This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Kenya. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:506 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-02-27T17:48:05Z 340108http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Kenya. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-07:6150852 2007-12-07T09:31:45Z 2008-02-27T17:48:05Z Annette and Dave http://realtravel.com/member-m5908258-annette_and_dave.html <p><em>"Looks like the dog's dinner."</em></p> <p>a entry by Annette and Dave from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-kenya-reviews-hotels-d905202.html">Nairobi Area, Kenya.</a></p> <p>Decided to do more than look around Nairobi and bathe in the bath temperature pool at the Stanley today.</p><p>Up at the crack of dawn for a tour out to the Nairobi National Park (Nairobi is the only capital with its own national park on the doorstep), the Elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Sanctuary.</p><p>We negotiated with a local tour company for a car and driver for the day (8,000 KS)and started at the national park about half a mile out of town. This is a true bush park. The animals fend for themselves and the laws of the jungle apply.</p><p>We saw giraffe, zebra, warthogs (in the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-journals-j6150852.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_YBlGs4av5JLJQpXidcGETs7mD6A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/YBlGs4av5JLJQpXidcGETs7mD6A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_YBlGs4av5JLJQpXidcGETs7mD6A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=YBlGs4av5JLJQpXidcGETs7mD6A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_area-journals-j6150852.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-journals-j6150852.html tag:realtravel.com,2006-10-16:2563470 2006-10-16T14:00:38Z 2008-02-02T17:38:24Z Un Petit Tour http://realtravel.com/member-m2516035-un_petit_tour.html <p>a entry by Un Petit Tour from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/shimoni-coast-reviews-hotels-d2563409.html">Shimoni, Coast.</a></p> <p>Rod: Arriver à Shimoni, c'est un petit peu arriver au bout du monde ! Ici la piste s'arrête, et après la piste.... L'Océan Indien. Cet endroit semble tranquille, il n'y a pas de touriste, je pense..... seulement nous, c'est cool. On est allés louer un "Banda" (petite hutte) au Kenyan Wildlife Service Eden Campsite. Ici, les Bandas sont situés dans une sorte de petite jungle ou les seuls habitants sont des Singes Bleus (comme on les appelle), il y en a plein!</p><p>En à peu près 15 minutes on a fait le tour du village: 2 rues et 3 mosquées! Après 2 jours de repos, rien à faire d'autre ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/shimoni-journals-j2563470.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JUNNnohmoSqkJOSI8veQkXnrkPY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JUNNnohmoSqkJOSI8veQkXnrkPY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JUNNnohmoSqkJOSI8veQkXnrkPY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JUNNnohmoSqkJOSI8veQkXnrkPY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fshimoni-journals-j2563470.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/shimoni-journals-j2563470.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-17:5331756 2007-08-17T22:03:26Z 2007-08-17T22:03:26Z WorldExplorer http://realtravel.com/member-m4074644-worldexplorer.html <p>a entry by WorldExplorer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-kenya-reviews-hotels-d3664.html">Nairobi, Kenya.</a></p> <p>Sunday, July 29 — Tuesday, July 31: Nairobi, Kenya</p><p></p><p>We arrived in Nairobi in the wee hours of the morning (around 5 am) and took a cab to our hotel. Nairobi (endearingly referred to by many as “Nai-robbery”) is home to the second largest slum after Johannesburg and is the second most dangerous city after Johannesburg. Given this, John and I very conservative in our touring of the city.</p><p>After checking into our hotel, we both hit the bed for a few hours. A large part of our first day in Nairobi was spent relaxing in the hotel. In the afternoon, the hotel arranged for us to talk ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j5331756.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Q8Azyv8dmTeFJabWKSL7lX8xUEI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Q8Azyv8dmTeFJabWKSL7lX8xUEI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Q8Azyv8dmTeFJabWKSL7lX8xUEI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Q8Azyv8dmTeFJabWKSL7lX8xUEI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi-journals-j5331756.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j5331756.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-14:5302358 2007-08-14T23:35:19Z 2007-08-14T23:35:19Z Two Travel Bugs http://realtravel.com/member-m4061416-two_travel_bugs.html <p><em>"All we have really done here has been wildlife related. What else would we do?!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Two Travel Bugs from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-kenya-reviews-hotels-d3664.html">Nairobi, Kenya.