Mombasa

[Reiner Otto]

If she isn't what I expected or if the sex isn't great, find an excuse to get her to leave and go back to the dating app. From what I've seen on these apps, almost every girl replies and is willing to meet up.

Yes, had quite some success on Tinder during my stay in Mombasa a month ago. Probably, because not many potential customers, as I have seen only very few single white foreigners.

However, the photos very often were (heavily) photoshopped, so you might meet first in a neutral location, I. E. BigTree or Caffesserie. Or try a video chat.

[Neddy69]

Matatu theft is a lot more common in Nairobi than Mombasa.

Always sit by the door and if anyone site beside you with an empty bag then be aware.

Use Matatus that already have several travellers and are a mix of age and sexes.

Use popular routes with busy streets.

In 20 years, I use them most days, I have had maybe 2 or 3 attempts at my pockets.

Can you even trust Bodas or Taxis in Kenya? TIA.

There's 2 methods. Pickpocketing. Which can hit anyone in any matatu. Including me. A well dressed gentleman with suit and tie with a briefcase entered my matatu. He placed half of his briefcase on my upper thigh. What I didn't realize. He worked on my thight pocket of my cargo trousers. He managed to steal my optical glasses. That's not the kind I'm concerned about.

2. Method. It can happen and does happen in Nairobi and in Mombasa. Late night usually. That's why I never use a matatu later than 9 pm. There's robbers entering a matatu. Usually 2 or 3. At a regular bus stop. They have a knives and maybe a rusty pistol. They proceed to rob all passengers of cash and smart phones. That takes only a few minutes. Never resist. They kill you. After they just stop the matatu, get off and melt away in the night. And yes. That also happened on Malindi road. There is a twist I heard in Nairobi. There's complete fake matatus. You enter. They rob you and kick you out thereafter.

That's why I never take a Matatu later than 9 pm and sunrise. It's Africa. Usually the bad guys melt away at sunrise. Can you be robbed by Taxis. Yes. But rarely. You can also run into trouble with pikipiki drivers. But. That's a story for a different time.

Karibu Kenya.

Mwalimu.

[Rat Traveler]

I need some advice with dating apps and girl psychology. I am getting a lot of serious girls who want a real relationship. I read in the forums that it's not real and there is nothing to worry about, but I am not getting that vibe. It's becoming uncomfortable to keep the conversation going with this assumption. I can see myself going on dates with girls who are definitely NOT going to sleep with me because of the way we built this up.

I think some of these girls are seeing a good husband in me and will pretend to be saints and act pure = no sex.

Maybe my approach is wrong? Am I supposed to be caring and play this game, or be less warm and make it clear from the very beginning that I am looking purely for dating / short term? What is your approach?

It's funny, I find myself in a somewhat similar situation. I began the dating app conversations two months before I go to Mombasa. I wasn't expecting much, mostly just to try to understand these girls a little bit and also some of them have been a good resource for asking questions about Mombasa.

Anyways, I exchanged Whatsapp numbers with a few that were fun to talk to. Some of them it was easy to be upfront and say let's spend a day or two together. One girl, who happens to be the one I'm most attracted to, came right out and said I want to spend all three weeks with you or else I know a other woman will steal you from me. I know I'm not the type that will be interested in spending my entire vacation with one woman, but this girl is the exact type I'm looking for thick but not chubby with the biggest ass I've seen so far.

As many have pointed out in this forum, this isn't Thailand haha. In Thailand, I always tried this same method of meeting girls and it always worked out because after a night or two, I make up some excuse that I have to meet a friend or something and once they leave we go back to texting. I guess what I'm saying is that I never worried about getting too close with them via messaging because sometimes you really meet one that you want to spend your whole trip with. If she isn't what I expected or if the sex isn't great, find an excuse to get her to leave and go back to the dating app. From what I've seen on these apps, almost every girl replies and is willing to meet up.

[Mombie75]

Matatu theft is a lot more common in Nairobi than Mombasa.

Always sit by the door and if anyone site beside you with an empty bag then be aware.

Use Matatus that already have several travellers and are a mix of age and sexes.

Use popular routes with busy streets.

In 20 years, I use them most days, I have had maybe 2 or 3 attempts at my pockets.

Can you even trust Bodas or Taxis in Kenya? TIA.

[John Auro]

Ok, as there are some stories about being robbed in a bus. Here my story which happened to me.

HOW TO GET ROBBED IN A MINIBUS (matatu) IN NAIROBI! (year lready 2005).

