African safaris: Kenya safari 15 day
Oct 17th, 2006, 07:22 AM
#44
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Question 2:
what is your opinion among:
1)africa serendipity
2)private safaris
3)wildtrek safaris
4)pulse africa
5)eastern and southern safaris
Please let me know especailly if you have anything negative to say...
what is your opinion among:
1)africa serendipity
2)private safaris
3)wildtrek safaris
4)pulse africa
5)eastern and southern safaris
Please let me know especailly if you have anything negative to say...
Oct 17th, 2006, 09:08 AM
#45
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I consider African Serendipity THE BEST PLANNER IN THE WORLD. Here is why
And one of the reasons was because of the best trip planner I have ever dealt with. I contacted Roys's Safari for a quote on an itinerary and they handed me to Sandy from Africa Serendipity. At first I was doubtful because I wondered why Roy's would hand me off to someone else. So I checked her out and she was legit. So then the endless e-mails back and forth began. And I mean in the beginning, endless. This trip was too important to me, to not ask a million questions. Let me tell you Sandi answered them all and almost immediately. And I would ask long detailed questions about each accomodation, how long it would take to drive from one place to another, what we should wear, tipping, etc. Anything you can think of I asked. Because I normally plan all of our trips myself and handing over to someone else was something that was hard to do. Sandi would answer my questions usually that day, or the next day. She answered them on the weekends, on Holidays. So I decided to go with her because of the attentiveness and the GREAT customer service she gave us. So I sent in my first deposit and thought, well that is probably the end of the great service. But no. She continued one whole year to answer any questions I had and towards the end I sent her 3 pages of last minute questions. All of them she answered with great detail. Many times my husband would read the e-mails and say to me 'I would have told you to go to hell months ago' because of all of the questions. Her suggestions on what parks to visit, how many nights, to do some inter flying instead of all driving, the differences in the lodges/camps were right on the money. Not that she told me where to stay, but she gave me choices and helped with those. She made me feel like I was her only customer. So, in my opinion, if you are ever looking for a trip planner to help you with your first safari or your 5th, she is the person/company to go with.
As for Wildtrek. Would probably not use them again. I thought our driver was not as engaged as the one we had with Roy's (Clamian THE BEST DRIVER IN THE WORLD). Ben just seemed like it was just a job to him. Nothing terrible happened and we still had the BEST TIME EVER, I just would not use them for the Kenya portion. As for the Private Safari. That is how we went for all of the safari except when we went to the Masai Mara at Governors Camp. We had to use their driver. But that went just fine.
And one of the reasons was because of the best trip planner I have ever dealt with. I contacted Roys's Safari for a quote on an itinerary and they handed me to Sandy from Africa Serendipity. At first I was doubtful because I wondered why Roy's would hand me off to someone else. So I checked her out and she was legit. So then the endless e-mails back and forth began. And I mean in the beginning, endless. This trip was too important to me, to not ask a million questions. Let me tell you Sandi answered them all and almost immediately. And I would ask long detailed questions about each accomodation, how long it would take to drive from one place to another, what we should wear, tipping, etc. Anything you can think of I asked. Because I normally plan all of our trips myself and handing over to someone else was something that was hard to do. Sandi would answer my questions usually that day, or the next day. She answered them on the weekends, on Holidays. So I decided to go with her because of the attentiveness and the GREAT customer service she gave us. So I sent in my first deposit and thought, well that is probably the end of the great service. But no. She continued one whole year to answer any questions I had and towards the end I sent her 3 pages of last minute questions. All of them she answered with great detail. Many times my husband would read the e-mails and say to me 'I would have told you to go to hell months ago' because of all of the questions. Her suggestions on what parks to visit, how many nights, to do some inter flying instead of all driving, the differences in the lodges/camps were right on the money. Not that she told me where to stay, but she gave me choices and helped with those. She made me feel like I was her only customer. So, in my opinion, if you are ever looking for a trip planner to help you with your first safari or your 5th, she is the person/company to go with.
As for Wildtrek. Would probably not use them again. I thought our driver was not as engaged as the one we had with Roy's (Clamian THE BEST DRIVER IN THE WORLD). Ben just seemed like it was just a job to him. Nothing terrible happened and we still had the BEST TIME EVER, I just would not use them for the Kenya portion. As for the Private Safari. That is how we went for all of the safari except when we went to the Masai Mara at Governors Camp. We had to use their driver. But that went just fine.
Oct 17th, 2006, 12:22 PM
#47
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patty who was your driver with eastern and southern safaris?
for the companies I asked info for if you have also drivers to suggets please let me know...
