Single Female Backpacker Questions

I have about a week to kill after finishing research in Nairobi and am looking to do a little more traveling. Any feedback is appreciated! I have a few questions...

*How safe/common is it for females to backpack solo?

*As a single female backpacker, would you recommend that I try to buddy up with other travelers on this forum prior to my arrival in Kenya, or do you think I should just meet people in a hostel?

*I'm trying to find a way to do a safar for about 3-5 nights for $500... I keep seeing prices in the thousands. Do you think I can book one at a cheaper price if I wait until I get to Kenya?

*I heard that safari's are generally cheaper in Kenya than in Tanzania - do you agree?

*How would you recommend I travel from Kenya to Zanzibar - if I didn't want to fly into DAR? Is it possible to catch a ferry boat off the coast of Kenya somewhere... such as Mombasa?

*I heard that a year ago they were having US citizens leave Mombasa due to threat... should I stay away from there still?

*If I do go to Zanzibar, and do not cross into mainland Tanzania, do I need to go through customs/border check somewhere still?

*A Kenyan visa allows you to enter Tanzania for free, correct?

THANK YOU!!!

Fly540 and airjkenya fly direct to zanzibar and I believe you can get a visa on arrival.
I've used public transport in nairobi a lot and had minimal problems, but I can't comment on outside of the city. My advice is common sense just be confident, know where you're going (or look like you do), don't take anything obviously expensive, be friendly but don't engage people too much and you'll get on fine. Take the express buses where possible rather than normal matatus (minivans) and be prepared for crazy driving! Also take advice from impartial locals and the local police about where is safe to go if you go far off the normal tourist trail.

However think about taking up a transport included tour with a local company for safari as they are often cheaper and easier than going it alone. If you are doing research here your host institution and its staff might be able to recommend a company.

ICSTEGH,
1. AM KENYAN AND WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOVE. A KENYAN VISA IS INDEPENDENT FROM A TANZANIAN ONE, SO KENYAN AUTHORITIES WILL JUST ISSUES YOU WITH A TEMPORARY PERMIT THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO CROSS OVER TO TANZANIA.

1. THERE IS DIRECT ROUTE TO ZANZIBAR FROM KENYA, EXCEPT BY AIR. SO YOU WILL HAVE TO CATCH A BUS TO DAR ES SALAAM THEN CATCH A FERRY. THE JOURNEY TO ZANZIBAR FROM NAIROBI KENYA WILL COST YOU ABOUT 100 DOLLARS.

2. KENYA IS A VERY SAFE COUNTRY AND NO ONE SHOULD THREATEN YOU THAT AMERICANS FACE ANY DANGER. THERE ARE LOTS OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH KENYA AND HAVE DECIDED TO LIVE HEAR PERMANENTLY YET THEIR SECURITY IS GUARANTEED.

3. YOU TALK OF A 500 DOLLAR` BUDGET FOR A 3-5 DAY TOUR. ONCE YOU LAND IN KENYA, ITS EASY TO GET CHEAPER AND BETTER DEALS THAN THE ONES THAT YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET. 500 DOLLARS IS ENOUGH FOR A GOOD SAFARI FOR LIKE 4 DAYS.

4. KENYA IS CHEAPER THAN TANZANIA.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL REQUIRE ANY SORT OF HELP ONCE YOU ARE IN KENYA. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT mdswissholdings@gmail.com

Hi Icstegh!
Single females backpacking are very common! Just use the usual safety measures(don't walk at night etc.)

Since you will already be in Nairobi, you might try to find a tour company that has a 'joining group'. It will be less expensive and probably more fun for you! I am positive you will find a basic camping safari for 3-4 nights for around $500USD, perhaps the Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru. You will have no trouble finding a tour company...they will more likely find you!!
I think you might find your time frame of a week a little tight to go to Tanzania as well. You are American, so it will cost $100USD($50USD for most other nationalities) for a Visa to enter Tanzania from Kenya. Zanzibar is an island and part of Tanzania...you will have the usual customs/ border crossing no matter how you arrive there, and will have to pay for the entry Visa. I did find Tanzania more expensive than Kenya, but it was at the end of a 24 day safari, and we splurged on a few higher end lodges(I needed it by then!!)

I was in Mombasa during the times of unrest 2 years ago, but security was good and I did not feel unsafe. The Canadian government issued a travel warning, but did not ask Canadians to leave. I am pretty sure this was the same for Americans.
You didn't mention when you would be going. June to September is lovely weather, but also high season for the Great Migration.

Happy Travels!

Hi there, (single female living in Nairobi so here's my little bit of advice...)

Do go to Zanzibar, it's amazing. I flew from Nairobi and you can just buy your Tanzanian visa on arrival but you must pay in $US. If you don't have any they will let you go to to the ATM in the arrivals hall and then go to the money changers and come back to the booth. You can also catch a bus from Mombasa and then the ferry across, and then get your visa that way. There's a great guesthouse called Jambo Guest House in stone town, it's really cheap and lovely! The walls are painted bright pink and they have A/C too.

Mombasa is cool. I think it's fine to go to, I've been down both with friends, alone and with work and never hd any problems. Lonely Planet will point you to an amazing Indian sweet shop near the Spice Market and a really good proper Swahili coffee shop (can't remember the name?), good advice from LP for those ones.

Kilifi IS a cool little place, very quiet and nice! Malindi is another popular spot and if it is your wish to go to a big nightclub and drink tequila shots all night then it's definitely the place! Good food in Malindi too. Diani is busier, more touristy (which is still fine) and has a lot more to do and see and place to go, depending on what you want to do.

For safari try Bonfire Adventures. My friends and I here use them often, and if there aren't six of us to fill the van then they just put you in a van with other singles/couples/however many people you are. They are cheap, professional, really good people. http://www.bonfireadventures.com The Mara is a nice safari to do as the landscape is so lovely. Give yourself three days to do it, any longer and you will go mad from all the driving around.

In Nairobi, maybe don't walk or catch public transport after dark. I only catch matatu's around my local area because smashes are common, and messy. There's a cab company called Princess Cabs 0728 290362 who I use if I need a cab company rather than the individual drivers I've met.

Enjoy!

Hi,

I am also a single female looking to do a budget camping safari, at the end of July. I am finding that some of the budget outfitters require 2 or 4 people to sign up to book a trip for certain, which makes it hard to plan ahead. If it works out, maybe we could book something together.

Generally, I am finding good price options from
Best Camping Kenya
Safe Ride Trips and Safaris
Gametrackers

Good luck to you!
Alice