www.porini.com

my fav for safari

some halfway decent beach resorts not to far...

But www.seychelles.travel/en/home/index.php

FAR superior to anything else...

www.chobesafailodge.com nice around Victoria...

Do careful research for best experience...

Happy Journey,

You're all over the place... East Africa, Southern Africa, Indian Ocean where distances are great between all. Best you decide where you want to concentrate and for how long do you plan this holiday? Weeks or # of days, remembering that flights are limited and expensive inter-Africa.

Suggest you pick-up a guidebook as "Fodor's Complete Safari Planning Guide" which has lots of info on the various safari countries and nearby beach options; also transport, Visas, health, accommodations, etc. You've got to do some more research and do take out a map to see where everything is.

As to the "migration" in June thru mid-July this can be found in the Western Serengeti of Tanzania; from mid-July thru Oct will be found in Kenya's Masai Mara.

Kenya and/or Tanzania are both wonderful for safari, and children are warmly welcomed, however, while child rates are discounted know that some camps don't allow children on game drives unless you choose a private vehicle (other guests aren't always keen to be with a child... even your wonderful little person). There are some properties that have special programs for children, especially when not out on game drives - Intrepid's Camps (www.heritage-eastafrica.com). And, for some R&R beach time, Kenya has some lovely small luxe properties on their coast (south or north) even Lamu Island, Manda Bay and others, so no need to go farther afield. Or if in Tanzania, there is Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia Island.

If wanting to visit the Seychelles instead, there are flights out of Nairobi/NBO Kenya... 3/hrs flying time.

Victoria Falls is a 4/hr flight south of Kenya by arriving in Johannesburg/JNB South Africa and then a 2/hr flight to VFA. Yes, there are safari opportunities in Zimbabwe or nearby Zambia or Chobe in Botswana, but again you have to verify rules/regs when it comes to whether children are even allowed.

If you spend time in Southern Africa, it's relatively easy to get to Mozambique.

There are many choices when it comes to Africa, but unless you have unlimited time and budget... you won't be able to do it all!

Focus on either East or Southern Africa as each area can provide what you need without even having to leave the Continent but for the close-in islands that belong to some of these countries.

Once you've selected an area, we can better assist with comments and ideas, place to stay, etc. Good luck!

OK. Then Victoria falls is out for this holiday and I'll concentrate in East africa for a week and then to the Seychelles. I have heard that the times of migration is not set and there is approximately two to three months of variation. Then should I go with Serengeti or Masai Mara. Which one is more scenic and worth visiting? Is it possible to do both in a week?

In regards to the beach, it seems that Seychelles will be similar to the Maldives in the snorkeling quality. Has anyone heard anything about the new Raffles?

The migration moves and yet no exact guarantee where it will be any particular day or week. But, unless you "only" visit for the migration and visit both the Serengeti and Masai Mara having to fly in/around to get to both can be costly and time consuming, so... no way can you visit both countries with less than 10/days.

Both countries are beautiful and scenic with a wide array of accommodations from which to choose. And, if then heading off to the Seychelles might just be best you concentrate on Kenya.

You'll have to check schedules for # of days you can actually spend in SEZ... as flights out of NBO are NOT daily. Also, will you be returning home out of Nairobi/NBO or direct from Seychelles/SEZ via Europe? Suggest you check air flight schedules/fares/routing options first... see site as Kayak, www.kayak.com.

Can't comment on the waters at SEZ besides fact that they're beautiful, but different times of year, snorkling can be better or worse depending on where on main island of Mahe, and/or the other islands as Praslin, La Digue, etc. Maybe check the Trip Advisor Forum www.tripadvisor.com/forums select Seychelles to review various threads or ask the question directly. They'll also have names of reputable outfitters who handle Seychelles lodging, transfers, etc. such as
Mason's Travel at www.masonstravel.com/
also
Seychelles Exclusive at www.seyexclusive.com/

Once in Kenya, you can spend first day sightseeing to visit Giraffe Center, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, maybe snake farm, water park (lots of things that kids may enjoy)... then head out on safari. Visit an elephant park (Samburu, also with species not found elsewhere) and then balance in Masai Mara for the migration.

Consider:
Day 1 - Arv. NBO - o/n House of Waine, Macushla House or Ngong House
Day 2 - NBO; sightseeing in morning thru lunch; afternoon at leisure (all of these hotels have pools) - o/n House of Waine, Macushla House or Ngong House
Day 3 - Fly to Samburu - o/n Saruni*
Day 4 - Samburu - o/n Saruni*
Day 5 - Fly to Masai Mara - o/n Elephant Pepper* or Cottars*
Days 6, 7 & 8 - Masai Mara - o/n Elephant Pepper* or Cottars*
Day 9 - Fly to NBO; overnight hotel (as flights to SEZ depart next morning).

