Kenya

[KAZ]

Anyone been to Kenya can tell me what its like, give any tips or advice about this country and/or recommend a good resort/hotel to stay at?

Thanks!

[jno]

there's a wide range of accommodation available; what are you planning, beach, safari or a stay in Nairobi?

[KARL]

I lived in Kenya quite a few years ago now and can tell you that the country and its people are delightful. Even if you are limiting yourself to Nairobi, you should go to Nairobi Park which has all the main animals at one time or another except elephants although these can be seen at the Sheldrake home for orphaned calves. I am not in a position to give up-to-date advice on accommodation but there are plenty of travel agents, etc. both in Nairobi and Mombasa able to give you advice to fit your aims. One word of warning though, crime was and is a serious problem in all major centres, including on the public bus from the airport - keep a very close eye on all your belongings, particularly passport and cash (keep them hidden and don't wear a chain, bracelet or fancy sunglasses which might be torn off you in the street), don't go out late at night. The wildlife alone is worth going for and so long as you are sensible you should have a very pleasant experience.

[funnywebsite]

I went last year and stayed in Mombassa. Nairobi has too much crime apparently. Anyway the beaches are around Mombassa. I stayed in the Bamburi beach area at Travellers Club. I wasn't that impressed with the hotel. It was meant to be a 3.5* but it was more like a 2.5*. It showed it's age and needed modernising somewhat. The food was all inclusive but repetitive and the quality wasn't that good.

The beach was a non stop Bother Zone where locals persistently tried to sell you things. You couldn't get time to yourself. A couple who had been to Kenya before paid to move to a different town because they couldn't stand these beach sellers, the area they stayed in last time banned them from selling items on the beach. I am just trying to remember where they moved to, I think it was north Kenya. I cannot remember the town, so long ago now. I think it began with W.

I enjoyed Kenya anyway. I paid for an extra safari to Tsavo East and West and got a free elephant safari with the hotel, which is why I booked this hotel.

The hotel had a nature park across the road we went to a few times and there was a nature park about a mile away.

I loved Kenya and will definttely go back but stay at a 4* hotel next time. Besides the constant hasselling you got from people they were quite friendly. The weather was nice and warm and I did love the country. Look on teletext for best prices and get the main brochure for it to check out the details.

You will love it if you like animals.

[KARL]

The last answer has reminded me: Lamu Island is a very quiet and almost mystical place - it is at the northern end of Kenya's coast, but it is slightly dearer to get to and stay at than elsewhere, but a dream of a location. Malindi (south of Lamu, north of Mombasa) is more manageable and quieter than the places nearer Mombasa.

[funnywebsite]

Yes Karl, it was probably Lumu but like you said. I know they paid a fortune to move hotels. I wish I could remember more but place names of areas I didn't stay in are rather forgotten. Somebody who lives in Mombassa told me not to bother with South Mombassa, Diani beach because he said there was nothing there. You could of got a cheap holiday at a 4* hotel there last year cheaper than my one but if it is too dead then whats the point of going.

Just be careful of the mosquitoes. If I went back I would check out the price of Whitesands hotel, at Bamburi beach the sane area that I stayed in but it is a 4* hotel.

[KAZ]

Thank you for the info and advice everybody!, I am worried by the messages posted by "karl" and "funnywebsite" regarding the crime and bother we may experience in Kenya. is it really bad? maybe someone could suggest somewhere else to take a more relaxing holiday?

[ploughman]

Quite apart from the beach bums crime and mosquitoes, be prepared to bribe officials at the airport, before you even get into Nairobi! If your luggage looks in any way out of the ordinary, it will cost you. Theres no one to complain to as they are all on the fiddle. Yes the people are friendly, laugh a lot, and sing and dance non stop, but give them half a chance and they will be at your back pocket!Most people have nothing, so they see theft as a way of life, and have no conscience about stealing. They dont plan ahead,for instance when they are hungry they will grab a chicken and cook it there and then. The rainy season sees water aplenty but they dont bother to save it and can die of thirst, rather than fix gutters and drainpipes to their houses. Bob Geldof blames the West for their predicament, but when you get there you will see for yourself who is to blame. There is no birth control or any form of restraint among Kenyan men, and women have babies right up to the menopause. All government officials are corrupt, so be warned!!! If you want a good holiday, go to Bognor!

[KARL]

I must say that if I had stayed at home because I was afraid of "them" I would be a much poorer person for it - not in money but in spirit. As it is I feel I have seen and, in many years spent in malarial etc. zones, experienced an awful lot but never got malaria or anything else even though I stopped taking the pills after a few weeks, but took sensible precautions instead (avoided giving mosquitos ready access to me) and I have absolutely no regrets. Yes, we were robbed in our home in Africa once, yes, a colleague was shot to (literally) within 1 or 2 cm of his life. But the absolutely worst experience of my entire life was being extravagantly targetted by a rip-off artist posing as a respectable service provider, and that was within 20 miles of my UK home. I recognised the move, challenged it, but the local court made me pay according to an average between my claim and my opponent's (after his mountainous lie was cut back through what the court accepted as correct challenge). I won 75% of the argument but was made to pay 75% of my opponent's costs. He has a well honed technique and lots of victims, but the courts always end up favouring him. To that extent, but that extent only, I agree with the last answer: Bob Geldorf or someone else needs to find time to publicise other injustices.