Safari Holidays

Archive for May, 2009

I'm trying to plan a little family vacation and will be spending some time in Philly so I was thinking that we might stop at Six Flags Great Adventure/Safari in NJ and while we're so close by go to the beach for a few days. Any recommendations on beaches that would be nearby 6 flags that are family friendly with activities for the kids and adults that is fairly clean. Thanks!

As a kid I always enjoyed Wildwood. It's great for kids… and pretty decent for adults, I still enjoy spending a few days there now. It gets pretty busy though. Ocean City or Cape May aren't too bad either, but not a whole lot to do for kids. Not many attractions or theme parks. If you are looking for something with plenty of rides and games/activities I would suggest Wildwood.

how was it how much was it was the eperience good enough im thinking of taking my 6 year old aslo where is the best place to go etc heve heard nairobi is good and kenya

have been on safari in kenya 3 times, its excellent. a six year old would love it! i've been in july, in august and in march. if you want the weather to be hot march is the best, if not, july is more cool and easier on a kid i'm sure. nakuru national park is excellent and if you look up kembu campsite on the internet you'll find a great place near nakuru park with lovely lodges and guesthouses which are a lot better value than a lot of the tourist hotels. contact me if you need more info.

we are off to Kenya, Kikambala beach, in september, 2 weeks in a hotel but we would love to do safari maybe 2 nights? any advise on how much and best way to book ect, the ones we have found so far include flights ect which we dont need!

A lot depends where your safari is. If you book locally for a safari when your out in Kenya this could cost less than pre booking before you go. If you make a booking out there make sure that they are recommended and have the insurances etc. If you are going to the Tsavo East or West game reserves from Kikambala these are within fairly easy reach by road, but be warned the roads are very rough and the standard of driving is generally poor. Due to this fact, is why if going to the more northern parks or to the Masai Mara people prefer to fly for the safety and for the less travelling time involved. Travelling by vehicle in the northern parts of Kenya can also be a bit dodgy due to the car jackings and robberies along the highway. I would only stay one night at Tsavo East park as anything over that is a waste of money, or split two nights between East and West parks. If going to the Mara I would definitely recommend staying two nights as there is a lot to take in. Take plenty of film or large capacity digital camera card with you, as you will take more shots of everything than you do normally on holiday and these will be expensive to buy locally if you can get them, also don't forget binoculars as in some parks they are not allowed to drive off the road to view animals. You will enjoy the experience of a safari and it is really the highlight of any Kenya visit. I will also be back there in September.

You’ve already started to answer this question – by asking for advice from people who may have done it before.

Another way of finding out how to do this is to buy Lonely Planet and Rough Guide books for East Africa / Kenya / Tanzania etc.

The first thing to bear in mind is the climate – eg June is still the wet season (just about) in Kenya , so make sure that you check this first, as this will affect the type of clothing you need to take, the animals you will see, and the price.

Once you have researched the climate for the country you intend to visit, the next thing is to try and find a trustworthy local guide to help you with bookings. Don’t pay the full asking price until you arrive, but do offer to pay a small deposit to secure the booking.

Furthermore, if you are visiting during the wet season, make sure you recieve a discount. Also, if you are travelling alone, also inform the local tour agent that you are willing to share with other travellers – this will also save you money.

It is not necessary for you to book prior to arriving in Africa, as you will be inundated with offers of safari when you arrive, and the hotel / hostel you stay in will be able to organise this for you.

I have backpacked around Kenya twice in the last few years, and can recommend Nairobi as a place to start any type of safari.

The Milimani backpackers (google them for contact details) hostel in Nairobi is an affordable base from which to start from / finish at. The owners Andy and Patricia are able to offer local expertise and help with bookings and other travel arrangements.

You won’t regret staying with Milimani, but you may regret staying in a bad hostel in Nairobi – its not called Nairobbery for nothing!

It may be cheaper for you to travel via the UK as Somak tours (google again) provide a flight only option for 7, 14, 21, 35 or 42 days with Monarch airlines from Manchester and Gatwick. Although it may be cheaper to book through www.travelrepublic.co.uk These flights fly in to Mombasa, but this gives you chance to explore the coastal area, and to go to Tsavo East & West parks on the way to Nairobi, or you can get on the overnight train to Nairobi (definitely an experience).

Other than that, just relax & enjoy the experience. Oh don’t expect everything to go according to plan, remember that everything happens in african time, which is not always on time (if ever) and is never efficient.

Ensure that you have adequate insurance, and pack a med pack including clean syringes and needles etc – just in case!

Try and learn the local language for which country you will be visiting, at least learn to say, hello my name is … (Kiswahili – Hujambo, jino langu ni …..) etc, to break the ice when you get lost / things go wrong.

My daughter wants to go on a safari holiday to Kenya. How safe is the place.

Havn't been for a while, can I come?

Seriously though:
Kenya is an absolutely must-see country.
It depends where in Kenya you go and where you pick up the safari.

Places like Mombasa are quite safe in the hotels and on the beach (all hotels have armed guards and the beaches are policed), however, the old part of town – around Fort Jesus is quite UNsafe unless you ask for a guard at the hotel (you'll need to pay him – normally around 1000KS (£5 or $8)).

Similarly, the centre of Nairobi is safe. Obviously, she should take sensible precautions (such as not wearing gold jewelery, keeping cash out of sight, etc.).

If taking a camping safari tour (I highly recommend it), she should be wary in small towns and at rest-stops, although she will be in a group with the guide present at all times. Some guides are employed by the state and are therefore armed (in case they spot game poachers).

Here are a few other tips she may find useful:
Never pick up animal bones, teeth or ivory – she won't be able to take them from the country and, worse, she may be seen to be poaching.

Ensure she has an entry visa before visiting – there are places to get them on arrival, but they are far more expensive and also illegal.
You don't say where she'll be travelling from, but here's what to do for money: Credit cards are not universally accepted in Kenya (my information is from 8 years ago, so that could've changed). Take traveller's cheques in either Sterling or US Dollars – along with a small amount (2000 Kenyan Shillings should be enough) of cash for things like taxis & tips.

Take lots of photos – often if you wait just a little while, you can catch an animal in THE perfect pose!
Be prepared to get up early (6am in some cases).
If camping, ensure Tsavo is included in the tour – Mount Kilimanjaro is there and it's spectacular.

All of Kenya, Nairobi in particular, is a land of contrasts – you can be surrounded by posh buildings on one part of a road and, seconds later be surrounded by tin shacks – be prepared.

Take no more than 5000 KS into or out of the country – to do so is illegal.

Be prepared to see men carrying automatic rifles, especially away from Nairobi – they may be dressed in jeans & t-shirts, but they are Kenyan Army Regulars.

Some of the animals are extremely friendly – especially monkeys. If patient, you can often be rewarded by a monkey approaching and taking food from your hand (do nothing to alarm them as they may bite).

Above all else, have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Hope that helps