The Real Guide

At last a useful map for Kenya - rare these days to find ANY decent map of East Africa - but now one for the professional, the student or teacher, the traveller and the dreamer -- all in one. AND plastic coated so you don't mess it up with your spilled coffee!

We found this book to be extremely accurate and informative, both as we prepared for our 2 week trip and while we were in Kenya. The description of the "snake museum" was perfect - we read it out loud to the group as we stood in the park. Much of the information provided to us by our hosts from Nairobi matched what we already had learned from our reading. When we prepare for our next trip anywhere, we'll look first for a Rough Guide!

As a woman travelling alone in Kenya, the hotel information was very good- warned of bars and hotels you might not want to go to alone. Also, gave good advice on the best rooms in a hotel (e.g. not over the bar). This is true at least for hotels in the very cheapest level, as I was budget travelling and never stayed or ate in places above level 2 price range. Additionally, directions on how to get to out-of-the-way places via local transport was really helpful.

The Rough Guide Kenya is an indispensable guide and is useful for first-time and veteran travellers to Kenya. Sections on literature and history complement excellent, detailed, and often witty coverage of nearly the entire country. The best thing about this book is the author's attempt to introduce the reader to the social and political realities of modern Kenya which lie behind the facade of safaris and curio shops.

This is the guide that locals buy! Earlier editions were selling well too in Nairobi. Lots of information, good research.