Nairobi - advice needed
Discussion
Hi,
I'm hoping to go to Nairobi in March for a weeks honeymoon. I'd like to spend a couple of days by the sea, and 2/3 days safari. Can anyone offer advice on what to do, where to go, where to stay etc?
Should I be booking a hotel in Nairobi for a week, and take safari day trips, or should I be looking to stay for 1/2 nights in Nairobi and then find a safari resort?
All comments welcome - thanks.
I'm hoping to go to Nairobi in March for a weeks honeymoon. I'd like to spend a couple of days by the sea, and 2/3 days safari. Can anyone offer advice on what to do, where to go, where to stay etc?
Should I be booking a hotel in Nairobi for a week, and take safari day trips, or should I be looking to stay for 1/2 nights in Nairobi and then find a safari resort?
All comments welcome - thanks.
I would be getting out of Nairobi as quickly as possible if I were you! Its not the nicest or safest city and its too far from the game parks for day trips.
Is there any chance of you extending your honeymoon ideally to two weeks, or possibly ten days? Two weeks is a great length of time. I would head to Masai Mara for 4 days +/- 1 day depending on how keen you are on game spotting. Its a fantastic game park, with lots to see.
Then you can head down to Mombasa - there are some lovely beaches around Mombasa and Mombasa itself is a far nicer city than Nairobi. Alternatively the island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya is lovely if white beaches are what you are looking for. If a week is really your maximum, you won't get all of this done, you could consider Amboseli National Park which is on the northern foothills of Kilimanjaro, naturally very beautiful but not as much game viewing as Mara. The advantage you have is that it is (kind of) on route to the coast. The drive between Nairobi and Mombasa is about 500km from memory (do check this it was a while ago!) but the roads are all sealed, and in fact were being replaced when I was there 5 years ago so are probably pretty good quality by now.
As an alternative have you thought about Tanzania? Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater are fantastic for game viewing for 4 or so days, but more expensive than Kenya. Could then head to the coast and Zanzibar for relaxation/beaches/diving.
Let me know if you want any more info on any of this. Either way, you will have an amazing time, both countries are fantastic.
Is there any chance of you extending your honeymoon ideally to two weeks, or possibly ten days? Two weeks is a great length of time. I would head to Masai Mara for 4 days +/- 1 day depending on how keen you are on game spotting. Its a fantastic game park, with lots to see.
Then you can head down to Mombasa - there are some lovely beaches around Mombasa and Mombasa itself is a far nicer city than Nairobi. Alternatively the island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya is lovely if white beaches are what you are looking for. If a week is really your maximum, you won't get all of this done, you could consider Amboseli National Park which is on the northern foothills of Kilimanjaro, naturally very beautiful but not as much game viewing as Mara. The advantage you have is that it is (kind of) on route to the coast. The drive between Nairobi and Mombasa is about 500km from memory (do check this it was a while ago!) but the roads are all sealed, and in fact were being replaced when I was there 5 years ago so are probably pretty good quality by now.
As an alternative have you thought about Tanzania? Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater are fantastic for game viewing for 4 or so days, but more expensive than Kenya. Could then head to the coast and Zanzibar for relaxation/beaches/diving.
Let me know if you want any more info on any of this. Either way, you will have an amazing time, both countries are fantastic.
I'd agree with the above and probably say Tanzania would be more spectacular for a honeymoon and the beaches of Zanzibar are amazing. One good purpose of going to Nairobi is cheap flights, much cheaper to get there than to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam usually. You can then head overland to do your safari etc then fly out to Zanzibar and back to Nairobi from there with Precision Air.
Would agree with Ben (as usual) and consider Tanzania over Kenya. You really don't want to be spending a week in Nairobi (it's a get in, get out as quickly as possible kind of place). If you must, try Karen, just outside Nairobi. Small town in the European area (named after Karen Blixen of "Out of Afica" fame) and far safer. Make sure you have a transfer booked or organise a taxi from one of the taxi firms inside the arrivals hall - don't take your chances on the street. Don't want to worry you, but there's a stat in the one of the lonely planet books (so likely to be b
ks) that suggests 1/3rd of the residents (not even tourists) of Nairobi have been mugged in the last six months...
Kenya wise, Nakuru, Naivashia, Masi Mara are good, but to be honest the Serengeti really is the daddy. Probably the best NP in the world, true Lion King stuff, with acacia trees and lions sat on the top of rocky outcrops in the sunset... Downside is it is expensive (IIRC ca. $200 pp /24hrs park fees alone), but worth it if you are going that far.
Other things to note are for a honeymoon make sure you have decent accomodation, for obvious reasons tents and honeymooners don't go well! Also remember you'll probably be up most mornings at 5am to catch the game, and bed by 9 as there's not much to do after dark (?!). For that reason alone some time on the beach would be good.
A week is a very short time, esp given the travel time. Anychance you could make it longer and have a week safari (Masi Mara/Arusha down to Ngorogoro then onto Serengeti) then a week on Zanzibar?
ks) that suggests 1/3rd of the residents (not even tourists) of Nairobi have been mugged in the last six months...Kenya wise, Nakuru, Naivashia, Masi Mara are good, but to be honest the Serengeti really is the daddy. Probably the best NP in the world, true Lion King stuff, with acacia trees and lions sat on the top of rocky outcrops in the sunset... Downside is it is expensive (IIRC ca. $200 pp /24hrs park fees alone), but worth it if you are going that far.
Other things to note are for a honeymoon make sure you have decent accomodation, for obvious reasons tents and honeymooners don't go well! Also remember you'll probably be up most mornings at 5am to catch the game, and bed by 9 as there's not much to do after dark (?!). For that reason alone some time on the beach would be good.
