Re: Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari

**Laikipia** Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:22 pm

Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 853843

so I am Doogs. It will all fall into place anyway lol!

Re Kenya do you take US$ as well, we always do, everyone seems to like them.

Lai

**Doogs** Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:24 pm

We usually have them Lai but never seem to use them (apart from buying the Visa at the Airport). With us getting such a good exchange rate at the moment we'll just have KS and a credit card as back up just incase :)

**Laikipia** Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:30 pm

Good idea Doogs, we've got some US$ at home anyway so may as well take them. Credit card essential, just in case Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 853843

Anne-Marie must be almost going by now?

Lai

**Doogs** Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:38 pm

Yeah we're the same, got enough at home to buy our Visa's and about £100 of KS as well so dandy.

I was trying to work out when AM would be going, I think she must be the last week of August/beg of Sept. We leave for London on 03/09 and then for Kenya on 05/09 - I think AM might arrive at Kenya on 03 or 04/09. Hopefully she'll come on and clarify.

**Laikipia** Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:26 pm

So Anne-Marie's wedding must be full on for plans and getting ready by now - Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 853843

between the three of us we'll be in Kenya for over a month - that should give lots of updates on the big cats lion cub

Lai

**Doogs** Sat Aug 06, 2011 12:54 pm

Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 768480

KS: 140.4 at M&S Today WOW

**Laikipia** Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:35 pm

- hoping to get there next week Doogs. Looking like a good rate of exchange at the moment.

Lai

Safari Maiden Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:23 pm

Crikey Lai not long now to the wedding. Just catching up on this thread and cant believe time as flown by for all of you.

A Masai Blessing Lai that will be wonderful. I hope Jackson can be there that would be lovely.

I take it none of you will be in the same place at the same time, going by your dates?

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, weddings and honeymoons. Keep us uptodate.

SM Hugs

**Laikipia** Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:43 pm

It's such a shame SM that all 3 of us our there on different dates, wouldn't that have been great to catch up next to the Marsh Pride or Shingo and her cubs Laughing

or over a few sundowners.

Not sure what's happening with the Maasai blessing or indeed Jackson, he seems mostly to be at Naboisho at the moment, and I'm not sure of the distances from Rekero to Naboisho. Naboisho is to the north but not sure if we can get over there easily or how far. Anyway if we catch up wonderful and if not, there's always another time Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 71418

Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 71418

Lai

**Doogs** Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:07 pm

KS 141.3 to the £ today at M&S Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 853843

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:52 pm

Need to get there fast. Had to get some €s for going to Spain for 4 days with my mum early September so my KS and US$ have to wait until next week. Let's hope I'm not too late. Have you got yours Doogs?

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:04 pm

I keep holding off Lai as it's very gradually rising each day, as long as it keeps rising I'll wait. I've got my £ ready to strike when the time is right !!!

141.4 KS to the £ today, very slight increase on yesterday

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:45 pm

I am hoping to get to M & S next week - so fingers crossed for us both that it keeps rising.

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:52 pm

Just actually been doing a bit of research for other places and their Exchange Rates and the Natwest is KS 145.7910 which is even better than M&S. Appears it's 0% commission as well but not sure if you have to be a customer to get the money scratch

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:22 pm

Mmm possibly - I fell out with Nat West and moved our accounts so I don't suppose they'd be pleased to see me Wink

Definitely worth shopping around at the moment. Thanks Doogs.

Lai

Anne-Marie1981 Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:20 pm

I'm here!!! Helllooooo!! Sorry I've been MIA! I didn't realise it was for quite as long as it has been!! Work has been manic! We've just won a big contract that will see us through for at least 18 months so always good to know job is secure in these times!!

I am so excited about EVERYTHING!!! We get married next weekend, everything is all set for that apart from shoes for the flower girls! Hopefully getting those this weekend!! Some not so good news is my Nan has shingles and we don't know if she'll be able to make the wedding and my uncle went into hospital with appendicitis this morning!

So, 3 weeks on Friday we will be flying off to Kenya!!! I am so so excited! Its going to be a dream come true!! We land on 3rd and visit the DSWT 3 times and the Giraffe Centre :) then we fly down to the Mara on 4th! I hear the Marsh Pride have 2 week old cubs!!! Can't wait to see the little bundles of fluff!!! We then fly to Ukunda on 7th.

How are both your plans coming along? All going well with the marriage preparations Lai?

What do you do money wise when you go to Kenya? Do you take $ and ksh? And do you take all cash, or travellers cheques? I really don't know what to do for the best. Any recommendations on how much to take?

**Laikipia** Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:33 pm

next weekend Group Hug

I can't believe the time has gone so quickly Anne-Marie. How exciting. Really sorry to hear about your nan, she must be in agony with shingles and your poor uncle. I hope they'll both make speedy recoveries.

Great news about the contract - everything seems so bad at the moment, so that's great that you're okay.

That's brilliant you're visiting DSWT 3 times in one day, can't say i'm surprised and you'll love it for sure. We're going once (at the moment) for the afternoon visit on our own, quality time with our eles (who are no longer there) but then we might adopt another one Hug

We take both Ks and US$ - and always cash, I've not used TC's for ages. Everywhere takes credit cards. Re the amount I guess it depends on what you are planning Laughing

I think our plans are coming along nicely thanks. Although I need something to wear and to know that our paperwork for Kenya is in order What a Face

Lai

Anne-Marie1981 Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:40 pm

That's good to know :) I'm thinking of getting one of those travel visa cards. You can pre-load them with your $ and they are secure and are used the same as credit cards. I might do that as well as take cash. Regarding tipping, do you tip your safari driver/guide daily or at the end? And how much should we tip?

I think it will be the perfect time for you to foster another ele, a nice little wedding pressie to yourselves Very Happy

I really can't wait. I really do feel like a kid waiting for Christmas to arrive.

**Laikipia** Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:45 pm

Good idea re the card. Saw that in Thos Cook last week when i was getting some €s and you get a better rate.

I would tip guides/drivers at the end and the camp will give you an idea of how much. General rule is $5 to $20 per day per guest but that's a guideline they give.

Too true re our next ele a really good wedding present to ourselves Laughing

Lai

**Doogs** Thu Aug 11, 2011 1:42 pm

your wedding is just around the corner AM Helpful Hints & Preparations for going on a Safari - Page 5 40683

Sounds like you're well organised. Such a shame about your Nan & Uncle but hopefully both will be fit & well to make it to the wedding.
Great that you've 3 trips planned to see the Elephant behind

you'll love that.

We've never used TC's in Kenya, only cash. We've also never used $ apart from buying the Visa at the Airport, just use KS (but I know $'s are accepted).

Our first trip we tipped our guide daily but now that we know Vincent we tip him at the end of the safari. If you think the guide provides a good service to you tip him accordingly, it really is a personal thing.

KS exchange rate has gone down slightly today Crying or Very sad

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 16, 2011 2:31 pm

I should have got them when you said they were on the up Doogs. Just back from M & S and bought some KS - todays rate 140KS = £1

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:18 pm

Still not bad Lai - I'm sure when we went in 2009 it was either 117 or 119 to the £ so 140 is a huge improvement Wink

:)

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:12 pm

True - I can't remember that far back drunken

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:15 pm

I'm a bit like that myself today after Sunday affraid

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:17 pm

But hopefully it was worth it lol!

Lai

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