African Insights - Out of Africa - Too Ezine - June 2003
Africa awaits you! Traveling to Africa in uncertain times
East Africa’s hotels, beaches, savannas and mountains are free of tourists right now. If you want to go and see Africa, as it really is, now is the time. Since the USA and Britain have issued a terror alert for East Africa, the cancellations have been coming in by the hundreds for airlines, hotels, safari tours and the like for East Africa.
For countries like Kenya, Tanzania, for vacation spots such as Zanzibar, this is bad news and affects the local economy. It touches the waiter and his family who works at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi; the artisan who carves the giraffes and elephants in Machakos, the soapstone craftsman from Kissii and even my friend John Bosco on the Entebbe road in Kampala is affected by this lack of tourists who are staying away from East Africa.
The story out of Africa tells of hundreds of workers that have been laid off in the hotels that are virtually empty, restaurants that are open but not with many guests, taxis that are staying parked at Jomo Kenyatta airport and at the Maasai Market on Tuesdays the traders are probably selling to one another since there is an absence of Westerners with cash.
But is it unsafe to travel to East Africa? I have been getting emails from lots of people who had been planning to go to Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania but are now having second thoughts.
On the other hand I have received emails from friends who have recently traveled to and some are still in East Africa and are feeling quite safe.
In many ways, there is no better time than now to go to East Africa. There are lots of bargains from traveling to staying at nice hotels and resorts, reduced safari packages and I am sure one can bargain about most everything right now.
If I had the time, I would go right now to East Africa. Rent a car and drive across Kenya, Uganda, to Kigali and I am sure have a delightful time from the Indian Ocean to the shores of Lake Victoria and everything in between.
If you are planning on going right now or in the near future let me give you some sound advice that you might find helpful and avoid Terrorist attacks.
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Stay in smaller hotels.
In Nairobi, you can stay at the
Woodmere Serviced Apartments,
kitchen, TV, swimming pool
and be in
walking distance of the Yaya shopping Center. When traveling to the
Indian Ocean and the Kenya Coast stay at the
Kenya Beach Villa Holidays
- it is like in a movie - you are on the ancient Swahili Coast of East
Africa - from your Villa you can see the white, sandy beach and the blue
Ocean, dhows moving across the Horizon, the soft breeze blowing, warm
tropical air, every thing to delight your senses, you pinch yourself,
yes, you are in Paradise, Kenya style and there are two wonderful places
you can stay at and see on line. In Kampala there is the
Hotel
International 2000, Muyenga Tank Hill Road, 38. P. O. Box 4037,
Kampala, Uganda. There is no website at present and prices are
reasonable and the view spectacular. Manute Bol the basketball star
stayed there for some time however he left without paying his bill…hmmm.
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| Travel in a small group. Small groups do not attract the attention a larger one does. |
| Do not act lost, even if you are. In places like Nairobi, also referred to as a Nairobbery there are crooks who would love to take the things you have and lighten your load. |
| Keep the jewelry to a minimum. I have seen earrings torn off a woman and this one was a pierced kind causing a lot of pain. |
| If you carry a wallet, cash, keep it in your front pocket so you can put your hand over it. Do not carry a fanny pack, that can easily be cut off and be gone before you know it. |
| Keep your passport in safekeeping and have a photocopy of it with you. |
| Enjoy the journey, but mostly the people. If you are with Africans, they will know all about safety and feel a sense of responsibility for yours. |
Africa is one of those places in the world that will change the way you look at life. It is not just place to visit, but to experience in all of its fullness. One stay home and miss out on the wonders of it all or take the journey of a lifetime. Enjoy the journey and write me your thoughts when you return….jon...Visit Africa: You will never be the same!
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Let me
help you plan the Ugandan Experience with you, let me know what you
like to see and do...visit the different pages on this
site...We will arrange the transport, including airport pickup for
you...We have 6 guesthouses
Just let me know how many people will be going...any of our packages may be combined with others from 1 day to as long as you like... We also arrange, cars with driver, vans with driver, or buses with driver...just ask Write to me at this address and I will get back to you in 24 hours....Thank you Jon ... You can call me in Uganda at 256-(0)774785852. Book as soon as you know your travel dates...thanks...look forward to showing you Africa and having you experience the Ugandan Safari of a lifetime. |
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Last updated: 06 May 2008
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