Wilson Nairobi
 

It has been years since I was there. We are flying in to Nairobi at the beginning of August.

What is the state of the Tarmac and ramps these days? In a jet these days, not a prop and don't want to create havoc on the ground either. Appropriate, or best to just land at JK?

Flying club still there? Still a nice bar and restaurant? The pool?

Ok forget this, just found they even have a website!

Carnivore Restaurant still exist?

Finally, if the people paying the bills decide they would like to fly, rather than drive, who is good for getting out to Mara Lodge. They are 2 adults and two children...too much baggage, but I will try and limit that for the trip....

Looking forward to this again!

Wilson sports regular movements of Canadair RJ's as well as Citations amongst other things. Aero Club of East Africa is still there and a delightful spot to enjoy a few or more. Restaurant is good, nice burgers and the pool's fine.

Oh good..... That is great news!

"Air Kenya" was the recommendation I got for flying to the Masai-Mara. That was from a friend who has flown in both the US & Kenya...they are now flying for an Asian carrier. They were born in Nairobi.

Are you an ex "beechboy" from Aviation Assistance DK.

How is the Aero Club's overnight accomodation/rooming ?
Anyone stayed there lately ?

Carnivore is still going but they are now limited to serving farm raised animals so nothing really exotict. Beef, pork, chicken, lamb, ostrich and crocodile.

They looked old and small...BUT, I only looked at them from the outside...they may be nicer inside.

The location is good: Near Nairobi nat'l park (where you drive in to the unfenced park, or walk thru the zoo/animal park), the Giraffe Center where u can feed the giraffes, and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where u can watch them feed the baby elephants (there was also a baby rhino when I was there).

The most popular meat for the locals at Carnivore was the exotic Turkey. I thought it was a waste of (our company's) money.

And I used to hate the way they stuck their hands (oops! feathers) into your trousers to grab your attention! Naughty little turkeys!

So so sad to hear that bushmeat is off the menu in Carnivores though, what a wasted opportunity. The soft voice behind you saying "Masa like kudu?", "Masa like gazelle?", "Masa like giraffe?" was what that place was all about.

What went wrong? Political dictatorness I expect. :ugh:

Great to know that you're coming in style and in a jet!!

For the record, Wilson is pretty much the same - just more congested and chaotic. Approach point is still the monastery (although its location seems to vary company to company). Tower frequency is 118.1 and a new ground frequency is 121.90 - as you clear the active.

You have to clear through customs (inbound and outbound) so as the Wilson 'terminal' has been split into two - departures at one end, and arrivals at the other. And inbetween is all the parking area for the various schedule airlines (Safarilink etc) and moving around the apron is all the non-scheduled and training traffic. It is quite an experience for the unwary. Routing under a Fokker wing and over a Bonanza, behind a Dash and around a Caravan or ten! Also several areas of rough tarmac and potholes on the runway and on the apron. Worth maneuvring around to avoid ingesting in your engines.

Aeroclub is fairly dynamic and have rooms to hire. Basic and small but clean, convenient and presentable. Restuarant and bar in full swing at lunch and evenings. Manager there is Anthea Bwye and the numbers are on the website if you need to contact them.

Carnivore is more or less the same except the game meat is missing. Always thought it was a bit odd that tourists would come, see the animals, film the animals and then eat the animals!! Carnivore was hit by the government moratorium on game culling - its hit the ranchers hard too as they can't control the wildilfe on their properties and get hammered with arrest/fines if 'caught' with any kills in their freezers!?!

Traffic is the biggest recent change. Its a nightmare. Getting anywhere takes literally hours at the wrong time of day - which is basically all day every day. If you don't have to move around the city, don't! Save yourself a lot of hassle and stress. Taxis have also moved into Wilson - so just outside the arrivals is a taxi rank of yellow taxis or Ke-Ray who are reasonable.

Getting fuel can be a test in patience depending on the demand at that time of day - so allow time to get it organised. If you're in a jet I'm guessing you'll use someone like Phoenix as an FBO - they're right on the main apron so will have all the contacts and help you'll need.

Good flight and Karibu!

Just to add to the last post...

JK is just as bureaucratic and tedious to deal with. It all depends on what you or the pax are planning to do when you arrive. Refuel and leave again asap - use JK or local sightseeing - use Wilson.

Getting to the Mara should be easy enough. There's enough schedule airlines operating there - lots of good, bad and indifferent operators. Same for the charter operators - some good and proficient, some just learning, and others with just a shiny coat of paint.

The 'big' charter operators are Boskys, East African and in third place Yellow Wings. They all have Caravans and C206's - Bosky and East African both have twin turboprops as well for VIPs.

It is pretty busy with the migration out in the Mara, so hotel bookings might be more of an issue than a seat or four on a flight. Don't leave things to the last minute - rooms and seats are a priority at the moment.

Are Wilcon Air still operating @ Wilson or are they ancient history now?

Webcam here (updated about every 5 minute),

Wilson Airport Webcam, Nairobi

Expanding on a couple of points....

Taxis:
They don't have meters. If you want a lower fare, negotiate.

If you take one from the airport, or hotel, I would feel safe. Get the driver's number, and if you are in the city, at a restaurant, etc., call the driver. Either he will pick you, or he will call a friend to pick you. Do NOT get into a strange taxi at night, unless you are an "established" location (like a hotel). Having a driver's number (or two) is a very good idea.

Traffic:
If you drive from downtown to the Jomo Kenyatta airport, at around 3AM, it will take about 15 minutes. If you do the same drive, during very bad rush hour traffic, it could realistically take 4 hours. Wilson is very close to downtown and most sights. JK (the big intntl airport) is not.

Keep your head on a swivel when flying into Wilson. During daytime hours, there is always a lot of traffic in the pattern. Also - be sure to get a briefing from someone with local knowledge about the departure procedures out of there, as it doesn't show up on Jepp charts.

I have stayed at the Aero Club several times in the past two years. They have a new wing to their hotel area; the rooms are nicer than the old wing. However they are not luxurious so depending on what your customers want, you may need to look elsewhere. The food at the Aero Club is pretty decent, and the place just exudes character. There is wireless in the dining area/clubhouse.

The Aero Club accommodation is still very reasonably priced , and with the convenience for many of us as actually being next to the apron , is unbeatable . My camp even have their office in the Aero Club car park .
There are cheap backpacker lodgings around , but the traffic and cost of two taxis make them not so doable .