First Visit To Nairobi, Personal Safety?

[Postman Pat]

Hi Guys,

Am currently planning my first trip to East Africa. Am a pretty streetwise guy, having spent large parts of the last 10 years in West Africa, Senegal etc. In both Accra and Dakar, its still pretty safe, as long as you keep your wits about you and dont behave like an idiot, to head out alone at night, bar hopping, different clubs etc. Apart from the occasional guy who thinks hes a smartass, and you can spot them a mile off, those cities are pretty safe for Mr White.

Windhoek (Namibia) and Joburg, on the other hand, you virtually need 100% local protection with you at all times, eg, contracted taxi driver to take you everywhere and wait for you.

So how does Nairobi compare with those two contradictions? I hope the former, because I just love playing the field on my own. Would be really interested to have advice from peoples experience. Also, if anyone would recommend safe downtown girl friendly not too expensive hotels that would be appreciated too.

Thanks a lot.

[assegai]

Windhoek (Namibia) and Joburg, on the other hand, you virtually need 100% local protection with you at all times, eg, contracted taxi driver to take you everywhere and wait for you.

So how does Nairobi compare with those two contradictions? I hope the former, because I just love playing the field on my own. Would be really interested to have advice from peoples experience.

Firstly. I find it very surprising, your experience in such a small town such as Windhoek, one would need to have what you call, protection. How times have changed, very sad.

Nairobi, the same rule of thumb applies, although the local town council have made attempts to improve safety with better lit streets at night. I have always felt pretty comfortable walking about evening times, not witnessed any problems. I`m a regular visitor. Don`t let your guard down.

Regarding a monger friendly hotel. Your cheapest, and personally all one needs. The Terminal hotel - double room $23.00 or 1600kes - this hotel is ideally situated in the centre of town, just around the corner from all your mongering spots. No tv, no AC, sometimes no hot water, not that you will need any, very basic. I plan on taking a small radio with next month, listen to the local music, this kind of sets the scene for me.

You will have the dilemma of, "should i take a taxi or just walk to the club which is so close by". This is tempting but take care, depends on how comfortable you feel.

[assegai]

I just love playing the field on my own.

You could not have picked a better city in order to do so. You will have tremendous variety of both, clubs, pubs, and chickies from all of eastern Africa.

Lot of homework to be done on your end regarding clubs. Expect to pay on average, 200kes - 500kes taxi ride.

[Simba22]

I have lived there and just returned this summer after being there about a month. If you go to the right places, you should be fairly safe. Of course, like any place the biggest problem is if you get wrong place downtown a night or on some back street. Go to almost any bar or club especially starting on Fridays and you will see all sorts of young ladies. Easy to talk with and pick-up.
Westlands--Sohos, more upscale but some really great looking young ladies. Other clubs in Westlands area and fairly close together. More upscale. As previously posted should be farily safe without protection person.
Town--The usual Florida Clubs and the ladies are more agressive and more pros. Other clubs, see posts, but more danger downtown simply because of more people and more chance of problems. But never had a problem.
Thika road now has a string of places like Jambo's, Bananna's-has pool tables, music, and lots of people. Roasters, another place-- usually an older crowd and live music on Weekends, but had a beautiful young lady pick me up there. Roasters is gated and you drive inside. Also can stay there as have very reasonable rooms (1200 ksh) for about $ 18 a night. They may want to charge you for the young lady if they don't know you but it just the cost of two people.
Safari Park, very upscale and good show with dance troup called safari cats, some beautiful ladies, then after show go downstairts to dance and meet people. Usually better on weekends.
Kenya is a great place to visit, but be nice and treat the people nice and they will treat you nice. Kenyan people are lovely people and beautiful women.

[canthelpmyself]

My advice is to seek out your dates in the daytime and let them travel to you at night. They are safe whereas you may not be. Nairobi is not too unsafe but I wouldn't want to be walking around in some of these neighborhoods (where the girls live) at night. Besides, during the day, you can tell better how good looking the girls really are.

Cant.

[Simba22]

Sustain, No--- you are right, those girls that are dancers are not available, but just talking about a good show. However, after show, downstairs I have been approached by young ladies in the dance area or club with DJ playing music. A few times it was pros working, but on another occassion just local girls looking for a fun time. Usually this is on weekends.
Lately I have found better crowd of ladies in some of the places along the way towards Safari Park.