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