1st timers-Kenya & Tanzanic
 

Have been reading the forum and everyone's suggestions and must admit I am a little...no a lot overwhelmed. What we are looking at right now is:
Day 1 - Vancouver to London
Day 2 - London
Day 3 - London
Day 4 - London
Day 5 - Nairobi Naiobi Serena Hotel
Day 6 & 7- Samburu - Samburu Serena Lodge
Day 8 - Mount Kenya - Mountain Lodge
Day 9 - Lake Nakuru - Flaming Hill Camp
Day 10 & 11 - Masai Mara - Mara Serena Lodge or Siana Springs Camp
Day 12 - Nairobi - Serena Hotel
Day 13 - Lake Manyara - Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Day 14 & 15 - Serengeti - Serengeti Serena Lodge or Kirawira or Mbuzi Mawe
Day 16 & 17 Ngorongoro - Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 18 Arusha and home from Nairobi
Would really appreciate your thoughts

What time of year are you travelling? Robin

We are looking at travelling the end of September beginning to end of October 2010.

It appears you have plans for London up front.

To evaluate your itinerary, we need to know your goals for the trip.
-Most variety of animals?
-See the Wildebeest/Zebra Migration?
-Certain species you hope to see?
-Want to visit 2 countries--both Kenya and Tanzania?
-Don't mind missing views of Kilimanjaro?
-Want to see World Heritage site of Ngorongoro Crater?
-Is your preference to drive or fly or both?
-Are you looking at a private trip for just your party or is this a group trip?
-Would you like to included some tented camps? This itinerary has mostly lodges and could have all lodges if that's what you choose.

End of Sept-Oct, I would spend at least one more day up to several more days in the Maasai Mara. Given your 2 choices, I'd go with Mara Serena for location.

If you must fit your trip into the given time frame, you could take the days spent in the Mara away from the Serengeti. The land mass of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya are the same and the herds migrate between the 2 countries. Sept-Oct the herds are likely to be more in the Mara than Serengeti.

If you want to include the Serengeti, I believe you'd want to be in the Northern part at the time of year you are going. Kirawira is West so I wouldn't choose that. Serena amd Mbzui Mawe are pretty much Central, which is fine year-round due to the permanent water sources. But ideally, you would choose farther north where the herds may be returning from the Mara at a place like Lobo Lodge, Migration Camp, or Sayari Camp, to name just a few places. The problem with going so far north in the Serengeti is that it takes time to drive there and two nights might not be enough. Of course you could stop in Central Serengeti along the way, but that's adding even more days.

In Sept the Tanzanian park, Tarangire should be really good and it has lots of elephants, plus interesting baobab trees. Tarangire would be at its wildlife peak, while Manyara is not in Sept. But most itineraries spend 2 nts Tarangire because it is a bigger park than Manyara. Tarangire is also a little more out of the way than Manyara. You can enjoy the hippo pool and monkey action in Manyara any time of year.

Once we know what is most important to you and if you make a few tweaks, this should be a really nice trip. Very similar to my first trip, which got me hooked on Africa.

For late-Sep/early-Oct, the Migration is still in the Masai Mara in Kenya, though some of the herds might be heading back to Serengeti where the very north would be the place to visit. Bear in mind that with over a million animals they don't all move at the same time and even if some head south, the next day they can turn around back to the Mara... wildies are strange animals.

Whether in the Mara or Serengeti, both deserve at minimunm 3/nts (more if you can).
As you don't indicate, it seems this is a mostly driving safari and there are some very very long drives on many not very good road in there. See (#/hrs) below:

Day 5 - Nairobi Naiobi Serena Hotel
Day 6 & 7- Drive (6/hrs) NBO/Samburu - Samburu Serena Lodge
Day 8 - Drive (3/hrs) Mount Kenya - Mountain Lodge
Day 9 - Drive (3/hrs) Lake Nakuru - Flaming Hill Camp
Day 10 & 11 - Drive (5-6/hrs) Masai Mara - Mara Serena Lodge or Siana Springs Camp
Day 12 - Drive (5-6/hrs) to Nairobi - Serena Hotel - the reason you have o/n here is that you can't possibly drive to Manyara in 1/day... waste and not necessary. What you pay for o/n hotel you could fly to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro/JRO).
Day 13 - Drive from NBO (4.5/hrs) to border; drive (1.5/hrs) to Arusha; lunch ((1/hrs); drive (2.5/hrs) to Lake Manyara - Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Day 14 & 15 - Drive (3.5-4/hrs) to Central Serengeti - Serengeti Serena Lodge (or Kirawira*) or Mbuzi Mawe
Day 16 & 17 Drive (4-5/hrs) to Ngorongoro - Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 18 Drive (4.5/hrs) to Arusha; lunch (1/hr); drive (1.5/hrs) to border; drive (4.5-5/hrs) to NBO for homebound flight.

