Mombasa

**Radical Guy** · 04-15-23 18:08

Originally Posted by Bajuni [View Original Post]

If you book yourself into one of the tourist / family hotels at the beach (eg Bamburi) and show up with a different lady each day, you will face problems for sure.

No matter if you booked a single or double.

When I was staying at the Sarova Whitesands in Bamburi beach, no one paid any attention to who I was coming or leaving with. But when we had the buffet, they'd simply check that my full board plan included 2 meals.

RG.

**Bajuni** · 04-15-23 08:48

Originally Posted by MadDin19 [View Original Post]

Book a room for 2 people and you will never have any problems.

If you book an all-inclusive hotel for one person and then bring someone with you, then of course there are problems. Just turn on your common sense.

If you book yourself into one of the tourist / family hotels at the beach (eg Bamburi) and show up with a different lady each day, you will face problems for sure.

No matter if you booked a single or double.

**MadDin19** · 04-13-23 15:59

Originally Posted by TigerZtyle [View Original Post]

Hey newbie here. Any recommendations for a girl friendly hotel / apartment in Mtwapa or somewhere close? Prefer some higher ends with sea views and lots of privacy.

Book a room for 2 people and you will never have any problems.

If you book an all-inclusive hotel for one person and then bring someone with you, then of course there are problems. Just turn on your common sense.

**Radical Guy** · 04-11-23 18:57

Originally Posted by Leblon [View Original Post]

For me Sheratton is highest end that I use, if Big Tree is full. Notice that it is Sheratton, not real Sheraton. It is cheaper end of the hotels but it is girl free for sure and it has all basic stuff like aircon and mosquito net. Is you book for Sheratton book room for two.

Highest end is Sarowa Whitesands in the Bamburi beach area. There was discussion about it in the forum some time ago, read older messages, I think it is girl friendly, not sure.

Nyali beach hotels are high end but I don't know if they girl friendly.

Serena Beach hotel and nearby high end hotels, I don't know.

I've stayed at Sarova Whitesands on two occasions, for 9 days each time. Beautiful place. I definitely recommend getting full board or half board, as their buffets are fabulous.

**Leblon** · 04-11-23 17:45

Originally Posted by TigerZtyle [View Original Post]

Hey newbie here. Any recommendations for a girl friendly hotel / apartment in Mtwapa or somewhere close? Prefer some higher ends with sea views and lots of privacy.

For me Sheratton is highest end that I use, if Big Tree is full. Notice that it is Sheratton, not real Sheraton. It is cheaper end of the hotels but it is girl free for sure and it has all basic stuff like aircon and mosquito net. Is you book for Sheratton book room for two.

Highest end is Sarowa Whitesands in the Bamburi beach area. There was discussion about it in the forum some time ago, read older messages, I think it is girl friendly, not sure.

Nyali beach hotels are high end but I don't know if they girl friendly.

Serena Beach hotel and nearby high end hotels, I don't know.

**TigerZtyle** · 04-09-23 17:52

Hey newbie here. Any recommendations for a girl friendly hotel / apartment in Mtwapa or somewhere close? Prefer some higher ends with sea views and lots of privacy.

**John Clayton** · 04-08-23 18:42

Originally Posted by Slowalk [View Original Post]

I should've posted in General but I'm well off topic for this forum:

.

Awesome, thanks! Post a picture of your bike.

**Slowalk** · 04-08-23 18:39

Originally Posted by JohnClayton [View Original Post]

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

I should've posted in General but I'm well off topic for this forum:

Your ideal helmet and boots are not easy to come by in Africa and both take some time to break in. That's primarily why I recommend these two gear. My boots are broken in but my new helmet I brought from US was not. Most motorcycle injuries occur to riders' boot region. Look at the MSF sites and they can explain better why boot protection is important. Here in Africa, I would say brush, road debris and setting your feet down while riding are the biggest causes of lower leg injury but I've taken some stones off tires to my shins (and face shield) too. They pave roads with tar and chip so stones hurled off tires can be dangerous. These roads are nothing like NA and EU roads. Because of peg location, many bikes' engines will burn unprotected legs and pants.

Today I rode Busia - Malaba - Bungoma - Kitale - Kakamega. In Malaba, I was pressed between a matatu loading riders on the shoulder while the oncoming car used my lane and pressed me into the matatu. My handlebar ripped the mirror off his car. The car honked as if it was my fault. Neither me nor my bike were damaged so I kept going. No way could the car turn around and give pursuit. I had to slow several times for goats and cattle in the road during the entire trip. I had to emergency hard brake in Bungoma. Livestock is herded by dragging ropes tied around their necks. In this case, the loose end snagged on a bridge while the bull crossed the road. The rope tightened across the road neck high. There were countless times I had to move to the shoulder because oncoming passing vehicles expect motorcycles to give way. I had to pick a strategic road exit twice because there were three oncoming vehicles side by side by side filling both lanes of the two lane road as well as the shoulder. I had to slow the bike and jump a ditch the first time. The second time I saw a bridge off the road and made it to it in time. Count on dodging livestock and moving into the shoulder every time you ride.

