Please do not play games with your lifes - if jabs are recommended, TAKE THEM. My brother-in-law worked in Kenya for 10 years in the late 1980s-90s and had local vaccinations to 'top up' his immunity.

He contracted Hepatitis C from unclean needles which was not spotted until 2002 and sadly died from this disease 3 weeks' ago.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR HEALTH SERIOUSLY - YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE.

This is what the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice for travellers to Kenya.

Darren

Hi Alsacienne.
Im so sorry to hear about your brother in law. I certainly will take all the necassary precautions however I was asking about yellow fever vaccinations as I simply do not know the cause of this illness. Also where I live it is extremely difficult to find a surgery that has this "infamous" vaccination. I have found a travel clinic (some distance from where I live!) which does it but other then that it is impossible. My Gp doesnt offer this anymore. Has anybody else had trouble getting this vaccination?

Micky, yellow fever is passed on by infected mosquitos in much the same way as malaria. I believe there is currently a shortage of the vaccine in some parts of the country. You can find a list of travel clinics at http://www.masta.org

It is always best to have what is recomended even if it i costly and not classed as essential.

I had mine almost ten years ago so im due for a top up soon, which i will have regardless of if im travelling or not. (I tend to take of at short notice on holidays)

I experienced some side effects, muscle pain in the top of my arm, and a slight fever a few days after with a runny nose, but it was controllable with paracetamol from what i remember.

Its better to be safe than sorry!

Caroline & Kirsten

I agree with Caroline, its better to have it.
I remember my arm aching but no other problems with it.
Cher

Hi All,

Looking at Bamburi Beach in November but would like to know about Safaris, can I book in the hotel, are there companies close by that do them, should I book before I go, who do you recommend, do I book with the tour operator (Eclipse Direct - 2 night Tsavo safari)? Which safari do i go for (looking at 2 or 3 nights (£300-£400 pp) which camp? Rough prices?

Sorry for the long list of questions, any answers/suggestions you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks, Shaun

Shaun,

If you are going on safari for 2 or 3 nights I would suggest that you try to go to a gamepark quite close to Mombasa, so would suggest Tsavo. You can also add Amboseli to this, which is what quite a few tour operators do. Don't try to go too far as you'll spend more time travelling than you will in the game parks!

I travelled with Somak in 1996 and we went on a 2 night safari to Tsavo (Voi Lodge and Ngulia Lodge) and also a 1 night safari to Shimba Hills, staying at the Hilton hotel on stilts. The Tsavo safari is being offered at a price of around £200 with Somak this year, but haven't seen the 1 night safari in the brochure so don't know prices.

Whatever you choose it'll be worth it! We saw 4 of the big 5 during our 2 night safari and even had a leopard circling our 4x4 near the Ngulia Lodge (came within reaching distance of us!!). The only animal we missed was the rhino, and we even went to the rhino reserve to try to see one! It really is luck of the draw.

Karen

Hi Karen,

Thanks for the info.

I have contacted Somak who have said they do not offer just the safaris independently from the accommodation. I must book both through them. Do you know of any reputable companies here or there who operate independent safari tours. Anyone else have any recommendations/suggestions.

Thanks, Shaun

Hi Shaun,

Sorry I've only been once (although dying to go back!) and we booked everything through Somak.

Perhaps somebody else can advise you on a good company to book through, particularly as I am not sure whether it's even safe to book through just anybody.

Personally I would suggest you book through the tour operator as you I'm not sure you are going to save any money by booking in the resort and it might be worth paying a little more to be safe.

Karen

we are heading to Kenya in Sept and have enquired from quite a few sources and the bottom line of advice seems to be we will save a fare bit of money if we book our safari locally as long as we book with a local agent and NOT from a beach seller-hope this helps.