*Kirawira is in the West and not ideal for Sept.

Would suggest instead:
Day 5 - Morning sightseeing in NBO: Blixen Museum, Giraffe Manor, Sheldrick ellee orphanage; lunch; drive (2.5/hrs) to Mt. Kenya - o/n Serena Lodge
Day 6 - Drive (3/hrs) to Samburu - o/n Serena Ldg or Larsen's Camp
Day 7 - Samburu - o/n
Day 8 - Drive (3/hrs) to Ol Pejeta pvt conservancy - o/n Sweetwater's
Day 9 - Drive (3/hrs) to Lake Nakuru - o/n Lion Hill, Nakuru Lodge or Flamingo Hill Camp
Day 10 - Drive (5-6/hrs) to Masai Mara - o/n Serena or Keekorok or Simba Lodge or Sarova or Kichwa Tembo Camps
Days 11, 12 & 13 - Masai Mara
Day 14 - Transfer to airstrip for flight to NBO; connect to flight to Kilimanjaro; met and transfer to Arusha - o/n
Day 15 - Drive (2.5/hrs) to Manyara, game drive; drive (1/hr) to Karatu (an area of coffee plantations/farms) for lunch at Gibb's Farm; afternoon leisure or visiit elephant caves, trek the highlands, visit school/orphanage, spa - o/n Gibb's Farm
Day 16 - Drive (2.5/hrs) to Ngorongoro Crater; afternoon crater tour - o/n Serena or Sopa Lodge
Day 17 - Ngo - option: morning crater tour; afternoon leisure or crater rim walk - o/n
Day 18 - Drive (4.5/hrs) to Arusha; day-room here; evening transfer to JRO for homebound flight OR flight to NBO for homebound flight.

Obviously, I've omitted the Serengeti as unless you have the time to drive to the farthest north where most properties are in the lux category; or fly up to add to your costs, and when the majority of the herds are in the Mara... it's not "a must" to visit, or if you wish a stop in Serengeti not any farther than Central. This option would be (omitting Lk. Manyara):

Day 14 - Drive (4.5/hrs) to Ngorongoro Crater; afternoon crater tour - o/n Serena or Sopa
Day 15 - Ngo - option: morning crater tour; drive (45/min) via Oldupai Gorge w/stop; continue game drive (3+/hrs) to Central Serengeti - o/n Serena Lodge, Mbuzi Mawe or Medium Camps
Days 16 & 17 - Central Serengeti - o/n
Day 18 - Transfer to airstrip for flight to Arusha; day-room here; evening transfer to JRO for homebound flight OR flight to NBO for homebound flight.

Hope this helps.

Sandi,the only flight on this trip is on Day 12 from Nairobi to Arusha and then we drive to Lake Manyara. Would you recommend that we go mid October to the end of October instead of the beginning?? The trip that I have laid out is a package that I have found for $5363 not including airfare. The only tented camp they offer in the package is the Flamingo Camp. Atravelynn, we would like to see the Ngorongoro Crater and the Wildebeest Migration. Thanks to you both for taking the time to answer me.

The problem with most packages is that they try to include too many locations given the amount of time with lots of long drives. I would suggest coming up with an alternative itinerary and emailing some of the recommended tour operators here for quotes. If there are at least 2 of your traveling, the cost of a private, custom itinerary may not necessarily be more.

If you're looking at the end of Sep to end of Oct and interested in the migration, I'd go as early as possible during that time frame and specifically to the Masai Mara (spend at least 3 nights here, 4 would be better). Skip the Serengeti as it's too much travel time but you can still include Ngorongoro and Tarangire and/or Manyara in Tanzania. That would free up the days you need in the Mara and you'd spend much less time traveling from location to location.

Go earlier in Oct. And, try to get in the extra time in the Mara. Also, consider asking tour operator with whom currently working or others (many can be found on this site or LyndaS' "New East African Trip Report Index" for some permanent tent camp options. These don't all necessarily have to cost more than lodges. That's not taking away from the Serena properties which are nice, but tend to be larger. Besides, there's nothing more "truly safari" than sleeping under canvas and perfectly safe.

