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Travels in Africa

Kenya

Goldenmaggot
2005-09-06 11:32:45

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Before you leave, think about what to take and what not to take. Keith Waterhouse quotes; Hints to lady travellers in 1889: "It is a great convenience to take one's bath with one". and adds: "A hundred years on there is still a nomadic tribal urge to pack everything, including the kitchen sink". Take as least twice as much film as you think you will need. I will take over 30 rolls of film on a two week safari. Make sure you have spare batteries for your camera;.on one occasion, one of our travelling companion's camera packed up on the second day. He was surprised as he had only had the camera two years! Pack about half what you think you will need. The laundry facilities at all the lodges are very good and very cheap. Take only clothes made from 100% cotton. Most of the lodges have swimming pools so don't forget your swimming costume.

Take a high factor sun screen. Don't forget you are going to Africa from an English winter and so you will be very vulnerable from the sun. You will need a hat which is best bought in Nairobi.

Nine hours flying time from London and you land at Nairobi, my favourite of the African Capital Cities.

Nairobi is a Maasai word meaning "Place of cool waters". Named for its vast swamps, the city of Nairobi had its origins in the construction of the East African Railway line at the close of the 19th century. Once the railway line reached Nairobi in 1896, it became a railway town, populated by labourers, soldiers and traders. It was the ideal climatic conditions, and the centrality of Nairobi that led to its transformation into a major trading town and two years later, in 1898, the sprawling capital of Kenya was officially established.

The turn of the century saw more white settlers arriving, many of whom settled in Nairobi and the highlands, a few miles outside the city.

In 1920 Kenya became a British Crown Colony. ...