Leaving for a rather complicated trip in one week. Currently booked SEZ-NBO NBO-JNB on BA July1/2, requiring an overnight stopover in NBO. BA has currently suspended the NBO flights, but not as far out as our flights at this point. They are re-routing through ENT, requiring an overnight there. Wanting to be prepared, I am wondering if anyone knows a decent hotel as close to the airport as possible? Looks like we'd be arriving late night, leaving morning, so airport proximity is important. Just me and my two daughters, so easier, safer is better.

Also, in case we do end up through NBO: Anyone have experience with Intercontinental Nairobi? Is it fairly close to airport, for same stopover? If anyone has any suggestions for a closer (non-American) hotel, I'd love to hear them!!!!

Thanks!

Robin

This may not be at all helpful, but I'll tell you what information I have....

I've only stayed in Kampala, and I seem to remember it was a long drive from the Entebbe airport. Entebbe itself seemed quite small, and I don't remember any major brand hotels there. I would check with a travel agent if you end up having to transfer through Entebbe, as it would make things so much easier for you to have that all worked out and a driver already meeting you at the airport.

For the IC in Nairobi, I've never stayed there, but it is downtown. This can be a 20 minute to 45 minute taxi ride, depending on traffic. (I think I remember the ride was 100 shillings or about $15US.) If you are coming in late at night, it would be a quicker ride. I usually stay at the Hilton which is in the same area as the IC, and while it is a distance, the midnight arrival and 6 am departure is doable. (It's not fun, but it's doable.)

I'm sorry that I don't have information on hotels closer to the airport, but I know they are there. Again, maybe checking with a travel agent or guide book will help.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Fishbait:

Also, in case we do end up through NBO: Anyone have experience with Intercontinental Nairobi? Is it fairly close to airport, for same stopover?
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I stayed there about five years ago. It's pretty nice, and has the amenities you'd expect at a good hotel in any major city. I thought the food was decent, and you can eat outside by the pool. There's a casino, but action is only in Kenyan Shillings, which means winning is a mixed blessing. Nice lobby and adequate rooms, although there seemed to be a "new" part and an older part. It's a pretty popular hotel for safari groups, so there are going to be a lot of Europeans and Americans around.

Security seemed fine - there were a bunch of guards carrying nasty looking metal clubs.

I had an odd experience checking out. KLM cancelled the first leg of my flight home, and I used a house phone to make a collect call to American Express to help me with alternatives. When I got my bill, it included a telephone charge for more than $150 for this call. I argued it, and was brought to the manager's office. They wouldn't let me take my luggage with me to the office, and one of the security guards walked away with the bags. The manager said that I couldn't leave until I paid, and the hotel operator couldn't have made a mistake by charging me for the call. Fortunately, I convinced him to call AmEx (he took some persuading), and AmEx said they'd take care of paying for the call. Not a huge deal, but it was very intimidating, particularly with the club-wielding security guard holding my luggage hostage. Maybe the guy wanted a bribe? Maybe it was a simple miscommunication? Dunno. I wasn't real comfortable in Nairobi, and had just had a trying experience navigating to and from the KLM ticket office on foot, so Kenya had gotten on my last nerve at that point.

I have no recollection exactly how close the hotel is to the airport, but it's not far. Unless you have experience with NBO, I'd advise that you request to be picked up by the hotel shuttle - it was a little hairy when we arrived.

Finally - just something to think about, and you probably already know this. If you're going to leave the airport, you may need a visa from the Kenyan consulate, and a Yellow Card from your doctor.

I can seconod the good review of the Intercon Nairobi. If you are used to Intercons in other parts of the world, you may not find the service up to your usual standards though (tipping most definitely helps to smooth things along).

It is also a big hang out for westerners - the Safari bar is very lively so if you're paranoid about the terrorism situation in the region, it may not be for you.

As for distance from the airport, it's taken me anything from 25 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the time of the day and local traffic conditions so plan carefully.

Also, on my last stay, it took the hotel over an hour to an authorisation code from Amex.

It is probably too late for this trip, but for future reference, the Windsor Lake Victoria in Entebbe is only around 8 - 10 minutes drive from the airport, and they have a shuttle bus that will take you there (and pick you up, I presume).

It is an old-fashioned, "colonial-style" hotel and is very nice. I seem to rememeber being told that the swimming pool is the best in Uganda! I stayed there about 3 months ago - as far as I remember it cost around $40 per night for B&B.

For some fun, you can hire a moped taxi from the taxi rank near the hotel gates. He will balance two of you on his back seat, and take you around to see the sites, including Lake Victoria (though be prepared to bribe the armed guards at the entrance to the lake shore to let you in if its after closing time).