marthag

I was fascinated by this report and wanting to read it again,since I am hoping to visit CampiYaKanzi. Was this report removed from the board? If so, why would that have happened?

That trip report was my first information about CampiYaKanzi. Can other Fodorites here give me additional information or personal experience about the lodge and game preserve? Thank you for your help.

LyndaS

I just did a search in the index (I have the original in Word, so it is easy to do that!)

Two people went to this camp that are listed in the index - see:

Divewop's at:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34579619

Bruce & Marija's at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34864322 (report)


I didn't see the one you were talking about from last night though. - hope this helps though!

Marija

Safaridude was there too:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34880203

We all thought Campi ya Kanzi was a great experience.

marthag

You folks are so great, with all your quick and helpful replies. I'm ashamed to tell you that the report I was referencing was Safaridude's,from October. I must have been "surfing' yesterday when I found it, and couldn't locate it later with a search.

Thank you all so much for solving the mystery of the missing trip report. I'd appreciate any other comments on Campi ya Kanzi. Would a five day visit be too long?

divewop

Marthag-
I'm going back to visit my friends at CYK again in early Feb., and dragging Sundowner, another Africaphile, with me!

The camp is set on 400,000 acres of Maasai owned land in the hills between Tsavo and Amboseli parks with stunning vistas. One of my favorite settings in Kenya. And I can't even imagine how green it will be now due to all the rains.

They have been recognized by several organizations for their eco-tourism and conservation efforts.

If you go to

www.maasai.com

it will give you an in-depth look at the camp and what they do for the Maasai and
also some of their conservation efforts.

If you have any specific questions let me know. I'm happy to help answer them.

marthag

Divewop....how wonderful that you'll be returning to Campi ya Kanzi. I'll look forward to your trip report.

I would greatly appreciate comments from all of you on my revised itinerary for February of 2009.

I'm now considering having 5-7 days at Campi ya Kanzi be our only destination for our first trip to Africa, other than a few days in Nairobi.

I'm as interested in the cultural inteeraction with the Maasi as I am in seeing wildlife. I'm attracted by the beautiful and varied landscape and elevation of CyK and the authenticity of the experience.

I had originally considered visiting Nairobi (Karen Blixen Cottages and/or Giraffe Manor), Masai Mara (Serena Lodge), Aberdare Country Club and maybe Lake Bogoro or Nakuru, for the flamingos. That would be a lot of running around, and I think I may get a better cultural and geographic experience with an extended stay at Campi ya Kanzi. This first trip to Africa does not have to be our last.

What are your thoughts on an extended stay at Campi ya Kanzi vs visiting the other destinations I have considered? Thanks so much for your collective insights.

Martha

divewop

Martha-
Firstly, you should be able to do the Blixen house and Giraffe Manor in the same afternoon. A lot of people visit
both after finishing up their safari circuit upon returning to Nairobi while awaiting their evening departures. It should only take you a couple of hours to do so.

If you only have 5-7 days, you can easily do CYK and the Mara on the same visit. The first time I visited Kenya, I went to both parks.
In fact, I would strongly recommend visiting the Mara. It is superb.

3 nights at CYK should be sufficient for your first visit. And definitely do a minimum of 3 nights in the Mara. It is unmatched in Kenya for animal viewing.

I've not been to Nakuru yet, or the Aberdares so I can't comment on those.

My usual rule of thumb is no less than 2 nights at any one camp, 3 being my usual standard and enough to get a good experience, but if I'm somewhere where the animal viewing is superb, then 3 nights is usually the minimum.

Hope this helps.

Do post your itinerary, no matter how rough, so we can give you some feedback and suggestions.

Sandy

sandi

Absolutely, combine CYK with the Mara. You're going that far and you have the time. As divewop indicates you can split your time evenly at both locations.

marthag

Many thanks for helping me develop my itinerary. Here are my preliminary thoughts.....

