Air or land from Mara to Nairobi?
Sep 21st, 2007, 11:58 AM
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Air or land from Mara to Nairobi?
Hi,
I'm wondering if it's an interesting and well worthwhile by land trip from Mara to Nairobi on our last day of safari and paying extra for overnight in Nairobi to make that or if, after 14 days in Kenya to several areas, we should skip the long hours of land travel to hurry back to our flight from Nairobi and instead take a flight from Mara to Nairobi?
Another question I have is if anyone has been there last few weeks, or has good information on how the weather is progressing?
I must say it does not look as good as I'd hoped as they've had massive rains lately and I was hoping for a dry area for best photography. I at least hope the raining will cease very soon even though vegetation has most probably grown too much for my liking by now.
I'm wondering if it's an interesting and well worthwhile by land trip from Mara to Nairobi on our last day of safari and paying extra for overnight in Nairobi to make that or if, after 14 days in Kenya to several areas, we should skip the long hours of land travel to hurry back to our flight from Nairobi and instead take a flight from Mara to Nairobi?
Another question I have is if anyone has been there last few weeks, or has good information on how the weather is progressing?
I must say it does not look as good as I'd hoped as they've had massive rains lately and I was hoping for a dry area for best photography. I at least hope the raining will cease very soon even though vegetation has most probably grown too much for my liking by now.
Sep 21st, 2007, 12:04 PM
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We were in the Mara a little over a week ago and unfortunately did get some afternoon showers - 2 days with VERY heavy storms, and 1 day with some lighter showers. Tended to start around 5ish, so in the middle of our late afternoon drives ... which made for some slippery drives back to camp!
Sep 22nd, 2007, 03:57 AM
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The road is terrible... probably why, but for budget travelers, most choose to fly. Oh, and if wet, even in worse condition. The drive returning to NBO can be anywhere from 5-6/hrs; flight is less than 1/hr with a cost of about $135/person.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 06:06 AM
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What about the wildlife viewing under these conditions?
I recall during the last unusually strong rains, people still raved about great sightings, even as they complained about getting stuck in the mud and really bad roads. But what about lately?
Especially under wet conditions, I'd fly and consider it money well spent.
I recall during the last unusually strong rains, people still raved about great sightings, even as they complained about getting stuck in the mud and really bad roads. But what about lately?
Especially under wet conditions, I'd fly and consider it money well spent.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 06:18 AM
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hi WayuU
<b>Air or Land? </b>
Here's the Land "minority" view:
i truely love the drive, not only because when i'm shaken-up like a cocktail it ignites my feeling of excitement and anticipation towards the Park and the special moments awaiting ahead (after so many drives i've been "conditioned" like a lab rat ... )
Not only because on the way i have a panoramic ecological experience with changing plant communities and birds, according to elevation, soils etc'
Not only because of the Rift Valley View Point (and my personal feelings towards the Longonot Volcano)
Not only because of a chance to see (the paradoxical) Maasai Town of Narok.
you can skip or not, the slaughterhouse for example
Not only because there's always some surprise on the road from Cheetah to Wild-Dods (yes i've seen 'em on that road an d a Maasai shooting poisonous arrows at them) and even breakdowns are part of a real Safari...
But it is almost a matter of ideology:
are people coming only to see free roaming animals without minding the country and people around?
most would reject the idea to see the same free roaming African animals on an American farm - why ?
because Maasai Mara is a natural habitat??
well, i'm sorry to say it ain't!
the ecosystem has been manipulated by mankind for eons & the vegetation is not a natural climax community but a fire sub-climax long before the present authorities have started "playing" with fires
i know i haven't convinced anyone
just felt an urge to say
i'm in a bit of a hurry so sorry for any spelling/other mistakes
aby
PS
but i'm a peculiar creature - i like drives and i even enjoy international flights unlike most others i read around here
<b>Air or Land? </b>
Here's the Land "minority" view:
i truely love the drive, not only because when i'm shaken-up like a cocktail it ignites my feeling of excitement and anticipation towards the Park and the special moments awaiting ahead (after so many drives i've been "conditioned" like a lab rat ... )
Not only because on the way i have a panoramic ecological experience with changing plant communities and birds, according to elevation, soils etc'
Not only because of the Rift Valley View Point (and my personal feelings towards the Longonot Volcano)
Not only because of a chance to see (the paradoxical) Maasai Town of Narok.
you can skip or not, the slaughterhouse for example
Not only because there's always some surprise on the road from Cheetah to Wild-Dods (yes i've seen 'em on that road an d a Maasai shooting poisonous arrows at them) and even breakdowns are part of a real Safari...
