Hello!
I'm moving forward with safari planning for February. I found a small operator on the Rondo Retreat website, Ben's Ecological Safaris and wanted to know if anyone knew of them or had any information.

Here's their website company description: "Ben's Ecological Safaris is a small company specializing in East African Natural History within the context of the History, Ancient Civilizations and Culture of East Africa."

It looks like their focus is birding, as they advertise in various birding venues. My interest is scenery, landscape and wildlife, including all the small things. (But I'll be thrilled when I see elephants!)

BR (before riots) they'd sent me a fabulous itinerary that started in Bungoma, went east (through Eldoret!) to the Rift Valley, then south to Masaai Mara. Now we're starting in Nairobi, going to Masaai Mara, up to Nakuru, Hell's Gate and Lake Baringo.

I'm also looking at Eastern and Southern and my daughter has instructions to see if she can figure something out with Let's Go Travel that's a great resident rate. I want to get 3 different rough drafts, then decide on one.

Any thoughts on them?

Thanks!

<b>Now we're starting in Nairobi, going to Masaai Mara, up to Nakuru, Hell's Gate and Lake Baringo.</b>

Rose, are they offering this itinerary AFTER the riots etc? Just curious because we have a similar trip scheduled that begins soon (Baringo, Nakuru, Mara) and were wondering about the situation near Nakuru, where I've seen death tolls from 8 to 80.

Bill

Hi Bill,
Yep, that was our email communication today. I'll check back in with them as Frank seems to be on email right now.

My original plan was probably more risky so I'm guessing they see me as one of those tourists with a high tolerance for risk.

Anyway, I'll ask what they think of the situation and get right back to you.

If one of them can get you resident rates, there won't be any choice!

Ben's may be advertising for birders because they are based in the West, and keen birders often go there to look for quite rare, specific species. No idea about them, but the itinerary and the change they made make sense to me. Their new itinerary is almost identical to my &quot;home-made&quot; one on my first trip to Kenya, except we ended at Mount Kenya rather than Hell's Gate. It's goog, but if you are more into larger mamamals than birds, then doing it the other way around might be better. That's what we thought we should have done after our first trip anyway.

goog = good ;-)