Watamu with Tony Manero

Hello to everyone who is going to Kenya. I have read the previous diaries and I can only confirm it: Kenya is beautiful. We were there for just one week so we didn't want to miss a moment; so I trusted the various comments and blogs around and I found the name of Tony Manero on two different websites. I wrote an email to Tony Manero, he replied and sent me his mobile number so I could talk to him and organise the excursions before leaving. To be honest I was worried, a much-desired holiday was at stake! Once we arrived in Mombasa we were immediately welcomed by the very kind staff of the tour operator; on the way they listed the safaris they offered, and at the end of the journey they warned us about the beach boys.

On arrival at the hotel (Aquarius Beach Resort, beautiful, everything perfect, the entertainment a bit less so) a short briefing again with warnings about unofficial safaris, etc… sure! From outside the beach boys called to us to sell us the various excursions; once they know you have already organised with one of them, you are, let's say, a brother to them. So I met Tony at the agreed time and he confirmed the departure for the 2-night, 3-day safari on the date I requested; I gave him a deposit and the next day we were on the road towards Amboseli: stunning, we slept in a family tent (1 double bed + 2 single beds) (we are a family), with all the facilities. The next day Tsavo East, more beautiful landscapes, the stunning hotel with a view over the park and facing a waterhole where the animals came.

Over these three days we saw so many animals; both in Amboseli and in Tsavo East we were very close to lions and lionesses, elephants, giraffes, etc… It is hard to describe what you feel in those moments, and each person probably feels it differently; you have to experience them to understand. No text or photograph can convey the sensation you get just from seeing Kilimanjaro early in the morning. (In the agreed safari package everything is included except drinks: it is about 2€ for a coke, 3€ for a beer at the table, and you pay in shillings; in Watamu the euro is accepted by everyone.) The following days we went on the blue safari (in the price everything is included, drinks too, and the loan of snorkelling masks). On Tony's advice we went to the mangroves and not to Sardegna 2, because of the tide we wouldn't have been able to enjoy it properly that day.

Tony also accompanied us for some shopping, taking us to places he knew, he also went with me to the bank, he got us the vehicle and accompanied us with his presence to go and have a drink one evening in Malindi; these are places without problems but it is better to be accompanied. One important thing: don't give money or sweets to the children, no money to be sure it isn't used for begging on behalf of others, no sweets for their teeth; better to buy rice in the village, or bring clothes we no longer use, sandals, t-shirts, pens, rubbers. We brought some Bic pens, some clothes, shoes, etc… tips are truly welcome in the hotel and everywhere.

So: Kenya is beautiful, I recommend Watamu, the Beach Boys are good people, organised, very professional (when a client has been entrusted to another beach boy, the first checks every day that everything is fine), they work for agencies with insurance, they all know one another and take great care of their clients. Tony was truly close to us and our travel companions; on safari he did everything to please all of us, his concern is to satisfy the client in every possible way, he behaved like a friend, and whatever happens, the answer is hakuna matata. Here is his email: tony_m85@yahoo.com and his website His phone number: +254****2362