Kenya Travel Forum

We are going on a safari and beach hol in September. The beach hotel is All Inclusive and the safari is Full Board so just our drinks to buy really (plus sourvenirs etc). Does anyone have any idea of the kind of prices they charge in the lodges. I have absolutely no idea how much money to take.

It's been a while since we were in Africa, but we've been looking at visiting East Africa next year. I would suggest you bring about $300-400 in US small bills, ones and fives, for tips and drinks. How many days will you be on safari? (I may have estimated on the high side if it's less than a week) Usually you are expected to tip your guide and tracker (maybe $10 per day?) although tips to staff in the lodges usually isn't necessary. Some lodges/camps may have a "tip box" where people just deposit tips to be distributed. It depends on the place. As for the cost of drinks -- they shouldn't be more than you'd pay at home. You might want to pick up a bottle if you drink the hard stuff, at duty free at the airport.

In Botswana local beer and wines (mostly South African) were not extra, but it is different in Kenya and Tanzania.

We found the drinks slightly cheaper there in the lodges than say, here in the local US bars.
Having said that, it is easy to run up a tab if you don't keep an eye on your spendings.
Even Coffee, tea or sodas can make your bill run up.

Credit cards are accepted but, we always paid everything off in travelers cheques.
Be generous with your money as to tips towards the staff. These people do not make a lot of money, with the money going to the lodge companies.
I always tipped the staff.

Also, guides, drivers. Additionally, clothes that you may want to donate are always welcomed by the driver/guide as chances are, he has a family to support and clothe.
We also took school supplies to donate.

Money does go a long ways and for a 1 week safari, about $300.00 US should be plenty.
Souveniers can add a sizeable chunk to any trip. We collect art and artifacts and we bought all of ours with credit cards from the lodges proper (a more expensive way of doing it) or, with local currency which we had exchanged at the lodges to purchase from the local artisans.

Being all inc you won't spend anything unless you go out of the hotel. You can locally for as little as KSh 300 - the beef stew is chewy but very good, fish is good and steaks. Tourist places like the Tamarind are much more expensive but nice for a special treat. Fruit is plentiful - usually about Ksh 30 a piece. Samosas are a great snack at KSh 40. Tusker is a good beer which can cost from KSh 90 to 200, depending on the place. Sodas costs about KSh 50 to 150. Mineral water in bottles is cheap. You will always pay more in the hotels/lodges are you are a captive audience.

Souvenirs are cheap as long as you buy in shops that are fixed prices. Off the beach you are likely to get ripped off. Saw a lady pay over £50 for a wooden elephant that would have cost her around £10 in the shops. Small elephants in fixed price shops are around £1.50 and beautifully carved.

Always tip in shillings otherwise they have to get it changed as not many Kenyans can afford a bank account.

Forgot to mention - the prices in the duty free are marked up in dollars. Smirnoff vodka 7 dollars a bottle.

We are only safari for 5 days so your estimate probably sounds about right then, we are not hardened drinkers but i do like a glass of good red wine.

Will certainly make sure we tip staff / guides. Thanks for the info, these forums are fantastic for gaining an insight and information into new things.

Wow, real good advice and detailed info there, many thanks.