Has anyone been to Kenya (Mombassa)?
By smurfuk76
@smurfuk76 (360)
July 28, 2009 1:37pm CST
I am due to take a holiday to Kenya in Feb 2010 and was hoping that some of my fello Mylotters might have been to the Bamburi Beach hotel and could give me some information on it and the area. Any do`s & Dont`s and any general advice. We have been advised to take pens and pencils to trade with the beach boys.
We are doing a 2 night safari in Tsavo Park Then 11 nights in Mobassa.
Any stories, memories or advice would be most helpful.
3 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
28 Jul 09
Yes, been to Mombassa and travelled a bit in East Africa.
Everyone speaks English but it is good to speak a little Kiswahili, phrase books are readily available.
Kenyans are generally nice and friendly but of course, as anywhere, there are exceptions. Expect to get people begging for money but if you have been to an Arab country you will be delighted to find Kenyans much more polite and respectful about this. You will hear a lot of sob stories every day. Don't be taken in, the people you meet around the beach and town are proffesionaly beggars despite their convincing story. Keep your pencils and pens and give them to the village kids.
In February Mombasa will be unbearable hot for my taste.
Don't wear jewellery, expensive watches, etc. By cautious when using your mobile in public, carry some small money in a convenient pocket so you don't have to get your wallet out on every occasion.
Kenyans are not so ready to look people in the eye as we Brits this is not shiftiness but politeness there.
Contrary to what you might here, I love to travel by Matatu and these are the best way to get around, cheap and quick.
Don't take the first price, walk away and see how far you get!
From Mombassa you can take an excellent day trip, leaves early in the morning, long drive by minibuses, then a trip out on Arab Dows to see dolphins, whale-sharks and snorkel to see the coral, a good opportunity to give out your pens and pencils to the village kids.
Also in Mombassa there is a restaurant, where you book a table on a boat that cruises while it serves dinner.
Tembo night club if you like that kind of thing.
Feel free to ask me any more specific questions if you wish.
all the best urban
@smurfuk76 (360)
•
28 Jul 09
Fantastic thank you very much. I might contact you later as more questions pop into my head if thats ok?
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 09
I went to Tiwi Beach which is south of Mombasa. It is a lovely beach that is really unspoilt and quiet. I stayed at a hotel there. The next beach is really touristy with lots of beach boys. I got a taxi into Mombasa. I enjoyed shopping there and seeing Fort Jesus. I got a train to Nairobi and once there booked a safari to the Masai Mara and Lake Nakaru. The safari was camping and it lasted for five days. Back in Nairobi I bought a wooden giraffe. I was concerned about the risk of Malaria there. Apart from that it was an excellent vacation. I hope you will have a wonderful time.
