Chris

What do you think of these Lodges? <BR> <BR>NAIROBI-any mid-priced suggestions? (about $60 per night double) <BR>AMBOSELI-Ol Tukai or Amboseli Lodge <BR>RIFT VALLEY-Lake Naivash Country Club <BR>LAKE NAKURU-Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Lake Nakuru Lodge <BR>TREELODGE-Ark (Aberdare) or Mountain Lodge (Mt. Kenya) <BR>SAMBURU-Samburu Lodge or Larsens Camp <BR>MASAI MARA-Siana Springs or Mara Intrepids

Don

We were at some of these in l998 on a tour. UTc In the Samburu half of our group stayed at Larsens Camp and half at Samburu Intrepids. Larsens was O.K. but those of us at Intrepids thought it was great. Couldn't have been better. the Ark is said to be much better than Treetops. We stayed at Treetop and was fun but room and food were both below average.

Louise

Chris - yes, we have stayed at a few of the places you mentioned although it was four years ago. At the Mara we stayed at the Intrepids. It was in a lovely location along a river in tented facilities. The tents were quite large with an attached bathroom. At that time for every three tents there was a Masai "warrior" standing guard all night long. The game drives in the area are wonderful. The entire camp was surrounded by electric fencing to keep the animals out. The food was good and was served in a covered area or on an attached patio. The Ark is in a beautiful mountainous area. It may have changed but at that time it was a little run-down. However, the experience of being there should not be missed. Come evening, the doors to the outside are locked and observation is made from decks. If you request they wake you during the night to see a particular type of animal a buzzer will ring in your room. Unfortunately, they rang us for buffalo which we had already seen plenty of. After that, I couldn't go back to sleep so stayed up the rest of the night. Before going to bed, though, we saw a rhino and baby and five lions who seemed quite interested in the baby. Then there were elephants who chased the lions away. A lot of smaller animals also. Lion Hill was similar to a "three star" motel with a lot of stonework building in the individual units. Game driving from there was quite good. We went through the grounds of the Lake Navaisha Country Club and it is in a beautiful location beside the lake. Great expanses of lawn and lovely trees and shrubs. From there we took a boat trip out onto the lake to view the birdlife and hippos. In Samburu we stayed at the Sarova Shaba so can't help you there. It is so dry in that area you will wonder how the animals survive but a great experience to see some animals you will not see elsewhere. Any other questions? Feel free to e-mail me. Louise

Debbie

In October 99 I was on my safari. We stayed at the Ol Tukai. That was fabulous and some of the best food we had from that chain of hotels for the whole trip. <BR>At Lake Nakuru, we were at the Lake Nakuru Lodge, and it wasn't anything to get too excited about. Less charming than any of them, and by this time the food from the chain of hotels was getting to be old and the same ol' same ol', hotel after hotel after hotel. <BR>The Ark is pretty spectacular for one night. It's not fancy in the rooms, but with luck you won't be in bed much of the night. They wake you up when ever anything interesting comes along outside to the water hole. <BR>At Samburu, it was the same ol' food, but the hotel and the staff are the most fun there. Say hi to the bartender and the Samburu boys that put on the show for you if you stay there. They are great fun. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip...it's really exciting!!!! <BR>

rachel sumaria

My opinion <BR>AMBOSELI-Ol Tukai <BR>RIFT VALLEY-Lake Naivash Country Club or Rift Valley Lodge <BR>LAKE NAKURU- Lake Nakuru Lodge <BR>TREELODGE-Ark (Aberdare) <BR>SAMBURU-Intrepids or serena <BR>MASAI MARA-Siana Springs or Mara Simba Lodge (intrepids is difficult to get to by road) <BR> <BR>We did a customized family trip with Vintage Africa (www.vintageafrica.com) and they did a superb job. Their driver/guides are tremendous.

Judy Mayer

was just in Kenya May 2001. <BR> <BR>TREELODGE- The Ark is great even though it got very cloudy at night. Watching elephants just walk into view 20 feet away is awesome. Loved the hot water bottle in the bed and food was wonderful. <BR> <BR>LAKE NAKURU-Lake Nakuru Lodge was nice. Rooms OK - huge bathroom. The food was wonderful and presentation even better. Great evening performance by acrobatics troop. Swimming pool was nice and loved the babboons roaming around. <BR> <BR>MASAI MARA-The Mara Simba Lodge was good with large rooms and balcony overlooking the river. The hippos come down at night and play. Food great especially the soups. The game drives here were the best!! The worst exchange rate encountered outside of Nairobi, I suppose because we were the farthest away point. <BR> <BR>