I am in my late 50's and will be traveling either with my husband or a girlfriend,also of the same age. My interest in visiting Africa is more based on seeing the people, arts cooperatives and scenery than in numerous game drives. However, I am certainly wanting to observe wildlife,particularly giraffe, elephant and lion. I'm fascinated by Hemingway lore, Karen Blixen, early 20th century British settlement and lifestyle,although all of the above are probably quite non- politically correct. I don't need luxurious surroundings, but if my husband accompanies me, he requires more creature comforts than I do.

My plan is to spend the first several days in Nairobi, recovering from the flight from Arizona and easing into Africa. I would stay in the suburb of Karen, at Karen Blixen Coffee Cottages, Macushla House or Giraffe manor. I plan to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Center, Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, Utamatudi Crafts Center, Kazuri Beads, Karen Blixen Museum and posssibly the Bomas of Kenya ( I know it's cheesy,but I love dance of any sort). I may also do a day trip to Lake Naivasha, or visit a coffee plantation as a day trip out of Nairobi.

After several days in Nairobi, I would spend 3 or 4 days at Campi Ya Kanzi. Then, based on advice received from Sandy and others here on Fodors, I would spend two or three nights in the Masai Mara,tentatively at the Mara Serena Lodge, where I would want to partake of game drives, but also have time to visit Masai village(s).

I had originally planned to visit Aberdare Country Club, to experience the Highlands, but perhaps that won't be necessary after staying at Campi Ya Kanzi.

That's my itinerary,as of now. I really don't want to be flying or driving to many different locales, and I think that a ten day visit is all the time my husband or friend can devote to this first trip.

I'm very interested in your thoughts on my itinerary., especially if I am leaving out any important destinations or activities.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help me with my trip planning.

Martha

Patty

I don't think Aberdare Country Club is accomodating overnight guests at this time. I believe it's only being used for meals and shuttling guest back and forth to/from the Ark. But I may be able to suggest alternative accomodations if you post what specifically interests you about the Highlands.

Oh wait, I just noticed your trip is for 2009. It's hard to say what the ACC situation will be by then.

"I'm fascinated by Hemingway lore, Karen Blixen, early 20th century British settlement and lifestyle" - sounds like Cottars in the Mara might be a good fit if you want to experience this non-politically correct lifestyle for yourself

marthag

Patty....what was attracting me to the Aberdares and the Central Highlands is the rolling hills, lush greenery and misty mornings. It sounds like a wonderful change from the Arizona desert....plus there are lots of elephants. But maybe I can experience similar lushness and rolling hills at Campi Ya Kanzi. Thanks for your help.

Patty

You could consider staying at the Ark in Aberdare NP but make sure you also do a few game drives to experience more of the park. There are also self catering (your tour operator can provide a cook) KWS accomodations in Aberdare NP such as Fishing Lodge and Tusk Camp though these might be too rustic for your husband. Paul (kimburu) stayed at Tusk Camp recently. Keep an eye out for his report. I really enjoyed the Aberdares. It's a very lush, forested environment but I haven't been to Campi ya Kanzi so can't compare.

safaridude

Marthag, I would do the Mara first, then go to Campi ya Kanzi (please read my report). I could stay at Campi ya Kanzi for a year. It's that kind of a place...

divewop

Yes, one could easily stay for a year and the way they feed you, you'd end up as big as one of the tents!

Safaridude-
I don't know if you know but Antonella is expecting another baby sometime in March. They don't know if it's a boy or girl yet as they want to keep it a surprise. I'm bringing something generic for the new one as well as something special for Lucrezia so she doesn't feel left out.

You can email me if you'd like and
I can pass along your regards
to Luca and Antonella while I'm there.
I'm not sure they know you as safaridude?!

Sandy

marthag

Great idea about doing the Mara first.....I really should save the best for last.

Will the Abardare experience be sufficiently different from Campi Ya Kanzi to merit visiting there, or should I visit just the Mara and CYK?

safaridude

Aberdare will be different, but I would just stick with the Mara and CYK.

marthag

Thanks for all the good advice. I'll do a short stay in Nairobi, then the Mara Serena and then Campi Ya Kanzi. This should be a good introduction to Africa, without an excess of running from destination to destination.

I really appreciate the help and insight from all of you who have posted on this message thread.