</a></p> <p>Hello all, Hope you all had a good Easter break, and those that are allowed, plenty of chocolate! We had two small marshmallow "eggs" each, eaten while on a game drive round Lake Nakuru NP. But back to the beginning, or the last place we wrote from. Jinja was our last stop in Uganda, the source of the mighty Nile. Colin spent a day rafting the "source" of the Nile, not really the actual source as theres a big dam that you cant raft over, but more like 6km from the source. There was a mixture of grades 3, 4 and 5 rapids, and they managed to get wet on all of the them except for ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j5302358.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_RL0lclJ39ESxoFobVy.j7V9Ue7E_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/RL0lclJ39ESxoFobVy.j7V9Ue7E_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_RL0lclJ39ESxoFobVy.j7V9Ue7E_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=RL0lclJ39ESxoFobVy.j7V9Ue7E_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi-journals-j5302358.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j5302358.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-16:5059696 2007-07-16T14:47:38Z 2007-07-16T15:02:39Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p>a review of Kengeles Bar and Restaurant, a place to eat in <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-nairobi_area-reviews-hotels-d905349.html">Nairobi Center, Nairobi Area</a>.</p> <p>We searched for a long time for somewhere decent to eat in Nairobi. Lonely Planet really let us down, with unreliable info and non-existent restaurants. Nairobi let us down even more, with dirty and unpleasant places to eat. This street-side restaurant with balcony cost 5 times what anywhere else would cost, but still worked out cheaper than UK prices for a good meal and nice service.</p><p>If you don't want the runs in Nairobi, this is the place to eat.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-reviews-c5059696.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_KEZohRMDhknOFi3JAkcVakjfUwA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/KEZohRMDhknOFi3JAkcVakjfUwA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_KEZohRMDhknOFi3JAkcVakjfUwA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=KEZohRMDhknOFi3JAkcVakjfUwA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_center-reviews-c5059696.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-reviews-c5059696.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-16:5059720 2007-07-16T15:02:34Z 2007-07-16T15:02:34Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"[The conman] had been searching for me all day, because he knew how generous Englishmen are..."</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-nairobi_area-reviews-hotels-d905349.html">Nairobi Center, Nairobi Area.</a></p> <p>Our last day in Kenya was a bit of an unusual mix of experiences. We spent the morning travelling with Jean to different maternity hospitals, to help Aaron make a choice for his forthcoming placement, which he plans to do in Nairobi. As we drove from place to place, seeing the cross-section of Nairobi's citizens en route, the stark contrasts became apparent; the beautiful suburban Westlands region where we stayed was incomparable to the Kibera slum - a massive area of tin houses, often with no windows, certainly no water and rarely electricity, which houses tens of thousands of the poorer ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5059720.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_0CP0OE8aGZ8GZHPr3Iocl-9MOkA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/0CP0OE8aGZ8GZHPr3Iocl-9MOkA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_0CP0OE8aGZ8GZHPr3Iocl-9MOkA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=0CP0OE8aGZ8GZHPr3Iocl-9MOkA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_center-journals-j5059720.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5059720.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-16:5059594 2007-07-16T14:27:27Z 2007-07-16T14:27:27Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"Dozens of injured people sat at the road side; there was simply nowhere to go"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-nairobi_area-reviews-hotels-d905349.html">Nairobi Center, Nairobi Area.</a></p> <p>Up at 0530, we beat the monkeys to it, but not the ants. Showers were definitely in need of sandals, to avoid the mass of evil biting ants that had settled in the washing block.</p><p>Again, we were very lucky with the safari. At this time of morning, almost no people were out, so the animals were still a little dozy, after a night of hunting / being hunted.</p><p>So, when we came across a lioness, strewn on the path while her two six-month old cubs played a little way off, she was in no mood to move for us. She lay there, smirking, as we came off the path, and stopped a little way away to ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5059594.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_PC9N5IUi3XBkdpdDD86TnX71Rjs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/PC9N5IUi3XBkdpdDD86TnX71Rjs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_PC9N5IUi3XBkdpdDD86TnX71Rjs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=PC9N5IUi3XBkdpdDD86TnX71Rjs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_center-journals-j5059594.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5059594.