TerryThor

I will be in Kenya, Tanzana and possibly Uganda for 23 days. I would like to use the same co. all the way through but I've been reading a lot of websites and it seems that some cos. seem to specialize in certain things like conservancies. I am adding another co. to my research so far. ATR, Kensington and now I'm adding Gamewatchers. GW ha been mentioned positively but also expensive. The conservancies seem really expensive but seem to offer a life time sort of experience.

ekscrunchy

I would use one safari planner/agency, for your entire trip.

There are many more, other than those you mentioned. You first need to figure out a budget.

amyb

FYI, no one specializes in conservancies. Countries, yes, conservancies no.

I've only used two companies once, when I wanted to use Treks2Rwanda for gorilla trekking and Offbeat Safaris for Kenya. Neither operated in the other country but I wanted to go to both in the same trip.

ATR and Gamewatchers should both be able to handle your entire itinerary, even if you add in Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania.

Gamewatchers isn't known to be expensive if you tell them your budget, they work with that. They have access to many camps that they can book you into, so maybe some of those are higher end, but their own Porini camps are considered mid-range and certainly not high end.

TerryThor

Thanks to all.

CaliNurse

Note that "mid-range" for Kenya s at another level from "mid range" in USA or Europe.
$600--800/night for two people to me is exorbitant nearly every other place in the world--even if it is all inclusive (meals and game rives) which the Porini and other camps will be

TerryThor

I looked at Kensigton and decided too expensive and then another too expensive. I've spoken to Gamewatchers and love the cost and itinerary. Would you suggest I speak with TR a well

TerryThor

Not to have two tour cos. but to see which is better.

CaliNurse

Terry, what is TR?

If you mean ATR, for me it's a no brainer---go with Gamewatchers. I ve used their services,as have many on these forums, and was very happy. I would never give my business to ATR, for a bunch of reasons (I'll spare you details). At the most basic level, compare Gamewatchers' website descriptions and photos of assorted lodging (lodges or tented camps) with the ATR descriptions of the same (little info, gratuitous sarcasm, etc--numerous examples).
Or maybe "TR" means something else?

amyb

Hmmm...I've found ATR to be quite accurate when I read their descriptions of the 9 camps I've stayed at. And I found their pricing quite competitive. When I start formally planning safari #5 I would certainly reach out to them. If nothing more, if they best Gamewatchers prices, go back to Gamewatchers with that, especially if they are on Porini Camps, which they own.

I will make a very strong suggestion though, if you stay in Porini camps in the Mara, definitely make it Porini Lion and not Porini Mara. I've had two not so great (bad) experiences with guiding and vehicles at Porini Mara.