spassvogel

Elizabeth
As far as I am and my experiences are concerned: The earlier the better - there might come out some "specials" later on based on the lack of European travellers because the € is just melting.....but if I were in your shoes I would book as soon as there is a fare which somehow suits my budget. Don't wait for the last 10% - they have never made anybody rich!

Coming from the US NW/KLM is still the best option - or I have missed some info ,-)

Happy Travels!

SV

spassvogel

OOPS - I forgot:
Only choose REPUTABLE airlines - you have only ONE life! As we have seen recently!

Happy landings!

SV

sandi

With 8/hrs and AMS being so small, yes one can easily get into town. No knowing when you last did this, but nowadays, you have to consider the re-checkin/security... min 2/hrs and time needed to transit back to airport. Also, if arriving AMS early, not much opens before 8am, if then. Believe flight departs for NBO and/or JRO 9:30-10:30am.

SV - even reputable airplines go down, i.e., Air France coming from Brazil a few months back!

matnikstym

Did you try going through Hong Kong? As I said in your earlier thread going Seoul, Hong Kong and Johannesburg will be the shortest and cheapest of all my trips to Africa. Can't remember if you can get a Nairobi connection or not.
Aloha.

ShayTay

I like AMS, too. Most of the East Africa flights leave mid-morning, though, so I doubt you'll have much of a layover coming in from the US. A couple of years ago, a fellow traveler's SD flight arrived just after the JRO flight left, so he had a 23-hour layover (scheduled.) It's a neat way to have a day in Amsterdam without paying a layover fee. If you have a shorter layover and all you want to do is sleep, though, there is a Yotel in the airport (sort of a "capsule" hotel room.)

Patty

The Kenya Airways flight from AMS leaves in the evening so you could take that if you wanted a longer layover.

Kenya Airways also flies Hong Kong/Guangzhou-Bangkok-Nairobi if you want to route via the Pacific.

ShellCat

My vote would be for Virgin Atlantic-back to the same thing, newer planes, more leg room and Heathrow is pretty easy to get around. Yes, Amsterdam is smaller, but you may still have to change terminals. If you have a full day in London, there would be time to go into town on the tube, but I would allow for two hours to get back through security. Sorry about the earlier suggestion about Delta, I always check them for Jburg as I have direct flights out of Oregon via Salt Lake.

Patty

AMS is like one big interconnected terminal. Some of the walks are longish but there are moving walkways. A US-Africa connection just involves walking to the connecting gate and clearing security at the gate.

sandi

Blessing to those well positioned moving walkways at AMS. And, I've yet had to walk farther from arriving flight to the connecting gate then across from one side to the other. Though a friend once landed (late with only 10/min for a connection... rather unusal) had to hoof to board where I was already seated.

On one trip (not to Africa) thru AMS having to go from one wing to another, which appeared to be in another country, only took 15/min. Compared to other airports I've transited thru where trams/buses or whatever were required, this was an easy "stroll in the park."

Again, AMS is very civilized.

live_aloha

Thanks to all of you for your comments, information and suggestions.

Seemed like everytime I checked the fares, it was going up, up, up (started at ~$1500 and now $2100). Additionally, by not getting it together with our travel plans in a timely manner, we are now missing out on 2 accomodations we wanted (Macushla House in Nairobi and Sweetwaters).

So taking those 2 things into consideration,I finally did it---got it booked---yipppeeee!!!! We are going on Delta from San Diego to Atlanta, Amsterdam, then KLM to Nairobi. Now I just have to get across the ocean to SD! Hope I can use Hawaiian miles for that leg.

matnikstym---mahalo for your help. I tried your itinerary suggestion awhile ago, but it didn't work out traveling to Nairobi.

So again, thanks to all of you. I know I mentioned earlier that this forum is like taking a class in travel--what you need to know---but it's also a wonderful support group.

Leely2

Congratulations! You're really truly going!

ShayTay

I'm glad it worked out for you! Would you like to share your final itinerary and dates? You may find a fellow Fodorite traveling at the same time and place you are.

Patty

Congrats!

live_aloha

Thanks all---love your encouraging words.

Yes, would love to share my itinerary, although we are still on hold for Sweetwaters--keeping our fingers crossed that it will open up for us.

For now, it is:
1 Nairobi Nairobi Serena Hotel BB
2 Nairobi Nairobi Serena Hotel L-D-BB
3 Amboseli Tortilis Camp LDBB
4 Amboseli Tortilis Camp LDBB
5 Ol Pejeta Sweetwaters Tented Camp LDBB
6 Ol Pejeta Sweetwaters Tented Camp LDBB
7 Mara Offbeat Mara Camp LDBB
8 Mara Offbeat Mara Camp LDBB
9 Mara Offbeat Mara Camp LDBB
10 Mara Offbeat Mara Camp LDBB
11 Nairobi Ole Sereni Hotel Dayroom

I really wanted to stay at Machushla House in Nairobi, but by the time we got it together it was booked (snooze you loose)!