Thanks for the continuous help
for the companies I asked info for if you have also drivers to suggets please let me know...
Thanks for the continuous help
Oct 17th, 2006, 03:54 PM
#48
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Africa Serendity uses Roy Safaris in Tanzania and Wildtrek Safaris in Kenya.
My guide on my two trips with Eastern & Southern Safaris last year was Julius. We've requested him again for our upcoming trip next month. We've been very happy with both our guide and the services of ESS in the past. However, someone recently told me that they were less than pleased with Julius, so maybe it's a factor of personalities not meshing or something else???
My guide on my two trips with Eastern & Southern Safaris last year was Julius. We've requested him again for our upcoming trip next month. We've been very happy with both our guide and the services of ESS in the past. However, someone recently told me that they were less than pleased with Julius, so maybe it's a factor of personalities not meshing or something else???
Oct 17th, 2006, 06:54 PM
#49
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shmoulie,
I think you're confusing two different things, purple meant that they arranged a private safari as in they had their own private vehicle and guide. I'd never heard of a safari company called Private Safaris until seeing your above post.
I think you're confusing two different things, purple meant that they arranged a private safari as in they had their own private vehicle and guide. I'd never heard of a safari company called Private Safaris until seeing your above post.
Oct 17th, 2006, 10:09 PM
#50
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Dear patty, I saw the operator "private safaris" in the "Lonely planet" guidebook (fyi it has been impossible to get a fodors guide).
Please let me summarize my last questions just to keep track...
Question 1:
what would be the best alternatives but at the same price range to the Mara serena and to the Kilaguni Lodge in the Tsavo?
Question 2:
what is your opinion among:
1)africa serendipity
2)private safaris
3)wildtrek safaris
4)pulse africa
5)eastern and southern safaris
Please let me summarize my last questions just to keep track...
Question 1:
what would be the best alternatives but at the same price range to the Mara serena and to the Kilaguni Lodge in the Tsavo?
Question 2:
what is your opinion among:
1)africa serendipity
2)private safaris
3)wildtrek safaris
4)pulse africa
5)eastern and southern safaris
Oct 18th, 2006, 05:45 AM
#51
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Sorry to throw in another suggestion...
We used Gamewatchers for our private 1 week safari in Kenya (Nakuru and the Mara). We did a driving safari with them, itinerary is below. I was very pleased with the quality, price and our guide--Kamel. I learned so much from him just on the way from the airport to their office! He has driven some big-name documentary makers and photographers so he has a keen eye for the best shot and was always trying his utmost for us. I can highly recommend them. Also, the head of their company is Jake Grieves-Cook who is the chairman of the Kenyan Tourist Board. Jake was also incredibly responsive and provided excellent advice.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive to Nairobi to Kigio Conservancy. O/n Malewa River Lodge
Day 2: Drive to Lake Nakuru. Late morning game drive, afternoon game drive. O/n Lion Hill Lodge.
Day 3: Drive to Masai Mara. Arrived in time for lunch (5 hour drive). O/n Ilkeliani.
Day 4: Full Day game drive in Mara w/picnic lunch. O/n Ilkeliani
Day 5: Full day game drive. O/n Basecamp Fly Camp
Day 6: Morning safari walk. Afternoon game drive. O/n Basecamp Main Camp.
Day 7: Morning game drive. Afternoon in camp--transfer to airstrip for flight to Wilson. Pickup and taken to Carnivore for dinner before international flight home that evening.
We used Gamewatchers for our private 1 week safari in Kenya (Nakuru and the Mara). We did a driving safari with them, itinerary is below. I was very pleased with the quality, price and our guide--Kamel. I learned so much from him just on the way from the airport to their office! He has driven some big-name documentary makers and photographers so he has a keen eye for the best shot and was always trying his utmost for us. I can highly recommend them. Also, the head of their company is Jake Grieves-Cook who is the chairman of the Kenyan Tourist Board. Jake was also incredibly responsive and provided excellent advice.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive to Nairobi to Kigio Conservancy. O/n Malewa River Lodge
Day 2: Drive to Lake Nakuru. Late morning game drive, afternoon game drive. O/n Lion Hill Lodge.
Day 3: Drive to Masai Mara. Arrived in time for lunch (5 hour drive). O/n Ilkeliani.
Day 4: Full Day game drive in Mara w/picnic lunch. O/n Ilkeliani
Day 5: Full day game drive. O/n Basecamp Fly Camp
Day 6: Morning safari walk. Afternoon game drive. O/n Basecamp Main Camp.
Day 7: Morning game drive. Afternoon in camp--transfer to airstrip for flight to Wilson. Pickup and taken to Carnivore for dinner before international flight home that evening.