But it is almost a matter of ideology:
are people coming only to see free roaming animals without minding the country and people around?
most would reject the idea to see the same free roaming African animals on an American farm - why ?
because Maasai Mara is a natural habitat??
well, i'm sorry to say it ain't!
the ecosystem has been manipulated by mankind for eons & the vegetation is not a natural climax community but a fire sub-climax long before the present authorities have started "playing" with fires
i know i haven't convinced anyone
just felt an urge to say
i'm in a bit of a hurry so sorry for any spelling/other mistakes
aby
PS
but i'm a peculiar creature - i like drives and i even enjoy international flights unlike most others i read around here
Sep 22nd, 2007, 10:06 AM
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We usually drive fron Mara to Nairobi, but after our experience last Christmas/New Year will consider flying next time.
The really heavy rains had caused the rivers to flood, making the bridges need more repairs than the authorities could keep up with. The road from Sekenani Gate to Narok was impassable on the day we left, as was the river at the Talek gate.
We only made it back to Nairobi to catch our flight home because our driver/guide knew of a track over the hills past Siana which eventually joined up with the road to Narok. This was pretty hairy and involved much testing of bridges on the way! He'd remembered this way from his time working for KWS in the Mara, luckily, as we would have missed our flights otherwise.
The really heavy rains had caused the rivers to flood, making the bridges need more repairs than the authorities could keep up with. The road from Sekenani Gate to Narok was impassable on the day we left, as was the river at the Talek gate.
We only made it back to Nairobi to catch our flight home because our driver/guide knew of a track over the hills past Siana which eventually joined up with the road to Narok. This was pretty hairy and involved much testing of bridges on the way! He'd remembered this way from his time working for KWS in the Mara, luckily, as we would have missed our flights otherwise.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 05:38 PM
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We flew out to the Mara and drove back when we were there two weeks ago. The drive back leaving from the Serena was 7.5 hours, with a stop at a Maasai village, on a very bad road. By the end we were all wishing we had flown both ways.
As to the weather, on two of our nights in the Mara we had to put up our pop-top during our afternoon game drive because of the rain. The next week when we were in the Serengeti (stayed at the Sopa) we had to put our top up again for rain in the afternoon. On our last night at the lodge it rained so hard that the rain just poured off the roof and the next morning some of the roads were slick. Our driver/guide said that the short rains had come early. The morning game drives had beautiful weather.
Julie
As to the weather, on two of our nights in the Mara we had to put up our pop-top during our afternoon game drive because of the rain. The next week when we were in the Serengeti (stayed at the Sopa) we had to put our top up again for rain in the afternoon. On our last night at the lodge it rained so hard that the rain just poured off the roof and the next morning some of the roads were slick. Our driver/guide said that the short rains had come early. The morning game drives had beautiful weather.
Julie
Sep 22nd, 2007, 06:39 PM
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aby, you're not alone with your views. "it ignites my feeling of excitement and anticipation towards the Park and the special moments awaiting ahead"... I would even pay extra dollars if operators would offer me that choice in typical fly-in areas.
WayuU, making this experience on your way home isn't the best time. I suggest to fly-out.
WayuU, making this experience on your way home isn't the best time. I suggest to fly-out.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 07:12 PM
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Thanks <b>Nyama</b>
(& i wanted to play the role of the lonely prophet at the gates of the town ;-) )
but, still, nobody can take that "minority" title from us; can they?
<font color="blue">actually u r absolutely right - and i saw it a bit late - it's better to drive on the way there (if doing it one way). </font> it is wrong timing & useless at the end of safari (from the excitement point of view)
b. i agree that driving all the way from Serena would fit only the rare visitor
c. if the weather is as described, than rethinking it is a must...
