On the road during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic
March 22, 2020
I am a long-term low-budget traveller backpacker. I'm on the road but am currently going no-where. I am self-isolating.
I am in Naivasha, 60 miles north of Nairobi. I have to be somewhere. Running home ain't an option so here is a good a place as any.
Naivasha is at 2000m asl. The climate is great. Warm to hot sun, especially in the afternoons, but evenings are cool. Mornings are delightful. I sleep well.
I have visited the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Where I made a self-guided walking safari alone. Contact with others was very minimal. I took a moto-taxi known as a boda-boda to get there.
I am in Naivasha, 60 miles north of Nairobi. I have to be somewhere. Running home ain't an option so here is a good a place as any.
Naivasha is at 2000m asl. The climate is great. Warm to hot sun, especially in the afternoons, but evenings are cool. Mornings are delightful. I sleep well.
I have visited the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Where I made a self-guided walking safari alone. Contact with others was very minimal. I took a moto-taxi known as a boda-boda to get there.
I also went hippo spotting. And walked the 7km back to town.
I flew out of Cote d'Ivoire before the country shut down its borders and stopped all flights in and out and got into Kenya before they stoped all non-residents from entering. This wasn't planned. I was quitting West Africa for other reasons. I thank my lucky stars that I was not stuck in some God Forsaken hole in West Africa paying 100$ a night for a crappy room. Some travellers are on hold in Cameroon, Angola, Gabon. All going nowhere. Most are overlanders. Most backpackers have blitzed there way through numerous countries and taken the last flights out, back to family and friends.
I am paying 1000KHS (10USD) a night for a bed in a 5-bed treehouse dorm at the Naivasha Treehouse which is part of Jane Guest House. I have been here a week and have already reserved 5 more nights. I initially asked for a discount but as they had a booking for the treehouse, later on, they could upgrade me for 2 nights for the same price but the booking was cancelled. I did not think it appropriate to ask again. They are struggling too from the downturn in domestic and foreign visitors. 10 bucks a night, alone in a treehouse with a fantastic breakfast included, asking for a discount is kinda rude. I know I am a cheapskate, but am not an asshole though plenty may disagree.
I am paying 1000KHS (10USD) a night for a bed in a 5-bed treehouse dorm at the Naivasha Treehouse which is part of Jane Guest House. I have been here a week and have already reserved 5 more nights. I initially asked for a discount but as they had a booking for the treehouse, later on, they could upgrade me for 2 nights for the same price but the booking was cancelled. I did not think it appropriate to ask again. They are struggling too from the downturn in domestic and foreign visitors. 10 bucks a night, alone in a treehouse with a fantastic breakfast included, asking for a discount is kinda rude. I know I am a cheapskate, but am not an asshole though plenty may disagree.
Breakfast is included. I eat well.
I am eating 1 other meal a day at the same local restaurant in town, the Hot Plate restaurant. The Kenya staple of Ugali and Sukuma Wiki cost just 60KSH (60US cents). Around 7 pm I enjoy a single beer.
I get a daily temperature check. I feel healthy. I am self-isolating as it's the right thing to do. I don't want to be seen as reckless. I am on the road as I don't have anywhere to run to.
Kenya is doing a good job of containing the spread. There are only 7 reported cases and 0 deaths. They are very conscious here. Guys with bottles are spraying the minibus door handles and boot catches and internal handrails. They are running buses at half capacity. Hand washing stations are everywhere. Everyone is doing their bit. Schools have closed down.
And what now? I am riding out the storm. There is no other option.
In theory, I can extend my visa easily. I can do this in Nakuru, 50 miles up the road. They add 60 or 90 days onto to my initial 30-day visa so this is one less thing to worry about. I think next weekend I will make a move. Nakuru. There is a backpackers there. I will see if they are still open for business. Just north of town is the Menengai Crater. You can walk up.
After that, I will play it by ear but I think I will head down to the Swahili Coast.
The plan when all this dies down is to continue to Uganda and onto Rwanda who are in the processes of closing down their borders.
Kenya is doing a good job of containing the spread. There are only 7 reported cases and 0 deaths. They are very conscious here. Guys with bottles are spraying the minibus door handles and boot catches and internal handrails. They are running buses at half capacity. Hand washing stations are everywhere. Everyone is doing their bit. Schools have closed down.
And what now? I am riding out the storm. There is no other option.
In theory, I can extend my visa easily. I can do this in Nakuru, 50 miles up the road. They add 60 or 90 days onto to my initial 30-day visa so this is one less thing to worry about. I think next weekend I will make a move. Nakuru. There is a backpackers there. I will see if they are still open for business. Just north of town is the Menengai Crater. You can walk up.
After that, I will play it by ear but I think I will head down to the Swahili Coast.
The plan when all this dies down is to continue to Uganda and onto Rwanda who are in the processes of closing down their borders.
