Mombasa

[Mombie75]

This is completely the wrong approach. Can you verify an ID? The girls borrow an ID from their sister or friend. At least that's how they do it in Germany to get into a nightclub. Just be charming and the girl won't steal anything from you because she hopes to see you again. Life can be so easy.

You are trying to tell me after 20 years living in Kenya that is wrong approach?

I have witnessed the amount of shakedowns the last few years on tourists become a lot more frequent. It started with covid fines and now plenty other reasons as they have seen how easy tourists cough up instead of going to the station or walking away, 5 years ago they hardly bothered the mzungu on holiday. If you take an no ID girl who is in cohorts or friendly with a local Policeman, which they often are, you are inviting a big chunk of your holiday money being donated to the local Police station. Once a girl presents an ID, hers or not, to a reception you have covered your bases as she is now in the wrong. The girl and cop would not attempt a shakedown in that scenario and she would happily be on her way with the deal arranged.

Charming a girl and she won't steal. This is Kenya, leave 1000 bob on the table and let her leave of her own accord, that 1000 bob will go with her. A mzungu is purely cash to these girls.

A lot of long term ex-pats have left the last couple of years, yes covid played its part, but many are sick of the hassle from the local authorities now, again that never happened until the last few years.

I am not trying to put anyone off going, it is still good for plenty of cheap women, just be aware the risks are greater than a few years ago for problems.

[MadDin19]

If a girl has no ID never ever under any circs go with her to your room or any other room. It is not worth the risk of leaving yourself open to all sorts of corruption when women are plentiful in Mombasa with ID.

This is completely the wrong approach. Can you verify an ID? The girls borrow an ID from their sister or friend. At least that's how they do it in Germany to get into a nightclub. Just be charming and the girl won't steal anything from you because she hopes to see you again. Life can be so easy.

[ErikStrange]

I prefer Cowrie Shell Beach Apartments. Nice rooms, secure and very easy to bring girls.

All encouraging.

But maybe right.

And so, would you recommend other hotels maybe, than big tree?

Where my belongings could be more safe?

[SceticoBlu]

If a girl has no ID never ever under any circs go with her to your room or any other room. It is not worth the risk of leaving yourself open to all sorts of corruption when women are plentiful in Mombasa with ID.

I did it twice and was aware of the risk. All in all it reduces the fun when you are always a bit scared.

Quite a lot of girls around 20 don't have an ID. It costs money and takes them months to overvome the burocracy. What some do is to borrow the ID from a friend. In this case I think the Muzungu is off the hook.

[Mombie75]

If a girl has no ID never ever under any circs go with her to your room or any other room. It is not worth the risk of leaving yourself open to all sorts of corruption when women are plentiful in Mombasa with ID.

[Leblon]

I've been to the Big Tree 5 times. I'm alive and nothing has been stolen from me. You worry too much. Use your common sense. Don't wear a Rolex and put your laptop away when you leave the room.

I have been in Big Tree very many times and long periods. Only robberies that have happened are girls who have visited my room for short time or for night, and have taken something without me noticing. Usually I have noticed this only after long time, so I don't know who of the many girls was the guilty one. Otherwise no robbery in Big Tree.

These robberies have happened me during long period of time, generally those working girls don't steal. But don't give them too much temptations, keep your valuables in your locked luggage.

Don't take girls that don't have identification card, if girl ID number is written down to security guys logs, that stops them planning anything.

[Albert9989]

I've been to the Big Tree 5 times. I'm alive and nothing has been stolen from me. You worry too much. Use your common sense. Don't wear a Rolex and put your laptop away when you leave the room.

Thanks that's what I plan to do in the end. Nothing will be visible.

[MadDin19]

And so, would you recommend other hotels maybe, than big tree?
Where my belongings could be more safe?

I've been to the Big Tree 5 times. I'm alive and nothing has been stolen from me. You worry too much. Use your common sense. Don't wear a Rolex and put your laptop away when you leave the room.

[Albert9989]

Concearning safety I don't regard BigTree very different from other locations I know. In fact I have not heard of any robbery there - only in the neighborhood.
Me I just don't take expensive equipment. It is enough for me to worry about the some hundred dollars cash I take on my trip.

I wear a 60 Dollar watch and Asics shoes. Even this lead to envious looks and remarks about my wealth. Then I refer them to their countrymen driving new Range Rovers.

I understand.

My goal is not to go outside with my camera, I don't need it there, it will just stay inside my luggage, hidden as much as I can, so no risk to make envious looks.

Ok. I will see how I can manage that.

Anyway thanks a lot for your answers and help.

[SceticoBlu]

And so, would you recommend other hotels maybe, than big tree?

Concearning safety I don't regard BigTree very different from other locations I know. In fact I have not heard of any robbery there - only in the neighborhood.
Me I just don't take expensive equipment. It is enough for me to worry about the some hundred dollars cash I take on my trip.

I wear a 60 Dollar watch and Asics shoes. Even this lead to envious looks and remarks about my wealth. Then I refer them to their countrymen driving new Range Rovers.

[Albert9989]

You are right. They are ment to leave the wallet while one goes swimming.

Apart from the lockers in the restaurant they installed lockers in the rooms 1-2 years ago. But again. I would not risk it.

In Ukunda a man with a diving camera was murdered. They followed him on his motorbike. Just in front of his house he was shot.

All encouraging.

But maybe right.

And so, would you recommend other hotels maybe, than big tree?

Where my belongings could be more safe?

[SceticoBlu]

Those lockers at Big Tree are a joke, just some mini size padlocks. It would just take a screwdriver to remove the whole lock.

In the daytime it is rather safe, because many people are passing there.

But I would not leave anything there in the night.

You are right. They are ment to leave the wallet while one goes swimming.

Apart from the lockers in the restaurant they installed lockers in the rooms 1-2 years ago. But again. I would not risk it.

In Ukunda a man with a diving camera was murdered. They followed him on his motorbike. Just in front of his house he was shot.

[Zimzam]

They have special lockers inside the restaurant. But who can give you a guarantee for expensive stuff even there?

Those lockers at Big Tree are a joke, just some mini size padlocks. It would just take a screwdriver to remove the whole lock.

In the daytime it is rather safe, because many people are passing there.

But I would not leave anything there in the night.

[Albert9989]

One can have a nice holiday but some things have to be observed. One is not to take expensive equipment. I would not take the risk. And that you lose your stuff is not the worst case.

Yes sure but I do a safari during the 2 weeks before so I will have all with me. I don't need to use them during this last week in Mombasa.

Or renting a safe in a babk? For 1 week?

[SceticoBlu]

Yes really not easy, I think I would maybe prefer to keep them with me in my luggage, really not easy.

One can have a nice holiday but some things have to be observed. One is not to take expensive equipment. I would not take the risk. And that you lose your stuff is not the worst case.