You've got a set itinerary and price to fall back on. Despite the shortcomings we all mentioned, if you went, you'd come back raving about the wonderful trip you had.

To be fair to yourselves and make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck, email some of Sandi's examples (or tweak them to include more of what you want) to several Africa specialists* and see what a private trip would cost.

Can't hurt, every interaction with those in the know teaches you something so you'll learn more, and you can go on your trip knowing you have the best deal.

*I'll list some later or others can. Gotta go now.

*
Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale
Africa Serendipity in NYC
Eastern & Southern Safaris in Kenya
Go2Africa in South Africa
Good Earth in Tampa and Tanzania
Kiliwarriors in Tanzania and Virginia
Premier Tours in Philadelphia
Roy's in Tanzania

These are some that have been used with success by those on the forum. There are many more.

hi,

we just came from a 6 day safaris in Kenya and a 5 days safari in Tanzania, after a lot of consultaion and recommendations on the internet we finally settled on steenbok safaris, i am very proud saying that the company lived up to the recommendations, our safari was organized by George( he is the owner) he personally met us at the airport and the safari was very exciting with Isaac the guide showing a lot of knowledge in his work we saw all the big five and the lions climbing trees, after our Tanzania trip we were given a private transfer from Arusha to Nairobi as a complimentary for our flight back home....the journey back was very interesting, George sent one of his staff named paris with the driver to make sure that we had a good time. we want to come back especially in kenya to experience and visit the other parks that paris suggested even though we have already been to masai mara it is still our number one park and we will include that to her list, and my husband wants to climb kilimanjaro too. i would recommend you contact, there email address is [email protected].

<b>kDamico</b>
OK we've understood!! - no need to copy and paste that message over and over again...
we prefer a dialogue type of conversation that cannot be seen as an aggressive advertisement
thanks
aby
P.S. thre's no Steenbok in the wild in either Kenya or Tanzania

lizann

i agree with the other ladies' suggestion about dropping serengeti in favour of more days at the Mara
You've been quoted a Serena-based itinerary; in serengeti their properties are not in best location for your timing, In Mara it is perfect
assuming this is a very good deal, it'd either staying with it
(& in Serengeti forgetting about the migration and concentrating on other things (e.g. leopard hunting in Seronera area...)
Or, look for a deal in Kenya alone, then buying a shorter tour in TZ which ends at Ngorongoro - it may be close in price

i meant leopard-"hunting"

another point:
your itinerary is indeed a "squeezed" one. most fodorites on a private tour stay longer at fewer parks. since, i personally, have done numerous tours at such a squeezed pace, i can say it is doable, though it is intensive with relatively lots of time spent travelling <u>on the way </u> to attractions

lifesavernumberone - is constantly touting villlagelifesafari in every one of his posting. If he read the Fodor's Rules/Regs he'd know this is not permitted.

I have emailed off your itinerary that you suggested Sandi. I was wondering if we should perhaps be flying in one more spot on our trip. Also, it has been recommended that we see Tarangire instead of Lake Manyara. Thoughts anyone.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for helping to make our trip very special. It's our 10th anniversary present to ourselves.

The reason I omitted Tarangire (an "elephant" park) is that you've already visited at Samburu (another "elephant" stop). Of course, if you wish to replace Manyara with Tarangire, this should be at minimum 2/nts, but you can do 1/nt and then next morning, continuing onto Ngorongoro late-morning. But having carter tour next morning as you arrive the crater too late for a full 6/hrs that day. Realize that the drive from Tarangire to Ngorongoro will be at minimum an additional hour than if from Manyara.

There are so many "variations on a theme" - why not wait for the info from agent/price and then you can tweak from that starting point.

Following is the itinerary I received from Eastern and Southern Safaris Ltd. Could I please get thoughts on this trip?
Day 1: Arrive Nairobi
Sarova Stanley Hotel

Day 2: Nairobi site seeing/Mt. Kenya
Serena Mountain Lodge (tree hotel)

Day 3: Larsens Tented Camp

Day 4: Samburu
Larsens Tented Camp.

Day 5: Samburu/Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary

Day 6:Flamingo Hill Tented Camp

Day 7: Lake Nakuru/Maasai Mara
Sarova Mara Tented Camp

Day 8, 9 & 10: Maasai Mara
Sarova Mara Tented Camp.

