Matt definitely assumed his entire life that he would get married in Stockport, so we appreciate that Kenya is an incredibly adventurous place to get married. Naturally we've had some of you ask some questions about travel, logistics, safety, experiences, and general holiday or wedding questions. We thought it would be best to share all FAQs in one place for you, but if you have any more please feel free to ask.

1. Wedding & Lamu FAQs

2. Holiday FAQs

3. General FAQs

1. WEDDING & LAMU FAQs

"For the wedding, where is best to stay?"

M&A: The wedding is happening on Feb 15 @ The Majlis. If you haven't already paid a deposit, the Majlis is now fully booked. However, across the bay there is another hotel called Kijani Hotel (Lamu). If you are interested in booking Feb 13-16 with the hotel then let us know and we will introduce you, as we have agreed a discount for guests.

"How do I get to Lamu?"

M&A: Lamu is a UNESCO protected coastal area of Kenya. It's a short 1-hour flight from both Nairobi Airports. You can book a commercial flight via SkyScanner for around $100 USD. Note that Nairobi has two airports, most go via Wilson Airport but be sure to double check.

We strongly recommend booking these domestic flights within the next few weeks, as spaces are limited and you can only get to Lamu via air.

"What happens when I get to Lamu?"

M&A: Paradise awaits! Lamu arrivals land next to the beautiful white sanded Manda Island. All Majlis guests will be met and taken to the hotel by private boat, please share your flight time with staff. Any other guests will need to request transfers with their hotel.

"Is there any group plans outside of the wedding day?"

M&A: Most of the days we are going to just be going with the flow, but we will be letting you all know our plans with an open invite. We want you to enjoy your holiday how you want so any of the "meets" are optional.

That being said, we are planning a Swahili experience on the 14th evening, so we would definitely love you all to be there.

More details will be included in your welcome packs in your rooms upon arrival.

"What do I wear to the wedding?"

M&A: Coastal smart is the ideal dress code for the wedding. Be as vibrant and out there as you like and feel free to express yourself with colour. Note the wedding will happen on sand so anybody wearing heels may... sink.

2. HOLIDAY FAQs

"Kinda broad, but what should I do in Kenya?"

M&A: Kenya has a vibrant and diverse landscape that creates countless adventures to be explored. Kenya is considered a safe developing nation, and you can feel free to easily travel via road or air to get to multiple locations.

Safari

Of course the #1 thing we would recommend to do is go on an authentic African safari. There are dozens of safaris across Kenya, including the Masai Mara, home to the Big 5. If you haven't already please feel free to let us know if a safari is something you would like to do. We have helped organise over 50 of our guests safaris so far and happy to introduce you to a travel agent specialising in this if it's something you'd be interested in.

Road Trip

There are many road trips across the country that will offer different experiences of terrain and culture, so be sure to do your own research and ask us anything you need. Some of our favourite road trips are from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, where you can book a hotel (or AirBNB) alongside the Lake. Lake Naivasha is home to a variety of wild animals including Hypos, Hyenas, Buffalo, Giraffes, Zebras and more. The drive from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha takes around 2hr30 and has an incredible halfway lookout overlooking the Great Rift Valley, which you should definitely take advantage of!

Coastal

If anybody is looking to do a short trip to the coast ahead of the wedding you could fly to Ukunda or Malindi Airports to enjoy some of the worlds whitest sand and a tropical/coastal relaxed holiday. Some hotspots to stay are Kilifi, Watamu or Diani. Last time we went to Kenya we flew to Ukunda and stayed in Diani (very close), before road-tripping through Kilifi, staying in Watamu and then flying back via Malindi Airport. This is a great option for anybody looking for a half relaxed, half adventurous vibe.

Nairobi

If you'd like to explore Nairobi we recommend doing a half-day trip to the the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you get a tour of their elephant and rhino orphanages and learn more about the wildlife up close and personal. Similarly, the Giraffe Center is a cheaper option where you can meet and feed the giraffes. Whilst not quite as spectacular as the Masai Mara, the Nairobi National Park does offer a day-safari which we'd recommend if you do not have time to go to the Mara or another park. If you're looking to do some shopping, we recommend hitting Village Market, which hosts nice restaurants, boutique Kenyan designer clothes, and most days has a Masai market for you to buy directly from local Kenyans. Our favourite areas to explore are Westlands, Karen, Kilimani and Lavington, which are lively social hubs with regular pop-up markets and events you should check out closer to the time.

"Where would you recommend to eat in Kenya?"

M&A: Kenya has a vibrant and diverse restaurant culture so there are countless restaurants and cafes to choose from. We've included below our absolute favourites from several areas around Kenya.

Nairobi - Cultiva Farm, Talisman, Nairobi Street Kitchen

Watamu - Lichthaus, Tamu Beach Bar & Restaurant (daytime), Ocean Sports

Diani - Ali Barbours Cave Restaurant, The Salty Squid (daytime), Pallet Cafe (daytime), Nomad Beach & Restaurant

3. GENERAL FAQs

"What are some safety tips I need to know?"

M&A: Each country has different vaccination recommendations so be sure to do your own research. We would absolutely recommend you get a Yellow Fever vaccine ahead of travel, as the Kenyan government regularly asks for proof of vaccination.

Plastic bags are forbidden in Kenya, so make sure when you travel you do not bring any into country

Kenya is considered safe for tourists and most locals are incredibly hospitable and helpful. However, as with any country, taking safety precautions (not travelling alone at night, not wearing flashy jewellery or showing cash) is best to avoid unwanted attention.

"How is best to pay in Kenya?"

M&A: Most places in Kenya still prefer cash, though some larger businesses do take cards. On arrival at the airport, we recommend getting a Safaricom SIM card so you have internet access (Wi-Fi isn’t as widely available as at home).

When you purchase your SIM, ask the Safaricom agent to help you set up an M-PESA account. This is Kenya’s main mobile money system, linked to your phone number. Think of it as a mobile bank account: you can deposit cash at thousands of shops, kiosks, and agents across the country, and then use your phone to pay bills, shops, restaurants, or even friends and family. This will make day-to-day payments much easier, especially with smaller businesses that don’t accept cards. Setting this up is very simple and we recommend doing it to save time later on.

"Do I need a VISA?"

M&A: Yes, but please check your respective countries visa requirements. Kenya's e-visa, or electronic travel authorisation (eTA) are typically cheap and easy but we recommend sorting VISAs several weeks before travel. You cannot get a visa upon arrival so make sure you do this in advance.

Wedding

WEDDING INFORMATION