| Kenya safari security, culture / exercise. | | | | makers display their wares in the sun. |
| The word safari means "journey" in Swahili. A "safari | | | | Kenya jars and excites with color and chaos, vibrant |
| in Kenya" sounds like such an outdoor, healthy | | | | life and the unexpected. It can be an exhilarating, |
| activity. It connotes exercise (perhaps strenuous) and | | | | eye-opening cultural experience. |
| possibly hiking boots. A false impression. For most | | | | If you come from a fast and efficient lifestyle, you |
| tourists, game -watching safaris in the major game | | | | may feel frustrated by the slow pace and the |
| parks mean game drives in vehicles, vast amounts of | | | | inefficiencies. Humor works better than anger. Surely, |
| food in the form of generous buffets, perhaps a | | | | slowing down and appreciating a different culture is |
| siesta, and sitting around the campfire. Hardly great | | | | part of what makes a holiday. |
| for abdominal muscles. | | | | Remember one of the most common Kenyan Swahili |
| Many game lodges are now realizing the popularity of | | | | expressions: "Hakuna Matata" Kenya- no problem in |
| game walks. There is a move to offer more personal | | | | Kenya. |
| interactive experiences with the African bush. | | | | Vendor vigilance |
| Because of park regulations, this is easier for places | | | | You may be pestered by local vendors. Bargaining is |
| outside of game park Boundaries. Ranches and home | | | | the order of the day. Bartering is an option-T-shirt |
| stays often specialize in this kind of interaction. | | | | and pens are popular. Remember! Use humor and |
| Ironically, it is easier to get more exercise at the | | | | don't be dismayed at persistence. |
| coast. There is always swimming, perhaps disco | | | | Photos-animals, landscape, people in Kenya |
| dancing at night, and long walks along the beach. | | | | Photograph landscapes, photograph animals, but ask |
| However, sun and humidity, the languid pace, big | | | | permission before taking photos of people, and be |
| meals and good beer also mean that exercise might | | | | prepared to pay for the privilege in some instance. |
| not feature in your Kenya coastal holiday. You can | | | | Creepy Crawlies |
| always return to your aerobic classes when you get | | | | You will see less of these than you expect but they |
| home. | | | | do exist. You should not walk around at night, or in |
| Kenya tourist Security | | | | the bush, without shoes. Hopefully you will be lucky |
| Kenya has more than its share of bad press, | | | | enough to see some brightly colored lizards or |
| particularly in the north and in Nairobi. While theft and | | | | perhaps the odd chameleon. (P.S. most of us who |
| violence are real concerns, the tourism industry and | | | | have lived in Kenya for years have only seen a snake |
| the government of Kenya are taking every possible | | | | twice). Don't forget your insect repellant. |
| step to ensure your safety. Travelers should exercise | | | | Our Furry Friends |
| good sense and take some reasonable precautions:o | | | | The animals are wild. They are not paid to entertain |
| Don't parade valuable jewelryo Don't stroll the streets | | | | the guests, Respect them, and keep your distance. |
| at nighto Catch cabs rather than walk in strange | | | | The fact that hippos are grazing next to your tent at |
| areas.o Don't carry lots of money and important | | | | night does not mean you can pat them. Hippos are |
| paperso Don't take valuables to the beacho Don't | | | | very dangerous. So are lions, elephant, buffalo, rhino, |
| walk around Nairobi at Night. | | | | crocodiles, monkeys, teddy-bear-like-hyrax...It is just |
| Culture shock/stress in Kenya | | | | not prudent to pet. |
| Although Kenya is one of the wealthier countries in | | | | The big Five are lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and your |
| Africa, there is still a great deal of poverty. Visible | | | | choice of buffalo or hippo. Remember, each animal is |
| poverty. Poor mothers with babies beg in the | | | | more than an addition to a list. It is fun to see how |
| streets, makeshift shacks mushroom next to modern | | | | individuals react with each other, in groups, and with |
| buildings, trash heaps have just but recently | | | | the environment. |
| disappeared. | | | | Favorites of tiny five |
| Life goes on in public-hairdressers ply their craft under | | | | A scarlet nit, an iridescent emerald fly, and the |
| a tree, sewing machines sing on sidewalks; furniture | | | | walking stick. |