*if choosing these, there's a "special" offered for 6+/nts stay, a 15% discount on rates; comes to 1/free night.

Which camp between EPC or Cottars as each is located in different area of the Mara, depends on exactly when you expect to visit.

This is the most confusion trip that I have had to plan. There are just so many options in the Masai Mara region. I was looking for an intimate luxury tent experience that would be a fit also for my son. Although Porini seems nice, it does not seem very luxurious. What do you all think of Kicheche camps? They are ranked #1 in tripadvisor for this region. Mara Bushtop looks great as well, but it seems a bit far from the main action region. Any other reccomendations in the luxury category?

Also, what about &Beyond properties there (Bateleur and Kichwa Tembo)?

I never go by rankings in some survey. Half the time, those reporting whether Trip Adviser, Conde Nast, Travel & Leisure haven't actually stayed at a place... maybe only driving past or walking thru a lobby; quite often requested by a property itself to write a positive report for such Forums... something to bear in mind.

Kicheche is a lovely camp but won't fit your category of luxe. Bateleur is the more luxe of the andBeyond camps, but still 18/tents in two sections and between these two is the larger 40/tent mid-priced Kichwa Tembo Camp.

If wanting Bateleur, while children under 5/yrs are free they don't recommend children younger than 8/yrs. I'd also try to ascertain how they set up tent with parents and child; also you'll probably need private vehicle for game drives and these can be quite expensive on a daily basis... can range from $250-$500/day.

Bushtops is lovely, but tends to be used by a European based tour operator so you may find groups here.

There are many luxe camps, but you have to determine what they provide when with young child and need for private vehicle/price

Visiting during the migration game is everywhere, though some camps can be at a distance from a river crossing, which irks some visitors. However, even at a camp near a river crossing point, there's no guarantee you will ever see. And then being a bit of a distance from these more crowded areas is much nicer, quieter and never lacking of game.

You may want to check-out Explorer Camp, the luxe property (10/tents) as sister camp to Intrepid's. Why? They have a Young Adventurer's program that is good for kids of all ages and gets great reviews. Though Explorer is separate from Intrepid's... about a 5/min drive, your child can still participate in the program. Check out www.heritage-eastafrica.com for details.

Thank you Sandi. What about Mara Bush camp? I know it is luxurious but is outside the park. Is that going to be an issue?

There are more camps "outside" the Reserve, than inside... so Mara Bush is much as lots of the other luxe properties for consideration. Olare Orok Conservancy is just north of the Reserve with a very short drive into the Reserve. Mara Bush seems to get positive reviews, but may nickel-n-dime for extra activities... so ask questions to avoid surprises, such as: extra fees for sundowners, bush meals, etc. Also, as their web site is in both English and German, gives an idea of the guests that tend to visit.

Remember, most of these small camps are unfenced so a watchful eye is needed for your little one, though it's safe enough if he/she knows where can or can't go. And, do ascertain if they allow young children on game drives with other guests or whether you have to pre-arrange for exclusive use of vehicle just for your family.

We saw the migration last summer with teens - Not sure if I'd want to do it with a seven-year old. Lots of riding around in bumpy vehicles and waiting. The whole experience was magical and relaxing for us, but might not have been when the kids were seven (although, like yours, they were well traveled).

I agree with Sandi that Mara Intrepids would be a better idea than the unfenced camps. We stayed there the last night - I expected it to be "touristy," but it was just slightly more resorty than the more intimate places. Maybe you should do three days there, then spend the rest of the time at the beach.

Just want to say that I took my kids on luxury safaris beginning at ages 2 & 4 and am planning one now for my now 2, 6, and 8 year old. Do it! You sound like you have well-traveled and adventurous kids like I do. All of mine flew at 8 weeks old. We have stayed at AndBeyond properties all over Africa and had a great time in Kenya and South Africa especially. In Tanzania, we stayed at a tented mobile camp as I was determined to see the migration. We had lions outside our tents and my kids were captivated. My only suggestion is that you spend the extra money for a private vehicle. This way the lodges will not tell you your son cannot go on game drives and your children will not bother other people. It will also put your mind at ease that you are in control as a parent. My kids have never missed a game drive on safari even when they have to wake up at 4:30 AM. They love it. I empower them with their own camera, animal check-list and binoculars. For beach, we have done Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya. There are some lovely, upscale and luxurious villas and hotels. Good luck and have fun.

Lola, Do you live the US? What do you do about inoculations and malaria meds?

We, too, took our kids all over the world from the time they were infants (often work related), but waited until they were tweens/teens before we went to locations where Malarone was required. Also, though mine were/are great travelers, but it sounds as if yours are way better sleepers than mine were in foreign time zones.

The boys are now 17 and 20, both still very adventurous and resilient. (The younger one is camping in an igloo as we speak.) But sadly, they don't remember many of the early trips.