maria2

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Africa next summer to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. The following is a preliminary itenerary suggested by our planner. It appears she stayed in a mid-range as far as lodging selections was concerned. We can probably afford to upgrade one or more of her selections if needed. We will be traveling in July or August 2007. We're reading and searching lots of treads here but would appreciate any feedback as we tweak our itenerary and plan our trip.

Day 1: Nairobi / Panarific Hotel

Days 2-3: Amboseli National Park / Aboseli Serena Lodge

Days 4-5: Samburu National Reserve / Sarova Shaba Camp

Days 6-7: Masai Mara National Reserve / Mara Sarova Camp

Day 8: Nairobi / Panarific Hotel

Days 9-11: Zanzibar / Mapenzi Beach Club

Day 12: Depart

Thanks in advance for any feedback and/or suggestions.

climbhighsleeplow

Maria

I think you should spend 4 nights in the Masai Mara! You will not regret it! It is prime time there in late July early August! I think you should splurge bit and stay closer to the Mara Triangle.

Also, the day 8 in Nairobi is unnecessary! You can fly from the Mara via Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar on day 8 without wasting a night in Nairobi!

Mapenzi is huge! It is more family/packaged tourist oriented and certainly not a place that comes to mind for an anniversary!

So I don't know! Your planner knows your budget and knows your interests but I think you should consider some changes!

Nyamera

Hi Maria2,
I’d spend more than 2 nights in the Mara, at the Serena instead of the Sarova, or, with lots of money, at Rekero Tented Camp.
Here on Fodor´s Ol Tukai is recommended over Amboseli Serena (by Jan and others).
As you’re doing your safari in Kenya, I’d go to Lamu instead of Zanzibar. Though If you can’t make the trip longer I’d skip the coast and add the days to the Mara.
Salaam

thit_cho

I have been to Kenya a couple of times, to all three parks you listed, and Amboseli is my least favorite. I'd skip Amboseli and add the days to the Masai Mara, and stay at the Serena (the Mara Serena has the very best location in the Masai Mara). The very best spot in Africa is the Masai Mara in August.

Chinook

Hi Maria

I agree with the advice already posted here .
No need to spent the night in Nairobi before flying to Zanzibar or Lamu which is a very nice place to celebrate anniversary or honeymoon.;there are some very nice private villas in Lamu, shela beach

Personnaly, I would prefer Samburu Intrepid in place of Shaba sarova and Mara serena or even Fig tree in place of sarova camp . One day more in the Masai mara seems a very good idea ...to stay only 2 days is to short. You could take a flight from Samburu to Mara as it is a too long to do it by road in one day.

Chinook

sandi

Without knowing your budget, it's difficult to simply upgrade you, but in about/around the same price range you can do much better. As others have mentioned, and for time you are traveling, you don't have to visit both Amboseli and Samburu. Both offer the elephant experience, besides at Samburu you'll find other unique species not found elsewhere - reticulate giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk (wild dogs have been spotted lately).

And, how are you getting from Amboseli to Samburu? Gotta be flying, or else you'll be on the road all day. During this time, you shouldn't short-change your time in the Mara, as unless you're flying from Samburu to the Mara, again, it's a full day of driving leaving no time in the Mara.

Also, if concentrating on Kenya, you can find lovely resort properties on the coast without having to incur another Visa cost by going to Zanzibar. Lamu has some lovely properties.

Consider:
Day 1 - Arv NBO - o/n PanAfric or Intercontinental.
Day 2 - Morning visit Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, lunch, then drive to Mt. Kenya - o/n Serena Mountain Lodge.
Day 3 - Drive to Samburu - o/n Samburu Serena Lodge or Intrepid's Camp (the latter is being refurbished and should be completed by May 31, 2007)
Day 4 - Samburu - o/n
Day 5 - Fly to Masai Mara - o/n Mara Serena Lodge, Governor's Main or Little Governor's or Rekero Camps
Day 6, 7, 8 - Masai Mara
Day 9 - Fly to Nairobi, connect to flight to Lamu - o/n Kijani, Kizingo, Lamu Palace, Peponi (there are many more)
Day 10, 11 - Lamu
Day 12 - Fly to NBO, connect to homebound flight.

Hope this helps.

maria2

Thank you for the feedback thus far. We will be flying from location to location during the trip. I will review my itenerary in light of the comments received today and over the next few days and keep you apprized of our trip development. Please also suggest any particularly recommended side activities that we would book through our agent or lodge.

OnlyMeOirish

Maria,
I completely agree with the others - more than 2 nights in the Mara! We just returned two weeks ago and we spent 4 nights at the Mara Serena. While the location of the Serena is <b>FANTASTIC</b>, if you are 'in to' your food, this point is a let down at the Serena. If you are not 'in to' the food thing then it shouldn't be a problem. Also, If you are using Serena's drivers then make sure you know who you are getting (we had a guy who 'wasn't the greatest' to say the least). Personally, if I were going to the Mara again I'd try to upgrade a little.

As for side activities, we did a balloon flight one morning and really enjoyed it. It IS expensive though (about $425 per person)

Happy planning.

Imelda

VIRGINIAUSH

our agent just confirmed we got reservations at Mara Sarova for setember,,,is not a good place to stay? you know it is hard to plan it from Argentina...answers take a lot of time and we are close to departure...other options were Mara Sopa or Keekerok but were waiting list (

waynehazle

As some may know here, my thoughts on Amboseli were pretty negative. I have had time to reflect on it and I am glad I went.

It is horrible how that park has been damaged. The elephants were amazing, but no need for 2 full days there. Just make sure you get that great view of Kilimanjaro.