Kenya Safari ?
Discussion
Anyone been and have any tips/hints you'd care to share ?
Its a big Birthday for my wife next year so though about doing this to celebrate. Her Birthday is in September which seems to coincide nicely with the grand migration ?
I also absolutely, definitely, want to stay in the Giraffe Hotel http://www.giraffemanor.com/
..How cool would that be to wake up with a giraffe sticking its head in your room ?
Only thing is - I don't have a clue who's good/bad in terms of companies/guides ? Has anyone got any recommendations of people who I should talk to to create an itinerary ?
Cheers
Its a big Birthday for my wife next year so though about doing this to celebrate. Her Birthday is in September which seems to coincide nicely with the grand migration ?
I also absolutely, definitely, want to stay in the Giraffe Hotel http://www.giraffemanor.com/
..How cool would that be to wake up with a giraffe sticking its head in your room ?
Only thing is - I don't have a clue who's good/bad in terms of companies/guides ? Has anyone got any recommendations of people who I should talk to to create an itinerary ?
Cheers
Only been to Tanzania on Safari in that part of Africa, but it was incredible, truly incredible. The Serengeti was outstanding, Ngorogoro crater like nothing I have ever witnessed and the places to stay are beautiful. Only problem with Tanzania was that you had to connext through Nairobi which was ok, but made for a long day. I cannot compare with Kenya, but our pictures look better than the ones I saw when we went to Monbassa and compared notes (Wish we had stayed in Tanzania as I preferred the people)
We used Kate at Inspried travel, gave her a budget and she sorted us out really well.
We used Kate at Inspried travel, gave her a budget and she sorted us out really well.
Giraffe Manor is great, although I'd recommend a stay in a tree house at Ngong House http://www.ngonghouse.com/homepage.php.
As said though there's tons of stuff on here in you search around. What kind of budget do you have?
As said though there's tons of stuff on here in you search around. What kind of budget do you have?
I've done it, for a weeks safari in Kenya with a couple of days either side in Mombassa. I would highly recommend the experience and would have liked to have done longer on the safari, may'be 10 days.
I went with Thomson and everything was top quality. Lots of information available on the net.
I went with Thomson and everything was top quality. Lots of information available on the net.
Rouleur said:
Giraffe Manor is great, although I'd recommend a stay in a tree house at Ngong House http://www.ngonghouse.com/homepage.php.
As said though there's tons of stuff on here in you search around. What kind of budget do you have?
Budget's not important really. I'm more interested in finding a firm that can make an itinerary around - "I would like to stay here, here, do that and that" (etc)...Those tree houses look awesome, will definitely look at staying there too...As said though there's tons of stuff on here in you search around. What kind of budget do you have?
Blimey there's a lot of research to do...
My Wife's birthday is 5th Sept so do you think it's going to be properly busy in Kenya at that time (because of the migration) and maybe we should forget Kenya and go somewhere else ? I've not a clue about this sort of holiday hence looking for someone who can put it all together for us...
Many thanks for your replies - its good to get other people's ideas and experiences
Cheers
Paddy and Sarah at http://www.timefortravel.co.uk/ are the best in the business. Give preferably Paddy a call and you'll get some great advice. Carrier are also very good http://www.carrier.co.uk/#/home
Some places I've stayed that are worth a look, but bear in mind that it will get very expensive:
Loldia House
Mfangano Island Camp
Il Moran
Governor's Camp
Little Governor's Camp
These can all be found here http://www.governorscamp.com/
Kenya is a fabulous country, I promise you won't want to come back!
Some places I've stayed that are worth a look, but bear in mind that it will get very expensive:
Loldia House
Mfangano Island Camp
Il Moran
Governor's Camp
Little Governor's Camp
These can all be found here http://www.governorscamp.com/
Kenya is a fabulous country, I promise you won't want to come back!
