General Reports

[LustyHombre]

One question for the locals/more experienced in the region:

Is it pretty easy to fly out of Mombasa airport to Uganda or Tanzania? Or do you have to do it out of Nairobi? If you were to take the bus from MBA to Dar. How long would that take and how painful would immigration be?

It's easy but all Uganda and Tanzania flights ex MBA change planes in NBO, except for 1 direct flight to DAR which stops for 20 mins in Zanzibar (US 380 rtn).

There are several bus lines going from MBA to DAR. Guess they'll take about 7 to 8 hrs and cost maybe USD 20 each way. The coastal landscape you traverse is interesting for the first 4 hrs, until Tanga, but gets monotonous after a while. Tanzania Immigration is as cumbersome as Kenya's, but ultimately nothing to worry about.

[Donnachaa]

Was in Kisumu a few years ago. Pretty quite unfortunately.

The only diamond in the rough was a Disco/Bar called "Mon Ami". Town Centre.

You will find something here . Happy hunting and let us know how you got on.

[October70]

Hi,

I'm in Kisumu for 4 weeks. Can anyone tell me about any local action?

Thanks

[Concarne]

One question for the locals/more experienced in the region:

Is it pretty easy to fly out of Mombasa airport to Uganda or Tanzania? Or do you have to do it out of Nairobi? If you were to take the bus from MBA to Dar...how long would that take and how painful would immigration be?

Gents my apologies for not having posted a report or pics yet but work sure piled up while I was gone. I will try my best to put up my experiences up in the next couple of weeks.

Basically I enjoyed myself quite a bit but I am not sure I can recommend the local for USA mongers. If I lived in Europe I would be here all the time however! It was a blast!

I am returning for work purposes in a few months so to those of you I ended up flaking on I hope I can then meet you!

[Ratbutt]

I stayed at Nairobis best hotel. The one which everyone says is not GF but because I built a relationship with the doormen and security guys they kept my stuff discreet and I was never charged for 2 visits of the entertainment.

YMMV but always talk to security and let them know when you have a girl coming and they will make sure the package is delivered.

Lots of semi-pro action in Nairobi.

Gents...the tix have been bought. Will arrive early february.

Anyone around who wants to get a few drinks and scope the action PM please.

Some general questions, more for Nairobi (I have read the whole forum already).

In general:

Best exchange rates to be found?

I assume finding ATMs not an issue?

Medium range hotels close to the action? I prefer safety of my valuables in the room instead of nicer accommodations and naturally gf friendly. And I rather spend on pussy than a room I will only use for sleep and shagging.

Plan on hotel for a couple of days but an apartment afterwards. Can anyone recommend areas to look or a service?

I joined Afrointroductions for kicks, never pre-scoped via a dating service. I am skeptical but will give it a try on this trip.

Thank you all. Advice always appreciated!

[Concarne]

FYI:

TCs exchanged at 76 to 1 dollar in MBA and 78 in Nairobi. In Nairobi used the Forex. Mombasa was a pain in the butt to find a place to change the TCs but there is a little food store next to Cheers (if you are looking at Cheers is to its left, not the first one that looks like an office but they do change there but the next one that is like a mini convinience store).

No fees charged.

[LustyHombre]

Tc,

Very bad exchange rate + fees. Generally very poor exchange rates at banks for cash. For cash and TC go to Forex bureaus. A good exchange place is the food shop near Cheers. The best for me is a Cirrus card with cash loaded on the card. Fees 1 % at issue and 1 % at the teller machine. Total 2 %. But very good exchange rate. So I get slghtly more KSh. As I would get for cahs at the best Forex bureau of Mombasa.

I have the cash card for security reasons as I do'nt want to carry my personal bank card to Kenya. I have some TC left from other journeys, which I carry with me for an alternative if the teller machine is not working or the card is stolen or lost.

One other note of caution :

Banks in Kenya don't accept USD 100 notes printed prior to 2000 bcs they lack certain security features and are prone to forgery , I guess . The Somali money changers at most street corners take them , but I wouldn't want to vouch for what fakes they might give you in return.