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-16:5058371 2007-07-16T12:43:08Z 2007-07-16T13:36:35Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"Four of lions' heads were actually inside the buffalo"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d1283670.html">Maasai Mara, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>Mornings around the Maasai Mara nature reserve are a little more 'back to nature' than we had become accustomed to. The guards told us that there had been a leopard in the camp overnight (highly feasible since the wooden fence is not really adapted to keep out a tree-climbing cat... or anything else, for that matter), but we felt quite safe in our flimsy nylon tent. Charles however, informed us that the Maasai people were particularly good wind-up merchants. I guess we'll never know if our lives were in danger, or if they were taking the piss. I suppose there isn't much difference.</p><p>After ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-journals-j5058371.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_lzulIPwMGRT1EPJE39ocnQYf1lw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/lzulIPwMGRT1EPJE39ocnQYf1lw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_lzulIPwMGRT1EPJE39ocnQYf1lw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=lzulIPwMGRT1EPJE39ocnQYf1lw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmaasai_mara-journals-j5058371.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-journals-j5058371.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5039226 2007-07-13T15:52:58Z 2007-07-13T15:52:58Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"On this main tourist route, children had no interest in the vehicle, only in our money"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d1283670.html">Maasai Mara, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>The heavy rainfall overnight meant that the tent was far too cosy to get up in the morning. After mentally running through other options, it seemed getting up was the only way. So, we packed up the wet tent, had breakfast, and loaded the tent. Malibu storks are the beasts of the skies - enormous carrion birds that have a wing span about the height of a human, and which love to rummage through bins at camp sites. I was surprised at how close I could get to the monsters - and I have pictures to prove it!</p><p>We set off to Maasai Mara Nature Reserve... the big one with the famous Wildebeest. ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-journals-j5039226.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_YlAydZh98nqURa2oIXXZC4GSNhg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/YlAydZh98nqURa2oIXXZC4GSNhg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_YlAydZh98nqURa2oIXXZC4GSNhg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=YlAydZh98nqURa2oIXXZC4GSNhg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmaasai_mara-journals-j5039226.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/maasai_mara-journals-j5039226.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5038585 2007-07-13T15:03:51Z 2007-07-13T15:03:51Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"During our puncture, we had to keep guard for unfriendly animals, while Charles changed the tyre, deep in the reserve"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/naivasha-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d2515490.html">Naivasha, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>Today started off as a great day. We got up at 0500 for an early morning game drive, sneaking up on animals still groggy from sleep. In fact, when we opened our curtains to the pre-dawn mist, we found a herd of dozens of gazelles grazing literally on the other side of the window. The horrific sight of our faces made them bolt to safer pastures.</p><p>Driving through the park was incredible, and becoming a standard tourist was inevitable - every flower and living creature was justification to stop the bus for a picture. Each flower would be more beautiful than the last, each bird closer and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/naivasha-journals-j5038585.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_BXbBwguIaW86-cmKaLsEaYlJsz8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/BXbBwguIaW86-cmKaLsEaYlJsz8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_BXbBwguIaW86-cmKaLsEaYlJsz8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=BXbBwguIaW86-cmKaLsEaYlJsz8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnaivasha-journals-j5038585.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/naivasha-journals-j5038585.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5036891 2007-07-13T12:29:20Z 2007-07-13T12:35:32Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"As we passed small huts, little children would come running out to see the vehicle"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d3040006.html">Nakuru, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>Up at 0500 to pack and prepare to leave, we had our last breakfast on the mountain, and boarded the jeep that had been sent to take us down the winding paths to Meru, a large town on the Mount Kenya ring road. The journey took us through a bamboo forest, towering above us, and out into a Kenyan Sunday, where people walked the dusty roads in their Sunday best, on their way to church. Preachers called to their congregants inside the frames of partly-built churches, while all but the most secular shops lay closed.