By trying to do both Kenya and Tanzania in 14 days, you're really rushing around, as Patty says. Also, you're staying in some of the more basic properties and no tented camps from what I can see. What was the quote for this itinerary? E-mail me at DIVEDIVE99 at aol dot com and I'll send you the Kenya itinerary I'm doing next September. It will give you something to which you can compare your itineraries and quotes.

Slow down going North to Samburu with stop at one of the "salt-lick" properties at Mt.Kenya or Aberdares.

Break up the trip south from Samburu to Nakuru with stop at Sweetwaters.

Maybe add another day in the Masai Mara.

If doing Samburu, it's not really necessary to visit Amboseli, but for the possible views of Kili; will be the 3rd busiest place visted (after the Mara and Ngorongoro).

If you want views of Kili, consider visiting in Sinya in Tanzania. This backs up on Amboseli, so more elephants and one of the few places in Tanzania where you can catch views of Kili (if the clouds stay away). Also, will be less crowded than Amboseli.

Taragire is also more elephants. But the landscape is different with baobab trees, lots of birds.

Granted driving will keep your pricing down, but at least try to break up some of those long drives on terrible roads. No super highways here. By the time you arrive many locations, you're likely to be tired for game drives. It takes a toll on the body and might just be a big blur.

Sometimes you have to accept that you can't (or shouldn't) try getting everything/place in on one trip.

I second Sandi's suggestion to break up your trip between Nairobi and Samburu by staying at one of the salt-lick lodges (we really liked the Serena Mountain Lodge near Mt. Kenya) -- even the drive from there to Samburu is a long, hard road. If you do that, you'd also have time to stop at Sheldrick's elephant orphanage in Nairobi before heading up to the mountain lodge.

If you don't have time for that, I'd consider flying to Samburu. In my humble opinion, Samburu is a "don't miss"... and will be very different in terms of animals and scenery than the southern Kenya/northern Tanzania parks.

The drives between parks are in themselves an adventure sometimes, but for what you have to pay to stay at the these lodges and camps, it's really nice to plan your itinerary so you don't spend so much of your time getting from place to place and have more time for game drives in the park, where you'll get to see the wildlife.

what is the approximate flight cost from nairobi to samburu and then mara to nairobi

also should i skip manyara

To get a general idea of fares within Kenya and Tanzania, you can check out Safarilink's website:

http://www.safarilink-kenya.com/safa...afari_schedule

A safari outfitter in East Africa may get different fares, however.

ShayTay thanks for the response.

i'm planning of adding flights from nairobi-samburu

and masai mara to nairobi on the way to amboseli. do you guys think its still cramped

your highness <b>Maasai<b> - Karibu !!

welcome to this board.

it's not the first time that you copy &amp; paste a brochure.
IMHO you can edit it a little
+ another advice: to make it easier for the readers, better put on each day's title from where to where
e.g.
Day 1 <font color="blue"> Nairobe to Bogoria
</font> (it doesn't have to be in colour...)
i, for one, did not read your itinerary past the first few (unnecessary) words

aby

P.S.
<font color="red"> &amp; What is this nonsense &quot;best itinerary&quot; ??
&amp; for whom is it THE BEST ????? </font></b></b>

sorry for misspelling Nairobi

crazytraveller

i would doubt the credibility of whoever suggested you pass via Thomson's Falls on the way to Samburu
(esp' when you can do it when returning from Sam to Nakuru)

otherwise Samburu is the right choice IMO

aby