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Getting There and Getting Around Sponsored by Introduction Getting to Kenya couldn’t be easier! There are frequent direct and indirect flights from the UK to the two main International airports of Nairobi and Mombasa. This module will cover how to get there, what each of the arrival cities have to offer visitors, and the types of accommodation available once they arrive. __________
Kenya’s capital city has risen in a single century from a brackish, uninhabited swampland to a thriving modern capital. When railway construction workers reached this area in 1899, they set up a basic camp and supply depot, simply called ‘Mile 327’. The local Maasai called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai’beri – the place of cold water. The camp became a rustic village, and then a shanty town, which by 1907 was the capital of British East Africa. In 1950 it received city status. It was soon an important centre for the colony and a mecca for adventurers, hunters and travellers from all over the world. Modern Nairobi is still the safari capital of Africa, but the modern world has quickly caught up with the city. A frontier town no more, Nairobi has become one of Africa’s largest and most interesting cities. The city has not lost its sense of the past, however, with an excellent museum and the historical home of Karen Blixen (author of Out of Africa) open to visitors. Nairobi is a city that never seems to sleep. The entire town has a boundless energy, and is thriving place where all of human life can be found. This is a place of great contrasts where race, tribe and origin all become facets of a unique Nairobi character.
Further out of Nairobi, the spectacular 27 metre deep ‘Fourteen Falls’ waterfalls at Thika are perfect for a scenic day trip. So too is nearby Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, centred around an imposing 2,146 metre mountain. For the more adventurous visitor, why not take an hour’s drive from Nairobi and try white water rafting on the beautiful Tana River? From its wildlife to its nightlife, Nairobi is a city unlike any other. With a fantastic music scene, excellent international restaurants and an endless and colourful array of shops and markets, there is plenty on offer for the visitor.
Nairobi is the hub of East African air transport with connections to many African, European and Asia-Pacific cities. Daily direct services from the UK are provided by:
Both of these services are operated from London Heathrow. Other airlines operating into Kenya include:
Many UK tour operators make use of scheduled air services into Nairobi, using Kenya Airways and British Airways. These are daily, direct flights on a scheduled service. The fact that these are daily services also mean that holidays can be of any duration, offering the visitor great flexibility. Flying into Nairobi also leaves visitors well placed to explore the central and western areas of Kenya. It is therefore a popular choice for visitors to the Maasai Mara, Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya and many of the other parks in the Nairobi area. __________
Mombasa is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. The town overlooks a wide harbour where commercial shipping mingles with traditional sailing dhows: it is a place steeped in history, yet at the same time a fascinating and cosmopolitan port town. The true heart of Mombasa is found in the exotic old town, among narrow winding streets and Arabian architecture. The air here is always heavy with the scent of spices. Women wearing the traditional bui bui fill the streets and busy markets. At the dhow docks fresh fish and goods from all along the coast arrive daily. The streets are alive with the bright colours of the traditional coastal khanga and kikoy, the all purpose wrap-around cloth worn by both men and women. At the water’s edge is Fort Jesus, an imposing fort that stands guard over the harbour. The high gun turrets, battlements and underground passages of this 16th Century Fort were the centre of a historic struggle between the Portuguese army and the Shirazi Arabs for control of the Kenyan coast . The countless battles of this war raged around Mombasa for hundreds of years, and the Fort stands as testament to a tumultuous past. Modern Mombasa is a city of great diversity and life. This is a town where all are welcomed and quickly absorbed into a great coastal melting pot: its streets, punctuated by Mosques, Hindu Temples and Christian churches, accomodate a world of different cultures. Here both history and progress are greatly valued, and a busy harbour existence is lived at its own unique, tropical pace.
The airport is located 10km from the centre of Mombasa, a 20 minute drive. Direct flights from the UK to Mombasa are provided by:
These charter flights tend to be weekly flights and are all currently operated from London Gatwick. Additional indirect flights operate to Mombasa via Nairobi. Carriers include Kenya Airways with their own service and British Airways through Regional Air. The flight takes approximately 1 hour. Flights into Mombasa generally carry visitors who are bound for the Kenyan coast, as well as those heading for safari in coastal areas such as Tsavo and Shimba Hills. __________
Kenya offers a broad selection of accommodation to visitors, from youth hostels to five star luxury properties, from a tent in the wilderness to a relaxing beachside villa.