The main reason I wanted to spend a full day in Nairobi was to visit Sheldrick's and Giraffe Manor, so we will be doing that. Would love to adopt an elephant, so need to look into that a bit more.

Please let me know if there is anything else we should try to do in Nairobi. Would love to buy something special to bring home that is representative of the trip. Might be a bit of a storage problem since this stop will be at the beginning?

Not interested in The Carnivore. Had dinner there 20+ yrs ago and was kinda grossed out by the slabs of animals they brought to the table. I hear they don't do that anymore, but still don't want to go.

If any of you are traveling at the same time/place--by all means, please let me know---would love to meet you!

Patty

Have you looked into the Kicheche or Porini camps on Ol Pejeta? They're smaller than Sweetwaters and would be more similar to your other choices. Do you have a back up booking somewhere?

Might want to stop at Kazuri Beads & Pottery or Utamaduni for shopping while you're in Nairobi. They're both close to Sheldrick and Giraffe Centre.

sandi

2nd Patty's suggestion - Porini or Kicheche at Ol Pejeta, maybe even Ol Pejeta Safari Camp.

As to shopping, even at the start of trip, you can find small items that are easily packed. Toss a folding bag into your duffle that you can use for all your gifts*; on homebound, check this as your 2nd bag. Having some bubble wrap helps with delicate carved wooden animals. Otherwise, "buy flat" as they're easier to pack. Also, the properties at which you'll stop have gift shops and often better quality items and still at competitive pricing.

*or your dirty cloths that if lost is no big deal; gifts then in your main duffle.

ShayTay

There are a lot of shopping opportunities in Nairobi, but my favorites are the Kazuri Bead Factory (a "second" to Patty's rec) and a women's self-help organization called Amani ya Juu for sewn goods and also jewelry from women in a nearby crafts market. Amani also has a nice garden cafe serving "Mexi-Kenyan" fare (Tsavo Tacos, etc.) If you do your shopping at the beginning of your safari in Nairobi, your outfitter can store your bag with your purchases until you return from the Mara. That way, you don't have the extra weight and bag to deal with. In addition to Sandi's great suggestion of the folding bag and bubble wrap, throw in some packing tape, as well, to use on the bubble wrap when wrapping your souvenirs.

If you adopt an ele at Sheldrick's, you can visit in the evening when they return to the stockades, rather than at noon with all the other tourists. You'll see all kinds of suggestions of gifts for the keepers (socks, blankets, etc.) but cash is the most welcome gift!

nycjv

I'm traveling solo on a similar itinerary with the following in August but most likely a week earlier than you -

7-8 Nairobi Fairview
9-10 Amboselli Tortilis
11-12 OlPejeta Porini Rhino Camp
13-14 Masai Mara Kichwa Tembo
15-16 Masai Mara Porini Lion Camp
17th 5pm flight to Nairobi and late flight back to reality arriving JFK on the 18th.

I second everyone's opinion about Porini (or Kicheche) over Sweetwaters, I first looked at Sweetwaters, however after reading many reviews and considering Porini's guides, philosophy and how they give back to the community with responsible tourism, I'm so glad I choose the Porini Rhino Camp over the larger Sweetwaters camp. I've heard Kicheche is also very good and I believe you'll have a more authentic experience at either of these two camps. Enjoy!

crosscheck

Sorry to hijack this thread, but we seem to have similar taste and are heading in the same direction in mid July. We are debating whether to add Porini Rhino to our itinerary. We are going in late July and currently have 6 nights in the Mara because we want to see the migration:

1-2 Nairobi(location TBD)
3-4 Amboseli Porini
5-6-7 Lion Porini
8-9 Sala's Camp (nearest to migration in July, also near a rhino reserve)

Has anyone been to Porini Rhino? Are we making a mistake by not squeezing it in?

live_aloha

Thanks all---appreciate all your suggestions/advice.

I really like the idea of supporting the women's self-help organizations, so will make it a point to visit these suggested places. Is it safe to assume that our travel guide will be able to take us around, or is that something we have to do on our own?

Have not looked into camps other than Sweetwaters, since it was felt that a space would open up for us there. Good to know there are other places to look into. How about the cost of Porini, Kicheche and/or Ol Pejeta Safari Camp in comparison to Sweetwaters?

As far as adopting an ele, is that something I would have to arrange ahead of time? And if so, how do I do that?

I realize these types of questions have been answered probably many,many times--but it's hard to absorb this information until it applies to the game plan.

You guys are awesome!!!!