Day 11: Fly Nairobi-Kilimanjaro/Tarangire
Another early morning game drive in Maasai Mara at 06:30hrs, returning to the camp for late breakfast. Then transfer to the airstrip for scheduled flight to Nairobi departing approx 10:15hrs and arriving approx 11:45hrs where you will connect to scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro departing at 12:45hrs and arriving at 13:35hrs.
You will be met by our agent and transfer to Arusha for lunch, then drive on to Tarangire National Park with game viewing en route to Tarangire Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Tarangire/Karatu
Gibb's Farm

Day 13: Karatu/Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Day 14: Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Day 15: Ngorongoro-Lake Manyara/Arusha
Depart the lodge after breakfast and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing, departing at the time of your choice to Arusha for an optional day room or transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. End of our services.
Approx transit time to Lake Manyara: 4½ hrs
I think that I have pretty much followed your suggested itinerary Sandi.
Also has anyone used this company and what is your feedback on it.
Thanks again, Liz

Comment re: Day 11
- you won't arrive JRO till 1:35pm, then Immigration, Baggage Claim and drive (45/min-1/hr) to Arusha for lunch (approx 1/hr) = about 4pm.
- it's a 2/hr drive to Tarangire, arriving at dusk with game drive direct to lodge for o/n.
Then on day 12, game drive out of park to Karatu.

Suggest you consider, instead to o/n in Arusha (will be less expensive than stay at a Nat'l park with lodge and park fee); then on Day 12, drive (2.5-3/hrs) out towards Karatu, stop at Mto-wa-Mbu village (outside of Manyara) and/or maybe a school/orphange onto Karatu; balance of day and o/n at Gibb's.

At Samburu, staying at Larsen's is a great option, but with the recent flooding and damage to this camp and others along the river, who knows when the repairs will be completed. Hopefully in time for the season opening as June, but it might be later and maybe not till 2011. Consider an alternative at a property not damaged. Or get advise from S&E status of repairs and keep on top of that. It's a difficult time for all concerned with the recent force of nature!

You can still consider Amboseli as your "elephant" experience (Serena or Ol Tukai Lodges), or use Tarangire in Tanzania for this, but for 2/nts. minimum (Kikoti or Tarangire River Camps, would be good here).

Here's the thread on the Samburu flooding in case you haven't seen it http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...in-samburu.cfm

All of the lodges and camps along the Ewaso Ngiro river were damaged. Hopefully the damage will be repaired by September but it's something to keep an eye on. I would try to keep Larsens as it's a nice camp but if you want to sure thing, the Sopa (on a hill away from the river) is a sure thing.

I would see if the Serena is available in the Mara. While the Sarova is a tented camp, it's a very large one so probably not that different from a lodge in atmosphere and the Serena is in a better location for that time of year.

I might also choose the Sopa at Ngorongoro for its own access road into the crater. How many crater descents are you planning? If you're only doing one, I might stay another night in Tarangire since you'd be arriving fairy late on Day 11 and skip Gibb's Farm but if you're planning to do 2 descents (Day 13 and Day 14), it may be better for you to spend the evening of Day 12 in Karatu.

I've used Eastern & Southern many times and have been happy with their services.

Good luck with your planning!

I should learn to preview and edit. Meant to say "...if you want to <i>change now</i>, the Sopa (on a hill away from the river) is a sure thing."

Day 5 - Nairobi Naiobi Serena Hotel
Day 6 & 7- Drive (6/hrs) NBO/Samburu - Samburu Serena Lodge
Day 8 - Drive (3/hrs) Mount Kenya - Mountain Lodge
Day 9 - Drive (3/hrs) Lake Nakuru - Flaming Hill Camp
Day 10 & 11 - Drive (5-6/hrs) Masai Mara - Mara Serena Lodge or Siana Springs Camp
Day 12 - Drive (5-6/hrs) to Nairobi - Serena Hotel - the reason you have o/n here is that you can't possibly drive to Manyara in 1/day... waste and not necessary. What you pay for o/n hotel you could fly to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro/JRO).
Day 13 - Drive from NBO (4.5/hrs) to border; drive (1.5/hrs) to Arusha; lunch ((1/hrs); drive (2.5/hrs) to Lake Manyara - Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Day 14 & 15 - Drive (3.5-4/hrs) to Central Serengeti - Serengeti Serena Lodge (or Kirawira*) or Mbuzi Mawe
Day 16 & 17 Drive (4-5/hrs) to Ngorongoro - Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 18 Drive (4.5/hrs) to Arusha; lunch (1/hr); drive (1.5/hrs) to border; drive (4.5-5/hrs) to NBO for homebound flight...........................