A week is a very short time, esp given the travel time. Anychance you could make it longer and have a week safari (Masi Mara/Arusha down to Ngorogoro then onto Serengeti) then a week on Zanzibar?
Wish more people would say that!^^^ Karen is a good idea if you have to overnight in Nairobi, it's a nice area. If you do stay there then Ngong House is the place to spend the night.
Also if time and budget allow I'd recommend Loldia House on the shores of Lake Naivasha. I didn't want to leave...
As mentioned already you could do with allowing more time otherwise you won't know where you are or what you're meant to be doing, plus long transfers and overnight flights eat into your time there.
How much are you looking to spend?
Also if time and budget allow I'd recommend Loldia House on the shores of Lake Naivasha. I didn't want to leave...
As mentioned already you could do with allowing more time otherwise you won't know where you are or what you're meant to be doing, plus long transfers and overnight flights eat into your time there.
How much are you looking to spend?
Oh, and while we're on the subject I might as well make my usual point - if you are going to safari, do it properly. Get the best, most respected guide you can, and do a walking safari. Don't spend days hanging out of the top of a landrover, you might as well watch it on TV.
I've done a few now, a simply magical sunset walking safari at Lake Naivasha, with the warm evening sun lighting up the zebra and giraffe like some kind of dream (sounds a bit ghey, but it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life), a mountain bike tour of Hells gate NP (near lake Naivashia) and a couple of weeks ago a tour of Matapos NP in Zimbabwe. The first two were pretty safe as there were only Leopard, and they are too timid to attack humans.
Matapos NP in Zim was something else, really. Our guide, a white Zim guy called Andy was an ex professional hunter and all round god. We started off from one rhino footprint at the side of the road, parking up and following ticks left on tree stumps, sprayed urine, dry footprints, wet footprints, scent, small birds until finally, after an hour we had tracked a white bull rhino ("see that big rock over there in the bushes. It's not a rock"). Really awesome, and so much better for being on the ground and tracking the thing ourselves. This was early in the day, we tracked several white rhino, and at the end of the day a black bull rhino, who was a bit grumpy in the rain and mock charged us. VERY scary, though the guide warned him off with a few shouts (had the safety off on the .42" rifle though!) All the time he was telling us about the different trees and the local medicines made from them, survival tips etc. etc. Like a real ray mears. Brilliant day, and SO much better than seeing it all from a land rover. If you're going to Africa, you really have to connect with it and be on the ground, at least once. I'd also recommend at least one night under canvas in the Serengeti, listening to the lions raw all round you!
SO get out of the truck or this guy will have words...
Rant over
I've done a few now, a simply magical sunset walking safari at Lake Naivasha, with the warm evening sun lighting up the zebra and giraffe like some kind of dream (sounds a bit ghey, but it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life), a mountain bike tour of Hells gate NP (near lake Naivashia) and a couple of weeks ago a tour of Matapos NP in Zimbabwe. The first two were pretty safe as there were only Leopard, and they are too timid to attack humans.
Matapos NP in Zim was something else, really. Our guide, a white Zim guy called Andy was an ex professional hunter and all round god. We started off from one rhino footprint at the side of the road, parking up and following ticks left on tree stumps, sprayed urine, dry footprints, wet footprints, scent, small birds until finally, after an hour we had tracked a white bull rhino ("see that big rock over there in the bushes. It's not a rock"). Really awesome, and so much better for being on the ground and tracking the thing ourselves. This was early in the day, we tracked several white rhino, and at the end of the day a black bull rhino, who was a bit grumpy in the rain and mock charged us. VERY scary, though the guide warned him off with a few shouts (had the safety off on the .42" rifle though!) All the time he was telling us about the different trees and the local medicines made from them, survival tips etc. etc. Like a real ray mears. Brilliant day, and SO much better than seeing it all from a land rover. If you're going to Africa, you really have to connect with it and be on the ground, at least once. I'd also recommend at least one night under canvas in the Serengeti, listening to the lions raw all round you!
SO get out of the truck or this guy will have words...
Rant over
If a week is all you have time for, I would stay in Mombasa and do a safari trip from there. Virgin holidays have a number of hotels on their books; we stayed at the White Sands Hotel in Mombasa which was ace. You will fly to Nairobi and connect to Mombasa from there - easy-peasy.
There are lots of companies offering safaris; if you only have a couple of days I would recommend you do a 2-day safari in the Tsavo National Park. Consider hiring a jeep and driver just for the 2 of you, so you can go at your own pace. We used Glorious Safaris who were fine. I would also recommend a snorkelling trip with Pilli Pippa who will take you round a marine park near the Tanzanian border - memorable day out, v.safe and well-run.
Try the Tripadvisor forums for more info and don't forget your jabs and malaria tablets.
There are lots of companies offering safaris; if you only have a couple of days I would recommend you do a 2-day safari in the Tsavo National Park. Consider hiring a jeep and driver just for the 2 of you, so you can go at your own pace. We used Glorious Safaris who were fine. I would also recommend a snorkelling trip with Pilli Pippa who will take you round a marine park near the Tanzanian border - memorable day out, v.safe and well-run.
Try the Tripadvisor forums for more info and don't forget your jabs and malaria tablets.
Gnits said:
If you do get to Nairobi you have to try Carnivore restuarant - recommended by everyone who goes there.
I thought it was rubbish, but the club next door was ace
There is Nairobi National Park, with the elephant rescue centre and the Giraffe sanctuary in Nairobi which are all worth a trip but if you can get into one of the game reserves proper then do so. Walking safaris are great (as has been mentioned) but you do need to be in a car if you want to get close to the bigger animals.
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