</p><p>In the town, we were met by Charles, who had come to collect us in the safari ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-journals-j5036891.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_k01gndYDSMcWgHvM1p2kDGkDlv4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/k01gndYDSMcWgHvM1p2kDGkDlv4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_k01gndYDSMcWgHvM1p2kDGkDlv4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=k01gndYDSMcWgHvM1p2kDGkDlv4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnakuru-journals-j5036891.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nakuru-journals-j5036891.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5036733 2007-07-13T12:09:15Z 2007-07-13T12:29:25Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p>a review of Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Guest House, Lake Nakuru, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d3040006.html">Nakuru, Rift Valley</a>.</p> <p>This beautiful little two bedroom guest house inside the Lake Nakuru reserve is a lovely escape - homely with sofas, a dining table and a bathroom and proper toilet, and all immaculately clean, I'd recommend it to anyone.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-reviews-b5036733.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_W7HsuXalYNOOFeVBrHQ70YaQICo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/W7HsuXalYNOOFeVBrHQ70YaQICo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_W7HsuXalYNOOFeVBrHQ70YaQICo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=W7HsuXalYNOOFeVBrHQ70YaQICo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnakuru-reviews-b5036733.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nakuru-reviews-b5036733.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5035485 2007-07-13T09:48:07Z 2007-07-13T12:05:38Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p>a review of Minto's Hut, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d5031888.html">Mount Kenya, Rift Valley</a>.</p> <p>Minto's hut is a misnoma. It should be called Minto's box, because this four walled, windowless space is intended only for porters, while guests have no choice but to camp. The single drop toilet faces the hiking route and has a door that does not close, so perfecting the art of holding a door closed by squatting is necessary.</p><p>The only water comes from a nearby tarn - at this 'low' altitude, that means water has to be boiled (and iodized). But, it's still high enough to get pretty cold at night!</p><p>No picnic spot!</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-reviews-b5035485.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UDlfsj2.X3sYZahZvC5-Pc9EFH0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UDlfsj2.X3sYZahZvC5-Pc9EFH0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UDlfsj2.X3sYZahZvC5-Pc9EFH0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UDlfsj2.X3sYZahZvC5-Pc9EFH0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmount_kenya-reviews-b5035485.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-reviews-b5035485.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5035736 2007-07-13T10:06:08Z 2007-07-13T12:05:38Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"A 360 degree view of nothing"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d5031888.html">Mount Kenya, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>So, this was the big day.</p><p>We got up at 0200 to pack up and have a hot drink and some sugar to fuel our climb. Though still below freezing, tonight was warmer than the night before, and the tent a little less crispy.</p><p>We kitted up in an impressive number of layers - I can count sixteen items of clothing in total, but this was only just enough to feel comfortable. In the moonlight, Maina, Aaron and myself left camp and started the steady climb up, up and up. As the ground started to get icier, and steeper, we started to depend on our head torches for light. Looking back below us, we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5035736.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_cRUA3lUqwmKqNfxvnlPtpxzdfTQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/cRUA3lUqwmKqNfxvnlPtpxzdfTQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_cRUA3lUqwmKqNfxvnlPtpxzdfTQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=cRUA3lUqwmKqNfxvnlPtpxzdfTQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmount_kenya-journals-j5035736.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5035736.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-13:5036537 2007-07-13T11:54:54Z 2007-07-13T11:54:54Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"The shining ice on the tips was in fact debris of plane crashes over the last ten years"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d5031888.html">Mount Kenya, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>After a sleep in to 0830, we left Minto's for the descent. The plan: drop from 4200m to 2600m in one day.