Hi all,

I've been given an opportunity to potentially work for a Safari adventure company based out of Nairobi, Kenya.

I'd potentially spend significant time in Cairo, possibly even Jordan. I'd also potentially have a mandate to develop tour packages by visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.

Clearly, I'm doing my due diligence. I figured I'd post this as a general topic to gather some insights/thoughts from people who work in the industry, have spent significant time in Africa and/or who have experience living/hunting in Africa.

I'm also interested in developing potential contacts should I accept this opportunity.

Any hunting opportunities that I should look into (aside from Kenya-which has no hunting to my knowledge)? Importing rifles into Kenya?

Any thoughts on living in Nairobi or Cairo? Any thoughts/insights into living in Africa for 1-2 years? Anything I may want to consider given any of your experiences? Any African business insights/thoughts to share?

I'd appreciate P.M.s but please feel free to post here.

Thanks,
CL

Remember baksheesh or greasing palms is de rigour.

Thanks, good tip- I'm sensitive to that local/regional 'custom'.

My best buddy from Jr. High is a confirmed ex-pat, and has lived all over Europe. He is currently in Kiev, after 3 years in Moscow.

He lived and worked in Nairobi for the UN for three years. Initially, he was very excited about it, but grew to loathe it. Generally, it sucks there, according to him. Bad food, hot as hell in seasons, unable to find reliable domestic help for his family and corruption beyond belief. "The most corrupt place I have lived", says he.

Anti-white too. Example- he won the gross flight championship at Nairobi Country Club one week, only to have a black guy pay off the Men's Club President, who awarded the "trophy" to him- no explanation...nothing....they only told him- you signed up too late for the tournament. Wait, so I sign up, pay, play, win, am declared the winner then 10 minutes later you make up this story about a late sign-up? Show me how I was late? No response/No trophy, no name on the plaque for the year....

He did say most of the caddies were scratch golfers.....

CL,

Have lived in Pretoria, Cape Town, Maseru, Nairobi and Khartoum. Believe a board member lives in Cairo, but haven't seen a post in a while.

Nairobi is not such a bad town, but it's far from my favorite. The food is fine, a number of good restaurants including a very good Italian place right downtown walking distance from the Hilton (you need to be experienced in Nairobi to think of walking even that short distance at night). Nairobi is celebrated for its Indian cuisine if your palate runs that way. But you have crime, lots of people, too many and too many with their hands out... Believe you can do some bird hunting and if you get in with the expat/white Kenyan crowd, some culling of big game. Lots of serious and interesting people in Kenya.

Regards, Tim

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Carney:
... including a very good Italian place right downtown walking distance from the Hilton (you need to be experienced in Nairobi to think of walking even that short distance at night).

I was going to say that too. I remember walking on the actual road at times because the pavement/side walk was too poorly lit and dangerous. And that was only on some main streets.

Never been to Nairobi but had a roommate who was a South African who lived in Kenya and went to school there and loved it, but did speak fluent swahili...
Another mate of mine is an engineer from SA who has done lots of work there and lived in Dar and Nairobi, he likes them both very much..

In my time in Uganda, I met many people who had spent time in Nairobi ranging from a week to months, some more than a year. The opinions, like any large city ran the gamut from those who really loved it like no other to those who would never go back, I guess you will see for yourself!

As for the bribes...well an unfortunate thing BUT in my exprience often being 1) polite and not arrogant and 2) standing your ground can b just as efffective..of course when this doesn't work..

I will always hold off a bribe for as long as possible, as it only deepens the problem and acts like a vicious circle, resulting in more people thinking place XYZ is bad due to bribery. As I sad, it can be unavoidable, but often can be routed...try not feed the beast

Enjoy it!

Thanks for the replies so far...and the p.m.'s

On another forum 'Brad' mentioned that there's someone who posts here that actually lives in Cairo?

Anyways, please keep the comments coming.

I'll let you know how this might develop.
Cheers,
CL

I think John the Greek lives in Cairo, but I have not seen him post here in a while.

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:

As for the bribes...well an unfortunate thing BUT in my exprience often being 1) polite and not arrogant and 2) standing your ground can b just as efffective..of course when this doesn't work..

I will always hold off a bribe for as long as possible, as it only deepens the problem and acts like a vicious circle, resulting in more people thinking place XYZ is bad due to bribery. As I sad, it can be unavoidable, but often can be routed...try not feed the beast

Enjoy it!

+1

The above has worked for my wife and I in over 20 African countries. In places and situations (aggressive checkpoints, border crossings etc) where even most local people handed over baksheesh. Just keep a polite tone, including a friendly smile, and don't show any fear. If they can see you are tense or scared when they try to intimidate you, they will continue doubly so just for the fun of it. A bit of humor directed towards yourself, and never towards them can also help lighten up the tone when things are a bit tense and they seem to be a bit trigger-happy.

As Kayaker said; It's an evil circle, so don't feed the beast. Doing so will only make it worse for the next guy, or even yourself next time you pass that way, or deal with that official.

Being based in Niarobi will at least give you reasonably nearby access to lots of interesting areas within the country itself, and in neighbouring Uganda and Tzn. I'd also suggest you do your best to get to know some local white Kenyans, and not end up just hanging out with other foreigners who are there for only a year or two (which can be an easy rut to end up in).

If I were in your shoes, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I would prefer Nairobi to Cairo, there are just so many options for pleasurable leisure time and travel activities in Kenya that it's a no-brainer for me. I am in Nairobi frequently (plan to go next week in fact) and find the congested rush hour traffic infuriating. As with most African countries the capital is rarely the nicest city in the country. I would much prefer to live in Nakuru for instance, but the infrastructure necessary for professional activities is primarily in the capitals so we are usually stuck with that. Nairobi has a very mild climate so I am surprised that someone thinks it too hot there. Of course I lived 5 years in Djibouti so maybe it's just a personal perception.

If you will be taking up a position with an outfit already well established in Kenya, with a firm footing and a good reputation, then your problems will mostly have solutions. If you are considering breaking new ground and starting up a new business, then your solutions will turn into problems once you get there.

One question I do have is: How much do you know about the income tax and social charges liabilities you will have in Kenya? I might as well add in medical insurance coverage, including international medical evacuation coverage. Chances are your country of origin will want to continue receving income tax payments from you and Kenya will require it as well. It's double tax time. Where (in which country) and in what currency you are paid will have an impact on taxes of course. I advise of course salary or other fee payments in a hard currency, rather than local currency.

Lastly, if you have some sort of retirement plan or social security plan (US style) how much will it cost you to continue it in the new employment context?