I have liked the above itinerary from Sandi, we are considering the same trip in August but confused between Sopa and Sarovas. We also not sure who to book with but we are recommended www.waytoafricasafaris.com and www.africamagic.com, we have sent the inquiries and we are looking forward to who offers the best.

We are considering the below itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi

Day 2: Samburu

Day 3: Samburu

Day 4: Aberdares

Day 5: Naivasha/Nakuru

Day 6: Masai Mara

Day 7: Masai Mara

Day 8: Nairobi -

Day 9: Arusha - Ngorongoro

Day 10: Ngorongoro

Day 11: Serengeti

Day 12: Serengeti

Day 13: Arusha - Nairobi

Day 14: Depart

Tim76 -

Suggest you start a new thread for your trip. It'll be easier for you to locate and for you and those who comment to follow your progress.

Tim,
I commented on your other thread but hadn't seen your proposed itinerary. Is this an all drive itinerary? How are you getting from Nairobi to Ngorongoro? And from the Serengeti to Nairobi? I think the first part through the Masai Mara is ok if a bit fast paced. You may want to spend another night in the Mara as you're going during migration season. I don't feel that you also need to include the Serengeti (Mara and Serengeti are part of the same ecosystem) as it greatly increases your travel time. Keep in mind that these are very dusty, bumpy roads and travel time is going to cut down on your game viewing time. Also not all of these parks have Sopas or Sarovas. No Sarovas in Tanzania and the closest Sarova to Samburu is in neighboring Shaba reserve. The Sopa is probably a good choice in Samburu right now given that they're one of the few properties not damaged by recent floods. There's only the Ark or Treetops in Aberdare. There's a Sarova in Lake Nakuru and a Sopa at Lake Naivasha. If you want to do an afternoon and morning game drive in Nakuru, I'd stay inside the park. Otherwise you can do an afternoon game drive in Nakuru and continue on the Naivasha and get an early start to the Mara the following day (5-6 hours drive). In the Mara, the Serena is in a better location than either Sopa or Sarova. The Sopa at Ngorongoro has its own crater access road so that's a plus. Good luck with your plans!

lizann-

Just noticed you are a fellow Vancouverite! I'm here in Vancouver too, so just thought I would offer that if you wanted to meet for coffee & ask a million questions I'd love to do that! I live in Richmond, but I'm downtown a few days each week if that's more convenient.

I love to talk about Africa, most of my friends (non-African enthusiasts) silently sneak away when I start though, can't seem to get off the subject!

Also - just to keep in mind - my husband Jim and I usually host an 'Africa night' in the summer, a BBQ on a weekend sometime. Africa enthusiasts (those that have been & also those that haven't yet) come over & we all have a wonderful afternoon & evening all talking at once!

Have any of you booked with Eastern and Southern Safaris Ltd? Would love to hear any feedback. LyndaS, I would love to meet for coffee. We live in Ladner.

You can find reports (including several of mine :) ) from those who have used Eastern & Southern in Lynda's East Africa trip report index http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm

OT but this Elizabeth is also Liz Ann and from Vancouver and just back from Africa - coincidence? :)

Thanks Patty. Elizabeth S I have not been to Africa yet. This October is when we are going.

Lizann, Sorry to piggy back on your thread, but I wanted to know a few things that might help you too:

1. Is there is a flight option from NBO to JRO when people land from overseas or do people have to take a flight from Wilson to get into Tanzania/JRO ?

2. Also, are there any baggage restrictions for this flight?

3. How long is it and what's the price?

4. What airlines takes one to JRO from Kenya/NBO(preferably) or Wilson ?

5. Is a Kenya visa required for people landing at NBO and transferring to JRO without spending time in NBO/Kenya ?

6. Can the bookings for this flight be done independently without going through a operator ?

Thanks in advance,

TP

1. Precision Air flies 2-3 times per day between NBO and JRO. Kenya Airways codeshares on this flight so you may also see it marketed that way.

2. 20kg

3. About 50 min. Can't remember the fare but you can price it on www.kayak.com or www.kenya-airways.com.

4. Aside from the above Air Kenya (not to be confused with Kenya Airways) and Safarilink fly from Wilson to JRO once per day. Not sure if Fly540 flies to JRO. You can check on www.fly540.com.

