http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15322 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15322 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15246 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15246 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15245
The people are some of the friendliest you will encounter anywhere in the world. Within half an hour of stepping off the boat everyone will be greeting you on first name terms!

The mix of African and Arab influences in the culture and food make it a fascinating place to spend a few days. It is only a 20 minutes walk to Shela and the beautiful beaches further around the island. A great antidote to safari fatigue.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15245 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15203
Pity about the roads leading there, but a new road is being built.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15203 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15177
You can visit the centre daily in Nairobi National Park. The visit will allow you to get up close to these magnificent animals and see them play.

Sponsoring an elephant or rhino costs $50 US per year. You can sponsor an elephant via: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15177 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15173
At Ngong House you can stay in one of five luxurious treehouses raised 15ft off the ground with views out over the Ngong Hills. They also have a driver on hand so you can visit some of Nairobi's attractions such as the giraffe sanctuary, elephant orphanage and
Karen Blixen Museum.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15173 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15171
You really need US dollars in high ($50 or $100) new (post-2003) bills or a visa debit or credit card to use the ATMs. Even Barclays bank outside of Nairobi won't accept Mastercard.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15171 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15152 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15152 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15139
It is through moorland and steady slopes. The views are superb and few other walkers are seen. It took us three days to go up and two to come down, sleeping in bunkhouses.

One ends up at the Lenana summit if a walker, however proper mountaineers can go a little higher to Batian or Nelion summits.

For variety, one can descend via the eastern side of the mountain on the Chogoria route through moorland then grassland and finally forest. Watch out for buffalo.

Most of the reputable tour operators could organise this safari. In the ten years living in Kenya this was the most memorable safari - although there were many others almost as good. It is a wonderful country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15139 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15086
Rising at dawn with a team of dedicated scientists, you will be taken to remote areas of the Lakes region to study flamingos among the bubbling lakes of Bogoria, gather insects in the acadia trees or study the unique flora of this beautiful region.

Forget the big five, if you love nature visit the Rift.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15075
The most important thing is to talk to your guide beforehand and ask lots of questions. The more knowledge they have, the better your chances of spotting some amazing animals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15075 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15068 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15068 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15067 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15067 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15066
An old diesel pulls out of both stations simultaneously at 7pm and dinner is served immediately — the waiters trying not to spatter soup on their tunics, or you. The rattling of the carriage rocked me to sleep immediately, but make sure you wake early for sunset to see animals on the savannah if you’re coming up to Nairobi or the Manugu plains as you descend to the coast and Mombasa.

After the cool of Nairobi and the highlands, when you disembark in humid, tropical Mombasa it feels like you’ve arrived in a different country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15065
As it’s on the equator but rises to 5,199m in effect you go through several climate zones in a couple of days and see plants straight out of Day of the Triffids that only exist here, like the “water-holding cabbage”. From the top you can see for miles over much of Kenya. Take all your hiking gear with you as it can be hard to find there and take plenty of warm clothes and a good sleeping bag — it’s freezing at night.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15064 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15064 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15063 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15063 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15023
Mostly tiny, with two or three individual cabins scattered on a hillside, butler service, river-water jacuzzis heated by sustainable wood fires, roving elephants nearby, and four-poster-beds that can be wheeled out to sleep under the stars (with mosquito nets, of course), these are worth looking at if you're going on honeymoon, or celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Or just feeling a bit decadent.

The Sable Treehouses in the Shimba Range of Hills were particularly lovely.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15023