Kenya enjoys playing host to some international chains as well as independently run properties. As in most worldwide destinations, there is an increasing move towards boutique hotels, and these are appearing across many areas. Conversely, along the Kenyan coast are a number of coastal hotel resort complexes with the usual facilities that you would expect, such as shops, casinos, nightclubs, sports facilities and spas. Some of these offer the visitors the all-inclusive option.
Safari lodges offer hotel style comfort in the wilderness. Standards vary from basic to luxurious. Efforts have generally been taken to blend into the environment and to use traditional art and decoration. Most lodges have been built overlooking waterholes or salt licks, so that in the evenings guests can view game from the safety of their balcony or from the restaurant. The amount of game that you will be able to view in this way will depend on the season. In the dry season, waterholes are more likely to be visited due to the lack of other surface water. Many lodges will organise walks or game drives.
Ideal for those who want the experience of camping in the wilderness with none of the discomfort! The main advantage of these is that they are closer to nature, offering large walk-in tents with beds and typical hotel room furniture. They will often have their own bathrooms and toilets, and permanent camps will often have tented camps with their own balconies. Most tented camps have their own central dining room or a fully stocked restaurant and bar.
A camping safari in Kenya is one of the world’s great travel adventures. Pitching a tent in the wilderness, surrounded by nature, gives a great feeling of really living in the wild. Most of the country’s game reserves and national parks offer some facilities. Many operators offer camping safaris.
Throughout Kenya it is possible to find a selection of short term and long term rental accommodation. These vary from rustic cottages to mansions on the coast, from serviced city centre apartments to beach villas.
These are an ideal way to experience Kenyan life. In some areas homestays can be arranged with Kenyan families to discover the way of life of a typical household. This type of holiday is particularly popular with ‘culture vultures’. There are also luxury homestays on private game reserves, sanctuaries and farms. Homestays can often offer the ultimate in luxury and privacy: but their real benefit is the opportunity to spend time with Kenyans and their families. To request a brochure, please email: kenya@hillsbalfour.com Kenya Airways is the fully-privatised flag-carrier of the Republic of Kenya offering over 30 international and regional destinations. Route Network
*some flights operated by our codeshare partners New routes 2002 – The code share with Precision Air – Kilimanjaro from Nairobi and Mombasa LONDON-HEATHROW Heathrow Flights operate daily overnight south and northbound, with additional weekend daylight flights from Terminal 4 London-Heathrow to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi – Kenya with Boeing 767-300ER’s or Boeing 777-200ER’s. In conjunction with our partner KLM, the airline offers twice-daily connections from 12 UK cities via Amsterdam Code share Partners Our Fleet Our fleet includes: 6 Boeing 767-300 ER, 4 Boeing 737-700, 4 Boeing 737-300, 2 Boeing 737-200 and 2 Saab 340B. The first new Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) aircraft was delivered from Boeing in May 2004 and commenced service on the European route on Friday 28 May 2004. Two additional Boeing 777’s are on order. The airline is the first in Africa to own the Boeing 777 – the world’s fastest-selling wide-bodied aircraft. Boeing 777-200 ER Economy – 294 seats
Premier World – 28 seats
Boeing 767-300 ER Economy – 196 seats
Premier World – 20 seats
Frequent Flyer Programme In conjunction with our partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kenya Airways passengers can earn and redeem FD (Flying Dutchman) miles on all flights operated by Kenya Airways on all fares. www.kenya-airways.com |
Nairobi
Just outside the city is Nairobi National Park, 113 sq kms of plains, cliffs and forest. The park is home to large herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe and more. Rhino, Cheetah, and a large number of Lions are all found here, living wild within 20 minutes of the centre of the city. 
Mombasa
Types of Accommodation
Tented camps