Lonely Planet East Africa (Paperback)

~ (Author), Nick Ray (Author), T. Parkinson (Author) "East Africa's valleys, plains and highlands have one of the world's longest documented human histories..." (more)
Key Phrases: new taxi park, old taxi park, bandas per person, East Africa, Getting There, Guest House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

Considered the Bible of East African travel, this LP guide offers useful critiques of places to eat and stay--from camping and cooking your own grub to offerings in high-end hotels; advises you on how to choose an organized safari or plan your own; provides national park essentials; offers details on Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya treks; and will get you interacting with the locals by way of its helpful Swahili language section. With useful background on the region's diverse people, cultures, and politics, the book also contains an excellent 32-page color wildlife guide with creatures ranging from bongos to baboons. --Kathryn True --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

Best for curious and independent-minded travelers' --Wall Street Journal
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 6th edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740591313
• ISBN-13: 978-1740591317
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #776,946 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute necessity for travellers to east Africa, March 4, 2001

By	Gerrit Ruitinga "gerrit ruitinga" (Antwerp) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lonely Planet East Africa, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

There are many places in the world you can travel to without a Lonly Planet. East Africa is not part of that. East Africa is no doubt one of the most beautiful parts of the world but travelling and getting around here is not easy at all and has many "dangers" one should be aware of.

There are many ways to do it. You can go on an all organised expensive safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Even then I would think you would like to see some of the places outside the parks like Nairobi or Arusha.

The best way to do it is to travel by yourself. I have done it a couple of times now and find that all the organization by travel agents does not make up for the flexibility you have when you do it yourself. I have been in bad weather conditions necessitating an immediate change of plans. I have been so overwhelmed by the beauty of the Serengeti that I decided on the spot to stay longer. I have been so disgusted by some hotels I prebooked that I decided instantly to look for another one.

This book gives excellent and absolutely necessary guidance to do so. The getting around sections are good and up to date and, believe me, without it you will not find your way out of, e.g.Arusha on a bus to Nairobi. Local assistance is difficult to find.

Booking hotels in countries like Tanzania is not like we are used in the rest of the world. In most of the parks you have one or two lodges and if they are full you are outside; not a nice pprospect when you are right in the middle of the animals. The pricing information is fair and, again, you have to do some planning given the huge differences in prices between hotels.If you plan to stay in the Rhino lodge in the Ngorogoro Crater and the only open one is the Sopa, it will set you back at least an additional $100.

All the "facts for visitors" in particular the medical sections are good and should be read carefully. They can keep you from very annoying situations.

The safari sections are good and provide an abundance of companies you can organise your own tours with. They can be checked out in advance. The best way to do it however, if you have time, is to spend a few days in Nairobi or Arusha and compare the offers of the various companies and talk to the owners to see what they provide. You will be amazed how good and cheap these local operators are. A further advantage is that they go off the beaten track, so that you are not having a situation where eleven Volkswagen busses are in a circle around a sleeping lion.

For those reallly into it, try out camping in the Serengeti or Arusha. You will find yourself one with nature and, allthough there are no fences and you should keep a good fire going, relatively safe.

For those less adventurous and on a more tight schedule, the Guide still contains such a wealth of information and little sections on 'nice to knows' that it is well worth the investment.

If I would be allowed to advise I would prefer the Tanzanian side to the Kenyan side for going on safari. It is definitely more beautiful ond not half as busy.

Finally, I will never forget the images I took away from this part of the world. Cheeta's running through the grasslands in chase of prey. Lion mothers tending their cubs, the vast herds of wildebeest, the zebra's, giraffes peeping curiously through the leaves at your car and the wonderful sunsets sitting at a campfire and reflecting and the beauty of creation.

I hope you will enjoy your trip.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave home (for East Africa) without this book!, January 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet East Africa (4th ed) (Paperback)

I have lived and worked in Africa for 10 years. Loney Planet's East Africa book is "THE BIBLE" of travel in East Africa. You can throw away all the rest of the other travel books for East Africa...this is the one!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only guide to have in East Africa, May 15, 2001

By	Ronald Warninger (Yakima, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lonely Planet East Africa, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I am a solo female traveler who has just spent three months in East Africa. Every traveler I met had this guide. I agree that it is the 'bible' of east africa. Travelling to this area you don't have much of a choice of travel guides and this gives good information on all the little villages, how to get around, how to survive a matatu.... all the visa infomation, cultural information.... everything you need to have an awesome trip.

I also recommend getting the Trekking East Africa guide if you plan on doing any trekking. It goes more in depth then just the East Africa guide and if you find yourself on a mountain you will want a detailed map, which the East Africa guide lacks.