1) You decide to take the bus for a relatively "harmless" route in NAIROBI. E. g. The route ADAM's ARCADE-SHOPPING to the center. (Taxis are expensive in NBI, around 400+400 Ksh or 9 one way.).

2) The city bus doesn't come for a long time, and you get into one of the minibuses called "Nissan" or "matatu". (Scouts may inform a team at the next stop via cell phone that a prey entered the matatu!

3) At the next station, two or three men who already have an unpleasant appearance get on (you better should spontaneously get out of the minibus by now).

4) The team has sports bags and a flat department store bag that they place over their knees. The stronger man may have a knife or a pistol in his sports bag. But first they try to rob you "softly".

The stronger man sits behind you, protecting the clever man, he sits close to you, like a student in a clean shirt. The sports bag is lifted behind you and if there is a gun inside it would be aimed at you, but you won't notice this if you don't look behind you.

5) Short sentences are exchanged between the group. The other passengers also become feeling unwell and afraid, locals knows what's going on.

6) Instructions will be given to you, e. G. To open the window. The clever person next to you is using the flat department store bag (at least DINA3) to cover up the activity of opening the button on the side pocket of your cargo pants (safari pants) while you are fiddling with the window.

7) If the bandits are unsuccessful, you will be instructed to fasten your seat belt in the minibus.

You need both hands to close the buckles, now the clever person pulls your wallet with your debit card, ID card and money out of your pocket unnoticed. If you noticed something now and protested, you would probably get hit over the head from behind, or even got shot!

You look behind, and one of the passengers tells you in no uncertain terms that you are in danger. You hastily get off at the next stop, check your pocket outside and notice the theft. Furthermore, you are not prepared to write down the car number and even if you do. No police anywhere.

You could have been dead in the ditch right now if things had gone a little differently.

- - -.

November 9, 2005.

[Neddy69]

I need some advice with dating apps and girl psychology. I am getting a lot of serious girls who want a real relationship. I read in the forums that it's not real and there is nothing to worry about, but I am not getting that vibe. It's becoming uncomfortable to keep the conversation going with this assumption. I can see myself going on dates with girls who are definitely NOT going to sleep with me because of the way we built this up.

I think some of these girls are seeing a good husband in me and will pretend to be saints and act pure = no sex.

Maybe my approach is wrong? Am I supposed to be caring and play this game, or be less warm and make it clear from the very beginning that I am looking purely for dating / short term? What is your approach?

It's all lies. It's Africa. Otherwise they would declare that they're hookers who sleep for money with men. Of course they all want relationships. That's why they employ Muganga to bewitch you with love potions or love spells. No kidding. Do they work? You bet. You think too complicated. It's very simple. Date a girl for a soda. Treat her respectfully. Invite her to your crib. Where she will give up pussy or not. 90% do. The other 10% are harder to crack. Example. Kambas are usually a more conservative lot. They want relationship. What does it mean? Exclusive rights. Do they give up pussy too. Absolutely. But after that they'll be lukewarm. You're in for a steep and long learning curve. If you use social networks always ask for the tribe. If you're studying Anthropology like me (kidding) then you know the different tribes and their habits. As I said. Steep learning curve. This is not Thailand.

Mombasa Raha.

Mwalimu.

Who will kiss soon African soil again.

[Zimzam]

Uber gives the price (with reduction) of 1150 ksh from Mtwapa to the Mombasa airport.

I don't think any driver will accept that.

(and I can't blame them for that).

The petrol price is now around 200 ksh and the entry fee for the airport is 100 ksh.

[Albert9989]

I need some advice with dating apps and girl psychology. I am getting a lot of serious girls who want a real relationship. I read in the forums that it's not real and there is nothing to worry about, but I am not getting that vibe. It's becoming uncomfortable to keep the conversation going with this assumption. I can see myself going on dates with girls who are definitely NOT going to sleep with me because of the way we built this up.

I think some of these girls are seeing a good husband in me and will pretend to be saints and act pure = no sex.

Maybe my approach is wrong? Am I supposed to be caring and play this game, or be less warm and make it clear from the very beginning that I am looking purely for dating / short term? What is your approach?

Don't play any games, say upfront what you are interested in or not interested in, be clear from start,.

Just ask: what are you looking for here.

She will say: long term, marriage etc.

Answer: bit me, only to share time together if I come there, and more.

That's enough and will not change the chat for most of the girls.

[Bajuni]

Are you nuts? Taking a Matatu late night? Never. Matatus have been robbed by passengers. Late night I only take a Bolt. If I move at all. During the day I take matatus frequently. Its fun. Bongo music blaring. Hilarious. I even go to Mombasa old town. The trick is only weekends. Saturday is a particular easy day. On weekdays I go to Caffesserie and Big Trees.

