Kenya Trip Experience

As you know, I got chance to visit Nairobi/Mombasa in Kenya from 18th Oct – 5th Nov 2007. I worked for Environment Department of a Steel Industry located in suburban area of Mombasa (Coastal and port town of Kenya). This industry is owned by SAFAL group and owner is a Gujarati.

I feel honored to share my experiences of Kenya trip with you.

Kenya is 2nd most developed country of African continent after South Africa and it is very well marketed as a tourist country. Most of us know about Kenya as a famous country for African Safari, but along with its rich wildlife (zebras, giraffe, lions, tiger, elephants and so on) it also has a rich marine life.

Indian Ocean is located on the eastern coast of Kenya, with a coast rich in coral reefs and other marine life. Even Mombasa has a Marine National Park which has diverse marine life, and of great interest to any tourist.

Kenya’s currency is Kenyan sheeling, and its equivalent to 1.6 of 1 Indian Rupees. But in Kenya cost of living is quite high. Even a local newspaper cost is 20 INR. But as every thing is very costly, salaries/incomes are also quite high.

Nairobi has a cool weather as it is located on hilly terrain and Mombasa has climate just like Mumbai because of its location on the sea coast.

Mombasa has a Multiplex named Cinemax, which shows only Hindi movies, so I have seen Bhool Bhaliya in same multiplex. Mombasa has large number of Gujarati population. So they celebrate every festival just like us in India. I got a chance to join them in Navratri festival and they celebrate in similar manner of CEPT.

Interior areas of Kenya are quite poor, as they are lacking in bare minimum facilities such as roads, water, sanitation etc. On highways, even electricity poles are made of wood in absence of steel.

Few Indian movies such as Vishwatma (1992) and Company (2002) have been shooted in Kenya. So every guide (who knows that you are Indian) will tell you about Indian bollywood stars.

Nairobi also has a history of notorious incidents, hence it is not recommended to tourists to go alone after 7 p.m. as local goons are very aggressive and they will take you to gun point and will ask for money. In spite of the UN offices and headquarters, such incidents are quite often.

As Kenya is famous among tourists you can find authentic Chineese, Punjabi, Japanese, Italian, Lebonesse restaurants in both Nairobi and Mombasa.