Kenya Tourist Traps

  Near the Hippo Sighting : Masai Mara
by samitbabu
 
  • Near the Hippo Sighting : Masai Mara
      Near the Hippo Sighting : Masai Mara
    by samitbabu
  • With Larence at the left and Kuntaai at the right
      With Larence at the left and Kuntaai at...
    by samitbabu
  • Tony, Lawrence and Clive and Zack the boatman
      Tony, Lawrence and Clive and Zack the...
    by samitbabu
  • We asked her to Pose :)
      We asked her to Pose :)
    by samitbabu
  • Kaai my friend with his family
      Kaai my friend with his family
    by samitbabu
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Beware of high exchange rate

by angusleeland

In Kenya Duty Free Complex in the Nairobi Airport, if products are listed in US$ but you would rather pay in Kenyan Shillings, make sure you ask the exchange rate first. The exchange rate should between US$1 = KSH7x - 8x (check the bank rate). Some 'black' shops, especially those small shops, charge US$1 = KSH100 or more. You would suffer lost if you pay by Kenyan Shillings in these shops. Pay in US dollars. Do shopping in large shops. Don't visit small shops especially those far away from the main esculators.

Foreign money in exchange of better price

by angusleeland

A shop-keeper will tell you that he collect foreign money and would ask you to give him your country's bank note in exchange for a better price for buying goods from his shop. Just ignore his request. It's another trap in making you buying things from his shop. Suggest that you'd rather pay using Kenyan Shillings or US dollars. Ignore the asking, just pay one-fifth the suggested price.

Ball pen to exchange for goods

by angusleeland

When asked for ball pens, it is a trap to get you into his shop. There is no need to use ball pen in exchange for a better price or any special price. Merchants who collect these ball pens may sell them at high price later. (http://www.infohome.dk/kenya/scamscri.html.en) Suggest that you don't have a ball pen. If like to buy anything from the shop, just pay one-fifth of the suggested price.

Bargaining

by Maeve_81

I really hate bargaining... it's so exhausting, especially if you're on the road a long time and need some rest.But, well, it's their prefered system, so deal with it. Don't pay to much, try to pay 60 % or less of the first price they ask.What works always? Have the exact amount of money that you want to pay in your hand, go to your car and when the engine starts, say that you'll pay that amount (wave with it) or that you're gone.

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Maasai life

by DanielF

A visit to a maasai village is almost always included between game rides in the Masai-Mara area. They welcome the tourists with their traditional chants and dances and even let them spy into their simple homes. All that prior to the required fee, agreed with the guide. They will even show them how they get the blood of a calf's neck, as they have being doing for generations. One of them will also pretend they drink it LIVE!! Then they will proceed to sell tourists their unique handycrafts. No matter how fascinating it is to learn first hand from such different cultures, I have always been too pudourous to really enjoy this kind of visits, where I feel like an intruder who can hardly communicate with the people whose intimity I am rushing into.An then, of course, those paternalistic feelings that arise in almost all of us... You will be led there anyway, and most of you will enjoy it.

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look down and watch for the potholes

by skatzcatz

Walking the streets of all Kenyan towns made me very aware of the need to look down and keep aware of where my feet where being placed. Wear good shoes and just stay alert. take a tour if your fragile, but then you'll miss all th street fun.

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Carnivore Restaurant

by snoopycat

When booking a Kenyan safari, most tour operaters will include lunch at Carnivores as part of your stay in Nairobi.This place is the biggest tourist trap in Kenya. Most people don't realize until they get to the restaurant that they have killed and are serving up those same beautiful animals that you saw on safari!! Ask for the Vegetarian Menu. There are so many nice alternatives.Check your itinery before setting off to Kenya. If lunch at Carnivores is on your agenda, contact your tour operator to arrange another luncheon spot.

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Curio Shopping!!!!

by Suet

Anywhere and everywhere.... Village Market on Fridays, Curio market in centre of town every day, Masaai Market in town on Tuesdays, Curio Shop near the National Park Ok, they quardruple the prices for tourists. If you can get it down to half what they ask by bargaining (which can be fun) you are doing well. a quarter? you deserve a medal! Take a local with you (the driver won't go he has to guard the vehicle from thieves) to get to know the real price and it;s better if you only deal with the women. You will find that there are many men hanging around getting in the way, clogging up the road, hang on to your bag!!!! It is fun, but can be very wearing, lots of noise and pressure for you to buy things at inflated prices. I found Village Market more relaxed, better quality goods. Just do it the once, it can cost a fortune before you realise what you have bought!!!!

butterfly farm in Gedi

by call_me_rhia

The butterfly farm I visited was very near the ruins of Gedi: it's quite a small place with some interesting and colourful butterflies - but still it's far from being a palce that provides you a truly unforgettable and moving experience. Entrance was 100 kenyan shillings Go as an add-on after having visited the ruins of Gedi: they really are impressive. But the butterfly farm is just across the road - so it's worth taking in while you're there - mainly out of curiosity. Frankly speaking it's not worth the tour if you're not planning to see the ruins.

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crocodile and snake farm in Malindi

by call_me_rhia

In Malindi there's a snake and crocodile farm which could be worth visiting if there's absolutely else you can do (e.g it's raining). There's a cute giant turtle named Maria who loves bananas - and two very large and nasty crocodiles called George W. and Saddam. There's also 2 wild cats, several snakes, including the black mamba - which isn't black but blue-ish, and some iguanas. Go only if it's a rainy day and there's nothing else to do - it's really a waste of time unless there are no other options. If you have kids, they'll find the reptiles and animals quite nice. If you reall^y have to go, try to be there at 4 pm on wednesday and friday - they are feeding days - so at least there's a bit of action

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Tourist Attractions in Kenya

Top 3 Hotels in Kenya

Nairobi Serena Hotel  Nairobi

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Serena Beach Hotel & Spa  Mombasa

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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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Tourist Traps: Cities in Kenya
  1. Nairobi Tourist Traps
  2. Mombasa Tourist Traps
  3. Masai Mara Game Reserve Tourist Traps
  4. Malindi Tourist Traps
  5. Lake Naivasha Tourist Traps
  6. Lake Nakuru National Park Tourist Traps
  7. Lamu Island Tourist Traps
  8. Amboseli National Park Tourist Traps
  9. Malindi Tourist Traps
  10. Tsavo National Park East Tourist Traps
  11. Watamu Tourist Traps
  12. Mombasa Island Tourist Traps
  13. Thika Tourist Traps
  14. Nairobi National Park Tourist Traps
  15. Wasini Island Tourist Traps
  16. Lamu Tourist Traps
  17. Narok Tourist Traps
  18. Nakuru Tourist Traps
  19. Sigomere Tourist Traps

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Popular Regions in Kenya

Coast Province Tourist Traps  Rift Valley Province Tourist Traps  Nairobi Area Tourist Traps  Nyanza Province Tourist Traps  Central Province Tourist Traps  Eastern Province Tourist Traps 

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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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