Not today but, once I had to outrun what I suspected was a rabid dog in an alley in Kumasi on a 125 CC boda boda. In Okundo, I hit a monkey on a borrowed 200 CC Hawk.

**Gafa Pilot** · 04-08-23 18:00

Originally Posted by JohnClayton [View Original Post]

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

Fractures of the fibula and tibia (the two bones in the lower leg) account for nearly 95% of motorcycle leg injuries combined. These bones are much smaller and weaker than the femur and are subjected to more torque in crashes.

Here's an interesting article on injuries: https://www.sallymorinlaw.com/motorc...s/leg-injuries.

As an avid & longstanding motorcyclist myself, when riding motorcycles (anywhere) it should always be a case of 'ATGATT' (All The Gear All The Time). I. e. A helmet (preferably a full face version), motorcycle boots, riding jacket and riding gloves.

And of course (for Africa) the golden rule is "Do NOT drive (or ride) in Africa at night!

**John Clayton** · 04-08-23 16:29

Originally Posted by Slowalk [View Original Post]

...and calve-high boots as a minimum...

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

**Slowalk** · 04-08-23 09:34

This brings me to this subject:

I live in Western Kenya and ride motorcycles on both dirt and paved roads from town to town, within the city and to and around the villages. I'm a novice rider and not all that young. This is what I learned: If you want to ride, apply the same safety rules as you would everywhere. Even if you disregard safety in your own country, take it seriously and be extra vigilant in Africa. I recommend you bring a well broken-in helmet and calve-high boots as a minimum.

Forget all the rules you ever learned of legal right of way. The biggest vehicle has the right of way. African drivers don't see motorcycles as traffic. Motorcycles are seen obstacles and not as human beings on two wheels. African drivers often just stop their vehicles with lights off in intersections and the middle of the road to check their phone, talk to another vehicle or yell to a vendor on the other side of the ditch both day and night.

I learned the hard way that riding at night should be strongly discouraged. Instead of road signs, there are unmarked non standard size and shape speed bumps everywhere. Some are small but some will bottom out and ruin the suspension of any vehicle that doesn't creep slowly over them. Also, shop owners may create an unmarked private dirt and rock speed bump in a matter of hours on either side of their shops. There is no paint or warning signs for these bumps. Off the main highways, there are no shoulders but there can be 4 ft deep stone wall ditches on either side of the narrow road. Flash floods are common and they leave deeply rutted or washed out bridges and roads.

Still their are numerous advantages of owning motorcycles. Cruise along and see an interesting lady then maneuver to creep along and chat or give them a lift. Linger while parked and you will draw attention the ladies attention. This is the number one way I score. You have the freedom to explore and not depend on boda boda, tuk tuk, taxis, etc. Mechanics and parts are available everywhere.

I do not recommend you buy a boda boda style bike. Even if you are a novice rider, you will outgrow it in a couple weeks. IMO; the best type of bike is a 200-250 CC dual sport / enduro or go as high as 450 CC if you plan on using highways and adventure riding across borders. I believe 500 CC and above is unnecessary. You will appreciate the suspension and lightweight agility of dual sport bikes. There is no loss of pride riding Chinese and Indian dual sport bikes in Africa. They do not cost much more than boda boda bikes.

**Zimzam** · 04-07-23 23:53

Originally Posted by Leblon [View Original Post]

Not only people drive without helmets but they drink and smoke and then drive motobikes and cars. That is biggest reason for these accidents for foreigners, also for locals I guess. I don't know how it was in this case.

On top of that most drivers, for boda boda and cars alike, are talking on the phone while driving, even Uber & Bolt drivers.

**Leblon** · 04-06-23 18:10

Originally Posted by Oiste [View Original Post]

Yes, his name was R. And he was from Milan. A very good boy but crazy for motorcycles, he ran as if he had the devil behind him. Crazy to have a motorbike in Mombasa and ride without a helmet like everyone else does. RIP.

Not only people drive without helmets but they drink and smoke and then drive motobikes and cars. That is biggest reason for these accidents for foreigners, also for locals I guess. I don't know how it was in this case.

Those other cases that I have known during the years, drivers have been drunk. I am often drunk but I don't drive any vehicle. But motobike taxi guys are sometimes high or drunk at night.

**Wrx2005** · 04-06-23 09:25

Originally Posted by Slowalk [View Original Post]

You have a lot of posts. I assume you think you're an experienced traveler. I haven't read anything you wrote before this do I can't say. However, how could you possibly think you get your passport stamped for a foreign at the US embassy?

You ask how could you possibly think you get your passport stamped for a "foreign" at the US Embassy. Your handle fits you. You copied and quoted a response to the reason why, and then ask a question where the answer was already provided. I'm in the Twlilight Zone, I know. But I will provide the reason again for the Slow people.

Immigration officials at the airport told me and my buddy (both 1st timers to Kenya) the same information. We both arrived the same day, but on separate flights. That was how it was possible to think that. I can see one person getting the wrong information, but two people getting the same misinformation on the same day? For all we knew, Kenyan immigration may have had offices within or near the embassy grounds / complex. So after that blunder, I went and sought the correct information.