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:16 AM
#52
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<b>Question 2:
what is your opinion among: (5 safari companies)
...
Please let me know especailly if you have anything negative to say...</b>
Strangely reminded of the quip by Dorothy Parker ... "If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
what is your opinion among: (5 safari companies)
...
Please let me know especailly if you have anything negative to say...</b>
Strangely reminded of the quip by Dorothy Parker ... "If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
Oct 20th, 2006, 07:34 AM
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May I shars some thougts with schmoulie in response to the question what to wear - or rather what not to wear? One of the balloon pilots told me recently that the Tse Tse flies - which have a particularly sharp nip - are attracted to blue and black, so I would give these colours a miss. Its a shame since these colours show the dust the least, but am also told that a tse-tse fly trap often consists of stretching out a large piece of blue or black cloth impregnated with fly killer to reduce their presence in an area. Also you see few dogs which are black in the Mara because they attract these flies which then transmit disease to them - hence most of the survivors are tan colours.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Oct 23rd, 2006, 08:10 AM
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Hi Shmoulie,
I have stayed at both, lots over the last few years. Keekorok is big and open ( A 30 acre site), plenty of room to walk around. Has recently been rebuilt after their fire last year + has a great walkway and nice watering hole (watched lions hunt hippo there in June) Room great but ask for one not too near the kitchen as they start early and can be noisy. Keekorok is part of the Narok Councils part of the reserve and the roads this side are not so well maintained. Park fees are $30pp/day. Food absolutely fine, all accomodation are rooms, not tents.
Serena is the other side of the park, run by the Mara Conservancy,and this side of the reserve is about half the size of the Narok Council side I believe. Roads are very well maintained - relatively.Park fees have recently been increased to $40pp/day I'm told, but last time I was there each side allowed visitors from the other side at no extra fee. Its a much smaller site than Keekorok (4 acres vs 30acres) and I personally would avoid Serena on a weekend when its very crowded as it can be a bit cramped and noisy. Rooms are built on the Maasai manyatta style. Food adequate and drinks both priced about the same, give or take 10ksh!. Serena has the advantage of the most stunning view, ask for one facing the river to get the best of this.
Both have swimming pools and I suppose, each in their own way has something to offer. Personally I prefer the accomodation at Keekorok, but think the game drives the Serena side have the edge as this side of the reserve seems better managed IMHO.
Hope this helps a bit.Will be back there myself next week as England really is just a cold wet little rock in the winter - and once you have been to Africa......well, ther's this strange kind of pull....when I leave, I actually feel homesick to go back !
will be surprised if you don't love it. Neither choice would be wrong. Good luck.
I have stayed at both, lots over the last few years. Keekorok is big and open ( A 30 acre site), plenty of room to walk around. Has recently been rebuilt after their fire last year + has a great walkway and nice watering hole (watched lions hunt hippo there in June) Room great but ask for one not too near the kitchen as they start early and can be noisy. Keekorok is part of the Narok Councils part of the reserve and the roads this side are not so well maintained. Park fees are $30pp/day. Food absolutely fine, all accomodation are rooms, not tents.
Serena is the other side of the park, run by the Mara Conservancy,and this side of the reserve is about half the size of the Narok Council side I believe. Roads are very well maintained - relatively.Park fees have recently been increased to $40pp/day I'm told, but last time I was there each side allowed visitors from the other side at no extra fee. Its a much smaller site than Keekorok (4 acres vs 30acres) and I personally would avoid Serena on a weekend when its very crowded as it can be a bit cramped and noisy. Rooms are built on the Maasai manyatta style. Food adequate and drinks both priced about the same, give or take 10ksh!. Serena has the advantage of the most stunning view, ask for one facing the river to get the best of this.
Both have swimming pools and I suppose, each in their own way has something to offer. Personally I prefer the accomodation at Keekorok, but think the game drives the Serena side have the edge as this side of the reserve seems better managed IMHO.
Hope this helps a bit.Will be back there myself next week as England really is just a cold wet little rock in the winter - and once you have been to Africa......well, ther's this strange kind of pull....when I leave, I actually feel homesick to go back !
will be surprised if you don't love it. Neither choice would be wrong. Good luck.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 09:06 AM
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Canary111, very good post, thanks for the comparison ... we are looking at putting together our first trip to Kenya and thinking of staying at both of these lodges and your post was helpful.
Bill
Bill
Oct 24th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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Hi shmoulie,
Have omly stayed at Serena Beach and Voyager (and Nyali) so can't help you very much I am afraid, but.....
