LP Guidebook for budget traveller

Head to a library or bookstore and see for yourself. Some are better for some countries than others.

I am just finishing up 4 months on the east Africa 2012 book by LP and i have to say it's crap. i also had the kindle version for malawi mozambique and its useless.. You cant read the maps and very user unfriendly.. I use the book mainly for maps and last ditch hotels The Bradt books that I have seen for Zambia and Malawi are far far superior.

I was in Kenya last week. It's the dry season at the moment. Cool but not cold at night, warm but not too hot during the day. Wear plenty of sunblock and September could be a great month to cycle.

I would suggest you conduct a lot of research on the cycling aspect in Kenya before committing to it. The roads aren't always the best, indeed most of the roads I saw in/around the national parks I went to were bumpy dirt roads. And very dusty. You'd always have to be concerned about theft too. I'd be gobsmacked if you were allowed to visit the parks on your on via a bicycle due to the risk factor from animals (still pretty low but in my visits I never saw a person on their own who wasn't inside a vehicle. You may need to arrange for guided safaris for the parks and keep your cycling trips between the parks.

No guidebook for Kenya but I use the Bradt when I'm going in Africa.

Michel

The newer versions of LP guides seem not generally well regarded, but maybe you could get hold of an older one from a charity shop. Prices will be out of date, but they always are anyway, and the sights are still the same.
I quite like the Rough Guides for info, although I tend to use them for research before travelling and leave the book at home. You'll be better off with a decent map than an inaccurate guide book.

You might want to time your trip to see the wildebeest migration (July or August) but this is also the busiest tourist time. Don't worry too much about the rain, I've cycled in March/April and I thought it was more comfortable under cloudy skies. When it rains it just pours for a couple of hours, so just stop for tea and a chat!

If it gets too hot for you, go higher, the climate in the highlands is lovely all year round. The coast is always steamy.

Bumpy dirt roads are no problem on a bicycle, the main problem is the other traffic. You'll find there is usually a little walking track at the side of the road, this is great for cycling too.

All lovely and helpful info. Good to know that LP Kenya is not what it used to be. I have used LP plenty of times before for other countries and it is sad to note that now its for mid-range travellers. That's, i guess cause its the biggest market these days with backpackers being more flush than they used to be and not inclined to roughing it.

That said, i just bought LP Kyoto. Not for the accommodation though.

Kenya roads etc sound a lot like outback Australia. So does the weather sound like where i'm from. I'd love to see the wildebeest migration but you get hot when cycling and that's not fun so looks like the dry season it would have to be.

I have no plans to ride into national parks. I would have to pay for a tour or whatever it is no doubt.

I'll check out the bradt books.

I live in Kenya,should you need help will be happy to give info about the places you will be travelling. Normal food expenses a day should cost roughly 3-8 USD budgetcooking that is. There is the option of buying local food as well. True, this month is pretty cool. Rainy/cold seasons are late April - July and short rains late October- Novemeber.

Hi Jaydon, thanks for your response.

What's your view on safety? Last night i was out with some people and two of them told me they believed kenya was too unsafe in recent times to venture forth on such a trip there. I was surprised. I know Kenya has had some troubles but I hadn't picked up that it was so dangerous as to make cycling tourers rethink their ideas. I mean i probably wouldn't go to Egypt these days but what is the situation like there with regards to safety? They mentioned bandits, as well political strife.

i wouldnt say its that unsafe. but areas such as the town centre where there are dark alleys or crowded areas as well could be avoided. But it is safe in general. what kind of trouble did your friends go through while here?

Frankly i don't think they have experienced anything. I think they just watched news or maybe they know people who've had incidents. I know at least one of them had been to africa but we weren't able to discuss the issue at length. I'd only just met the people.

But you know what people are like. Always ready to think the worst. Anyway i told them i would be doing plenty of research before I go anywhere.