rosetravels

Well, I have another question dangling out in Fodorland about a prospective tour operator, Ben's Ecological Safaris. I'm checking their references with past clients.

In the meanwhile, Bens has suggested a 5 day safari for $1,356:

Day 01 – Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Keekorok Lodge. Includes evening game drives.
Day 02 – Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Keekorok Lodge
Day 03 – Visit Lake Navaishu, Hells Gate, Lake Nakuru National Park w/ evening game drive – Merica Hotel
Day 04 – Lake Baringo – Lake Baringo Club
Day 05 – Boat trip on Lake Baringo. Return to Nairobi or Bungoma

Their descriptions are fun as they list the cool birds and landscapes I might see. The price is $1,356 each for 2 of us. Private guide, 4wd mini-bus w/ popup top.

I also have a quote from Eastern & Southern for $1,146:
Day 1 - Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park (afternoon game drive) overnight at Lion Hill
Day 2 - Drive to Lake Naivasha (afternoon boat ride & Crescent Island visit) overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa
Day 3 - Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve (afternoon game drive) overnight at Mara Sopa
Day 4 - Full day in Maasai Mara National Reserve (with game drives) overnight at Mara Sopa
Day 5 - Early morning game drive back to Nairobi

I'd received earlier quotes from Bushbuck and Game Trackers that are for camping. Bushbuck is $885 for 4 days/3 nights camping in the Masaai Mara w/ RT airfare; Gametrackers is $815 for 6 days, Rift Valley lakes & Masaai Mara camping with a group.

I'd appreciate thoughts and feedback. I'm trying to keep the price low but having a good guide is important.

rosetravels

Anyone?

sandi

Lots of long drives with #1. 6+/hrs to Keekorok which is at the southern border of the Masai Mara. Then leaving there to Naivasha, easily 6/hrs, then to Baringo and back to NBO, maybe 4-5/hrs.

At least with E&S, easier on the butt. Nakuru is 2.5/hrs from NBO, then 1/hr to Naivasha. Naivasha to Sopa at Manyara, figure 4+/hrs. Still long drive from Mara to NBO, 5-6/hrs.

Both are very hectic with not enough time in the Mara. In 5/days I wouldn't do more than two parks.

However, if in the same price range, I'd go with Siana Springs (over Sopa) in/around the same vicinity... both outside the Mara proper, on private group ranches. Inquire whether E&S can provide a lodge or camp inside the reserve, maybe Fig Tree Camp, Simba Lodge or Sarova Camp. Price may go up somewhat.

Have no comment on Ben's Eco Safaris. Never heard of them, nor recall any comments about them. E&S is well known with good reviews.

Nyamera

Rosetravels,
Merica Hotel is in Nakuru Town.

The price from Bushbuck is for 3 nights at their beautiful and very comfortable tented camp. It’s not camping. Their price if you go by road (preferable) is $740. In June it was $600 …

rosetravels

Thanks for your help! I've enjoyed both of your reports (for oh so different reasons and this is helpful direction.

Sandi - I'll look into adding a day in the Mara. I think Bens is just 2 guys who mostly lead birding trips for Europeans. I found a discussion of how good they are on a birding in Africa board this morning. It is a red flag that they have us driving forever. My daughter would not like that much.

Nyamara - I was leaning towards Bushbuck because of the flight, the number of days in the Mara and the price. But from your recent posts I've gathered that the quality of the guides was just OK and nothing special. Now I recall your photos - that was a very large non-camping kind of a tent. So you liked Bushbuck?

Nyamera

I wasn’t impressed by the guide, but the French guys, who shared half my game drives, were. He was entertaining though. I’d have liked to have the waiter as my guide. The camp was a lot better than Mara Intrepids.
Extra nights at Bushbuck are less expensive than a third of the price.

jeaniehk

definitely keekorok, it is by far the most pleasant place thru our 13 day stay, we even have hippo eating grasses right outside our room balcony at night. Ask for room # 42-5X though.
Food, swimming pool, garden...and hippo pools are simply amazing.
u may see my later trip report for more.....

rosetravels

Hi Jeannie - I read your report, it sounds like you had a terrific time.

Nyamara - Thanks for the info on Bushbuck.

kimburu

So you did post the itinerary. Another vote that Ben's is a kind of a full-on one. I think you would be asleep by the time you got to Lake Nakuru - forget the night game drive unless you are planning on taking metamphetamines. ;-)

I'd add another day or two and do either. Also, Nyamera is very critical and if she is recommending Bushbuck she must have been impressed in some way - even if she is complaining. Eastern & Southern (and probably Ben's too) can probably offer you the same deal, with Lake Nakuru or Naivasha (or both if you do the extra days). Don;t be afraid to ask.

rosetravels

Thanks Kimburu,
I think I'll wait a day or so to see if my daughter can get the resident rates for a trip for both of us. That would really help.

If not, I might do a combination of Bushbuck and something else.

My trouble now with my trip is that I had planned to spend a full week with my daughter at her work and home in Bungoma. That's all ended. So rather than 5 days safari, 4 days coast, which was what I'd budgeted for, I now have an extra week to plan (and pay) for.

So I'm a little scattered. I appreciate the help getting focused and the good feedback on what wouldn't work.

Patty

Like kimburu said, with private safaris, don't hesitate to ask either operator to make modifications to the itineraries or accommodations. You don't necessarily have to choose between what's been offered.

At Nakuru, I'd stay in the park rather than in town.

What did you have in mind for your extra week?

rosetravels

Hi Patty, Kimburu, Nyamara and Sandi,
My plans took a turn for the worse this afternoon: it looks like my daughter will be leaving Kenya in a week. I have no idea what to do now and am very disappointed. Glad for her safety and disappointed that my plans aren't working out at all. I don't know when I'll get to see Kenya.

My tickets are on Air France and I'll find out if I can change them and have the Kenya leg refunded. I may simply stay in Europe and have her meet me there. I don't know if that's possible and I'm really at a loss.

Anyway, I thank you for all your help and for sharing your love of Kenya with me. I'm now grieving the change in Kenya, the loss of my trip and the disappointment my daughter feels at having to leave a country she'd come to really love.