Featured Country: Kenya Welcome to BootsnAll's first Africa Newsletter! As we publish both this and our other regional newsletters, you'll learn about different countries throughout each region, and we'll focus on one country per newsletter. For this debut Africa Newsletter, we'll give you info and resources on Kenya, from Kenyan organizations to BootsnAll articles and advice from our own Insiders. Located in East Africa on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Kenya is bordered by Somalia and Tanzania. Its 30 million people live in an area about twice the size of the U.S. state of Nevada, from major cities such as Nairobi (the capital) and Mombasa, to the low plains, central highlands (location of the Great Rift Valley), the west's fertile plateau, and the glaciated Mt. Kenya, at 5,199 meters (17,057 feet) the country's highest point. The coast is tropical; the interior, arid. Kenyans speak English and Kiswahili, as well as numerous indigenous languages. Dosh-wise, the official currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSh), and there are 100 cents to a shilling. Current exchange rates (approx.): US$1=KSh78.99 AU$1=KSh39.31 GB£1=KSh116.65 EU€1=KSh72.34 Well, those are a few nuts and bolts. Keep reading for more info on Kenya, as well as other travelers' experiences there. Oh, one last thing. The latest Survivor series was filmed in Kenya, but please don't let that stop you from going there. What's in this issue? Airfare Deals Featured Content Featured Message Board Thread What Our Insiders Say Links & Resources Tell a Friend and/or What Do You Want? AIRFARE DEALS Brought to you by the BootsnAll TripPlanner Plan and book your round-the-world or multi-continental trip! By the way, we're not talking about air-hotel-and-car-rental stuff, but multi-destination air tickets, so packaged to help get you a better deal. Perhaps you don't like trains or buses; perhaps your schedule is tight; in any case, use BootsnAll's TripPlanner to build your itinerary, not only for getting to Africa, but for flying from country to country. Here are some examples we found: $2100 US New York - London - Zanzibar - Mombasa - Nairobi - Cairo - Madrid - New York $1700 US London - Marrakesh - Casablanca - Nairobi - London $2300 US Sydney - Johannesburg - Kilimanjaro - Nairobi - Casablanca - London Now, log on to the TripPlanner and put together an itinerary of the places you want to see! Back to top Specials & Deals The only thing better than flying to Africa, is getting a bloody good deal on the ticket. We work with other companies to bring you low, hard-to-beat round-trip fares, to help you fly not only to Africa, but to wherever you want to go: BootsnAll Farebeater Hotwire Cheap Ticket Links Back to top FEATURED CONTENT From amazing islands to bumpy roads, travelers will find many different places, people and experiences in Kenya. Here are a few stories from some of BootsnAll's writers: The Many Faces of Kenya - Tomas Padilla spends his trip on safari in the wild, in the wilds of Nairobi, and with a tribe of Masai. Nairobi to Siakago - John Barth details the bumpy road trip he took - but he still can't figure out why everyone knows his brother Jamie. At Home in Lamu - This Kenyan island is a magical place, charged with mysterious energy, says Shirley Eng. BootsnAll's Kenya Travel Guide also gives lots of info on Kenya's national parks and natural features. If you would like to submit an article on your travel experiences, check out our Writer's Guidelines, then send it along. Back to top FEATURED MESSAGE BOARD THREAD How would you spend a month in Kenya? On the Africa Discussions board, our own Travel Nutter Nick is wondering. You've got a month. It's Kenya. What are you gonna do there? Log in or register your handle, then jump into the discussion and throw down your two shillings on how you'd spend a month in Kenya. Be sure to check out the other discussions on our boards as well: http://boards.BootsnAll.com/ Back to top WHAT OUR INSIDERS SAY BootsnAll Insiders are a great source of information, and they can tell you what the guidebooks can't. We asked some of our Insiders for their take on Kenya, and here's what they had to say: Jennifer Dirks, Travel Safety Tips Safety in East Africa for everyone is the biggest concern. It is helpful first to read about the region and ask insiders or others who have traveled there. Most importantly though is to remember that like any urban area, it can be unsafe - especially in certain areas. Going to Nairobi for example can be exciting, but always carry your money, passport, credit cards, and any other valuables in a money pouch. Also, try to travel in groups. As this may not always be possible, upon arrival, perhaps you may want to find someone who is going the same way as you. In Kenya, people are very trustworthy, especially the older women. Something else to keep in mind is that any jewelry including hats, watches, necklaces, and sometimes even rings can be targeted. Thieves who will snatch things from you will usually be looking for name brand things, try to avoid wearing these types of things. Also, if you look like a foreigner (in other words you aren't African) you may be a target. This may scare one, but natives from East Africa deal with the same problems so it isn't just the foreigners. I hope that anyone traveling to East Africa will mostly take these precautions into consideration but still enjoy the beauty of the scenery, culture, languages, and food! Safe journey! Melinda Rees, The Four Commandments 1. Wherever you go, do not litter. Please keep your rubbish with you until it may be disposed of properly. If you bring it into the area, take it out when you leave. 2. Water is a precious resource throughout East Africa. Please use water sparingly wherever possible, using simple actions such as turning off the tap while you brush your teeth. 3. Electricity is expensive and in short supply. Please switch off the lights if you are not using them, or if you leave the area. 4. Never touch, chase or harass the wildlife or marine life. Enjoy your safari and do your bit to protect our wonderful environment! Back to top LINKS & RESOURCES Use the following sites to learn more about Kenya, what it offers to travelers, and how to plan your trip. Eco-resorts.com Environmentally conscious organization arranges customized safaris, tells you about other activities, provides online maps, info on ecotourism, and are good enough to suggest what to pack for your safari. Kenya Tourist Board What to see and do, all the other info the traveler's gonna care about, as well as general facts on Kenya, from the official tourist and travel authority. Nairobi Hotels Sooner or later, you'll probably hit Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city. The above link can help you learn about and arrange hotel accommodation before you get there. National Museums of Kenya Info on museums, galleries and national sites and monuments. Also find out about upcoming exhibitions and activities. Back to top WRITE AN ARTICLE If you have a story of your own that you would like to submit on Kenya, have a look at BootsnAll's Writer's Guidelines: http://writers.BootsnAll.com And then send it along. We're always looking for new content and new perspectives, and we hope to get yours soon. TELL A FRIEND If you feel that BootsnAll.com is a valuable resource, or that others might think so, please tell your friends about us. As many of you know, we respond personally to every email we receive in an ongoing effort to build a true traveller's community. Many have responded positively. If you have comments both positive and constructive, we would love to hear them. Tell us what we have done well and how we can improve. We would appreciate it greatly. Back to top