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  • Kenya Airport

    Nairobi Airport ATMs

    Nairobi airport has plenty of ATMs and cash points where you can use ATM and debit cards from all over the world to get Kenyan money upon arrival.

    There are several ATMs in the arrivals hall of Nairobi airport, including a Barclays ATM. There are also ATMs inside of the airport terminals.

    Most ATMs in Nairobi airport charge a small fee for using foreign ATMs or debit cards, and your bank will normally charge you a nominal fee for withdrawing foreign currency.

    Malindi Airport

    Malindi AirportMalindi airport serves flights to Malindi from Nairobi, Lamu, and Mombasa.

    Malindi airport is more of an airstrip than an airport, but does have a permanent building with small shops, vending machines, and indoor waiting areas.

    Malindi airport is located near the beaches and close to most resorts, making it easy to get from the airstrip to your final destination in Malindi.

    Left Luggage at Nairobi Airport

    There is a left-luggage office at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

    The facilities for left luggage at Nairobi Airport are located in the domestic terminal. If you enter the departures area, the office is to your left in the back corner.

    The left luggage office at Nairobi Airport operates 24 hours a day and charges on a per-bag basis.

  • Fishing in Lamu

    lamu fishingFishing is a popular activity to do in Lamu, and many visitors return to the island year after year to take advantage of the great fishing off the coast of Lamu.

    There are plenty of guides and fishing tour companies in Lamu that can take you out for a day of fishing, or just for a few hours.

    Lamu Town’s port and Shela’s beach are good places to find willing skippers and boat operators, and most Lamu hotels can give you information about fishing in Lamu.

    Commonly caught fish in Lamu include yellowfin, sailfish, and red snapper.

  • Best Hotels in Lamu

    With tourism as the major industry in Lamu, there is no shortage of hotels and guest houses on the island.

    Here is a list of what I consider to be the best hotels in Lamu:

    Baitil Aman Guest House in Lamu

    Baitil Aman Guest House
    Address: Shela, Lamu, Kenya
    Phone: +254 (0)733 37 53 80

    The Baitil Aman Guest House in Lamu, Kenya is located in the idyllic town of Shela. Away from the bustle of Lamu Town, the guest house is located a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It is also just down the street from the Peponi, the hotel that is famous for being the happy hour spot of choice for visitors to Shela.

    The Baitil Aman Guest House is situated in a 200 year old traditional house on a quiet street in Shela. The guest house is full of great antiques and picturesque doors, and is a photographer’s dream come true.

    Rooms at the Baitil Aman are huge and offer great views of Lamu. Some rooms come with extra beds. Each room at the Baitil Aman Guest House has an ensuite bathroom (bring your own toiletries), mosquito nets, a desk, and wireless Internet access (one of the few places in Lamu to have it).

    There is plenty of hot water for showers at the guest house, although water pressure can sometimes be low. Power outages in Shela are frequent during the day and in the middle of the night, but are rare in the mornings and evenings. Bring a flash light just in case, but don’t be too worried about needing it at the guest house.

    The roof terrace at the Baitil Aman Guest House is the perfect place to enjoy dinner under the stars. The restaurant serves up amazingly good food, including Hot and Spicy Crab (1200 KES), and a delicious whole lobster (2000 KES). Other good menu items include the jumbo prawns (1500 KES) and vegetarian curry (600 KES).

    In the mornings and afternoons you can relax in the beautiful garden or the pillow-filled lounge area. Breakfast is included in the room rate and there is a great breakfast menu of omelettes, pancakes, Swahili tea, fresh tropical fruit, and more.

    The staff at the Baitil Aman are friendly and helpful, and are willing to go the extra mile to do things like laundry or fulfil other one-off requests.

    Rack rates for rooms at the Baitil Aman Guest House are 180 USD per night in the high season for a double room (120 in mid season and 100 in low season), but you can negotiate at 15% discount when booking. Laundry is free.

    Kijani House Hotel in Lamu

    Kijani House Hotel
    Address: P.O.Box 266, Lamu, Kenya
    Phone: +254-42-4633235

    Kijani House Hotel in Shela is one of the best hotels in Lamu.

    The Kijani House Hotel is nestled among 3,000 square metres of lush gardens and features two swimming pools and a path to the sea.

    Owner Pierre Oberson created the Kijani House Hotel to resemble a traditional Swahili stone house. As such, all 10 rooms at the hotel feature private balconies, beautiful dark wood furniture, and local and international antiques.

    Food at the Kijani House Hotel is cooked fresh daily with local fish and fruits and vegetables from Kijani’s own farm in the centre of Lamu. Most meals at the hotel feature seafood, Swahili dishes or Italian cuisine.

    Room rates at the Kijani House Hotel in Lamu range from 125 to 290 euros per night, depending on the type of room you select and whether you choose a meal plan or not. Airport boat transfers are included in all room rates.

    Peponi Hotel in Lamu

    Peponi Hotel
    Address: P.O. Box 24 80500 Lamu Kenya
    Phone: +254 (0)42 4633421/2/3

    The Peponi Hotel is one of the best hotels in Lamu, Kenya.

    The Peponi Hotel is located in Shela, a beach town just a few kilometers from Lamu Town, the island’s main port. The hotel is run by the Korschen family, who opened the hotel in the 1960’s.

    The 24 rooms at the Peponi Hotel all feature ocean views, mosquito nets, ensuite bathrooms, and ceiling fans. Superior rooms at the Peponi Hotel have private balconies.

