want to bring down prices like in other places. Saves me the exhaustion!
What to buy: Local art, pretty jewelery, postcards, lodge T-shirts and items you forgot to bring e.g toothpaste.
What to pay: Pretty reasonable considering it's right in the middle of the game park
Written Sep 3, 2007
Address: Amboseli Serena Lodge, Kenya
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Local villages are part of the attraction when visiting the National Park system in Kenya, particularly Amboseli and the Masai Mara.
Do your homework and follow the custom tip about bartering hard.
If you've had a chance to window shop at the various curio shops either in Nairobi or one of the lodges first, it will give you a good idea as to the slightly inflated, but fair pricing you should be shopping for.
Ideally, you "should" be able to buy direct for a slightly lower price than the shops sell for as you are cutting out the middle man.
Make a mental note and even written ones (as we did) as to that necklace and what the gift shop at your hotel wants for it.
What to buy: Wooden carvings, local jewelry, handicrafts, weaves, pottery, soapstone and spears. Make sure the soapstone is real - there's alot of fakes and even we, who tried to follow the guidelines of "tapping it" to make sure it didn't chip fell to a very good forgery.
What to pay: Ideally, you "should" be able to buy direct for a slightly lower price than the shops sell for as you are cutting out the middle man.
Make a mental note and even written ones (as we did) as to that necklace and what the gift shop at your hotel wants for it.
When the locals initially quote you their incredibly high price you'll at least have a reference point with which to barter - but to do so, you'll have to start out much much lower than their initial price.
Always start out 20% of what their initial price is and barter up from there, eventually paying a maximum of 40 - 50%!
Written Nov 18, 2006
1 - 3 of 3
1 Review and 78 Opinions While this Cheli & Peacock owned property is considered one of the finest in Amboseli, we can NOT...
4 Reviews and 117 Opinions The lodge offers full board, very good accomodation, good locatoin at the middle of the park. Large...
3 Reviews and 0 Opinions The swimming pool at the Amboseli Serena Lodge looks inviting but don't be deceived. One you get...
Reviews and photos of Amboseli National Park attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Amboseli National Park sightseeing.
Local villages are part of the attraction when visiting the National Park system in Kenya, particularly Amboseli and the Masai Mara.Do your homework and follow...
Q: I am doing my coursework on Amboseli National park, and i need to find information about the services they provide. Are there any...
A: What do you mean by "services"? There are no services as such in the park itself. There are a few lodges and a camping site. Cynthia Moss also has her camp there for her...
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