Hi, I have been travelling around Kenya for the last few weeks and have found myself in Nairobi with not much to do. Was planning on heading out again for sometime. I am backpacking it and am using buses and matatus. Would be great to get some inputs and if someone wants to join that would also be nice. I have already done safaris so not very keen on that. I would like to do a trek or else travel to villages. Any advice at this stage would be much appreciated.
1
dannortoft
Dont know your budget, but a Matatu to Nanyuki and then find a guidecookporter to take you up Mount Kenya is most certainly a great experience, but will take 3-5 days, the least. Also, you have to have warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag for such a trip.
If you would rather find a guide beforehand, there are many guides to be found on the internet. My Mount Kenya trek was with John Mukuruma and I was very satisfied with him and the crew. His contact details can be found on:
2
nitindayalu
Hi care, thanks for sharing. I am infact not keen on heading out of Kenya so mt kili would not be possible. Do you have anything happening here?
3
nitindayalu
Hi dannortoft,thanks for the suggestion.
I think going solo with a guide, porter,cook would probably be something that I wouldn't be able to afford. I generally trek solo and carry all the basics without a porter. But I think it's necessary to get a guide for this one. Do you know how much that would cost?
4
dannortoft
Hi,
Solo hikers are not allowed into the park, so either find a companion guide, or a fellow traveller. However, without a guide, some navigational skills are needed to undertake the trek. I believe it is low season right now, so there will be very few groups in the area, so don't count on being able to follow other groups.
The minimum expenses will be park fee and transportation to and from the park gates (15-20km by taxi). Don't know about the transport costs, but the park fee will be 255US$ for 4 days in the Mount Kenya region, see:
http://www.kws.org/export/sites/kws/tourism/downloads/KWS_eBrochure.pdf
With a guide, the cost depends on your conscience and wallet, but please keep in mind that they don't have much to begin with. My guess is that with park fee, transportation, small park fee for guide and food for both of you, the total cost could be as low as perhaps 425-500US$, but I cannot be certain.
whatever you choose - have a great vacation!
Regards,
Dan
6
nitindayalu
Hi weddy, I have been to most of the places in the city already. I am putting of carnivore for my last dinner in the city :) thanks for putting down your e-mail id. I will reach out to you.
Thanks again!
7
dannortoft
Hi again,
a completely different suggestion, much less expensive, and potentially more rewarding, is to spend a day or a few days, helping out in one of the many childrens homes that are in and around Nairobi.
I believe an internet-search (e.g. search terms : visit childrens home Nairobi) will provide you with a comprehensive list and some of these allow volunteers for short visits. Bring a gift of fruits, biscuits, or similar, and offer a donation (say, 500-1000 KSH) at the end of the day.
I can almost guarantee that you will have a great day(s), feeling that you make a difference for the kids - and that they make differences within yourself.
Regards,
Dan
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