jessyirish

Hi all
I want to go on Safari to kenya in july or aug next year for 10 days. stay at Governors camp for 4 or 5 days and another camps then, only interest in seeing big cats. my wish is to see a leopard in the wild, budget around €3500. traveling on my own. Got some quotes, prices way to high. Dont they realise there is still a recession on ha.
So any tips would be great. Traveling from Ireland,

Thanks All

sandi

July or August are "peak" season with prices to match and while many properties held their prices for the 2009 and 2010 season at 2008 rates, many offering "specials" it appears for 2011, the rates are going up.

What type of itineraries are being offered, staying where, flying or driving, and the prices? Would assist in our being able to offer alternatives. And, remember as a solo traveler there's the single supplement.

FrankS

sandi,
Are prices going up in USD too? Or will it be a double whammy for Euros?

jessyirish

Thanks I got quotes from different agents.
(1) 6 nights Governor,s and my flight € 4,153

(2)6 nights Porini camp massi mara € 4130 plus flights

(3) 1 night Serena lodge mt kenya
2 nights at Sambura Sarova shaba lodge
1 night Sarova Hill lodge
2 nights massi mara Sarova lodge 3660 and flights

These are all quotes i have recieved so far

sandi

Frank - If rates in USD go up for 2011, it's got to impact Euro & GP.

jessy - Not sure of the exchange rate E vs USD, but for your guidance, based on 2010 rates, staying a Governor's as a single during peak season months, the "rack" rate is $544/person + $60 daily park fee + $300 return air NBO/MAR/NBO. Have to assume your agent is offering a rate better than "rack." To this you add: meet/greet at NBO on arrival, if you have a nt in NBO before commencing safari, transfer to/from airport for Mara flights and back to NBO for homebound flight. Beverages at Governor's are extra as are bush meals.

The #3 itinerary, I assume is a driving itinerary and is pretty much standard. With only 2/nts in the Mara and considering you don't arrive here from Nakuru till lunch, you only have 1/full day. I wouldn't do the Mara with less than 3/nts.

That's the best I can advise.

cary999

Pricing is easier for me to analyze when air is separate. And camp costs are separate.

"my wish is to see a leopard in the wild"
Maybe at Governors Camp. We were there 5 nights in 2006 and saw -no- leopard. But that was ok because we had already seen many leopards in the Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa. Sabi Sand or Timbavati reserves you -will- see leopards (yes, plural). And lions, but probably no cheetah. Flights to there from Europe should be same cost as to Nairobi and camps.

regards - tom

Leely2

You might look at what Kicheche can come up with in terms of pricing. You could do a Laikipia/Mara split or perhaps stay at both Kicheche Mara camps for your entire trip. June will get you better pricing, especially as a solo traveler, but taller grass (and fewer people). I stayed at Bush Camp this past June and really enjoyed it. My guide was James. Sounds like you want Governor's though.

http://www.kicheche.com/index.shtm

spassvogel

If you are keen on seeing the big cats and leopard in particular try to get 5 nights at ILKELIANI (close to Talek gate) outside the park. It's nit in a concession that means you only pay what you visit: either a concession or the reserve. That offers the opportunity to switch every day from one location to the next.
The game package should not be more than 220US$ per day and you certainly could negotiate regarding the single surcharge up until 15 July.

The second choice would be either Kicheche Mara (slightly cheaper than) or Kicheche Bush camp. Both outside in a conservancy.

Thinking of your budget and hoping the US$ decreases by then I would rather stay the entire time at Ilkeliani and negotiate with them a sole use of car for the duration of stay. Tents are very comfortable but not top-notch! Food is okay and guides as well. Also the vehicles are very good.

Or you switch from a cheaper camp (like Ilkeliani) to their Entim camp at the River inside the reserve.
That would also make good basis for negotiation for the combo Ilkeliani/Entim.

As I said - if you travel let's say from 05 to 15 July you should be able to get a very decent deal.

Just give it a try.

spassvogel

Regarding the budget I would fly-in to the Mara and not include another park as that involves flying costs/travel time.

