Travel Answers

the real cost in whole sales

Some years ago I heard that it would be a good idea to bring ballpoint pens to Kenya - for the schoolchildren and maybe as something to trade when haggling. Is that still so?
Better ideas?

We want to avoid traveling with a large amount of US$. I there a way to electronically transfer cash to ourselves and receive it in Nairobi.

I am taking my 9 year old for a safari trip this July. Did quote some tour companies and they are all pretty expensive and ask significant amount of deposits.
Can we just fly there and find a reputable company at the spot instead? I am figuring it may give me more flexibility and maybe the price could be cheaper.... Our schedule is not very tight, by the way.
Any advise if you have done this before? Thanks!

I am going to Visit Diani Beach in mid May for two weeks with my children 15 & 22 years old, I have been told that I couldn't have picked a worse time because of the rains that last all day and all night. My travel agent is now stating that there is a 90% cancellation charge. Can anybody give me some positive advise ?

itenary

Has anyone been to Mombasa in June ? What's the weather like ? Me and my husband are planning to go there middle 2 weeks of June but worried that it is rainy season ? Don't want to be stuck inside all the time if on average it rains for long periods of time during the day .

Does any body can suggest an itinerary on how to go from Masai Mara to Lake Manyara?

Is it possible to hike Mount Kenya up to pt. Lenana without a guide?

I'm trying to plan a safari for my honeymoon in November, but I keep reading conflicting information. Would I be better off visiting Masai Mara or the Serengeti in mid November? Is this heavy rain season for either of these regions and what would be our chances of actually spotting game during this time? We are interested in seeing the big 5, of course, as well as other wildlife if possible. Any tour recommendations and/or camps/lodges suggestions would be of great help. I've been looking at Kensignton Tours...has anyone ever toured with them?

I am planning to visit Masai Mara around June 20th. Primary objective is photography. I am aware that the migration may not start by then. I am ok with it. But my question is, is it good time to spot all other animals?. I heard grass will be tall that time and photographing will be difficult. Is it true?

Thanks in advance.

Hello! I with my girlfriend need to get from Mombasa to Nairobi at first half of march, wanted to ask about best options...Train and bus will be cheapest, but takes a lot of time, than I thought maybe go by plane, 90$ per person isn't very much and it's a lot of time economy...but question is, maybe somone knows how much will be to get to Nairobi by car and driver, and fact is that we need to go only one way and we're just two, because if we were 3 or 4 IMO it was definetly cheeper than go by plane.... Thnx....

Hi, How do I get from Naivasha to Aberdare? Where do I make all the arrangements before entering the park? Is it possible to make the arrangements on the same day of the trek? And also, is it possible to get in the park by foot? Thanks!

Hi there. I am new to Virtual Tourist but would like to ask for advice on booking a 3 night Safari at Masai Mara. Travelling with my husband and 3 boys ages 17,14,12. I have looked at many different options for accomodations but have decided that a luxury tent at a smaller property is what we prefer. We would like to include private game drives in a 4 X 4 open jeep. There are SO many options that I feel overwhelmed with deciding on a property. I am looking at the Fairmont Safari Club as I have heard many good things about it but wonder if it's too big of a camp and we might not get the personalized unique experience we are hoping for.

My wife and I are planning a safari into Kenya. I am interested in purchasing a new camera to catch the moving migration of animals. What might be my best purchase in digital cameras and why? This camera must capture moving objects with a freeze. Thanks for your help.

