Nairobi Area Travel Forum

I'm hoping somebody could help me. We're trying to decide whether to fly directly to JRO in Tanzania from LHR or stop the night in Nairobi and then shuttle bus to Moshi. The first option requires changing planes in Nairobi. Now, since we'd not be leaving the airport, with this option, we should only need a Transit visa right? Can anybody tell me how this works? Where would we go in the airport? The flights would be with Kenya Airways connecting to a Precision Airways flight. I believe they are codeshare, so do we have to get our bags and checkin again or no?
Thanks for any advice.

Hi, i am going to Kenia in december/ Looking for people who was there earlier or who is going to go.

I'm making my first visit to Africa in October, am knowledgeable about crafts and ignorant about African crafts, which, I guess, amounts to being ignorant for this trip. However, I'd like to do my looking and buying not primarily at shops or stands that sell standard souvenirs but somewhere that offers more select items. In short, I want someone to have done the mental triage work that craft hunting involves, but for which on this trip I don't have the time or the expertise. So, where in Nairobi do you look for such things (It would be good if the shop or shops covered more than just Kenyan crafts)? Also, when out in the rural areas where tourists pass should I expect to see just more of the stuff that standard tourist shops sell in Nairobi, or are there surprises? Of course, the question is whether I'll recognize something unusual when I see it. But that's always the trick.

Am just a local tourist. How can i get my fellow Vt members so that i can learn more about them. Carol Kenya.

Hi all!

I'm considering going to Nairobi in a few months to volunteer. I'll probably be stationed somewhere near Kibera, or elsewhere in rural Nairobi.

Has anyone done this before in Nairobi? Anything I should be aware of?

Thanks!

Is there a bus or train that goes from Nairobi to johannesburg. I would love to travel with the locals and see the real country. I am going to be traveling in november. I am also looking for a place to do some volunteer work while I am there. I am a backpacker so I cannot afford to pay to volunteer. Appreciate any assistance that you can give. Thank you

I'm going to be in Nairobi next month and have heard Haveli is a good restaurant - what's it's location and price range for a good Indian meal.

My wife and I are flying out to Nairobi in July where we will have almost 2 spare days at a small hotel near Nairobi University before embarking on a 10 day overland truck drive through Kenya and Tanzania games parks.

Before we set off on the safari we really want to have a day at the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre to see the Rothschild giraffes plus, whilst we are in the area, a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum would be good. At present I am not sure how to get there and don't know if our hotel in Nairobi (Boulevard Hotel) will have such tours on offer.

As many of you have been there on this forum, please could you let me know how you go there - taxi, tour from hotel etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Lee

Hi - which is the better time to travel to Nairobi between September and October? September seems to be less rainy but will we find sunny skies in mid-late September? Want blue skies! Thanks.

Does anyone know which Hotel,The New Stanley or the Norfolk,asked Karen Blixen to leave the bar as it was men only and on her departure allowed her in ??
Thanks

Hi, I'm volunteering in Kenya 30th March to September but was hoping to do some travelling in East Africa before I start. The only problem is that I will have 2 sets of luggage, 1 of which will be work clothes/materials that I'd prefer not to lug around on my travels. Does anyone know anywhere I could safetly store a suitcase thats near, if not in, Kenyatta airport? I may be travelling 2-4 weeks so not sure how long hostels would be willing to hold onto it for me.

Thanks!

I am flying into Nairobi in only two weeks. I am doing a wildlife safari and traveling to Tanzania for a few days and then returning to volunteer at an orphanage in rural Kenya.

Can anyone who is currently in Nairobi or any other place in Kenya please share their thoughts on the current violence and protesting that is happening. Is there violence throughout the country or is it concentrated in more places than others?
Githunguri in Kiambu is where I will be volunteering. Does anyone know how things are there?

Any thoughts and helpful opinions will be much appreciated.

I will be staying in rural Kenya with a host family. I would like to bring them some gifts from Canada. I would like to get them things that they would be able to use and that may not be available to get in Kenya. I am sure they will be grateful for anything but I would appreciate any ideas people have in case there are some things that maybe I take for granted and wouldn't think of bringing them.

Thanks

My friend and I are staying in Nairobi from Jan. 16 - 18 and have narrowed our choices of hotels between the above mentioned two. We would appreciate other people's opinion and experiences with these hotels.

Are they located close to Kenyatta Airport? Would we need to book a room in advance? Does anyone know if the Terminal Hotel has an email contact?

Thanks in advance.

Hi
I am travelling from Perth to Nairobi (via Dubai) to travel for a month with my brother and sister in law. I would like to bring them some good WA wine (duty free in my hand luggage) but need to know if I can bring it from Perth to Dubai (where I am in transit for a few hours) and then to Nairobi. If I can get through Dubai - how much spirits/wine can I bring into Nairobi - some say one bottle, others say one of spirits and one of wine. Your help would be greatly appreciated as I am having trouble finding the answer on the net.
Thanks
Mel

While I realize that this question gets posted every few weeks, as my husband and I are about to embark on our first trip to Kenya, he's starting to read all the web sites that warn travelers of car jackings, terrorist attacks, kidnappings and the possibility of dying in a car accident. I am trying to keep an open mind but since I haven't been, I can't really say. But how worried should we be be about all this? I read somewhere that one American dies every week in car accidents in Nairobi.