The jiffle king said:
Only been to Tanzania on Safari in that part of Africa, but it was incredible, truly incredible. The Serengeti was outstanding, Ngorogoro crater like nothing I have ever witnessed and the places to stay are beautiful. Only problem with Tanzania was that you had to connext through Nairobi which was ok, but made for a long day. I cannot compare with Kenya, but our pictures look better than the ones I saw when we went to Monbassa and compared notes (Wish we had stayed in Tanzania as I preferred the people)
We used Kate at Inspried travel, gave her a budget and she sorted us out really well.
Not done Kenya but did Tanzania in Sept two years ago...did the Northern Circuit of parks and had a fantastic time. Best mate's parents go to Kenya regularly and when they saw our photos they were gobsmacked - couldn't believe how much we'd seen! (Although I think there may have been SOME luck in that)We used Kate at Inspried travel, gave her a budget and she sorted us out really well.
BTW, we flew with KLM via A'dam, which was probably better than a Nairobi connection (and meant we could go from B'ham not London), but sadly KLM aren't a first-rate airline. Better than Kenya Air though...
Because it's not the Great Migration in TZ in Sept, we also had a MUCH quieter time (in terms of other tourists), which made it more personal, I think. Ngorongoro aside (where we often saw 3 or 4 other jeeps around because it's small) the only time it got properly, circus-style busy was with ~15-20 jeeps in the S'geti around a cheetah chase-and-kill - peak time apparently would have been ~50 jostling each other, and 15-20 would be normal for any predators!) In the northern S'geti we had the leopard to ourselves for most of 2 hours, and even the pride of lions in the central S'geti only had 4 or 5 jeeps there at any one time.
So unless you both absolutely HAVE to see the Great Migration, consider doing TZ instead - you WILL still see lots of animals (elephants are in Tarangire in September), and you WILL still see predators with kills (making one too, if you're moderately lucky - we saw 2x in 5/6 days, and two prides of lions immediately post-kill). And you'll probably pay less for a more personal experience...
Our photos are here, but also search for Fezant Pluckah's, which are better.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/martin-w/Ho...
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/martin-w/Ho...
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/martin-w/Ho...
Is that another £10 I owe you, Martin? 
May I suggest that if you want to go the Masai Mara, juice, that you consider the Kicheche Bush Camp. It is situataed in a private conservancy just to the north of the Mara called Olare Orok. The good thing about it? There's only 3 camps in it, and the peasants staying in the Mara can't enter, but you can go to the Mara. It also only has 6 tents, not 17 like "Little" (eh!) Governor's or 37 like their other main camp. We had fantastic big cat viewing up there (including leopards!) and there's heaps of wildebeesties, giraffe, hephalumps etc there also. It's also quite close to one of the main crossings on the Talek River and not far from the main crossing on the Mara also.
There are never more than 4 to a vehicle, and if you're lucky you may get one to yourselves! You also don't go back to camp for breakfast. You take it with you and usually for the Mara you're out for the whole day and take lunch too. It means you really maximise your time there.
We also spent 5 nights at their camp in Ol Pejata, which is great for rhinos and incredible views of Mt Kenya at dawn:
Again, only 6 tents.
If you rummage back through my history to Oct 2010 you'll find three posts in the photography section with my piccies in.
We also went to Giraffe Manor. Tis expensive, but pretty unique I'd say, and to hand feed giraffes through your bedroom window is an experience you'll never forget!
Would be happy to point you in the right direction....
HTHs!
May I suggest that if you want to go the Masai Mara, juice, that you consider the Kicheche Bush Camp. It is situataed in a private conservancy just to the north of the Mara called Olare Orok. The good thing about it? There's only 3 camps in it, and the peasants staying in the Mara can't enter, but you can go to the Mara. It also only has 6 tents, not 17 like "Little" (eh!) Governor's or 37 like their other main camp. We had fantastic big cat viewing up there (including leopards!) and there's heaps of wildebeesties, giraffe, hephalumps etc there also. It's also quite close to one of the main crossings on the Talek River and not far from the main crossing on the Mara also.