[Taurus1]

Tc,

Very bad exchange rate + fees. Generally very poor exchange rates at banks for cash. For cash and TC go to Forex bureaus. A good exchange place is the food shop near Cheers. The best for me is a Cirrus card with cash loaded on the card. Fees 1 % at issue and 1 % at the teller machine. Total 2 %. But very good exchange rate. So I get slghtly more KSh. As I would get for cahs at the best Forex bureau of Mombasa.

I have the cash card for security reasons as I do'nt want to carry my personal bank card to Kenya. I have some TC left from other journeys, which I carry with me for an alternative if the teller machine is not working or the card is stolen or lost.

[Concarne]

This is becoming a real pain as my bank will charge me per transaction plus the foreign exchange fee as well as whatever the other bank charges.

Anyone with experience cashing travellers cheques at Kenyan banks? Do they charge and how much? Limit on the size of the cheque that they are willing to cash? Recommended bank?

And if the exchange for foreign cash is not so good at the airport....any recommended exchange places in the city?

I appreciate the help! Couple of weeks to go!

[Member #4364]

Gentlemen; my expirience: Arriving in the morning; ATM´s empty at the
airport and next to Cheers. And many times ATM´s not operating; o.k. that
was during the riots. There are many shops to change cash for a good rate

Cheers

[LustyHombre]

Lusty...would you mind telling me which bank that is? Maybe I can just open an account there soon if not already one of my banks.

It's Compass Bank, a regional powerhouse in the SE and SW, headquartered in Birmingham AL, owned by BBBV of Spain.

[Rwenotmen]

UPDATE: oh no, per the Wikipedia link, some banks as of late 2008 now do charge ATM outside their home country!

Damn f*ckers, can we not avoid their greed anywhere in the world?

For Bank of America, no charge if used:
Barclays (United Kingdom)
BNP Paribas (France)
China Construction Bank (China)
Deutsche Bank (Germany)
Santander Serfin (Mexico)
Scotiabank (Canada)
Westpac (Australia and New Zealand)

[Rwenotmen]

Lusty...would you mind telling me which bank that is? Maybe I can just open an account there soon if not already one of my banks.

I'm not Lusty.

There is the Global ATM Alliance, where members agree not to charge on each other cards. A few (see link for full list):

U.S-Bank of America
U.K-Barcklays Bank
Canada-Scotiabank
Australia-Westpac
France-BNP Paribas
Germany-Deutsche Bank
China-China Construction Bank
Africa-anywhere where Barclays operates.

I can confirm this for Kenya, China and Hong Kong, in 2007, I used the right banks and was not charged any fees.

Using ATMs, stick to international banks and you will not have any problems at all. And even if you do, they will have knowledgeable staff or management to work with you.

On your first day, take out the max amount, then from there see how much you need each day.

I recommend leaving your ATM/credit card at the hotel with your other valuables, only carry cash: even if mugged, they only get the cash!

Try not to use a credit card in Kenya. Most transactions are cash-on-the-counter, even with hotels. (get receipts in all cases--Kenyans love paper trails!) Although almost all hotels accept cards, they don't take all cards; also, be very sure what fees if any they charge for using them.

Do not waste your time with travelers' cheques, they are dinosaur of the 20th Century.

[Concarne]

For instance, 1 of my banks in the US doesn't charge me any fees for worldwide ATM withdrawals and even refunds foreign bank charges, and in additions gives me near-wholesale FX rates , but only for withdrawals from either Barclays or KCB ATM's ! .

Lusty...would you mind telling me which bank that is? Maybe I can just open an account there soon if not already one of my banks.

[Blackwhite99]

Have a look at soem of the rates on pay-as-you-go cash cards. 100's available with either Visa or Mastercard available. Basically you load the card up before you travel and use to make credit card purchases or use in the ATM. They can work out cheaper than conventional credit or debit cards.