The Best & Cheapest Ways to Enjoy a Visit to Kenya

Friday, 26 May 2023

By: TB Obwoge

As many African countries are struggling with economic woes, prices are getting much higher, tourists will feel the pinch. Will you know? Not sure but if you've been to a certain country before you will notice the difference.

Several African countries have made changes due to IMF (International Monetary Fund) which is bailout money to help their governments. Kenya is now been approved for an IMF bailout and they've already started creating more taxes.

Tax collection has increased in the country as they try to make those avoiders pay what they owe.

Kenyans have been suffering with higher costs of living, without higher wages. This will also be passed onto the tourists in Kenya. There are some cheaper neighboring countries to visit, like Uganda, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) which has peace on the coastal area of the large country.

There is also Rwanda and Tanzania, though Rwanda is a land locked country. There are no beaches or lakes as you can find in Tanzania, Kenya and the DRC. Rwanda does have one of Time Magazines top 25 locations to visit in 2023. It's just 45 minutes from their capital city.

Kenya though has many pleasures in one country, the animals, the mountains, the Indian Ocean, there is also the little known Buddhist Temple in the capital.

Located at Parklands - High ridge avocado Ridge, Rd, Nairobi, Kenya

There is a Buddhist Temple which pays homage to the different Buddhas. There are grounds where you can walk around, taking some amazing photos. Now I have never seen a crowd of people there as Buddhism isn't largely practiced in Kenya.

I took a Bolt to the Temple from my hotel, when I lived in Kenya I was further away, it was a bit more costly. Nothing like the prices of a taxis, cabs or Uber in many western countries.

Also Uber is more expensive in Kenya, yes they have it but Bolt and some other ride share apps would be better. When you arrive ask about a few of the names, not sure if Yango is still up and running. If anyone says they'll be your personal driver, there you will be paying a lot more money.

You can't log your trips, share you ride and destinations with others and calculate easily how much you've spent. Even when the Bolt or Uber driver offers this to you, again say hapana which is Kiswahili for no. You can add Asante Sana to that which is Thank you very much.

The Temple grounds are lush and beautiful, though I was once hit in the head by an avocado. It hurt a lot, when I looked to the ground it was half an avacado laying at my feet.

You can spend hours there, the place is best if you actually like to meditate in the Temple or outside in nature. It's a great way to spend a few hours, relaxing and getting to listen to yourself.

I security this place to as many people as possible. I've heard that Uganda has 3 Buddhist Temples and a man that study Buddhism in another country. I have never been to those before but they're on my list.

There are several malls in Kenya to visit, one is Westgate Mall, which is known for being the scene of a old terrorist attack. This is why there is added security within and outside the rebuilt mall. There are so many beautiful things you can enjoy for free inside of a mall in Kenya.

Two Rivers Mall is one of the largest in East Africa, there is where you must go if you have younger children. Two Rivers has largest Ferris-Wheel in East Africa too, there is a water ride and other rides as well.

You should also know that Two Rivers hosts several events, there is a recommend process to get into the mall that should not worry you. It's just to make sure no one brings weapons into the mall. Gun violence is not normal or common in Kenya.

Remember where you entered always, the floor levels or a bit odd, when you arrive you are not on the ground level with the back of the mall. The back of the mall is where all the rides are located.

There is also an arcade and sometimes a stage where they invite people to perform live music.

This portion of the mall you cannot gain access to unless you go through the front secured entrance. You can also not exit there either.

Very cool place again you might spend hours if not an entire day at this mall.

Besides the live music, shopping, amusement area as well as several restaurants to eat, some fine dinning there are 200 shops in total.

One steak house I really loved had closed during the pandemic not sure if it has re-opened.

Nairobi National Park and Nairobi Safari Drive - 2 different experiences

You can take a walking tour through the park, or you can drive. I'm not sure how you drive, if you pay your Bolt Driver or ask for one of the park people to assist with that. They often are drivers outside where you can pay them to drive you through.

Some people pay for these daily tours to see several places in one day. Those tours are hundreds of dollars, you are timed according to them as they want to make as much money as possible.

In the photo below was my in-law, I too went into the cage to pet this cheetah, no this is not part of the normal tour. The guy could have been fired for allowing us in this cage with a new animal.

Yes, this cheetah was unknown to him and the park.

You can take the train the 9 hours from Nairobi to Mombasa, that way you can go through a Safari, you can enjoy the animals while on the train. Some trains need updating, I hope Kenya has been working on that over the last 2 years.

Mombasa is almost like visiting another country, there are more Muslims there. They have many Hindu Temples in the area as well as Muslim Mosques. Beautiful, friendly and kind people are in Mombasa very laid back.

Amazing architecture, be careful where and who you aim your camera or camera phone at. Always be mindful and respectful.

There are very inexpensive hotel apartments in the area, Mombasa is very large. The closer you are to the ocean, the more costly the hotels are. There are great hotels where you're not right on the water.

Most coast hotels though don't have blankets, they have air conditioners but not heavier blankets like you would find in Nairobi hotels.

Local food and international food can be found every where you look. This is stewed chicken, kale and ugali. Ugali is made from maize, cooked at a high temperature and stirred quickly. Tastes like grits but cooked until it's firm.

I will do a part two of more places to visit in Kenya, how to get there on your own and what you can do in those areas as well. I hope you follow for part two.

Thank you for reading 🙏🏽 Please consider buying a coffee for Lacey's House efforts in Gender Equality & Children's Rights.

©️TB Obwoge 2023 All Rights Reserved