    The Peponi Hotel has a restaurant that has been written up in the New York Times for its outstanding cuisine. It also features the most popular beach front bar in Lamu, which serves alcholic beverages (a rarity in Lamu).  The bar is a great place to have a sunset cocktail on the beach, but make sure to stay on the non-guest side of the bar if you’re not staying at the hotel.  Staff at the Peponi can be quite hostile to visitors that stray into the guest-only area.

    An ocean front pool and lush gardens round out the Peponi Hotel’s offerings, and make it one of the best hotels in Lamu.

    Rooms at the Peponi Hotel start at 200 euros per night for a standard room (breakfast included). The hotel is closed in May and June, which is the low season in Lamu.

    Msafini Hotel in Lamu

    Msafini Hotel
    Address: P.O BOX 226 Shella, Lamu, KENYA
    Phone: +254 720223043

    The recently opened Msafini Hotel in Shella on Lamu island, Kenya is one of the best mid range hotels in Lamu.

    Msafini Hotel features large, spacious guest rooms, a beautiful pool, a balcony on every room, sea views, a relaxing rooftop lounge, and great food.

    Msafini Hotel has great staff that are friendly and helpful. Rama and Faraj are particularly commendable for their great service and welcoming attitudes.

    Room rates at Msafini Hotel in Lamu are flexible, so negotiate if you are going to stay more than one night. Breakfast is included in the room rate.

     

     

  • Best Airport for Kilimanjaro

    The best airport for Kilimanjaro trips is Kilimanjaro International Airport, whose airport code is JRO or HTKJ.

    Kilimanjaro International Airport is ideally located for those that want to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or visit Arusha or Moshi, the closest major cities.

    For a list of airlines that fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, click here.

  • Emerson & Green Hotel Zanzibar

    Emerson & Green Hotel, Zanzibar
    Address: 236 Hurumzi Street, Zanzibar Tanzania
    Phone: 255-(0)77-7423266

    Situated in the heart of Stone Town, the Emerson & Green Hotel in Zanzibar is one of the best hotels in Tanzania. Located in the second tallest building in the city in what was formerly the residence of the wealthiest family in the Swahili Empire, the Emerson & Green Hotel still retains its luxurious feel.

    Each of the 10 guest rooms in the Emerson & Green Hotel in Zanzibar is uniquely fitted with original Zanzibar antiques, and the hotel has an authentically Zanzibari feel. The new “Peace of Love” wing boasts gorgeous new rooms, most of which have balconies with beautiful sea views.

    Emerson & Green is also home to the famous Tower Top Restaurant, one of Zanzibar’s best restaurants. With ocean views to match the food, Tower Top Restaurant is well worth a visit, even if you’re not staying at Emerson & Green hotel in Zanzibar.

  • Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

    Dar es Salaam is the traditional capital of Tanzania and is the most important city in Tanzania economically. Located on the coast of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is home to beaches, harbors, and other maritime activities.

    People visiting Tanzania can check out Dar es Salaam’s cultural sights in addition to its coastal beauty. Dar es Salaam’s Zoological Gardens, National Museum, Village Museum are all open to visitors.

  • Keekorok Lodge, Masai Mara, Kenya

    Keekorok Lodge (sometimes misspelled Keekorock Lodge) is located in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Keekorok Lodge was the first lodge built in the Masai Mara and is in the direct path of the Mara’s famous wildebeest migration. Keekorok Lodge offers luxury safari accomodations and all-inclusive African safari packages. Private safari game drives leave in the mornings and afternoons, and in the off-time visitors to Keekorok Lodge can enjoy the pool, buffet meals, bar, gift shop, and beautiful grounds.

    Planes to Keekorok Lodge leave from Nairobi. Drivers from Keekorok Lodge meet visitors at the airstrip and transport them to the lodge.

    Average room rates at Keekorok Lodge are around 240USD per night, depending on the season.

  • Trains from London to Winchester

    Trains from London to Winchester run regularly from London’s Waterloo Station to Winchester’s train station. Trains run several times an hour, but make sure to choose one that has minimal stops along the way.

    The total journey by train from London to Winchester takes an hour and costs around 24GBP for a return ticket (concessions available).

  • Trains from Nairobi to Mombasa

    Trains from Nairobi to Mombasa are operated by Kenya Railways Corporation.

    Trains from Nairobi to Mombasa usually operate overnight. The train time from Nairobi to Mombasa is officially 13 to 14 hours, but can be much longer. Make sure to book a couchette in a sleeping car in advance of your train journey.

    Depending on what class you travel in, there are dining cars that serve meals during the train trip.

    NB: Trains from Nairobi to Mombasa are unreliable and break down frequently. Make sure to be prepared for a long journey if you choose to take the train to Mombasa.

  • Best Kenya Safari Tour Companies

    When booking a safari in Kenya, many visitors choose to use a safari tour company. There are many to choose from, but not all are reliable. You can work with an international safari tour company or a local one, but make sure that you shop around to get the best prices and best quality service.

    Here is a list of some of the best Kenya safari tour companies:

    MICS Safaris – A good, consistently reliable tour operator. They offer competitive prices for Kenya safaris and services are great.

    Kuldips Touring Co. – A great family-run Kenyan safari tour company. The patriarch of the family was an early safari pioneer. Kuldips Touring Co. is still in the family and provides great safari services.

    Asili Adventure – A great Kenya safari tour company. Joyce is great to work with when you are making your reservations. Joseph, the driver, is fantastic, and Migwi, the cook, is experienced and makes great cuisine.

    Wildlife Kenya Safaris – An excellent Mombasa-based Kenya safari tour company. Wildlife Kenya Safaris offers safari tours from both Mombasa and Nairobi. Their services are well-priced and provide excellent value for money. Sammy is a knowledgeable guide who tells great stories while driving through the Kenyan game reserves.