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Wildlife viewing may be your top agenda during your Kenya safari but it is important that you are well prepared on how to use a pit latrine which you will encounter in the course of your safari.
The layout and practicalities of a pit latrines give many visitors from 1st world countries a cultural shock. It doesnt matter if you are on a cheap camping safari or top of the range luxury safari as long as your Kenyan wildlife safari involves road travel count on it you will probably need to use a pit latrine. So its best to know before you go.
What are pit latrines They are small sheds with wooden or concrete walls and same materials are used for the floor which is constructed over a shallow hole.
There is a rectangular aperture in the middle over which you squat or stand with one leg on each side of the hole. Neither of these two choices are easy for first time users and especially for children the elderly or safari travelers with serious weight issues.
Ventilation is normally poor in the latrine resulting to a buildup of pungent odors which can easily knock you down. Another nuisance will be from flies which are attracted by the content in the shallow holes.
Most Kenya safaris start from Nairobi heading to either Masai Mara Great Rift Valley Amboseli Tsavo or Samburu via the Aberdares and Mt. Kenya regions. All along these safari routes there are various latrine stops which are too many to list in this article.
For Kenya safaris heading in the Rift Valley the pit latrines at the View Point on the escarpment call for a special mention as they hang precariously on stilts at the very edge of the Great Rift valley. But they give you the best views of the expansive floor of the valley below which hopefully compensates for the fear of using the fragile structures.
Pit latrines are built and maintained by souvenir shop owners who use them as bait for attracting tourists. The arrangement though not obvious to tourists is a winwin for the curio shop owners and safari drivers who get a commission every time they make a stop at the shop.
The downside is that your Kenya safari driver may stop in every souvenir shop on the way all in the pretense of giving you an opportunity to use the toilet but in truth he is looking for his commission.
Have in mind that pit latrines are provided more as a courtesy rather than as a strict hospitality item so their hygiene may not measure up to that of the safari lodge.
5 easy to follow tips on how to use a pit latrine:
1. Use the toilets in your hotel before you start off for long Kenya safari drives. This way you may be able to hold on until you get to the next lodge or keep your visit to the pit latrines to the minimum.
2. Be as comfortable as possible when using the pit latrine. Therefore hand over your bags and jackets to people traveling with you on the Kenyan safari. Be careful not to leave your belongings unattended.
3. Whatever contraption has been put up as a door latch give it a test and hook it up properly. You cant afford to have the door flying open halfway your operations!
4. Carry your own toilet paper. Though some curio shops along the Kenya safari routes provide toilet paper it is not guaranteed. No harm in realizing that you didnt need it than needing it and you dont have it.
5. Finally after using the pit latrine wash your hands thoroughly preferably with liquid soap. There may be a running tap or a water tank outside the toilet if not use your bottled water. Where a bar soap is provided use it only if there is a good supply of tap water remember a bar soap can be a good depository for germs.
All done and ready to move on with your Kenya safari Not so quick before posing for a picture outside the pit latrine this will be one photo that will show that you were truly there and did that!
Anne Huysman is the coowner of Ontdek Kenya an Wildlife Safari operator based in Kenya. With 13 yrs experience her specialty is in guided walking tours bird watching tours and responsible wildlife safaris away from mass tourism. For a free consultation on your Kenya safari and for inspiring onsafari photos that give you a glimpse of the tours please go to: => http://www.ontdekkenyasafaris.com/Africanwildlife.html Tags: two choices masai mara concrete walls souvenir shop road travel great rift valley mt kenya
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_889065_29.html
Occupation: Safaris Operator Ive been a safaris operator for the last 13 yrs (and Im still on the job). Im based in Nyeri in central Kenya. My specialty is walking safaris and bird watching tours these two are my personal hobbies so my work & my life mix so well and I enjoy it.
Game viewing is also very important to me but I go for the responsible approach to wildlife viewing rather than seeing the most game in disregard of nature. All my wildlife safaris have some walks scheduled in so that clients are not cooped up in the safari bus throughout their travel.
Im very much attracted to game viewing walks in small national parks & private game conservancies which are not visited by mass tourism but they have a lot of easy to see plains game such as giraffes zebras and gazelles.
Besides the mixed groups tours I offer womenonly tours specifically designed for adventure (active) women travelers who want an alternative style of travel to Kenya other than the vehicle confined package tours.
Last but not least Im a mother of 2 children under 12 whom are often on safari with me and this gives me a better appreciation and understanding of what to consider in designing family safaris in Kenya. http://www.ontdekkenyasafaris.com