From a seasoned Africa traveler, I would have expected otherwise.

You can shuttle from Cheers to Mtwapa and back anytime of the day.

Hakuna matata. Good pick up spot as well.

The main danger are pick pockets.

But that can happen during daytime as well.

Only difference that you might be more attentive and less drunk.

I anyway would advise to carry not more than 30 USD and an out-of-fashion phone when going out at night.

Nowadays with Mpesa no need to carry cash anyway.

There is really no need to worry about transportation between Bamburi / Nyali and Mtwapa.

It's more or less one straight road.

Plenty of cheap choices.

Only headache is traffic at certain times.

[HappyFarang]

I need some advice with dating apps and girl psychology. I am getting a lot of serious girls who want a real relationship. I read in the forums that it's not real and there is nothing to worry about, but I am not getting that vibe. It's becoming uncomfortable to keep the conversation going with this assumption. I can see myself going on dates with girls who are definitely NOT going to sleep with me because of the way we built this up.

I think some of these girls are seeing a good husband in me and will pretend to be saints and act pure = no sex.

Maybe my approach is wrong? Am I supposed to be caring and play this game, or be less warm and make it clear from the very beginning that I am looking purely for dating / short term? What is your approach?

[John Auro]

I would be able to cancel as they didn't require any deposit. In fact, I was a bit shocked that I was able to make a reservation with almost no information provided other than my name. I'm still on the fence about Big Tree though, the only complaint I've heard about it is that the rooms are only okay. My preference is good location and being close to the action. However, it would suck if it was nonstop noise until 4 am bleeding into my room. I'm only a month away from my trip also, so at this point in leaning towards Big Tree.

Big Tree is always full, that's why they don't bother of more details from you, if you show up or not, it does not matter, because there is always somebody to be happy if a room becomes unexpectedly free.

Auro.

[Albert9989]

Nowadays if you order a taxi with both Uber or Bolt it is very rare that you can get the ride for the price indicated on the app.

You will see a list of prices all of them higher than the indicated price.

Then the driver will call you and tell you the price he wants, so you can negotiate.

Especially in the night they will ask high prices.

There is not much left from the original idea of both Uber and Bolt that you will have a hassle-free taxi for a fixed price.

Now the drivers are also giving the recent hike in fuel prices as their reason.

That said the prices for a taxi ride are still low, compared to western countries. Especially the price for a taxi ride from the airport to Mtwapa is still a lot lower, compared to the pre Uber time, when you had to negotiate a lot with the crowd of taxi drivers waiting at the exit gate.

Ahhh, I never had to deal with many different prices. Last year was in Mombasa and Nairobi, and this year, 1st week of September was in Nairobi. When you call for a car, you see the prices of different options, small car, medium, bike etc.

You make a choice, usually I take the first one, small car, and if the driver agree you see it coming, taking you, and driving you to the destination, once arrived you just leave the car saying bye bye, that's all, the cost is already paid through the app.

No bargain or discussion.

Except the one I had at the airport, but was the only one, and refunded by BOLT immediately, at the end I paid 1600 Ksh by cash to the driver but the initial price in the app was 1700.

And yes, these costs are really low, I attach the list of some moves I did with Bolt in Westland area. Prices can vary a lot for the same distance or destination, but they stay low, all these where about 10 minutes around my stay. And during day or not late, I agree.

[Mombie75]

I would be able to cancel as they didn't require any deposit. In fact, I was a bit shocked that I was able to make a reservation with almost no information provided other than my name. I'm still on the fence about Big Tree though, the only complaint I've heard about it is that the rooms are only okay. My preference is good location and being close to the action. However, it would suck if it was nonstop noise until 4 am bleeding into my room. I'm only a month away from my trip also, so at this point in leaning towards Big Tree.

What is your budget per night?

[HappyFarang]

The police is just across the road from Cheers. They will try to nail you for some imaginative offences. Sex with minors is popular.

Wow this is extremely concerning. So stay away from the bridge after a certain hour of the day? And always check the girl's ID?

[Neddy69]

From Big Tree to Mtwapa and back, you have the local matatu plying the short route 24/7.

For little money.

Just be aware of pick pockets.

Are you nuts? Taking a Matatu late night? Never. Matatus have been robbed by passengers. Late night I only take a Bolt. If I move at all. During the day I take matatus frequently. Its fun. Bongo music blaring. Hilarious. I even go to Mombasa old town. The trick is only weekends. Saturday is a particular easy day. On weekdays I go to Caffesserie and Big Trees.