Serena Beach food is excellent, drinks are a bit more expensive, and again the site is quite small and crowded. I personally find the rooms a little small and dark there, but how much time do you spend in the rooms anyway?The building has the feeling of being a bit long and narrow to me, with lots of steps which are a bit tiresome if your getting on a bit and falling to bits, like me.This is made up for by the staff who are very attentive and caring and give a most excellent service.
Voyager site is much bigger, food is good, although Serena has the edge here for me. Voyager are very good at organising extra little activities, e.g. the staff did a performance of Lion King every week or two last year - which helps stretch out the evenings a bit. The in house hotel shops at Voyager are the best value for money and range of goods I could find of all the hotels their side of the ferry.It may be lacks a little of the intimacy of Serena but its very smart, all the staff wear Cruise Style Uniforms and take a certain pride in their wowrk too.
For what its worth, although you didn't ask, so forgive me if I presume too much, Nyali beach hotel has been in receivership for the last few years, and will probably remain so for the next few too, since nothing happens quickly in Africa, Its a bit worn but the food is adequate,( at least it passes 'the dog test'. Do you know about the dog test? If in doubt, throw some food to a passing dog. If its still standing after 15 mins its probably safe to eat!- I jest of course, so please don't take this too seriously) the exception being their Mvita Grill which is most excellent. Tons of grounds and beach frontage to spread out and has the advantage of not being advertised much, possibly because of the receivership situation. I think I have only seen it in Cosmos this year, so its not too crowded usually. In its day it was one of the best and still retains a certain Colonial Charm.
I have never stayed at Whitesands so can't help you there but am sure others posting on this board will help. Please remember, this post only records my personal experiences. I in no way condem any place and have personally had the best of laughs in the worst of dives in Kenya. I am just a tourist who loves the country and now go it alone from the minute I land - usually I start straight off to the Mara, if the grass is too long I adjourn to Samburu, and so on. A manager may ask how long I will be staying, and the answer is that I usually don't know. I have booked for 3 days and stayed for 30 before now - but Kenya seems to be back on the tourist agenda now - after all the years of El Nino, 9/11. the terrorist threats and B.A. not flying there etc. It's great news for the staff, but not so easy to move on a whim anymore as the accomodation can be fully booked well in advance nowdays. hope you have the greatest of times. Good luck.
Have omly stayed at Serena Beach and Voyager (and Nyali) so can't help you very much I am afraid, but.....
Serena Beach food is excellent, drinks are a bit more expensive, and again the site is quite small and crowded. I personally find the rooms a little small and dark there, but how much time do you spend in the rooms anyway?The building has the feeling of being a bit long and narrow to me, with lots of steps which are a bit tiresome if your getting on a bit and falling to bits, like me.This is made up for by the staff who are very attentive and caring and give a most excellent service.
Voyager site is much bigger, food is good, although Serena has the edge here for me. Voyager are very good at organising extra little activities, e.g. the staff did a performance of Lion King every week or two last year - which helps stretch out the evenings a bit. The in house hotel shops at Voyager are the best value for money and range of goods I could find of all the hotels their side of the ferry.It may be lacks a little of the intimacy of Serena but its very smart, all the staff wear Cruise Style Uniforms and take a certain pride in their wowrk too.
For what its worth, although you didn't ask, so forgive me if I presume too much, Nyali beach hotel has been in receivership for the last few years, and will probably remain so for the next few too, since nothing happens quickly in Africa, Its a bit worn but the food is adequate,( at least it passes 'the dog test'. Do you know about the dog test? If in doubt, throw some food to a passing dog. If its still standing after 15 mins its probably safe to eat!- I jest of course, so please don't take this too seriously) the exception being their Mvita Grill which is most excellent. Tons of grounds and beach frontage to spread out and has the advantage of not being advertised much, possibly because of the receivership situation. I think I have only seen it in Cosmos this year, so its not too crowded usually. In its day it was one of the best and still retains a certain Colonial Charm.
I have never stayed at Whitesands so can't help you there but am sure others posting on this board will help. Please remember, this post only records my personal experiences. I in no way condem any place and have personally had the best of laughs in the worst of dives in Kenya. I am just a tourist who loves the country and now go it alone from the minute I land - usually I start straight off to the Mara, if the grass is too long I adjourn to Samburu, and so on. A manager may ask how long I will be staying, and the answer is that I usually don't know. I have booked for 3 days and stayed for 30 before now - but Kenya seems to be back on the tourist agenda now - after all the years of El Nino, 9/11. the terrorist threats and B.A. not flying there etc. It's great news for the staff, but not so easy to move on a whim anymore as the accomodation can be fully booked well in advance nowdays. hope you have the greatest of times. Good luck.