</p><p>Of the whole hike, this descent on the Chogoria route was the most beautiful part. A fantastic warm day with a dry breeze, facing out to the plains as we walked. And as the remnants of my headache faded out altogether, I could enjoy the variety of birds that drifted above us in the updraft of the Gorges valley. The different soil on this slope hosted different plants too. In fact, the only sign of negativity on the mountain was the ice on the tips of the slopes on the opposite side ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5036537.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ndpmp.bbxlQDIwAhty0bgnzFu9s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ndpmp.bbxlQDIwAhty0bgnzFu9s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ndpmp.bbxlQDIwAhty0bgnzFu9s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ndpmp.bbxlQDIwAhty0bgnzFu9s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmount_kenya-journals-j5036537.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5036537.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-12:5032457 2007-07-12T20:15:43Z 2007-07-13T09:42:33Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"The perfectly still water of the tarns reflected the alien plants, making them appear to float in mid air"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d5031888.html">Mount Kenya, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>Leaving our tent at the late hour of 0700, we stepped onto ice, while dark clouds shot overhead, 20m above us. A full cooked breakfast defrosted us after a cold night and an even colder visit to the toilet.</p><p>As we now planned to spend the next night in the same place, we did not need to pack up the tent, and so soon left to head up the steep valley-side, to a ridge at 4600m, where we were pleased to find a phone signal... not quite sure how; this 400m ascent in less than an hour did not seem to be the most conservative way to acclimatise, but from there we headed down into the next ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5032457.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_mIU7Ibi8RwHa.MtaUllGJOJ7b88_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/mIU7Ibi8RwHa.MtaUllGJOJ7b88_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_mIU7Ibi8RwHa.MtaUllGJOJ7b88_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=mIU7Ibi8RwHa.MtaUllGJOJ7b88_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmount_kenya-journals-j5032457.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mount_kenya-journals-j5032457.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-12:5029356 2007-07-12T16:34:16Z 2007-07-12T18:08:49Z adama http://realtravel.com/member-m2006203-adama.html <p><em>"Every British-owned company and just about every European giant has come to take a slice of Africa"</em></p> <p>a entry by adama from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-nairobi_area-reviews-hotels-d905349.html">Nairobi Center, Nairobi Area.</a></p> <p>After a remarkaly short night's sleep, thanks to a fantastic wedding the days before, we left Manchester in the wee hours with a taxi driver who, according to himself, has fought the communists, been arrested and detained in Yugoslavia, and witnessed friends tortured by police.</p><p>We can only assume he learned his own torturing tactics from the same episode - we were unable to get a word in (save to point out which terminal he was meant to be heading to); so evil were his tactics that he refused to give us the change from our fare, until he had finished telling us about the Yugoslavian ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5029356.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_WhjWGhYL3iDrzniD2MSPmLPk7Ro_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/WhjWGhYL3iDrzniD2MSPmLPk7Ro_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_WhjWGhYL3iDrzniD2MSPmLPk7Ro_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=WhjWGhYL3iDrzniD2MSPmLPk7Ro_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_center-journals-j5029356.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_center-journals-j5029356.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-02:4945388 2007-07-02T21:05:53Z 2007-07-02T21:06:13Z michelle finkelstein http://realtravel.com/member-m4603896-michelle_finkelstein.html <p>a review of Bateleur Camp, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/masai_mara_national_reserve-nairobi_area-reviews-hotels-d3992835.html">Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi Area</a>.</p> <p>If you can indulge, upgrade to Bateleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo. Ultra-luxurious tents, a dedicated butler and George’s gourmet meals exceed all expectations of life in the bush.</p><p>Each camp has a pool to cool off in the afternoon and antique-filled lounge areas to mingle with other guests and personnel.</p><p>The gracious staff and thoroughly knowledgeable guides at each camp ensure your stay is comfortable, educational and life-changing.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/masai_mara_national_reserve-reviews-b4945388.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_y9C6kUc.LXCkkPJr48lc7aj5luo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/y9C6kUc.LXCkkPJr48lc7aj5luo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_y9C6kUc.LXCkkPJr48lc7aj5luo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=y9C6kUc.LXCkkPJr48lc7aj5luo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmasai_mara_national_reserve-reviews-b4945388.