Can I book Nairobi to Mara RTN flights without knowing which Mara stop?
 

Am looking at booking airmile flights London to Nairobi for next September. Would like to book this now so have the dates locked in.

I think it won't be a problem finding availability in a camp and am happy to leave that quite late, though probably not brave enough to leave it till just a couple of days beforehand!

BUT am worried that, I'll find a great camp/ rate and not be able to get seats on flights to Mara. Don't really want to drive it, have back issues with long bumpy drives.

Can one reserve seats on Nairobi - Mara flights without specifying which Mara airfield?

Unless you book your camp within a very short time before departing NBO/MAR, you shouldn't have an issue with tickets. Both Air Kenya and Safari Link fly this route with morning and afternoon flights. Once camp is booked that will define the airstrip. Though many planes are small for 19-30/paxs, if there are more for a particular day, a larger plane can be pulled in to accommodate all paxs.

If your camp is booked in June or July, shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Sandi
And, in your best opinion (I won't hold you to it!) do you think I am likely to be able to negotiate better prices for September in July than say December this year, or do they not really bother dropping/ discounting hard until a week or less before occupancy date?

Any camp will book the appropriate flights Wilson-Mara airstrip-Wilson according to your bed nights.

As sandi states - the flights into the Mara should be not a problem.

I am sure you know about the migration and therefore peak season. So I would rather book in let's say Feb the latest instead of gambling - despite there are too many camps now it might be tight with space unless some more incidents occur and people refrain from going to the Mara.

SV ((@))

Thanks SV

Last year 2008 we were there in August/ September peak season and most of our camps were half full or less. But I don't know if 2009 was same and, of course, whether 2010 will be likewise.

But will get international flights booked, and then look at rest.

THANKS

Kavey
The 2008 season was overshadowed by the political issues.
The 2009 season was hurt by the credit crunch.
What 2010 is going to be is not in the books yet. There are several "specials" out already for TAZ e.g. That makes it probable that the bookings are still not back to normal yet.

YES ensuring the long-haul is a good thing. Anything else can be done later after you have closely watched how things unfold....

Happy planning!

SV ((@))

I don't think your OQ has been answered: NO.
You have to have a "final" destination which is the airstrip closest to camp. Don't think they allow "open jaw"

SV ((@))

SV Re 2008 - we had already booked for August/September otherwise we would have gone out in January/ February when they were desperate for visitors.

Re 2009 - you're right about the economic climate affecting bookings, of course, and who knows whether that will carry through into 2010.

Thanks for help re flights.

Depending on which specific camp/s you have in mind, many of those who will be offering "specials" have already published them. Many seem to be "stay X#/nts, pay for 1 (or 2) less"

If you split your stay between camps, your inbound flight to the Mara would be to the first camp's airstrip and the outbound from the second. Though it's not unusual for both camps use the same airstrip. Once camp/s booked, flight vouchers will be coordinated.

I know a lot of the specials have been published, I guess what I'm wondering, and is probably not in anyway answerable, is at what stage camp owners/ managers may start responding to individual direct requests for much bigger discounts, if they have low occupancy for the given period?!

Always a big gamble! September is one of the busiest months for the migration. What camps are you thinking about?

Sandi
I haven't made a shortlist yet... any of the smaller camps with good guiding standards. Of couse, would love to go to Serian, because of the private vehicle, and will contact Alex Walker directly to see what he can offer, though I doubt it'll be in our budget. But happy to be flexible if get decent enough discount. Would prefer to rule out the larger lodges, though.

Guess, once you have your list, will you find out what rates are available and if, for extended stays, you might qualify for those camps with "specials."

Kavey,
If you contact Alex and he gives you a great rate, get me one while you are at it....

Also, are the planes that fly to Mara "taxi" types, meaning up and down for each airstrip? Or do they assign planes to the strips so we dont spend all day trying to get there?

Perhaps Sandi or Patti knows this ,as this posting started me thinking about that aspect..and I will just want to get there!

Kavey, I am going in Sept. Perhaps if we say we'll book two tents at once, we can get a toofer. :)

Thx,
FP

They're taxi types. I would think they'd need to know the number of passengers deplaning at each airstrip so they know how many passengers they can board.

Taxi - puddle-hoppers - that take off, set down, paxs deplane, paxs board, take off, fly to the next airstrip.

There are about 5/airstrips in the Mara, but doesn't mean any one flight stops at all. Depends on number of paxs going in and those coming out and to/from where. Sometimes they can send two planes and each does a few airstrips. You can be the first stop or the last. Flight time between airstrips can be as short as 5/min or as long as 15.

Thanks all! So if there are 5 strips, I need to find out how many between me leaving NBO and the Mara to figure out how stops there could be..
anyone know where Serian folks deplane?

That is if Kavey gets us a deal...hahaha- Actually
too late for me; I'm already there...on the books

Staying 6 nights divided between N.Serian and Mobile; so 2 in camp; 2 out and then 2 more in before leaving.

Of course I have enough time in front of me to keep adding places..it's sick, somewhat like a shopaholic, except I am a campaholic!

I am still trying to decide how to squeeze in another camp for a couple nights between NBO and Laipeka ..driving everyone crazy I am sure...but the camps/lodging look sooooo inviting. And I havent bought any shoes in a while... :)
...and I don't want to miss anything..
STOP ME!

FP

FP You'll have a great time!!!!

FP - STOP (in the name of your sanity) don't worry yourself about which airstrip or whether first or last stop. From day-to-day the order changes depending on pax load. And, even if under normal circumstances a particular camp uses a specific airstrip, for whatever reason on any given day, the carrier may be dropping paxs at another.

Go buy shoes :)

haha, you are right Sandi, I need some cute shoes for the bush walks, yea thats it...for bush walks.:)

I'm outta here; gone to REI!

FP