5. No

6. Yes

Patty, Thanks a lot !! I just checked Kenya Airways' and PA's website...and it's doable.

With much help from all of you this is our itinerary. Would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. Are we missing anything? Is there any changes that we need to make?


Day 1: October 6th 2010 Arrive Nairobi
Arrive Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport (please advice flight details). Meet and greet by our representative and transfer to Sarova Stanley Hotel for overnight stay on Bed and Breakfast.

Day 2: October 7th 2010 Nairobi site seeing/Mt. Kenya
After an early breakfast proceed for a City Tour of Nairobi including the Parliament building, then drive to Giraffe Center, an educational centre which has a small herd of endangered Rothschild's Giraffe and you will get a chance to feed them. Proceed to Karen Blixen Museum before transferring to Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage which is open to the public from 11:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs.
After your visit, you will transfer to Nairobi Serena Hotel for an early lunch before driving through Kikuyu countryside to the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya arriving Serena Mountain Lodge (tree hotel) late afternoon. Relax in the afternoon as you watch game from the balcony of the lodge, with an optional guided nature/forest walk (time permitting). Overnight floodlit game viewing - Mountain Lodge rightfully boasts of having the highest record of animal visits and sightings in the area. Dinner and overnight at the tree lodge.
Approx Transit time: 3 hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 3: October 8th 2010 Mountain Lodge/Samburu
Depart Mountain Lodge after breakfast and drive further north across the equator to Samburu National Reserve arriving Larsen's Tented Camp in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the luxury tented camp.
Approx Transit time: 3 hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 4: October 9th 2010 Samburu
Morning and afternoon game-viewing sessions tracking the rare, drought resistant animals species which can only be seen north of the equator; these are: the reticulated giraffe, grevy's zebra, the gerenuk, beisa oryx and the blue shanked somali ostrich. The Ewaso Nyiro River traverses this park, it's source being the Aberdare ranges. There are therefore very high chances of spotting crocodile in a natural environment though it's water level varies seasonally. You will have a lunch and leisure break in the mid afternoon. Rest of meals and overnight at Larsen's Tented Camp.
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 5: October 10th 2010 Samburu/Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary
Depart Samburu after breakfast and drive back to the lower slopes of Mount Kenya - arriving Sweetwaters Tented Camp in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in this private sanctuary (Sweetwaters Game Reserve), including a visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya. You will also visit the Visitors Information Centre. Dinner and overnight at the luxury tented camp (with an optional night game drive).
Approx Transit time: 3 hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 6: October 11th 2010 Sweetwaters/Lake Nakuru
After breakfast drive down to the floor of the Rift Valley - making a brief stop at Nyahururu Thomson Falls which was named after Joseph Thompson, one of the first European explorers who walked from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the 1880's. Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park arriving Flamingo Hill Tented Camp well in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. Besides the flamingos that the lake is famous for, there are approx 400 other species of birds visiting the lake. Also, many species of game can be found in the park including the introduced Rothschild's giraffe, black and white rhino, waterbuck, reedbuck, lion, buffalo, leopard, baboon and many species of plains game. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx Transit time: 3 hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 7: October 12th 2010 Lake Nakuru/Maasai Mara
After an early breakfast, proceed for an early morning game viewing. Then drive further along the floor of the Rift Valley with scenic views of both Lake Elementaita and Lake Naivasha which is in the Great Rift from afar on the main highway to Maasai Mara, arriving Sarova Mara Tented Camp well in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive as you get a feel of this vast game filled reserve. Dinner and overnight at the permanent camp.
Approx Transit time: 6 hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 8, 9 & 10: October 13th, 14th & 15th 2010 Maasai Mara
Spend three more days in Maasai Mara, Kenya's most popular game sanctuary where you will have the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. Game drives are flexible, with the option of going out with picnic lunch boxes to spend entire day in the park, or you can choose to have an early morning and late afternoon game drives. At extra cost you may visit a local Masai village to see their nomadic lifestyle; the Masai are famous for their bravery, as they have co-existed with the animals over the years. All meals and overnight at Sarova Mara Tented Camp.
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 11: October 16th 2010 Fly Nairobi-Kilimanjaro - Arusha
Another early morning game drive in Maasai Mara at 06:30hrs, returning to the camp for late breakfast. Then transfer to the airstrip for scheduled flight to Nairobi departing approx 10:15hrs and arriving approx 11:45hrs where you will connect to scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro departing at 12:45hrs and arriving at 13:35hrs.
You will be met by our agent and transfer to Serena Mountain Village. Lunch on own account/afternoon at leisure with optional excursions/activities arranged for on request. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meal plan: {B, D}

