Kenya

Kenya is a country in East Africa with coastline on the Indian Ocean. It encompasses savannah, lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It's also home to wildlife like lions, elephants and rhinos. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris visit the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of Tanzania's 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Language: Swahili

Currency: Kenyan sterlings, some places accept credit card

Entry Requirements:

Pros

  • Widlife

  • Adventure

Cons

  • Safety concerns

    • Don't carry lots of cash around on you.

  • Lack Cleanliness in many places and restaurants

  • Uber drivers and taxi drivers are willing to upcharge tourists -- Agree on a fare before departure


City: NairobiGood for: Safari, Natural Parks, Maisa MariClosest Airport: Nairobi Kenyatta AirportBest form of Transportation: Uber is the best and cheapest way to get around, Uber copy cats (what we call gypsy cabs in NYC), Car Rental.
Weather Seasons: The best months to see wildlife is during dry season which is Late June - October. There will be fewer mosquitoes. But it will be more touristy, busy, and crowded


Top Attractions and things to do:
  • Nairobi National Park - entrance fee $45 plus $15 for car entry (you need a car to drive around the national park, because the lions/wildebeest, buffalo, cheetahs, etc. roam freely) - Get there as early as 6am to see more wildlife, stay as long as you want, bring lunch in the car. If you hire a tour guide they will know more about animal habits and where to find different animals. If you drive yourself, you will see be okay, and you will see animals. Some of the lions may be hiding, but if you stay long enough, you will see a number of wildlife animals.
  • Giraffe Manor or Giraffe Center
  • Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
  • Rhino Orphanage
  • Masai Market
  • Visit the Maasai women in the town of Ngong in Kajiado Kenya
  • Mamba Village - ostriches and crocodiles
  • Geothermal Spa
  • Paradise Lost Kenya - caves, waterfall, boating, ostrich farm
  • Nairobi Forest Arboretum
  • Nairobi Butterfly Center
  • Bomas tourist village of Kenya - learn about traditional Kenyan culture
  • Lake Naivasha
  • Fly to see the Samburu woman + Samburi Wilderness
  • Behind the Ropes - elephant experience
  • Solas Camp
  • Solio Lodge
  • Volunteer
  • Train to Mombasa for a couple of days
  • Ostrich Farm
  • Kitum Cave - in an extinct volcano lined with salt walls.



Best Neighborhoods for Tourists:
  • Near Nairobi Airport
      • Eat
      • Enjoy
      • Stay
        • Crown Plaza Nairobi Airport - safe, clean, rooftop pool and bar
  • Westlands Area
    • Eat
      • Tambourin Rooftop Lounge & Bar at Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi
      • Cloud Nine restuarant at Clarence House hotel
    • Enjoy
    • Stay
      • Villa Rosa Kempinski - luxury hotel, rooftop lounge and bar
      • Clarence House
      • La Maison Royal - business hotel
      • Dusit De Nairobi - wifi, pool, airport shuttle, fireplace, happy hour, live music, bar, 2 restaurants on site, fitness center, Massages at Devarana Spa
  • Other Hotels to Consider
    • Best Western Premier
    • Cloud Hotel and Suites
    • DustiD2 Hotel in Nairobi

Best Places to each for Tourists:
  • Carnivore
  • Rooftop Restaurants
    • Sarabi and Sankara
    • Level 8 at Best Western Premier
    • Cloud hotel and Sites

Nairobi National Park


Giraffe Manor


Elephant Orphanage


Hiking


EXCURSIONS

Nairobi Itinerary

Day 1 - Giraffe Center or Giraffe Manor+ Elephant Orphanage

Day 2 - Nairobi National Park

Day 3 - Mombasa Overnight Trip

Day 4 - Mombasa

Day 5 - Overnight Safari Day 1

Day 6 - Overnight Safari Day 2

Day 7 - Overnight Safari Day 3

Day 8 - Mamba Village

Day 9 - Paradise Lost caves and Waterfalls

Day 10 - Kenyatta Market to get hair done and shop for souvenirs

  • The market is popular amongst locals. It's not far from the slums. Therefore, the level of cleanliness was not up to western standards. With that being said, the women we met were kind. The men cat called, a lotttt. But overall it's an experience I will never forget. It's best to go with a guide (like if you hire your driver for the day)


Budget

  • Flights from US $800 - $1200

  • Daily budget - $65 -- 6,500 Kenya shillings KES

  • Taxis are around 300-500 Kenya shillings to and from most places

  • Restaurants charge between 350-600 Kenya shillings for a good meal

  • 23 shilllings for a tuk tuk ride in Mombassa

  • Tip = 100 shillings

To go containers - when you ask for a to-go container, that's not as common, so they may look at you funny. bring gladware containers for take away food and/or zip loc bags