gilmao

Hi Fodorites, my first time here! I read nice topics on safaris here. Please help me plannig our to Kenya: 21 days, July 28th to Aug 18th. Medium to high budget. Amateur wildlife photographer with great safari experiences (Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania).Main reason of trip is to see/take great photo of migration (Mara crossings), flamingoes and rhinos! Need your opinion!
Present plan is as follows: start in Nairobi, drive to RV lakes (Naivasha-Nakuru-Bogoria 3 nites) mostly for flamingoes (best place to see them in millions?), on to Laikipia-Lewa 3/4 nites for conservation projects and rhinos(Lewa Safari Camp?)passing from Solio Ranch (rhino sanctuary), back to Nairobi, fly to (West) Mara, 6 nites there to spend in Mara River Camp or Dream Camp or Governor's (opinions?), then moving to Mombasa coast and/or Lamu.Tsavo suppressed for budget reasons. Which beach would you suggest, for snorkel/dive? Lamu town worth visiting or not? Really uncertain, we read contrasting opinions (charming? dirty?)but we loved Stone Town verymuch!! What do you think of our itinerary? Any off-beaten-track idea? Extensions suggested? Samburu? Magadi Lake? Any help greatly appreciated, Gilberto & Silvia, Italy

climbhighsleeplow

Gilmao

Do you know for sure that Mara River Camp will reopen this summer? It was closed when I visited 3 months ago but it looked as if it could open in the near future.

By Dream Camp, do you mean Base Camp Masai Mara? I have pics here:

http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/basecamp.htm

It is a nice camp in a good location.

You cannot really compare Governors with camps such as Basecamp. I think they attract different kinds of clientele. I think it is better to stay inside but a few nights outside is OK.

atravelynn

If Mara River Camp does re-open it was my favorite. Thanks for providing hope that it may be operating again. That's a good plan to spend a nice amount of time at both the lakes and the Masai Mara.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lewa Downs for 3 nights. Think that's the same place.

sandi

Interesting itinerary. I like.

For July/August travel I wouldn't wait to book as space is closing real fast.
Keep us posted.

Nyamera

Re. Lamu: it’s charming AND dirty.

gilmao

For those who asked about Mara River Camp, I checked with local travel agents, Steenbok confirmed it's NOT operational.
We are now thinking to spend 3 nights in Mara Serena to keep costs medium and the rest of 3 nights in a luxury tented lodge. We were thinking of Mara Explorer or Rekero Tented Camp. Mara Intrepids would be nice but we do not like the idea of baiting the local leopard, especially after reading about the French child in Tarangire. What do you think?
Thanks a lot,
Gilberto, Italy

stakerk

Gilberto:

Have you checked availability in the Mara for that period? I believe it will be very difficult (molto dificle) to find any openings.

Please note we are staying at Kizingo on Lamu in early August. It came highly recommended.

Buona fortuna,

Kevin (from California, but who lived two years in Italy)

RAG1011

Gilmao, my daughter and I stayed at Mara Intrepids in Nov. 2005 and they weren't baiting the leopard. We saw loads of wildlife and were very happy with the camp.

stakerk

mi scusi . . . dificile

sandi

Mara Serena - unless you have a link to a spiritual contact, will be very difficult, especially for 3 consecutive days. Space here has been booked for over a year.

Mara Explorer is probably the most expensive camp right there in the middle of the Mara.

Rekero is a possibility, but as with any camp this summer, you have to check and even be prepared to split your time between two properties.

However, some of the big tour operators (A&K, Micato, etc.) will have to release their block bookings at minimum 60-days prior your expected arrival and you might just luck out.

In fact, saw a notice that Micato is trying to fill-up some of their itineraries that right now don't seem to have many takers. Wonder why? Price, maybe?

Do check with your tour operator to learn what's available anywhere in Kenya for your dates.

mzeetembo

Gilberto Hi

sounds like a fabulous trip you have planned. As far as rhino goes it looks as if you have it covered. Certainly if you are looking for close up shots you cant do better than Lewa. Naivasha /Nakuru/ Bogoria you might want to pop in on Lake Elementita I assume you are driving this leg, looks like it. If so you will see them from the roadside. only small numbers of flamingos at naivasha but fabulous birdlife other than that.

in the Mara you might want to get a hold of Alex Walker at serian he has a mobile camp in the triangle on the mara/Talek junction for the migration and it is right amongst the crossings. Also serian is one of my most favourite spots in the mara.(www.serian.net or [email protected]) i have just come back and although pretty rainy the mara is absolutely beautiful and still a tremendous amount of game. We watched the marsh pride topple a big buffalo one day and Zawadi (leopard) kill an impala the next!! this could cover your bases, i know he is relatively full but had mentioned a couple of gaps still.

As far as Lamu/Shela goes i was just a gillies Turles yoga house (http://www.lamuyoga.com) and at $75 a night it is really the best thing going in Shela. ([email protected]) lamu itself is more charming than stone town. No cars!!! Mara too!!!

Alternatively Manda island is great as is Peponis. Have me wanting to go back already and I only just left.