indigosunset

Hi! My first post - yay!!

Going to visit my roommate who is from Nairobi and staying with her family for a week or two...

I would like to give them a nice bottle of whisky or cognac from home as a hospitality gift but I'm unsure about customs regulations etc...

Any insights? Can't seem to find a website that would tell me..

Thanks!

Katrina

bellelass

This was found on Kenya.com. I hope that helps you out. I'm always really careful about checking things like that, too. Also, a good solid travel guide on Kenya (many people here like lonely planet) should answer all of those sorts of questions. That's the only reason I get guidebooks really.

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indigosunset

Thanks, bellelass.

worldwidemike

Hey indigo, if you don't mind, could you clear something up for me?

I'm anticipating going to Kenya on a safari this October. I've heard that if you show up in Nairobi and book it there instead of through an international travel agency or service that you can save tons of money. I've heard that there are safaris leaving all the time and they cut a good deal because they don't want them to go out with "empty seats."

Is there anyway you or your roommate (or their family) can verify that? I read an Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine article on it a few years back, but no one has independently confirmed this for me.

I'd appreciate it...

worldwidemike

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indigosunset

Hi, yes I've heard that as well...

Actually we're probably booking ours through my roommate's family's travel agent... Her mom is doing all the arrangements - the quote they gave us is still pretty expensive (I'm not sure how these prices compare to the ones online or through agents in North America). Anyway, here is an excerpt from the email she sent me:

Option A
Luxury Safari
1. 1 night at Naivasha Sarova lion hill hotel
2. 2 nights in Maasai mara Sianna Springs luxury tented camp
Price: $US717 per person for the 3 nights.

Option B
Camping Safari
1. 1 night at smaller hotel in Naivasha
2. 2 nights camping inside the maasai mara
Price: $US360 per person for the 3 nights.
Incl food.

For both options, you get a van with driver to and from Nairobi, and while
you are at the place, he'll take you into the mara and show u the animal hot
spots. Flying is a lot more expensive, and if you drive you get to see a
lot of the scenary on the way. Naivasha is pretty, by the rift valley, so
its cool you can go seeing that too..equator (ooh, haha). Option 2 is the
"white folk" special, seeing as its camping and all. My mum was a
bit unsure about that one coz black folk don't like to camp, but i'm sure
it's nice. The first option is pricier, but it really sounds sooo good. Let
me know the dates when you want to go and I can get back to the agent and
see if there is another group going on the same dates that you can share a
van with and cut down the cost a bit, but I'm not sure if this will be
possible.



My roommate just sent me this email so I haven't had the chance to check it out for myself. It makes sense that it would be cheaper booking it there since you get rid of the 'middleman' but maybe they'll also take advantage of the fact that you have no choice but to book...

As for the 2 options: I'm not sure which one to take; Option A is expensive; Option B is less money but may be more 'adventurous' seeing as it's camping in the savannah - I'm not sure how I feel about that... I'll have to ask her for more specifics...

Anyway, I'll ask her about your question and will get back to you..

Take care.

indigosunset

Hi, yes I've heard that as well...

Actually we're probably booking ours through my roommate's family's travel agent... Her mom is doing all the arrangements - the quote they gave us is still pretty expensive (I'm not sure how these prices compare to the ones online or through agents in North America). Anyway, here is an excerpt from the email she sent me:

Option A
Luxury Safari
1. 1 night at Naivasha Sarova lion hill hotel
2. 2 nights in Maasai mara Sianna Springs luxury tented camp
Price: $US717 per person for the 3 nights.

Option B
Camping Safari
1. 1 night at smaller hotel in Naivasha
2. 2 nights camping inside the maasai mara
Price: $US360 per person for the 3 nights.
Incl food.

For both options, you get a van with driver to and from Nairobi, and while
you are at the place, he'll take you into the mara and show u the animal hot
spots. Flying is a lot more expensive, and if you drive you get to see a
lot of the scenary on the way. Naivasha is pretty, by the rift valley, so
its cool you can go seeing that too..equator (ooh, haha). Option 2 is the
"white folk" special, seeing as its camping and all. My mum was a
bit unsure about that one coz black folk don't like to camp, but i'm sure
it's nice. The first option is pricier, but it really sounds sooo good. Let
me know the dates when you want to go and I can get back to the agent and
see if there is another group going on the same dates that you can share a
van with and cut down the cost a bit, but I'm not sure if this will be
possible.



My roommate just sent me this email so I haven't had the chance to check it out for myself. It makes sense that it would be cheaper booking it there since you get rid of the 'middleman' but maybe they'll also take advantage of the fact that you have no choice but to book...

As for the 2 options: I'm not sure which one to take; Option A is expensive; Option B is less money but may be more 'adventurous' seeing as it's camping in the savannah - I'm not sure how I feel about that... I'll have to ask her for more specifics...

Anyway, I'll ask her about your question and will get back to you..

Take care.

indigosunset

ooopss.. sorry about the double post....

is there any way to delete that?

worldwidemike

Thanks...keep us posted with what's going on and what you decide. Plus if you find any new information.

I'd go with Option B. You can always use the extra cash for a trip to Victoria Falls or something...

Thanks and good luck!

worldwidemike

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Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
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