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Be very carefull when using any form of transport. The blue Metro Shuttles are ok and also the Taxi's that are ordered for you by friends that live there. When you travel by yourself or with someone in a car, keep the doors closed and Shut, so they cannot pull you out.The Matatu's are always packed and they drive like idiots, the drivers often chew "mirra" to keep them awake, this drug is illegal in Tanzania, but not here.
Nairobi had the usual big-city problems but that was mostly at night in those days (the reason that its unofficial name was "Night Robbery"). Otherwise, use common sense! Unlike the electrified fences at Kruger to protect the patrons from the wildlife at night (see my South Africa page), this photo shows me with our youngest daughter at the edge of the camp - step over the line and you are on your own with the lions!
See the carcass on the left? It was once an animal! AN eland, to be precise (thanks Bwana Brown). OK - it's not that you'll end up like this... however Tsavo East NP - like all other game parks - is not a zoo... there's no fence between you and wildlife and the big predators. It's the beauty of it - and the danger: you should really never step out of your vehicle unless you'd like to become some animal's dinner. And watch out: even tame-looking animals (like the babboons) can become aggressive - so stay put in you van/car/jeep - and be ready to drive off in case of necessity
Not a danger... but sometimes truly annoying. I'm talking about the local beach boys... nearly all posing as tourist guides, veryy few being one. Generally speaking they take a polite no for an answer - but it's not always the case. Aa a rule of thumb you should look at them straight in the eyes: if they look spaced out they have been eating "miraa" - a hallucinating grass: in this case they'll be really insisting, obnoxious and annoying. If they look clean, they will not bother you at all. Some of them, actually, will be really friendly and helpful - like for instance our "friends" Nelson and Jonathan. It pays to be polite to them - they know everything and anything.Sidenote: we found Mombasa very hassle-free - no one ever tried to sell us anything
Exiting the bus while in a safari is stricly prohibited.The first time we went out, a girl was wearing a large hat.One second after she stood in the bus with the head out the hat flew away.The drived braked and I was going to open the door. "NO!" he shouted!Savannah is beautiful but can be dangerous.We all learned that day that it's better to STAY IN.He took the hat.The bird has nothing to share iwth the hat, it was only there...
Kenyans are not big thieves, but they definitely want to sell you something. Never find yourself alone in the street if you don't want to get seized by masais trying to sell you idols, wooden animals, shields and also spears.I must also say that the prices can BECOME very cheap if you are ready to spend half an hour to buy something.You can negotiate up to 80% discount from the initial price.Kenyans also love to barter with tourists, but they never evaluate your things as much as you paid for them.For example, they were ready to give me a couple of ebony combs for my sector watch!Also keep in mind that they want shoes, t-shirts and most of all baseball hats, so a good idea is to bringfrom home a bag full of things you don't want anymore...
DRIVING SAFARISUsually you will go on safari using a small coach driven by a kenyan madman. The roads are terrific, even the 'biggest' ones, and the kenyans rarely drive slower than 100 Kmh at ANY time. This means that you will be shaked for hours, so don't eat too much before travelling. Also kenyans don't care about traffic lights, people crossing the road, big holes in the road, and the dust that prevents them to see anything.
My 2001 SAFARI to the MARA stayed at DREAM-CAMP. For thar part had a MASAI DRIVER,KIM. There were of these BIG-GUYS here. Can only guess there were BROTHERS. I remember 2 MINNI-BUGGERS here. From SOMACK SAFARIS. The buses were loaded. Foir some reason the drivers didn't keep some of them in line. They weremaking a lot of noise and trying to teasethe LIONS. Finally they moved on. I had them to myself. About 10feet away. Had a SUV type LANDCRUISER for this. His HEAD was too big to fit in the window any way.10/2001
When travelling about unescorted it is wise to leave the jewellry or expensive items in the hotel safe. Don't forget they are quite poor, and the temptation, is great, some surcome and will rob you. Also be aware that when crossing the Lava beds of Kilarmanjaro, ( you are escorted), as this is bandit country, literally, so try not to show off your expensive items. Your drivers are armed, (with bloody big knifes), for your protection, and will usually give their lives in trying to protect you. So please remember that they support families, and make there task as easy as possible, by not tempting fate.
We have seen 10's of thousands of animals!Only a few hurt animals. This WILDERBEAST we have seen a few times. Each time trying to keep up! Just don't get in their way!!MASAI-MARA 9/2002 Part of the MIGRATION!
The Sarova Stanley Nairobi
9 Reviews and 211 Opinions Another hotel in which I never stayed over night. Probably because of the price, my Kenyan friends...
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...
Royal Court Hotel Mombasa
4 Reviews and 24 Opinions When all hell was breaking lose in Mombasa the Royal Court was safe as houses. The bar on the roof...
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Q: Anyone ever seen people harvest millet in a traditional way or eat millet porridge or ugali in Kenya?
A: Hi, Ugali is considered a traditional staple as it's cheap & heavy/filling. There are even some restaurants offering it! 'Sukuma weeki' refers to the occasional (for...
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