Calculating Conservancy Fees - Kenya's Mara North

Old Nov 29th, 2016, 09:43 AM
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Calculating Conservancy Fees - Kenya's Mara North

Good afternoon all

We are researching and planning our first safari trip to Kenya and have a few quick questions re: Conservancy Fees.

Specifically, the quoted conservancy fees for each of the following camps is different as shown below.

Elephant Pepper (KCHP) = $80 pp/day
Serian Mara North (KOTS) = $145 pp/day
Kicheche Mara North (KCHL) = $80 pp/day

Our questions:
1. Can someone explain how these fees are calculated for each camp?
2. Since all camps are located within Mara North Conservancy, wouldn't the conservancy fee be the same for these camps?
3. What do the acronyms represent?

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
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Old Nov 29th, 2016, 11:55 AM
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Hi Daryl,

Elephant Pepper includes the conservancy fee in their regular rate. High season 2017 rates are $794 per person per night (pppn) and this price includes the conservancy fee. It is coupled to the rate so there is no way someone should itemize it for you. Also, if you stay three nights at Elephant Pepper, they include as part of the rate of $794 pppn, one full day into the National Reserve. This one-day fee has a value of $80 but they include it once per 3 night stay. If you want to go into the Park twice then you would need to pay $80 per person in addition. The biggest reason you would want to go into the Park is to see the great migrations crossing the Mara Rive in Aug/Sep or near that time. The private land has far less vehicle/human traffic so the only reason to go into the reserve is for the migrations. There are heaps of animals on the private land.

There is another possibility. I am not sure if you are looking online or dealing with an agent of some sort. If you received a quote from a private guide company they may book you into Elephant Pepper on a different rate called Full Board/FB. I do not even have those rates on hand if they exist. I could be wrong but I don’t think FB rates exist on the private conservancies. Private guides are not allowed to drive on the private Mara North Conservancy so would need to take you into the National Reserve every day for to see animals, thus possibly the $80 per person per day. They can only drive on the main roads on the private land which are the access roads to the camp. FYI - There is no need to use a private guide as the ones employed in camp at Elephant Pepper really know the area well and they ARE allowed to drive on the private land or take you into the national reserve once every three days. You can take a relatively cheap flight to the Mara and the normal camp guides will collect you from the airstrip nearby to the camp. Private guides will want to drive you to the Mara in their vehicle.

Serian de-couples their rates and the $145 per day is a legitimate conservation fee (note it is a conservation fee and not a conservancy fee). They also include one trip into the National Reserve per 3 day stay. They also charge $80 to go into the Park a 2nd or 3rd time.

In 2017, Kicheche in Mara North includes one $80 entry fee to the National Reserve per three day stay but only in Aug and Sep when their rates are $700 pppn. In July 15-31, the $80 is not included but the rate is $590 pppn. They also include a $5 conservation fee in their rate.

So, there is a chance you are being overcharged or perhaps you are using a private guide that needs to take you into the Park each day to see the animals.

I have no idea what the abbreviations KCHP, KOTS, and KCHL mean. These are not acronyms on any document we have from the three safari lodge chains you mentioned. We direct contract with all three so I am guessing those are codes made by a third party middle-man company.

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyon
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