Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Although American dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is around 0.008969 Kenyan shillings to the GBP, however Kenyan currency is quite unstable and fluctuates frequently. I'd suggest getting your currency very near to your departure.
Approx. flight time: Around 9 hours flight time from London
Time difference: 3 hours ahead.
Visa requirements: You do have to get a visa upon entry into Kenya - you can purchase this at Mombasa airport and it costs 50 US Dollars.
Health: Although recommended, the yellow fever jab is not required. I had it to be on the safe side. You need to also make sure you are up to date on Hep B and tetnus. Any travel health clinic or your doctor will be able to advise you. Malaria tablets are a must. There are three options Chloroquine, Doxycycline and Malarone. Malarone is the most expensive and the one that was recommended to me as I am on the contraceptive pill and didn't want anything to upset it! Malarone is also the only tablet virtually free of side effects. You need to get enough tablets to start taking two days before your trip, everday you are in Kenya and a few days afterwards - again your travel nurse or doctor will advise but it is worth asking them and checking your prescription! I took my tablet at night so if I did have any side affects it wouldn't ruin my day.
Malaria is extremely high in Kenya (and other African countries) and I really recommend popping into a travel shop or outdoors shop and buying bug spray. I slathered it on at night and I didn't get a single bite.
Always make sure you purchase bottled water to drink from and to do things like clean your teeth. Check that the seal is secure and unbroken. When out on excursions make sure you have a big bottle of water so you don't dehydrate.
Best time to go: During the dry seasons: it's cooler from the end of May to early October, and warmer from late November to early March. We went in November - just out of the rainy season and it was heaven. The Equator runs through Kenya thus the temprature is always around 30 degrees celcius in Mombasa. The great thing is that it's hot without being humid.
In November last year my boyfriend and I stayed at the Severin Sea Lodge for two weeks. We had an all inclusive deal. We knew we wanted Kenya as our destination but weren't sure where to stay. I booked the holiday on line as it saved me quite a lot of cash. With most things they all look great in the pictures but I chose the Severin because they have their own website. I emailed a query and they got back to me in 24 hours which really impressed me. For the two of us, for two weeks, all inclusive (drinks and meals plus a free scuba introduction each) it cost us under 2 grand. Which is amazing for the destination, the duration and the luxury.
The Severin was the most luxurious hotel compared with its piers in the near vacinity. I walked up and down the white sand beach which acts as a natural promenade and none of the other hotels I saw compared with the Severin.
On arrival at the Severin after a 9 hour flight and a tiny bit of jet lag, we were greeted by extremely friendly staff. Our room was still being cleaned so we were offered another room to rest in.
What I loved most about the Severin was that although it was a hotel it felt cosy and warm. Most of the rooms are within circular huts with thatched rooves. Four rooms encompass them. The ground rooms have patios and the second level rooms have balconies.
Our room was basic but stunning. We had a four poster bed with the all important mosquito net, a bathroom which included a shower, toilet and sink. Most importantly (and what we didn't have whilst on safari!) we had hot water everyday and our room was always clean and tidy.
The hotel grounds are gloriously green and tropical and lovely to walk around at night. You also feel safe as there are security guards along the beach wall.
The hotel has two pools, the main pool has a depth of 8 feet, a smaller pool for the kiddies and a water slide. Sun bathing was heavenly as the hotel benefits from a cooling sea breeze so you never feel like you're being boiled alive! Although my toe nail varnish had a habit of melting!
I was worried I'd be a little bored during the two weeks as I'd only ever been away for a week before but I couldn't be more wrong. Severin has a great animation team who cajoole you daily into water aerobics, African arrow shooting, shuffleboard and dart tournaments. Plus there are excursions which are well worth it.
Severin also has a brilliantly qualified watersports team. I decided to give scuba diving a go and was trained in the pool for a couple of hours and then went diving in the coral reef the next day. I'm a confident swimmer but was quite hesitant about scuba diving but the PADI qualified instructor was so encouraging and swam by my side throughout the dive.
There are plenty of places to eat on the hotel premises but our favourite was the Flame Tree Grill which made pizzas the Italian way and you sat outside under the most breathtaking foliage.
The Severin had daily evening entertainment and I recommend going to the Swing Bar for a couple of night caps. The Swing BAr is a fabulous round, thatched roof building with swings for seats overlooking the coral reef.
My boyfriend and I had an unforgettable time at the Severin and would recoomend staying there without hesitation. The Severin is a friendly, relaxing, tropical gem in Mombasa.
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Quality of Food & Drink
Good
Cleanliness
Good
Family Friendly
Good
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