Hello all, In a few weeks I will be in Zanzibar and will have about 5 or 6 days get to Nairobi for my flight home. I was thinking of travelling back via Mombasa and on to Nairobi. My question is does anybody have any recommendations for how or where to spend my 5 days en route to Nairobi? I will already have completed a 5 day safari in Tanzania, so maybe something a bit different would be good. By that stage I will have seen some of Tanzania, so it would be nice to experience some of Kenya too. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! CHLuke

I was hoping to do a 5d/4n Safari with my adult daughter Dec 30-Jan 3,2013. Safari is on my bucket list and since we will be in Ethiopia for wedding I thought it would be an ideal opportunity. I been communicating with Safari provider on Trip Advisor but recently have become concerned about two women traveling alone with driver/guide and about general safety in the region. Can Trip Advisor reviews be trusted? Is the risk worth the reward? Is there a better way to identify a safari co? Any words of wisdom? Suggestions ? Warnings? What percautions should we take in advance? Help! I'm working myself into anxiety.

I am planning a trip to Kenya - flying to Mombasa on Christmas 2012, for 3 weeks. After reading safety warnings because of the recent terrorist attacs, I have started to worry.. Any oppinions on how safe the travel is (of course if avoiding the Somalian border parts) and how safe Mombasa is??

Hello I posted previously and received some great feedback from members of the forum. Well it is now getting closer to the time of my travel so I look for some more recent feedback and reviews. Has the security situation in Kenya / Nairobi changed? I have timetables for travelling by bus now so this is all fine. I am staying at Meltonia Luxury suites in Nairobi. does anyone have any knowledge of this accomodation, its location and its safety? Is travelling overland by bus from Nairobi to Tanzania classed as safe for travellers and specifically white travellers? Is it safe for me to walk around Nairobi (using common sense approach to my image - no watches, jewellery and bags on display!) I am very excited to visit Kenya now and of course Tanzania. I will be making the return journey ten days later so advice both ways will be good. Is Nairobi expensive? is there anything I definitely should look to see and do and definitely not? Looked at the safari but I have three day safari in tanzania so this is not that important.

Hi, I am planning my 40 birthday. Want to go to a warm country with something to do. Kenya sounds like the place to go. Want to bring my wife and 11 year old daughter. Wife a bit squimish daughter game for a laugh, worried about being eaten by something big. Wife up for it if she gets 3/4 days sun by the pool. 3/4 days safari for me and a relaxing time budget 5K euro. Any insights

hello, i am from India and planning 5 nights masai mara trip (no lakes), just the game reserve. i do not know how the weather would be and where to stay/how to book guides etc. My budget is 1000USD/2 people and would like to be in the game reserve all 5 days going on safari. Can someone suggest the weather, accomodation, guides and the fees for 5 nights. I plan to fly to Nairobi. Your advise to go to Masai mara from Nairobi is also appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Can anyone advise if there is an airport hotel actually at the airport. I have a friend who will be transiting there en route to U.S. from Uganda, she is a young woman whose inbound flight arrives at 8:00 p.m. with an 8:00 a.m. next morning connection. She is very nervous about taking a taxi into town on her own. If there is no hotel on the airport site, would it be safe for her to wait overnight in the airport? Many thanks.

Hello, My wife and I have been working for the last couple of months in Nairobi. We've been able to get out of Nairobi on some weekends and have experienced Lake Naivasha, Umani Springs near Tsavo, and sites within Nairobi (Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Center, etc). At the end of August (about the 22nd to the 28th) we are looking to see more of the country. My wife has done a safari in the mara in the past, so we are considering trying something new and hiking up Mt. Kenya. I'm wondering if 6 days is enough for Mt. Kenya. If so, is it better to select and pay for a trip ahead of time or is it better to purchase a trek upon arrival at the base? We heard that it would be less expensive to purchase a trip at the base. If 6 days is not enough, what would people suggest we do? Safari, a great beach somewhere, other hikes worth doing? Thanks for any info! David

Hi there, I'm new to VT and I did see this previous post about someone travelling from Nairobi to Arusha: lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/t... (I hope it's a good trip, because I'm going to be doing the same!) I'm looking to rent a car however, with pick up in Nairobi and drop off in Arusha. I'm having difficulty finding a good company to rent from -- I know I'll need a 4x4, but the main problem is finding a company that will let me do cross-border drop offs. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good rental company? Thank you!

