Why Here

Safari with mom- September 2019

Getting there

ORD to NBO with a layover in London— was the intended flight, but a series of unfortunate events changed this plan.

It started with a 4 hour delay due to mechanical issues. Then our pilots “timed out”. Then we waited for 3 new pilots to arrive. After about 7 hours of delay, we were finally wheels up, but by the time of our touch down in London, our connecting flight was missed. American Airlines scrambled to find us a new flight to Nairobi.

Long story short, we eventually made it to Nairobi, but our luggage didn’t. And it didn’t for another 4 days! See my separate discussion under travel tips—>packing

Money Exchange

Airport Currency Exchange

Visa

E-Visa on arrival

Airport to City

Taxi to the city during rush hour- 30 minutes

To our hotel in the suburbs of Nairobi during rush hour- 1hour

Hotel in Nairobi

Tribe Hotel, Nairobi

I wanted a semblance of luxury with security, all while using Marriott Bonvoy points. This meant staying 30 minutes outside of the city center.

What to do in Nairobi

I’d imagine 90% of people visiting Kenya come to explore the Safaris on game drives. I wouldn't plan more than a day or two to see Nairobi itself.

Check out a market, the Karen Blixen Museum/Home, and try to stay at the Giraffe Manor (do reserve well in advance and don’t suffer from sticker shock). If you are pressed on time and aren’t going to Masai Mara for safari, there is a surprisingly large safari with the city limits of Nairobi.

Preparing for our Safari

I booked our safari through a company called Monkey Adventures. The day before our voyage, we met a company representative and our game driver to brief.

You can fly or drive to Masai Mara. The difference being 30 minutes in a "crop duster-like plane" vs 5 hours driving through the country. Usually, I'd opt to fly, but I chose to drive to save money.

Though not what I initially preferred, driving gave us a unique opportunity to see the country and locals up close.