Long time lurker, first time poster. I booked the following flying safari for this coming February:

2 nights - Amboseli (Tortilis Camp)
2 nights - Lewa Downs (Lewa Safari Camp)
3 nights - Meru (Elsa’s Kopje)
3 nights - Masai Mara (Saruni)
1 night - Nairobi

I realize some of the places are a little off the beaten track, but recently some friends of ours decided to join us and I suddenly feel “responsible” for their vacation. The husband just asked if we would be seeing “this great migration thing.” Obviously, we’re not. But will we see significant numbers of animals in Kenya at this time of year?

My primary concern is Saruni. I realize the other three camps will be spotty in terms of the game viewing, but I’d hoped we would end with a bang in the Mara. From what I’ve read, staying outside the reserve is not a good idea. Does that reasoning only apply to migration season? Should I try to find other accommodations or am I over-thinking this?

Also, our last overnight will be in Nairobi. Should I add an extra night in the Mara and then get a day room before the late flight home or will the tourist circuit provide sufficient amusement for an entire day?

Thanks in advance. You guys are an amazing resource.

No you won't be seeing the migration. You also won't be seeing the crowds like you would when the migration is on. There are resident herds of wildebeest and zebra that remain in the Mara.

Amboseli--You'll have elephant herds without the dust of the dry season. Tortilis Camp is lovely with views of Kili and it gets you away from the crowds that can occupy Amboseli.

Lewa Downs--This is a beautiful, secluded camp with many black and white rhino in the area. The rhino are the main draw here along with other northern species.

Elsa's in Meru--no experience but from pictures and others' accounts, it should be great.

The above camps are top notch (I can personally vouch for Tortilis and Lewa) and will provide and everyone "you are responsible for" with a superb safari experience in Februrary.

Here is a link to the best times to view wildlife in different parks. As you can see, you will be able to view significant numbers, even if not migration numbers.

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

I don't know about Saruni, except that it is in the northern Aitong area--a good area for cheetah, among other things. My next Mara visit will include several days in this region.

Inside or outside the Mara has not made a difference in my 3 visits. The park is not fenced in and the animals don't know the boundaries. You'll be mobile in your vehicle and will go where the animals go, wherever that may be. But it is nice to be based in that northern part, away from the southernmost end with the greatest number of people and vehicles.

Outside the park can allow night drives and walks. Inside--no can do. Again, don't know what Saruni offers with walks or night drives.

Many of the camps in the northern part, outside the park have excellent reputations, and that is where I usually stay. There have been days when we never left that region and spent most of the time outside the park.

Since the tourist circuit in Nairobi does not hold my interest, I always do what you suggested and remain in the Mara an extra day. I don't even necessarily book a dayroom--I just head to the airport and read. That's to save $$.

You have a discerning traveler's itinerary that should please anyone. The husband-guy could add some days in Tanzania for the migration if he wanted to try to see it. Of course that's a gamble. Last year the migration was late and many Feb travelers did not see it, but came away with a fantastic trip anyway.

Can you check out the East Africa thread and see what the game viewing was like in Kenya? That should give you an idea and help ease your concerns.

Don't know if this was a private safari to begin with but with friends joining you, it makes it more affordable to have your own vehicle in every park. That's a plus.

Thanks, Atravelynn. Your reply makes me feel a lot more relaxed about the whole thing. And thanks for the heads up about chipping in to get a private vehicle at the camps. That didn't even occur to me. (Yes, this is a private safari.)

Saruni is my favorite camp (so far) in the Mara. While north of the Mara Triangle it has all that space on their private conservation lands to drive in any direction, as well as into the Triangle. And because February isn't Migration time, your location shouldn't matter much. There is lots of game in this area; for sure, no crowds.

As to the camp, their tented chalets are very large with thick mattressed beds, fluffy down comforters, very large bathrooms with two wash basins, commode, bidet and large shower... all with a view into the Mara. The camp is sited in a forest area, where the chalets appear to hang off the edge of the mountain... think Swiss Alps. Attention and food are outstanding. No "same-ole same-ole" routine, they will accommodate you with drives, walks, bush meals, village visits. And, they have a resident Kudu that welcomes guests on arrival. And a complimentary massage/per chalet at their Masai Wellness Spa. You'll find a brief description in my recept trip report (the last day I spent at Saruni - "Sandi - It's a start......." scroll down on this page or the next); and my report from last year which can be found in LyndaS East Africa Trip Index (from May/June 2005). You may not have to consider a private vehicle here, as they rarely have more than 4-guests per vehicle; if you're 6, then you'll all be in the same vehicle.

Elsa's is just a dream of a camp, known for the prettiest bathrooms. There are few properties in Meru so very unlikely you'll ever see another vehicle. And like Saruni, lots of attention and outstanding meals. Again, you won't need to pay the supplement for private vehicle. Great pool, which in February, which is summer, will be a welcomed relief during your free-time. Both Saruni and Elsa's created by the same architect.

Tortilis, was the first tented camp we stayed 12/yrs back, a year after they opened and were hooked and knew this was the way to go. Number of tents is 17, larger than Saruni and Elsa's with 6 rooms/tents/chalets, but you don't feel it. They also have a pool, great food, attentive staff. On the southwestern section of the park. A good place from where to get views of Kili if the clouds are good to you.

And at Lewa, also few camps in the park - another good choice. Also have the Rhino project here. Another place you're not likely to come across other vehicles. Lewa and Meru provide interesting eco-systems as compared to Amboseli and the Mara.

All excellent choices. You and your friends will enjoy. Do save room for desserts or "eat dessert first."

Lynn- you got my attention, when your post said saruni area, good for cheetah!!!

Hari

TravlinFool
This is the first time i write "psychological" advice on this forum: make sure your friends do not have 'expectations' which You should answer. make them research everything around thia safari & take this responsibility monkey off your shoulder!
I've experienced people who search for their 'expected' jungle on safari (& others who were disappointed for not seeing Igloo, polar bear & Inuits in a reglular tour in Alaska during summer)
Luckily u r having a guide on safari drives because on safari, in contrary to other tours, there r thousands of decisions (every minute u can decide either to stay with the resting lion or search for sth else...). Friends who rent a car & drive around without a guide risk their friendship on such a tour.

I've been to Mara many times at all seasons (including Feb.) and was never disappointed. Mind you predators like lions do not follow the migration though they tend to disperse.

In Amboseli, during this dry season animals will be concentrated near the water (Kilimanjaro's precipitation underground seepage meets the atmosphere at the swamps of Amboseli)
You may see good herds of Ellies, Buffalo & maybe even "mini migration" of Gnu & Zebra.
about VUMBI (dust in kiSwahili) - i have a different view - be prepared!!

Same principle of dry-season concentration near water apply to the other places e.g. Meru

Good luck

aby

P.S.
February is time for this "Great migration thing" and this maybe greater "Calving thing" in TANZANIA. If it is critical for them, they can book a Tz safari.

Sandi, you sold me on Saruni big time. (Excellent trip reports, by the way.) Thanks for the other info as well.

And good psychological advice, Aby. I definitely need to make sure we’re all on the same page expectations-wise before we go.

Just out of interest, how much is a day room at a hotel in Nairobi?