Hi everyone
We are going to change our Holiday from Cuba to Kenya we will be going for xmas and new year. The 2 hotels which are still avaible for us in our price range is the Sun'n'sand beach hotel at Kkikambala or the Voyager Beach resort at Nyali. As anyone been to these hotels or areas. as we can't decide between the 2 of them and have till the next week to make up our mind.
We are in our 40's taking no children or teenagers (free agents at last!!) we like beach holidays but would like to venturer out in a taxis in the evening to local areas And normal do a couple of independent day trips.
I would love imformation as to whether these hotels are in remote areas what the beaches are like. And whether anyone prehaps been to both and give a comparision.

What is the best method of appling for a Kenyan tourist visa. Is it possible to down load a visa application of the net. Or have you got to write to the embassy for a form. Or is it easier to apply on entry The travel brochure(first choice) says get one before you go. Just not sure how to go about it!!

go on to the Kenya High Commission London website and download the application form. Send off and your visa will be back within a week!

Thanks. I've printed them off..... after I got the printer to behave

Has anyone any comments on the following...

Somak Big Five Safari
or
Hayes and Jarvis Dik-Dik Safari

and

Diani Reef Beach resort
or
Nyali Beach hotel

Any thing on any would be appreciated.
Thanks

Brian L

Iv just returned from a 3 week holiday in Malindi kenya. Stayed at Scorpio Villas. Few things I thought may be useful to people. The accomodation was excellant, clean, friendsly and the food was outstanding. Will definately stay there again.

Malindi itself is cheap and friendly had no safety issues and there were two 23 yr old girls travlelling alone, just be careful and you will have no worries, dont walk about alone at night just as you wouldnt do here.
The beach boys were a pest but after a few days they seemed to move to new targets just be honest adn say your annoying me and they will ususally laugh with you!

Whatever you buy make sure you bargain! we were told not to book with anyone outside the hotel this was rubbish as we had an amazing safari for 3 days at less that half what the hotel charged. It was £200 for Tsavo east and Amboselli staying in first class lodges with mosquitos nets and air conditioning, only thing had to pay for on safari was drinks with our meals which were expensive compared to in malindi but not over a £1.
If you want the best deal on safari just keep looking around as whatever price your given if you tell the next person who offers you one they will beat it!

If your on a budget bargain about everything! dont get guides to take you to things you can do yourself and taking the matata- a local bus can work out 20x cheaper than a tuk tuk or taxi and you still get to see exactly the same things. If your wary of the matata try a tuk tuk they are a lot cheaper than taxis and a lot of fun. But even bargain with the price of them as they nearly aslwyas say at least twice as much as they should.

I took larium tablets and my friend took malarone. Neither of us had any bad side effects. I was worried about the larium as have read a lot of bad press regarding it but it was completely fine. A day after I took the 1st tablet I was really sick and nauseous and was convinced it was the tablet but i found out it was a burger I had eaten with a nut in im allergic to. Think if you eat and drink as advised and be careful about taking them then most people will have nothing to worry about, if you start them 2 weeks b4 u go u will know anyway and if you must can change them for different ones, I paid £20 for a 3 week course whereas malarone was over £100 so there is a big difference. Also take your prescription to superdrug it is cheaper than any other chemist for anti malaria drugs.

If you have room in your case take a few extra t shirts and clothes as the locals will love to swap it for crafts and souveniers. THe people are generaly really really grateful of anything as they are so poor about 100 people asked me to leave my shoes, shampoo, clothes everything!

I took some notebooks and pens to give to the kids and they loved it as they often cant afford to get there own and it also helps them out as they have to take there own to school!

If anyne is thinking of buying cigarettes they are really really cheap in malindi town there is a depot where 200 are a little over £6!!! the only thing that I found to be expensive was sun cream and hygiene products. They area imported purely for the holiday makers so make sure yuo take plenty as it can be awkward to find, especially high factor cream.

anyway i hope someone finds me rabling on useful!
if your going to Kenya soon Im jealous and im sure you will Love it!!
aimee

Got our visas back today ....really inpressed. Applied for new 10year passorts 13days ago. received them 5 days later. Sent off for kenyan visas on monday and postman just delivered them
Roll on the 23rd of december.

We are thinking of making our first visit to Kenya, Beach holiday with option of booking Safari locally.
Have you been Any advice on injections, flights & good All Inclusive hotels