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/masai_mara_national_reserve-reviews-b4945388.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-02:4944242 2007-07-02T18:58:02Z 2007-07-02T19:00:42Z michelle finkelstein http://realtravel.com/member-m4603896-michelle_finkelstein.html <p>a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-kenya-reviews-hotels-d3664.html">Nairobi, Kenya.</a></p> <p>Day 1: Fly into Nairobi, KenyaGetting to Nairobi</p><p>To start this trip of a lifetime, you’ll to fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. In most cases you’ll need to overnight, as the charter flights to the safari lodges usually depart in early morning.</p><p>To Do in Nairobi</p><p>If you must overnight Nairobi, a lovely hotel is Giraffe Manor, named so because the friendly creatures living on the mansion grounds frequently stick their heads through the breakfast room window in the morning.</p><p>Nairobi is a large, noisy and somewhat dangerous city so if you have time to ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j4944242.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_oBd56ZY8yMZWcMWVJ.nFmvn5gA4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/oBd56ZY8yMZWcMWVJ.nFmvn5gA4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_oBd56ZY8yMZWcMWVJ.nFmvn5gA4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=oBd56ZY8yMZWcMWVJ.nFmvn5gA4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi-journals-j4944242.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi-journals-j4944242.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-14:4783303 2007-06-14T16:44:11Z 2007-06-14T16:44:11Z The Three Amigos http://realtravel.com/member-m1818030-the_three_amigos.html <p><em>"Leopards and rhinos and giraffes - oh my..............."</em></p> <p>a entry by The Three Amigos from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/abedere_national_park-central-reviews-hotels-d4783285.html">Abedere National Park, Central.</a></p> <p>Jambo, Karibu,</p><p>We are on safari – the word safari means journey. I am sitting in Treetops on the second floor typing this with an elephant standing at the waterhole which is right outside the window and Nairobi Eyes (fireflies) darting to and fro.</p><p>So, to back up. We left the hostel this morning early and headed out to Abedere National Park. Our first stop was at an African curio shop for a coffee break (this is Kenya’s version of the “factory store”) and then on to Nyeri and Outspanfor lunch. (John says: The Outspan is a hotel which manages Treetops) Driving through Nyeri I saw a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/abedere_national_park-journals-j4783303.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_7ej8Cumbdjq5Ay4iUsEE1DRAb8s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/7ej8Cumbdjq5Ay4iUsEE1DRAb8s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_7ej8Cumbdjq5Ay4iUsEE1DRAb8s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=7ej8Cumbdjq5Ay4iUsEE1DRAb8s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fabedere_national_park-journals-j4783303.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/abedere_national_park-journals-j4783303.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-09:4483029 2007-05-09T11:22:00Z 2007-05-17T11:19:22Z Nat King http://realtravel.com/member-m1547626-nat_king.html <p>a entry by Nat King from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-rift_valley-reviews-hotels-d3040006.html">Nakuru, Rift Valley.</a></p> <p>Currently living in Nakuru, kenya with a beautiful african family (Patricia, Alex and there children Peace 2yrs and Collins 7yrs). I enjoy the spicy food and cultural experience. We live right behind a rubbish dump, where people live in this slum.Its very dirty and smelly but im getting use to it. The only cuddles now are from the little ones which smell of urine and seem always hungry, but the are so gorgeous and seem happy and grateful we are building there school, to get them out of the dump during the day.</p><p>So far myself and other volunteers are mainly working on THE WALK CHILDREN'S ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nakuru-journals-j4483029.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_DwCTb8SAyjKP0suE2bWcqC40-7A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/DwCTb8SAyjKP0suE2bWcqC40-7A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_DwCTb8SAyjKP0suE2bWcqC40-7A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=DwCTb8SAyjKP0suE2bWcqC40-7A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnakuru-journals-j4483029.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nakuru-journals-j4483029.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-14:4524489 2007-05-14T13:33:23Z 2007-05-15T07:31:07Z KevHolls http://realtravel.com/member-m2482946-kevholls.html <p><em>"One little hippo bump, and we were hippo food."</em></p> <p>a entry by KevHolls from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-kenya-reviews-hotels-d905202.html">Nairobi Area, Kenya.</a></p> <p>It was a relaxing flight on Air India, from the crazy streets of Bollywood to the even crazier streets of Nairobi, aka "Nairobbery," according to Lonely Planet. We're beginning to love these long flights, which give us time to read, free drinks and plenty of room to sleep (never thought I would say that about a 7 hour flight!) It was exciting as we neared Kenya, as we saw the huge expanse of savanna far below us and pictured all the exotic creatures that were roaming below us that we were soon to see, up close and personal.