Just returned from an awesome adventure to Kenya!!!
Sep 12th, 2010, 11:59 PM
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Just returned from an awesome adventure to Kenya!!!
Well, actually it's been a bit more than one week since I returned, but finally getting around to posting--
What a great trip! Bill Givens (The Wild Source) made all the arrangements. He has the patience of a saint (100+emails) and arranged a fantastic trip through Safari Trails.
I will do a more formal posting soon (complete with the pictures I took from the camera purchased from the great recommendations on this site) but wanted to let everyone know that if you are traveling to Kenya this is a fantastic time to go. The migration is in full swing and there are animals everywhere!
I am so happy to report that Amboseli did not disappoint and had
abundant wildlife-----contrary to what many others reported experiencing with the drought last year. I stayed at Tortilis and cannot imagine a better place to stay.
The Mara was amazing. As some of you may recall, I was scheduled to stay at Offbeat Mara Camp and was a bit concerned that not many people had heard of it and there were no recent reviews on Trip Advisor. But----What a great place to stay!!!
Offbeat Mara Camp is located just north of the Olare Orok Conservancy to the northeast of the Mara reserve in southwest Kenya. It is a small, intimate tented camp with 6 tents. Everyone at this camp was topnotch---from the manager (Penny) and her right hand person (Emma) to the guides (Masai and Silver level), cooks (excellent gourmet meals)---everyone---it was fantastic, and I recommend it highly.
More to come!!!
What a great trip! Bill Givens (The Wild Source) made all the arrangements. He has the patience of a saint (100+emails) and arranged a fantastic trip through Safari Trails.
I will do a more formal posting soon (complete with the pictures I took from the camera purchased from the great recommendations on this site) but wanted to let everyone know that if you are traveling to Kenya this is a fantastic time to go. The migration is in full swing and there are animals everywhere!
I am so happy to report that Amboseli did not disappoint and had
abundant wildlife-----contrary to what many others reported experiencing with the drought last year. I stayed at Tortilis and cannot imagine a better place to stay.
The Mara was amazing. As some of you may recall, I was scheduled to stay at Offbeat Mara Camp and was a bit concerned that not many people had heard of it and there were no recent reviews on Trip Advisor. But----What a great place to stay!!!
Offbeat Mara Camp is located just north of the Olare Orok Conservancy to the northeast of the Mara reserve in southwest Kenya. It is a small, intimate tented camp with 6 tents. Everyone at this camp was topnotch---from the manager (Penny) and her right hand person (Emma) to the guides (Masai and Silver level), cooks (excellent gourmet meals)---everyone---it was fantastic, and I recommend it highly.
More to come!!!
Sep 13th, 2010, 07:02 AM
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I'm awaitin' 
Sep 13th, 2010, 11:25 PM
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Ha! Thanks everyone. Wish I could say it's great to be home---well, it kinda is---the beach was fantastic this weekend. It's just that work thing.....
crosscheck---one of the reasons I haven't posted sooner is I have been enjoying reading YOUR adventures so much. By the time I finish reading your trip reports, mine pales in comparison! Well, there was that one time my travel partner got locked in the bathroom at the airport.....oh, the adventures of travel!
I don't know about all of you Africa travelers, but ever since I have returned home there hasn't been a length of time that something about Africa in general, and the trip in particular, that hasn't crossed my mind throughout the day. There's just something about that place....
One of my posts before I left posed the question about what types of souveniers people liked to bring home. Well, this time for me it was beautiful baskets in the gift shop at Sweetwaters. I bought 6 with the intention to give 5 away but guess what? I love them all and found a great spot for all of them!
More to come.....
crosscheck---one of the reasons I haven't posted sooner is I have been enjoying reading YOUR adventures so much. By the time I finish reading your trip reports, mine pales in comparison! Well, there was that one time my travel partner got locked in the bathroom at the airport.....oh, the adventures of travel!
I don't know about all of you Africa travelers, but ever since I have returned home there hasn't been a length of time that something about Africa in general, and the trip in particular, that hasn't crossed my mind throughout the day. There's just something about that place....
One of my posts before I left posed the question about what types of souveniers people liked to bring home. Well, this time for me it was beautiful baskets in the gift shop at Sweetwaters. I bought 6 with the intention to give 5 away but guess what? I love them all and found a great spot for all of them!
More to come.....
Sep 16th, 2010, 04:19 PM
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Glad you had such a great trip! Bill at the Wild Source is planning a trip to southern Africa for us in May 2011, and I've been so impressed with his itinerary suggestions, planning skills, and patience, too. Kenya was the first African country we ever visited, so it has a very special place in my heart. Hope we get back there someday... And, looking forward to reading your report!
Kenya was the first African country we ever visited, so it has a very special place in my heart. Hope we get back there someday... And, looking forward to reading your report!
Sep 16th, 2010, 11:51 PM
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MyDogKyle---thanks for your response! Yes, I was very impressed with the itinerary suggestions Bill made, his unwillingness to compromise quality (sometimes at his own personal expense), his patience, quick and thorough response time to numerous emails. I would definately use him again.
Kenya is special. I traveled there ~23 years ago, but it seemed so much different this time---I definately give credit to this forum for (1) opening my eyes about how (private safari) and where (Tortilis in Amboseli was awesome) I could travel,
(2) increased awareness of my destination from a cultural, environmental and political perspective and (3) I got great advise on camera and binocular purchases!
You must be thinking May 2011 is so far away--but it will be here before you know it! Would love to hear about your travel plans when finalized.
Kenya is special. I traveled there ~23 years ago, but it seemed so much different this time---I definately give credit to this forum for (1) opening my eyes about how (private safari) and where (Tortilis in Amboseli was awesome) I could travel,
(2) increased awareness of my destination from a cultural, environmental and political perspective and (3) I got great advise on camera and binocular purchases!
You must be thinking May 2011 is so far away--but it will be here before you know it! Would love to hear about your travel plans when finalized.
Sep 18th, 2010, 12:15 AM
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Hi Max---here is the post from TigerPhotog who was one of many who responded to my request for recommendations:
My Nikon Action EX ATB 8 x 50 binocs are awesome. Sell for $140 or so...great optics for the $$$
They were great and I was so happy I chose them! Clear, crisp and allowed me to see minute details on the animals.
I ordered them online at Amazon.com and got free "super saver shipping". They arrived about one week after I ordered them (and I live in Hawaii where shipping can be a bit slower than one would expect)!
good luck--have a great trip!
My Nikon Action EX ATB 8 x 50 binocs are awesome. Sell for $140 or so...great optics for the $$$
They were great and I was so happy I chose them! Clear, crisp and allowed me to see minute details on the animals.
I ordered them online at Amazon.com and got free "super saver shipping". They arrived about one week after I ordered them (and I live in Hawaii where shipping can be a bit slower than one would expect)!
good luck--have a great trip!
Sep 18th, 2010, 07:08 AM
#11
I am still reading and taking it all in .
Waiting for more
Waiting for more
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