(i still remember the tractors that used to escort us out of the (ex)Mara shikarw during the rainy season
aby
(& i wanted to play the role of the lonely prophet at the gates of the town ;-) )
but, still, nobody can take that "minority" title from us; can they?
<font color="blue">actually u r absolutely right - and i saw it a bit late - it's better to drive on the way there (if doing it one way). </font> it is wrong timing & useless at the end of safari (from the excitement point of view)
b. i agree that driving all the way from Serena would fit only the rare visitor
c. if the weather is as described, than rethinking it is a must...
(i still remember the tractors that used to escort us out of the (ex)Mara shikarw during the rainy season
aby
Sep 23rd, 2007, 11:36 AM
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If I recall correctly, you're driving everywhere over the course of your 14 day trip. I'm also a fan of driving, but after a 14 day all drive safari ending in the Mara, opted to fly out (made the decision after I got to the Mara).
Sep 23rd, 2007, 12:13 PM
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andybiggs wrote <b>Fly. The drive sucks.</b>
Andy, how do you handle flying the camera gear out in the small plane? We were offered the fly-out option from the Mara but with only 30 lb luggage allowance and with camera gear we are way over that ...
Bill
Andy, how do you handle flying the camera gear out in the small plane? We were offered the fly-out option from the Mara but with only 30 lb luggage allowance and with camera gear we are way over that ...
Bill
Sep 23rd, 2007, 12:57 PM
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Good question. On my own safaris, I charter an entire plane and control the whole process. So on a place that could hold 14, I will put 11 or 12 and use the unused seats for extra weight. I think I heard once that they average 75 kilos as the average weight between a man and a woman, and then there is 14 or 15 kilos per person on top of that. So figure 90 kilos per seat, and if I have 2 extra seats, that gives me 180 kilos extra, or 395 pounds. Divide that by 12 people, and you end up with around 65 pounds max per person.
voila!
If I had to fly on a scheduled flight and only had 33 pounds, I would either buy an extra spot on the plane or drive. Driving isn't always available, especially in places like Botswana, Namibia or southern Tanzania.
voila!
If I had to fly on a scheduled flight and only had 33 pounds, I would either buy an extra spot on the plane or drive. Driving isn't always available, especially in places like Botswana, Namibia or southern Tanzania.
Sep 23rd, 2007, 01:06 PM
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Thanks, nyama! We got back on Friday.
Bill_H,
When we flew back from the Mara, we took only a day bag. Our guide drove back to Nairobi will the rest of our luggage since he had to head back anyway. We met up with him later in the day. Perhaps you could just take your camera gear? OTOH I saw no evidence of scales at the Mara airstrips.
Bill_H,
When we flew back from the Mara, we took only a day bag. Our guide drove back to Nairobi will the rest of our luggage since he had to head back anyway. We met up with him later in the day. Perhaps you could just take your camera gear? OTOH I saw no evidence of scales at the Mara airstrips.
Sep 23rd, 2007, 01:21 PM
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HI,
Just got back form 12 days in Mara etc. I vote for flying as the rains can make the drive dreadful. Also, I carry all of my camera gear on the plane (around 20#) and use 30# for my duffle. I have never had anything weighed coming or going from the Mara and this was my 4th trip. Good Luck and have a lot of fun!! rhoda
Just got back form 12 days in Mara etc. I vote for flying as the rains can make the drive dreadful. Also, I carry all of my camera gear on the plane (around 20#) and use 30# for my duffle. I have never had anything weighed coming or going from the Mara and this was my 4th trip. Good Luck and have a lot of fun!! rhoda
Sep 23rd, 2007, 01:42 PM
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There are no scales out on the Mara or any of the airstrips outside of Nairobi.
Both at Air Kenya and Safari Link at Wilson, have scales and they weigh the bags. If you're taking your camera equipment on board... most all of us do, they won't weigh (unless this carryon obviously looks too big or heavy)... so it's just you're 1/bag that has to be less than 33/lbs.
Both at Air Kenya and Safari Link at Wilson, have scales and they weigh the bags. If you're taking your camera equipment on board... most all of us do, they won't weigh (unless this carryon obviously looks too big or heavy)... so it's just you're 1/bag that has to be less than 33/lbs.
