MJB21

I am planning a one and a half or two week trip to Kenya over the Christmas and New Year holidays with a few friends, and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations on the best parks to visit during that time of year - both in terms of animal viewing (more is better) and people traffic (less is better). I am thinking a 4 night stay in the Masai Mara, followed by 1-2 nights somewhere else, maybe Nakuru or Naivasha? Also, if we could make it to the coast before heading back to Nairobi, that would be great, but I'm not sure how good December is for snorkeling and scuba. Any recommendations or suggested itineraries would be greatly appreciated!

sandi

No need to head to Zanzibar which would entail another Visa USD$100 (if US passport holder) or USD$50 (most others), also need of Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same to enter. You can head to Kenyan coast at Mombasa, farther south at Diani, or north to Lamu Island which is quiet, remote and much as it was 200/yrs ago... no vehicles.

Over Christmas/New Year's many places will be busy as it's holiday time for visitors as well local Kenyans, and prices are somewhat higher than other times of the year.

Maybe consider Samburu for elephants and species not found elsewhere and the Masai Mara... nice combination if only allowing 6/days for safari. These areas are at a distance, so best to fly between - Nairobi/Samburu, Samburu/Masai Mara, Masai Mara via NBO to Mombasa/Lamu.

Good luck!

kimburu

Unfortunately over Christmas and New Year it is a case of more people and fewer animals, with higher prices. If you can time the Mara visit before 23rd December or after 3rd January you probably won't regret it. Depending on the short rains in November/early December there may not be that many elephants around (in December 2006 we saw only two lone bulls until the third day in Samburu, while in 2005 - a drought year - we saw group after group from 10 am until sunset at the waterhold at Mountain Lodge. For fewer people in December, of the parks I've visited I'd recommend Aberdare NP, Meru NP and Tsavo East (lot of visitors from the coast at Christmas but it is a very big park) while for more animals the Mara, Lake Nakuru NP and Ol Pejeta would be my bets for reliability. Maybe Lewa is a good choice, but I haven't been there. Also maybe consider one of the private conservancy areas around the Mara, where traffic is limited (Olare Orok, Mara North, etc.)

I have never spent time on the coast but noted people were flying from the Mara to Mombassa, so working out an itinerary should be pretty easy.