There are never more than 4 to a vehicle, and if you're lucky you may get one to yourselves! You also don't go back to camp for breakfast. You take it with you and usually for the Mara you're out for the whole day and take lunch too. It means you really maximise your time there.
We also spent 5 nights at their camp in Ol Pejata, which is great for rhinos and incredible views of Mt Kenya at dawn:
Again, only 6 tents.
If you rummage back through my history to Oct 2010 you'll find three posts in the photography section with my piccies in.
We also went to Giraffe Manor. Tis expensive, but pretty unique I'd say, and to hand feed giraffes through your bedroom window is an experience you'll never forget!
Would be happy to point you in the right direction....
HTHs!
Thanks guys for all the pointers, there's a lot to read / research ! The difficulty I suppose is narrowing down exactly what you want to do... I for example want to do the Giraffe Hotel, a camp, the tree house looks good also but I've not a clue if it's feasible nor if they are remotely close to each other - which would mean lots of travelling between sites...not my idea of fun, would rather either be chilling or out looking at animals...
Soon as my step daughter leaves tomorrow back to the UK, I'll be doing some serious research and will deffo come back with some Q's if you don't mind ?
Soon as my step daughter leaves tomorrow back to the UK, I'll be doing some serious research and will deffo come back with some Q's if you don't mind ?
Re the logistics, the best thing first off is look at some samples online such as going to www.carrier.co.uk - Destinations - Kenya & Rwanda - Accomodation
or http://www.timefortravel.co.uk/2009_Sample_Itinera...
There's some sample itineraries in there to get you started, plus more elsewhere. It's a minefield so after that you really need to speak to a specialist agent or tour op. You can copy other people's holidays but the time of year and other factors are important to bear in mind.
or http://www.timefortravel.co.uk/2009_Sample_Itinera...
There's some sample itineraries in there to get you started, plus more elsewhere. It's a minefield so after that you really need to speak to a specialist agent or tour op. You can copy other people's holidays but the time of year and other factors are important to bear in mind.
I'll do my usual safari post - get out of the jeep and do a walking safari.
Done three. Being in the bush is so much better than watching a documentary of a safari through the windows of your defender. You can watch the animals from up on high, or be on the ground, dodging dug, picking through the bushes, never knowing what you'll find....
DO IT!
(there are a number of small game parks where you can do walking safaris - typically those w/out hippos / lions. Most other animals will avoid you).
Probably the most amasing experience of my life was walking through the bush near lake naivasha at sunset, with giraffe and zebra galloping alongside in the red sun like ponies in the New Forest. Unforgetable.
Done three. Being in the bush is so much better than watching a documentary of a safari through the windows of your defender. You can watch the animals from up on high, or be on the ground, dodging dug, picking through the bushes, never knowing what you'll find....
DO IT!
(there are a number of small game parks where you can do walking safaris - typically those w/out hippos / lions. Most other animals will avoid you).
Probably the most amasing experience of my life was walking through the bush near lake naivasha at sunset, with giraffe and zebra galloping alongside in the red sun like ponies in the New Forest. Unforgetable.
I got a suggested itinerary from the tour organisers - would love to know your thoughts (good or bad 
)
31st August
Fly London Heathrow to Nairobi on a BA day flight. On arrival we would arrange for you to be met and transferred to a good property.
1st to 3rd September – Laikipia
To create a diverse itinerary it is good to combine an area with lots of game with an area which has less game, but a wider variety of activities. I have suggested that they start their trip at a lovely owner run property called Ol Malo Although there isn't as much game in this area there are so many different activities on offer from game drives, walking safaris, camel safaris, horse riding safaris, cultural visits to local Samburu villages. This property is run by the Francombe family who are old African hands and they are real characters. They are really interesting to talk to about Kenya, its people and wildlife. They often get people go back year upon year, which is always the sign of a good property.