Hi. I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in January and rather than fly direct, I have opted to be a little more adventurous. I am flying directly to Nairobi 5 days before the climb. Wondered whether it is worth doing anything in Kenya before heading to Tanzania. Also how easy it will be for us to travel from Kenya to Tanzania and the safety associated it with it. Been to many countires and cities but never any in East Africa. Thanks

I am taking my two daughters 13 and 15 years old to Kenya hoping to see the wildbeest migration. We are taking the 8 days Samburu, Mt. Kenya, Lake Nakuru safari with MICS Tours & Safaris. The itinerary can be found on this link: micssafaris.com/mtkenya_safa... Am I being over ambitious considering that I am taking kids with me? Are there any accommodation suggestions suitable for teens? Thanks for your help! Eve

Dear Vter's, I'm planning for a trip to Nairobi & Masai Mara in August. I need reply on following: 1) Masai Mara reserve fees is USD 70/night. Is it payable for each night of stay or one time online. we are spending 2 nights in reserve. I've checked website of Narok city council, as per that "Daily fees” means fee for one day/ twenty four hours or thereof continuous stay within a specified site in the Maasai Game Reserve. Is that means we've to pay total USD 70 for our stay, as we will stay inside Reserve and making only 1 entry. Please confirm. 2) We are group of 6 persons with 2 children, looking forward to arrange transportation facility by ourselves, instead of tour package, in order to do things as per our convinience. Any recommendations. 3) Our flight is reaching 2.30 am to Nairobi. Is it safe to start driving for Masai Mara around 4.30am/5.00am in the morning. Thanks in advance. regards Nilin

Dear Vter's, I'm planning for a trip to Nairobi & Masai Mara in August. I need reply on following: 1) Masai Mara reserve fees is USD 70/night. Is it payable for each night of stay or one time online. we are spending 2 nights in reserve. I've checked website of Narok city council, as per that "Daily fees” means fee for one day/ twenty four hours or thereof continuous stay within a specified site in the Maasai Game Reserve. Is that means we've to pay total USD 70 for our stay, as we will stay inside Reserve and making only 1 entry. Please confirm. 2) We are group of 6 persons with 2 children, looking forward to arrange transportation facility by ourselves, instead of tour package, in order to do things as per our convinience. Any recommendations. 3) Our flight is reaching 2.30 am to Nairobi. Is it safe to start driving for Masai Mara around 4.30am/5.00am in the morning. Thanks in advance. regards Nilin

Stupid question but I'll be traveling to Tanzania via Kenya in July. I arrive in the middle of the night (3am) and will be traveling by bus to Tanzania leaving at (5am). Are the restaurants in the airport open at that hour or is anything open in town? Also, I'll have 2 days to spend in Nairobi on the way back, any suggestions on things to see while we're there? Thanks!

I am traveling solo in Oct for 22 days. I'll be flying into NBO then crossing the border to Tanzania. I was wondering if any solo travelers have had used a single Tour Operator on a combined Safari tour including Tanzania. I am having great difficulty trying to find a reliable tour operator that I could join a camping safari tour. I don't want to go on a private safari traveling only with a driver and a cook, too expensive and frankly I'd rather be around other people for the safari experience. I have been quoted private safaris because the operators told me they don't have a group at this time. I thought about waiting until I get to NBO to look for a Tour Operator, but after researching I opted out decided to pre book the safaris from the US. I have noticed that the majority of the tours are targeted to tourists that like to stay in lodges or high-end properties. I am tentatively planning to book a 3-day camping safari tour with a local tour operator from NBO, then return back to NBO and stay 1-2 days to break the trip. Then go to Arusha and go with a local tour operator for a 7-day camping safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. My other options was to go a 12 day camping safari from NBO and ending in Arusha, then fly to ZNZ for 4 days. I would like to know if anybody went on a combined or two separate safaris, and how was the experience. I am trying to decide what would be the most practical and cost effective