If you are a first time visitor to Kenya, consider this;

1. Exchange foreign currency in the local forex bureaus in town. Do not use the banks They charge exorbitant prices-
2. If you want to surf the net, visit the local internet cafes in town ($0.014/min=1 Kenya Shilling/min). Do not use the hotel services. You will be charged nearly 25 times! what you will pay in the local internet cafes
3. If buying local crafts in the local curio markets in Kenya, the traders will start at two times the price a local person will pay. They assume all “wazungus” (white folks) and foreigners have a lot of money.
4. Beware of guys who will nag you wanting to offer their services to show you around town. You may get ripped off!!
5. Be on the lookout of someone with a long story telling you of all the troubles he’s had and needs financial assistance (Tell him to get a job!!)
6. Kenya is very safe i dont seem to understand all the noise about travel advisories issued by America
7. Immediately you land at the airport you will be harrased by freelance tour guides who will want to take you on your tour. My advise is that if you want to do a city tour they are ok but for long Safaris to National Parks do not use them. Use a travel agent instead
8. When landing at the airport again, if people approach you asking that they carry your luggage for a fee which you can comfortably do, stop and tell them in a VERY FIRM VOICE that you ARE OK!!! They will leave you alone….
9. Beware of people in the streets in town wanting to sell you mobile phones…they might be stolen. Buy mobile phones in local shops in town
10. Never try to book your own tour thinking you will save money..Its a lot of headache and will turn out to be very expensive.
11. Travel agents are usually given special rates by hotels/lodges and camps called “contract rates” which are very low even after the agent marks up. If you go to a hotel on your own and want to book you will be charged something called “rack rates” which are VERY VERY EXPENSIVE!!! Try and see what happens

Source: Africa Point Staff

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2007 at 9:24 am and is filed under general. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.