4th to 6th September - Masai Mara[
The Masai Mara is a classic safari destination, and although nothing can be guaranteed you will get some good sightings as they have a good concentration of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah as well as a variety of plains camp. The properties in the Mara are almost all tented so they leave as little impact on the ecosystem as possible. Here I have suggested a lovely tented camp called Kicheche Bush Camp, which has an excellent standard of accommodation and guiding.
7th September – Giraffe Manor
You could then finish with time at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.
8th September
Today you would have a vehicle and driver at your disposal to explore Nairobi before heading to the international airport for your British Airways flight to London Heathrow.
9th September
Arrive early at London Heathrow.
)31st August
Fly London Heathrow to Nairobi on a BA day flight. On arrival we would arrange for you to be met and transferred to a good property.
1st to 3rd September – Laikipia
To create a diverse itinerary it is good to combine an area with lots of game with an area which has less game, but a wider variety of activities. I have suggested that they start their trip at a lovely owner run property called Ol Malo Although there isn't as much game in this area there are so many different activities on offer from game drives, walking safaris, camel safaris, horse riding safaris, cultural visits to local Samburu villages. This property is run by the Francombe family who are old African hands and they are real characters. They are really interesting to talk to about Kenya, its people and wildlife. They often get people go back year upon year, which is always the sign of a good property.
4th to 6th September - Masai Mara[
The Masai Mara is a classic safari destination, and although nothing can be guaranteed you will get some good sightings as they have a good concentration of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah as well as a variety of plains camp. The properties in the Mara are almost all tented so they leave as little impact on the ecosystem as possible. Here I have suggested a lovely tented camp called Kicheche Bush Camp, which has an excellent standard of accommodation and guiding.
7th September – Giraffe Manor
You could then finish with time at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.
8th September
Today you would have a vehicle and driver at your disposal to explore Nairobi before heading to the international airport for your British Airways flight to London Heathrow.
9th September
Arrive early at London Heathrow.
If our experiences in TZ are anything to go by:-
- the "cultural activities" are often faked set-ups to drag tourists in who then feel pushed/compelled to spend money.
- the "walking safari" may turn out to be a complete waste of time - do a lot of research on TA and Fodors first. Also bear in mind that you'll be walking in 30-degree heat probably in direct sunlight...on our trip, the sister-in-law got heat-stroke from the walking safari and fainted by the hippos the next day in Lake Manyara park, wasn't 100% for 2 days.
I would certainly say you don't need to spend 3 days doing "cultural stuff" - that just looks like a filler so they can save money on park fees etc.
If I had 6/7 days on safari, I'd want no more than 1 day doing stuff like that, then probably 3-4 days down in the heart of the Masai viewing the great migration and maybe 2 days in another national park (are there any in Kenya in that area?) seeing non-migratory animals in a 'quieter' environment (i.e. many fewer jeeps around).
Also factor in travel times - roads out there are more typically rutted dirt tracks that even 'green laners' would pause before attempting, so average speeds are low.
- the "cultural activities" are often faked set-ups to drag tourists in who then feel pushed/compelled to spend money.
- the "walking safari" may turn out to be a complete waste of time - do a lot of research on TA and Fodors first. Also bear in mind that you'll be walking in 30-degree heat probably in direct sunlight...on our trip, the sister-in-law got heat-stroke from the walking safari and fainted by the hippos the next day in Lake Manyara park, wasn't 100% for 2 days.
I would certainly say you don't need to spend 3 days doing "cultural stuff" - that just looks like a filler so they can save money on park fees etc.
If I had 6/7 days on safari, I'd want no more than 1 day doing stuff like that, then probably 3-4 days down in the heart of the Masai viewing the great migration and maybe 2 days in another national park (are there any in Kenya in that area?) seeing non-migratory animals in a 'quieter' environment (i.e. many fewer jeeps around).
Also factor in travel times - roads out there are more typically rutted dirt tracks that even 'green laners' would pause before attempting, so average speeds are low.
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