Looking for Safari company recommendations.

There are simply too many tour operators/outfitters for one to know all of them. You may want to have a look at LyndaS "East Africa Trip Report Index" for names of the outfitters that those reporting used. You might also want to pick-up a copy of Fodor's "Complete Safari Planning Guide" which covers just about any information you'd need for travel to Kenya - where, when, lodging/camps, visas, sightseeing, etc. etc.

That said, any reputable operator can put together an itinerary including Ol Pejeta and the Masai Mara.

Yes, it is overwhelming, but much of the info is duplication. Each company or site goes over similar info.

Insiders Africa--never heard of them. You could post the itinerary and costs for comments.

Here is link to Lynda's Index

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/new-east-africa-trip-report-index.cfm

The companies used are listed.

Fodors guide lists some companies too.

I've used Africa Adventure in Ft. Lauderdale for Kenya. I did a short excursion with Eastern and Southern Safaris in Nairobi. All went well with both.

When I tried to access Insider's Africa, my McAfee stated the site had not been tested out.

Another useful book besides Fodor's is Africa's Top Wildlife Countries by Mark Nolting, one of the owner's of The Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale. Whether you travel with them or not, it is worth checking out of the library. The 7th edition is the latest, but earlier editions offer useful info as well.

Your nervousness can be quelled a bit by choosing a company that takes credit cards. And by seeking help here.

By the way, maybe I'll see you in the Mara in Sept!

For their Web site it looks like they have been in business since 2006. But it really seems more a Web site for a particular safari lodge than a tour operator, though the main man, named Alex Hunter, does claim to have experience leading walking safaris and managing a Tanzanian camp, the well-regarded Sand Rivers in the Selous area of Tanzania . His wife is a journalist. Nothing against that (I'm one too) but that doesn't mean she knows the safari or travel business.

I would follow the sage advice above and do a little guidebook reading and call several of the better know agents and see if they can book you into Ol Pajeta (not sure why you are intrigued by that particular one) and some camps that fits your desires in the Maasai Mara. A good agent can fit your needs (luxury lodge? basic tents? limited or unlimited budget? wild dogs or loads of lions?) witht he right camps, guiding and geopgraphy).

It is very confusing on the first trip, I sympathize. But I'd be a little wary of using this site without some further research.

Or contact Ol Pejeta and ask them if they recommend anyone. They may offer some local options.

I did a search in the trip index, no one so far on this forum that has written a trip report has used Insiders Africa. But I believe I have heard Alex Hunter's name before somewhere on the forum, but cannot think of in what regards. As Leslie points out that he mentions that he ran Sand Rivers in Selous, maybe someone who did a trip report on that camp mentioned the name.

As Lynn, Leslie and Sandi point out though, there are many wonderful operators out there to choose from, click on the index link, and then jump to the last page so that you read up from the bottom - that way you will get the most recent of who traveled where. Mind you I am a year behind, but taking steps to catch up!

We went to Ol Pejata in 2006 and didn't see many animals, I was very disappointed in it - but when we went this year in May I couldn't believe the amount of animals there! Whole cocktails of them, it was unbelievable - and up close and personal. No lions, they are there - we just didn't see them. It made me think I would go back there to stay one day! (we were just there for a day game run) If you would like to read about it on my trip report, here's the link: (there is a link to pictures on that particular day as well)

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/ohmigosh-wild-dogs-angry-leopards-the-samburu-and-big-five-all-in-one.cfm

That link for Insider's Africa is just for the Ol Pejeta Bush Camp on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This is an additional property to the Cheli & Peacock portfolio.

You can contact Cheli & Peacock www.chelipeacock.com direct for arrangements here and numerous camps in the Masai Mara.

However, many tour operators (in your home country) or in-country outfitter, can price these properties and often at lower prices than if going direct to C&P or Ol Pejeta/Insider's Africa.

That's right, going direct is often not less.

Thank you all for your advice. I read that Ol Pejeta did work with black rhinos and thought that would be interesting. The Ol Pejeta Bush Camp seemed to be a "down to earth" kind of place. Both of us are interested in how a conservancy is run and the web site made it sound as though we would get to participate in some of the daily routines. One of my concerns about Insiders Africa is that the website hasn't been updated in quite a while, and when asking questions via e-mail it takes a couple of weeks before I get a response. I will keep exploring the the websites of other places. Thanks for all of the advice. I am sure you'll be hearing from me again!

Anna - My husband and I just returned from a safari that we booked through Gamewatchers. I'm in the middle of my trip report now. We did all 4 Porini camps (which are eco friendly yet manage to give you a high level of creature comfort and good food), which include 1 in Ol Pejeta and 2 in the Mara area. Gamewatchers was great to work with, and the Porini camps were outstanding - a real adventure. Claire

If wanting to stay at a small, low key camp on Ol Pejeta, in addition to the Porini camp mentioned by Claire (and I've heard very good comments about Porini/Gamewatchers BTW), you could also consider Kicheche Laikipia camp. Just wanted to give you another option.

You might be interested in Lewa Conservancy www.lewa.org as well which does work with rhinos.

Be wary of new posters that keep recommending the same company.

Yes, we met the manager of Kicheche's Ol Pejeta camp (he drove us to the airport since he was picking up people there). Quite a nice guy, and good quality jeep, customized similar to the Gamewatchers style. Also saw their jeeps in the Mara and they seem to be a good outfit. Claire

There is this company my husband and i used during our last september visit to MAASAI MARA and we had unforgetable safari experience.You can check with them www.elephanttrailsafaris.com and see if the could offer you some advice with olpejeta.phyla

Here is another vote for Gamewatchers. We did their Rhino (Ol Pejeta) and Lion (Mara) camps this August. They are affiliated with the four Porini camps but can also book safaris that use other camps. They made our arrangements for Malindi and Lamu on the coast too. Excellent service in making arrangements, inlcuding straightening everything out when one flight segment got messed up (airline fault not Gamewatcher fault). I owe the forum a full trip report for our fabulous journey but wanted to chip in if you were interested in Ol Pejeta and want a very comfortable but eco friendly experience, Gamewatchers and Porini is an excellent choice.

Be wary of new posters that keep recommending the same company.

I just wanted to clarify that the post I was commenting on has been removed.