Hi all,

I will be travelling to Nairobi in a week and as I will meet some local friends there, I am thinking of buying a suitable and needed gift for their children.

What I am thinking of is a bike, but please do let me know if this is appropriate. Also, some details about a bike shop in Nairobi and average price for a bike would help me alot.

Thanks!

Can anyone recomend a good local guide or company that can provide one for a day in Nairobi. We are hoping to go to the slums of Kibera to visit an orphanage and donate some goods. I have heard it is best to go with a local guide but I'm not sure if all guides will take us to this area.

I noticed a number of people who visited Nairobi mentioned hiring a driver, or guide. What's the cost of hiring a guide and how is this different from doing a tour?

My husband and I are traveling to Nairobi in about a month and we were looking at the budget hotels and came across the Kenya Comfort Hotel. It looks like they have two locations--Kenyan Comfort suites, and the regular hotel. Anyone ever stayed there? Also, we were looking at the Marble Arch if anyone has been there.

Hello

We are arriving after our two week safari at Jomo Kenyatta airport at about nine o'clock. He have pre-arranged pick-up with our travel company to our booked hotel (Intercontinental).
I'm a little worried to arrive after dark to Nairobi. Is it safe doing this or should we stay at the aiport in the lounges (we have access to first class lounges) unil our 9 am flight the next day?
Thank you !

Any Bus route going this way?
How much and schedule time?
Thank you very much

I am hoping to store 2 bicycles at Nairobi airport for a few days. Does anyone know if there is a secure storage service at the airport to accommodate them? If so, any idea what the cost might be?

HI! I AM OFF TO NAIROBI AND MOMBASA IN A WEEK, JUST A FEW QUESTIONS. HOPE YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME;

1) HOW MUCH IS A TAXI FROM NAIROBI AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE
2) I AM STATING AT GYMKHANA CRICKET CLUB, WHAT IS THAT AREA LIKE, AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE HOTEL IS LIKE
3)I NEED TO EXCHANGE SOME UK POUNDS TO SHILLINGS, ANY ADVICE ON EXCHANGERS (NEAR GYMKHANA) AND WILL THEY BE OPEN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY?
4)I WILL BE WORKING IN KIKUYU HOSPITAL, ANY IDEA ON TAXI FARE FROM NAIROBI GYMKHANA, AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE, AND THE SAFETY OF THE ROUTE.

THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP

hi,
my boyfriend, I and our 5 years old kid are planing to be in Nairobi the whole of september and need a clean, furnished appartment which should not be very expensive. Does anyone have information which could help us? Thanks in advance.

Hope someone can help me on this as I can't seem to find any info on this!
My sister is travelling out to Nairobi to work at a base on Wilson Airport. Does anyone know the best and safest way for her to get from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Wilson Airport? Can something be booked in advance with a reputable company?
Please help!

My boyfriend and I are currently looking for at least two travel partners to accompany us on a safari from Nairobi to Lake Turkana, leaving as soon as possible— preferably within the next week or so. (The smallest group size to book the trip is four people, and since it’s low season right now, there aren’t a lot of tourists around who want to travel north.) We're currently in Nairobi and, after spending the day looking at various companies, we found a 8-day itinerary to Lake Turkana with what seems to be a great, reliable company that includes travel to Samburu, Marsabit, Kalacha, the Chalbi Desert, Lake Turkana, Maralal, and back to Nairobi.

Costs are $695 per person for the journey. (I also understand from LP that it is standard to tip your driver/guide and cook, so you should budget for that as well.) The cost includes 3 meals a day, park fees, camping equipment (minus a sleeping bag, which you can rent), etc. The company has semi-permanent camps at most of the places, and there are toilets and showers as well.

If you’re in Nairobi now, or will be in a few days and are interested in joining us, please e-mail me or post here. I’d be happy to give you more information.

Also, about us (so you know who you’d be traveling with!):

I'm 23, my boyfriend is 25. Both of us are originally from LA, but we lived in DC for the last two years, where I worked for a development organization and my boyfriend worked as a foreign policy research assistant. On April 1, we left DC to travel around the world for 6 months or more (until the money runs out!). We’re open to traveling with anyone who is excited about exploring all that the world has to offer!

Hi,

What is the best solution to travel from Nairobi to Kilimajaro/Moshi or Arusha? And how it can cost?

Piotr P

My Husband and I will be arriving in Nairobi in Aug/07 to start
Hi
My hubby & I are doing a overland tour starting in Aug/07 from Niarobi to Cape Town
we are travelling before hand for about 3 months and just thought it would be easier to pick up a sleeping bag & pillow in Niarobi if possible gfor the overland part of the trip
We only have a day in Niarobi
Friends advised me on a pillow as it is good padding in the vehicle & nice to but your head down at nightand can give it away at the end
Would appreciate any help or info
Janie

Hello everyone

I am going for an Internship in Nairobi for 3 months between august to November and I am looking to rent an apartment. Have you any advices and apartments to recommend?

P.S Is it Cold that time of the year in Nairobi?

Thanx