Kenya. Travel advisory
I just saw the first forum post about concern for the current travel advisory for Kenya. Before everyone on this tour starts panicking, read the BBC NEWS website where it clearly shows a map of the areas where the UK are pulling out tourists. It's mainly the Mombassa coast and borders with Somalia and the Eastleigh area of Nairobi. The US has posted a travel advisory but are not evacuating US citizens. The 'Safari Areas' are not affected by the travel advisories.
Tauck will be watching things carefully and obviously have their customers and staff as top priority for their safety. I also know that Tauck have a plane charter on 24 hour/365 day standby that they can bring in to evacuate their customers if ever there is an incident in any of the areas they have tours.
The tour is only in Nairobi for a half day, staying in a hotel before people are bussed to the airport. I assume the airport will have extra security.
For people who are traveling to Nairobi before the tour begins in Arusha, I personally would stay in the overnight hotel and not wonder anywhere apart from heading back to the airport for my flight.
Tauck will be watching things carefully and obviously have their customers and staff as top priority for their safety. I also know that Tauck have a plane charter on 24 hour/365 day standby that they can bring in to evacuate their customers if ever there is an incident in any of the areas they have tours.
The tour is only in Nairobi for a half day, staying in a hotel before people are bussed to the airport. I assume the airport will have extra security.
For people who are traveling to Nairobi before the tour begins in Arusha, I personally would stay in the overnight hotel and not wonder anywhere apart from heading back to the airport for my flight.
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I do know Tauck's travel director on our safari called ahead every time we moved from one location to another. She had local contacts who gave her up to the minute information and situational reports. We always felt informed and never in danger.
We have gone through Nairobi's Kenyatta Airport three times since 2012. The most recent was in February of 2014. The Kenyan Police and military had a road block going into the airport when we were leaving the country. They passed our vehicle through quickly because they recognized our hotel signage and knew our driver personally. Otherwise, every car was being stopped and the vehicle and baggage searched. There were also armed security personnel in and around the airport. There were no problems.
As you pointed out, you are in Nairobi for only a short time. The same conditions applied during our Tauck safari and our other trips as well. We felt a little uneasy during the drive to the airport but I have to be honest...the sheer volume of traffic and the insane lane changing of the drivers was more than enough to make one forget about other threats. Kenyan drivers are really scary as is their record of highway fatalities.
We love Africa. We love Tanzania and Kenya even more. We have been there four times in the last two years. And, we will go again as soon as we can get ourselves organized to do so. I would not miss another opportunity to go...Leo M
Below is what the Aussies have promulgated for Ethiopia. The US State Dept. has issued similar warnings but mainly for the eastern portions of Ethiopia in the Ogaden and border areas with Somalia. Both countries have issued similar warnings for Kenya. I hope things settle down before we go next year.
"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, at this time due to the threat of terrorist attack against Western interests and ongoing tensions."
Ethiopia Overall:
Exercise normal safety precautions
Exercise a high degree of caution
Reconsider your need to travel
Do not travel
Border areas with Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, the Gambella region and Ogaden area:
Exercise normal safety precautions
Exercise a high degree of caution
Reconsider your need to travel
Do not travel
On just a slightly more positive note here is what the US State Dept. says about areas of interest to us other than Nairobi:
"There are no restrictions on U.S. embassy employee travel to Kenya's most popular tourist destinations such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Lamu Island, Hell's Gate, Samburu, Mount Kenya, and Malindi. However, as with the prohibited travel destinations listed above, the Embassy regularly reviews the security of these unrestricted areas for possible modification. Travelers should keep informed of local developments by following local press, radio, and television reports prior to their visits. Visitors should also consult their hosts, including U.S. and Kenyan business contacts, hotels, tour guides, and travel organizers."
Follow the links to read more.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Ethiopia
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/kenya-travel-warning.html