Would be excellent to hear on what you decided and whether you got a deal ;-)

Finally:
Don't put yourself (and your guide) under stress in order to TICK any animal. Don't go exclusively for the leopard. That expectation is the best guarantee to become disappointed!
Just appreciate what ever comes along. And I am sure you get a leopard as a bonus!

sandi

Speaking of "chui" - didn't see my first till my 5th trip to Africa. And, then another far up in a tree, 4/yrs later and finally had one all to myself 2/yrs ago. So in 16/yrs only 3/sightings of chui!

As SV states, toss the checklist!

cary999

JI - chui = leopard
I know "Big Cat Dairy" always has a leopard every show from the Mara. But see what sandi says above.

I saw several chui my first trip to Afica, MalaMala camp, South Africa. it depends on how important to you it is. My first trip I told my travel agent I wanted to see "the big five, up close, personal, and often". I did. Call it a "checklist" if you want. It depends on how important it is to you.

regards - tom

Leely2

I've only been on three safaris, all in East Africa, and have seen leopards every time, including during a short three day visit to the Mara this June (Olive from Big Cat Diary). But we had a much better sighting--and more private, more relaxed--just driving through Tsavo West.

We had a driver-guide in Tanzania on our last trip to that country whose favorite animal was leopard. He said, "Oh, yes, we will see them. They are my favorite." And we saw several in different parks. But that was a driving trip with the same guide the entire time. Meaning we spent many days with our "leopard man." I would think a longer stay in one area/park/reserve is more likely to yield a desired animal.

Though caracal still eludes me!

Good luck and have fun.

jessyirish

Hi all thanks for all your information, I have been on safari in South Africa twice, May this year went for 10 days, Kariega Game Reserve a wonderful place, Had a chat with my friend on FB she is a professional photographer and goes to
Massi Mara a few times a year, she said best camps were Entim, Mara Bush, or Interpids and they are not far from where Marsh Pride and Jackson five hang out.As you can see i am a BBC Big Cat Diary Fan. So going to check out these camps maybe 3 nights in each. Anyone on Face Book Jackson Looseyia from Rekero camp has daily updates from the Mara and amazing photos. Thanks All for taking time out to answer my Questions

sandi

Rekero's Jackson Looseyia and I have the same thing in common. We've yet to see a pangolin!

jessyirish

Hi
Hi all sent this E mail to different Travel Agents, so I will see what price they come up with.



Spend 10 days in Massi Mara, 6 nights in one Camp and 4 nights in another, Camps i have in mind are
Mara Intrepids, Entim,s. Mara Bush Camp, Governors Camp. (expensive I know) Could you give me price for 1 person and for 2 persons( friend might come with me

sandi

You might actually find Intrepid's to be more expensive than Governor's. Keep us advise on replies.

Leely2

Really, Sandi? Wow.

jessyirish,
This may not matter to you (and for some it's a plus), but I think Intrepid's is a fenced camp.

stamiya

we are staying four nights at Entim camp in a couple of weeks, and I'll be posting a review and trip report probably in October.

Josekenya

I think it is possible to work with this budget, but you need to have a very clear plan on what you want because i find that even students come to Kenya for tours with tight budgets.You need to either look for a very understanding tour operator or a friend who is in the Kenya who you will work with regarding your budget.I can share with you contacts of a good tour operator within kenya who you can work with.She plans for tours and camps for groups.

crazyaboutafrica

Hi, Am planning to stay along time in the mara, around sept end/oct beginning for around 15-20 nights. So I am doing extensive research....Actually there are soo many new camps/lodges in the mara (very good one's too), so there is lot of competition, that even in peak season there is place for at least one single room ( see travelling alone/ so needing one room, has its benefits), am travelling single tooo. Actually am getting good deals at prime viewing areas/ lodges/camps. Spassvogel is very correct. SV.... how do u get to be sooo correct all the time....

If I find some good deals when i visit the mara this time, I will let u know, will put it up for u on fodors....