</p><p>Nairobi is a crazy city. I know the title says something about ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-journals-j4524489.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_DKeBYXJwnspnxuU7Txpypku9PVE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/DKeBYXJwnspnxuU7Txpypku9PVE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_DKeBYXJwnspnxuU7Txpypku9PVE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=DKeBYXJwnspnxuU7Txpypku9PVE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnairobi_area-journals-j4524489.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/nairobi_area-journals-j4524489.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-05:3869448 2007-03-05T08:48:59Z 2007-03-05T09:06:04Z GenevaDeb http://realtravel.com/member-m2359616-genevadeb.html <p><em>"hat evening we went on a dinner cruise on a traditional dhow boat in the Indian Ocean."</em></p> <p>a entry by GenevaDeb from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mombassa-kenya-reviews-hotels-d3649.html">Mombassa, Kenya.</a></p> <p>We landed in Mombassa and soon we were whisked off to the Travelers Beach Hotel. The hotel was beautiful! We finally had a couple days to relax. That evening we went on a dinner cruise on a traditional dhow boat in the Indian Ocean. The food was delicious and despite the brief rain shower (the band was playing Toto's "I felt the Rains Down in Africa") the evening was magical.</p><p>The next day we were off to Tsavo East for a day safari. This is the place of the famed man-eating lions of Tsavo (remember the 1996 movie, The Ghost and the Darkness?) and it's also known for "red" elephants, made ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mombassa-journals-j3869448.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_T8YaeJ3548NXUMPugx2pc2N10kg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/T8YaeJ3548NXUMPugx2pc2N10kg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_T8YaeJ3548NXUMPugx2pc2N10kg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=T8YaeJ3548NXUMPugx2pc2N10kg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmombassa-journals-j3869448.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mombassa-journals-j3869448.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-02-09:3630012 2007-02-09T22:21:31Z 2007-02-09T22:21:31Z Bill Benson http://realtravel.com/member-m2926551-bill_benson.html <p>a entry by Bill Benson from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com//d-1114-kenya">Kenya.</a></p> <p>Nairobi 2-7-07</p><p>Roland the what?, I can hear being whispered throughout the land. Well the song matches the mood for many reasons. First it’s a great funny song that mentions several African cities, none of which I’ve visited but that’s besides the point. Secondly, it’s the last performance Zevon gave on Letterman before he died. Third, you feel like need a Thompson gun sometimes in Kenya. Not for the crime but to deal with the ineptitude. And last but not least, after missing my first flight of the trip through no other cause than a faulty memory, I’m feeling quite headless today.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kenya-journals-j3630012.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ZzErtWpUqQ07.JPXb-L0cNt6zuk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ZzErtWpUqQ07.JPXb-L0cNt6zuk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ZzErtWpUqQ07.JPXb-L0cNt6zuk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ZzErtWpUqQ07.JPXb-L0cNt6zuk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkenya-journals-j3630012.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kenya-journals-j3630012.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-01-19:3415328 2007-01-19T11:11:04Z 2007-01-19T11:27:41Z InterNATZionale http://realtravel.com/member-m2191964-internatzionale.html <p>a entry by InterNATZionale from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/samburu-kenya-reviews-hotels-d61557.html">Samburu, Kenya.</a></p> <p>After camping in the Mara and driving on some pretty bumpy roads, I arranged a nicer trip to Samburu. I spent a few nights in Nairobi before taking a very short flight to Samburu. It was pretty cool to fly in a twin otter plane that only had 11 passengers. We were able to see into the cockpit! When we landed in Samburu, it was one landing strip, and one small hut. That was it! I definately felt like I was in the middle of nowhere!</p><p>My guide from my lodge picked me up, and drove me back to the hotel/lodge. We saw tons of vegetation and some animals on the trip back. I knew right ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/samburu-journals-j3415328.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_wY3dyxYKpCZ20e6lrXFBte0C5MM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/wY3dyxYKpCZ20e6lrXFBte0C5MM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_wY3dyxYKpCZ20e6lrXFBte0C5MM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=wY3dyxYKpCZ20e6lrXFBte0C5MM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsamburu-journals-j3415328.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/samburu-journals-j3415328.html