Day 12: October 17th 2010 Arusha/Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro
Depart Mountain Village after breakfast and drive to the village of Mto wa Mbu for a brief visit. Then proceed to Lake Manyara Serena where you will collect your picnic lunch boxes before proceed for game viewing in Manyara National Park, a park dotted with exotic trees such as the giant fig, baobab and mahogany and famous for lions that sprawl on trees (though rare these days). Later drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Approx transit time: 4hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 13: October 18th 2010 Ngorongoro
After breakfast descend down to the crater floor with picnic lunch for a full day game viewing and crater tour. Enjoy the game and vegetation in this unbroken caldera home for almost 30,000 animals including the last remaining Black Rhinos. Later ascend to the crater rim for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Meal Plan: {B, L, D}

Day 14: October 19th 2010 Ngorongoro/Karatu
Depart Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive to Karatu Area arriving Gibb's Farm well in time for lunch. Afternoon optional visit to a school or orphanage with dinner and overnight at Gibb's Farm (staying in a cottage room).
Approx transit time: 1½ hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 15: October 20th 2010 Karatu/Tarangire
Leisurely breakfast at Gibb's Farm. Spend the morning with optional activities at Gibb's Farm arranged for on request directly at the lodge. Lunch at Gibb's Farm, then drive to Tarangire National Park with game viewing en route to Tarangire River Camp where you will settle down for dinner and overnight.
Approx transit time: 1½ hrs
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 16: October 21st 2010 Tarangire
Spend the day in Tarangire National Park with morning and afternoon game drives where herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. All meals and overnight Tarangire River Camp.
Meal plan: {B, L, D}

Day 17: October 22nd 2010 Tarangire/Arusha
Morning game drive in Tarangire, departing after lunch to Arusha for an optional day room at Kia Lodge or transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. End of our services.
Approx transit time: 2½ hrs
Meal plan: {B, L}

I'd double check whether Larsen's Camp at Samburu will indeed be repaired and open for visitors, even by October.

As another thread, Serena, also damaged is moving a distance from the river and doing a complete rebuild and not due to open till 2011. Not sure what Larsen's plans... verify.

Or have a back-up plan at Sopa or Simba Lodges.

Looks like a winner to me!

Unless you can get a guarantee on Larsen's, I'd book elsewhere like Simba or Sopa. Now that we know some of these places will not be rebuilt for a year or so, the available beds could fill up fast. And if you wait, you might end up paying more with a limited supply.

I like Sopa at the crater for its own access road. It might save you a wee bit also, but my preference is not for the budget, but for the road.

Great trip!

Me again...Well the time is getting close and I am starting to organizing our packing. We were looking at EPO duffle bags at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Not sure which size to get. Is the 100L a good size or too small....or too big??
I have been reading through the forums, but would appreciate any help anyone could give me. We will be gone for 22 days and will have a 3 day stop in London at the beginning of our trip.

Dumb American here who has no idea what 100L is in inches!!! My guess is 30"... yes? :)

For soft-sided, no wheels duffle - up to 30" is fine; if with wheels, realizing the metal takes away from the 15Kg/33-lbs weight allowance, I would not buy anything more than 26".

I've been away for 3/weeks often and since laundry (except women's "smalls" [undies]) can be done, either size is more than sufficient.

Thinking 100L means 100 liters. Which would be a volume measurement.
So math time. Converting from liters into the Kings English preferred measurements of inches, feet, yards, Quid, pence, etc. One liter is same volume as 61 cubic inches. 100 liters would then be 6100 cubic inches. 6100 cubic inches can be divided up into sizes such as approx - 30x20x10 inches, or 26x20x12 assuming this is flat sided shape. If a cylindrical (round) shape and long, then calculations are bit more complex. I'll leave it up to the student to solve it :) .

regards - tom

tom - duh! Still sounds like jibberish to me, sorry! :)

That said, 30x20x10 is good, as is 26x20x12.

Hi Lizann,

I just bought the MEC Brio 70, which is a 72L pack (long size). It seems more than large enough for our trip; at least I hope it is.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...45524441776565