janischa28

Hi Nyamera,
I actually indeed also considered the next trip:
http://www.porini.com/gamewatchers/home_index.html
click on safari, scroll down, and click on "GALDESSA AND AMBOSELI PORINI SAFARI" about 1600 USD per person for a 5 day safari... I took a look at Tarhi camp, but with my 1m55 height (yes, I'm pretty small-- thanks to my mum's asian roots I don't think I would be able to look over the canvas wall
and fuzzylogic, you make a good point but I gave up the idea of basic camping some time ago btw, now you got me reconsidering Zanzibar again.. ahhhh!! i just can't decide..

janischa28

i found another alternative: www.serian.net
a beautiful lodge.. with bathroom with a view but even more expensive than Shompole. if we were to really splurge, which one would it be ? pro Shompole the personal pool and the shared pool; pro Serian the personal butler, maybe better wildlife (?)... or maybe we should save because I already got my eyes set on a next trip

Nyamera

Janischa,
Go to Serian if you can afford it, but as you’ll visit the Serengeti you’ll get more variation at Elephant Watch, Samburu http://www.elephantwatchsafaris.com/ It’s over the top expensive as well and from what I remember from Jan’s August photos you might very well see an elephant while having a shower. I’d skip over the top luxury to be able to return sooner.

An open bathroom really is a plus even if you shower at night. You see animals when you’re “powdering your nose” and I’ve always had bat around the bathroom lamp.

Africa, to write a novel at Porini is an excellent idea, but it’d have to be a bestseller, or more exactly – bestseller nº 2.

janischa28

hi again all.. in the mean time I've received two interesting quotes: for 4 nights (incl domestic flight from nairobi) to Tortillis or to Loisaba. The first is 400 USD cheaper. So, what would you choose ? I seem to have read in a thread somewhere here that Tortillis is fenced ? is Loisaba also fenced ? also, I did read that somebody stayed in the Starbeds.. do you have a view from your shower in the ensuite bathroom (yes, i know i am annoying ^-^what a person goes through to achieve their dreams ^-^)?
i also have a question on kichwa tembo.. i found this link which shows very different pictures from the CC website.. are these photo's correct ?

http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/k...ichwatembo.asp

thanks a lot again you guys and sorry if i'm a pain in the...

Leely

janischa, the photos look like the same camp to me. African Mecca I think uses more "candid" photos of grainier quality. It's also possible CCA's photos are more recent and that they've upgraded a bit.

sandi

The extent of "fence" at Tortilis is a trip wire, found at many camps. However, they have 24-hr askaris monitoring the paremeter. As Tortilis has en-suite loos, you're not likely to see elephants close-up-and personal.

Of course Torilis is $400 less expensive than Loisaba as Loisaba is expensive. The airfare to get here is also to be considered. Loisaba is a ranch and there are no fences one could see. Loisaba is more lodge-type accommodations, so it's unlikely you'll see elephants from the loo. Activities here are rather relaxed, no schedule is kept, all as the whims and wishes of the guests. You can do game drives, walks, camel safaris, visit local villages and schools. But, here you do have the "starbeds" which are quite romantic; even if not looking for romance (which we weren't), it's a unique, luxurious and beautiful experience.

janischa28

okay, here I am again, i think by now i've nearly considered all the camps in masai mara but i've seen on porini website that Olonana Camp price difference in 'lower' season (prices until 30th June) are much larger compared to other lodges/camps, making it even cheaper to Tortillis Camp to stay there 4 nights. So now I've requested a few operators a price quote on Olonana, and hope that there is still availability. By the way, is Olonana fenced as well ? Any fodorite made pictures of this camp ?

janischa28

okay, for what it's worth, my final decision has fallen it's gonna be Olonana Camp... my safari operator has given my a quite good price, so now let's keep our fingers crossed to him securing my rooms I'll be sure to bring back a trip report

janischa28

I am so happy, i just need to share my news with this forum !!!
we couln't book olonana for all the nights we wanted but then my kenya safari operator spent significant time coming up with alternatives.. until he managed to get me this fantastic deal !!!! he got me 2 nights shompole and 2 nights olonana for a price just affordable within my budget we'll be driving to shompole, stay there 2 nights, drive back to nairobi, take flight to the mara, stay 2 nights in olonana, fly back to nairobi.... he's been so great !!!!

Patty

Congrats, janisha! Do you know how much just the 2 nights at Shompole with road transfers to/from Nairobi is costing you?

janischa28

hi patty, difficult to say. Porini quoted 1300 USD for 2 nights inclusive of flight to & from nairobi. And 455 USD per night extra. Benjamin from Southern Cross got me a package with private drive to shompole, 2 nights there, private drive Nairobi, flight Olonana, 2 nights Olonana for 1400 USD.You don't need to be a genius to know this is a great deal

Patty

That's a great deal indeed! Have a fantastic time and I hope to hear all about it when you get back