LyndaS

I second Larsen's - I really enjoyed it there.

I was MEANT to sit outside for lunch by the Ewaso River. (sorry if Ewaso spelled wrong, my safari books are packed off while we re-tile our office today & I can't look it up!)

Kavey

Thanks everyone, well, as I said, my endorsements of Serian seemed to have an impact and they agreed to spend 4 nights within the Reserve (at Mara Explorer) with the main aim of seeing a crossing. They'll likely go for a private vehicle/ guide to ensure they can do longer drives/ wait as long as they want. And 4 nights staying at Serian so they can go off-road, do night drives and see some of the amazing sights we saw there. They will very likely do at least 1 if not 2 nights at the Serian mobile. And they are combining this with 3 nights at Larsen's in Samburu.

At least, that's what they're getting quotes for, we'll see what those come back as and then they can go ahead and finalise/ book.

Thanks again for your input and helping me mull over options.

HariS

Kavey,

Prior to reading your forth coming full report - did you see any cheetah in that Serian area outside the reserve? Did you happen to be around that Serena area on the plains up there and was that productive for cheetah?

Thanks. Just curious.

Hari

Kavey

Hi Hari
I'll dig out my notes but I _think_ we only saw cheetah within the reserve.
We had extremely good lion and leopard sightings in the Conservancy, but cheetah, I think in the reserve itself.
We had two sightings, one which was extremely good, of 3 brothers, we were very close to them indeed, they were sitting in some grass, getting up in turn and marking a bush, then flopping down again, then getting up and playing with each other, then resting again. I think this was in the Reserve, not that far from the mobile camp area, if I remember rightly, but my sense of direction is apalling!
The other sighting was just of a single cheetah sitting in the grass. That one _might_ have been in the Conservancy.
I saw a lot more cheetahs last time, in 2004.

HariS

Thanks, Kavey. Sounds like you still managed some stellar sightings!!!

Kavey

Yes we totally did...

Kavey

Just to update you, we had to change our camp choices in the end.

Although my parents got quotes based on Larsen's, Serian and Mara Explorer, because they were away (on two other trips) they weren't able to confirm before the option bookings ran out.

And apparently, Larsen's and Mara Explorer are now fully booked, even if they shift their dates a few days back or forwards.

I gave them a list of options for Samburu (Elephant Bedroom and Samburu Intrepids) which I felt suited their needs and were also in good locations. For the Mara I suggested Rekero as first choice alternative, then Mara Intrepids. Again, this based on their needs but also location as they want to be close to crossing points on Talek.

Elephant Bedroom was available, Serian always so. Rekero was coming out as far more expensive than anything else (even Mara Explorer) so they went with Mara Intrepids.

So it's 1 night in Nairobi, 3 in Elephant Bedroom, Samburu, 4 in Serian and then 3 in Mara Intrepids or may it's 4 again, I forget.

I'm hoping these choices will be good ones for them. Not our first choices, with exception of Serian. But I've read good reviews here so am hoping I've steered them well.

Kavey

Darn, the Mara camp is proving difficult. Mara Explorer not available. Rekero not available. Mara Intrepids only available for 2 out of the 4 nights. I'm somewhat amazed. I know it's high season but I would have thought that there might be some slowdown of bookings so far in advance given current economic climate.

So I've told them to put all three of those camps onto waitlist for the full 4 nights.

I've mentioned Entim though there's little feedback here about it.

I excluded Naibor because the positive reviews I've found all seem to be before new management took over so it's a complete unknown.

I'm now looking further afield, back at Il Moran and others. Nearer the crossing points the better.

sandi

Good idea to waitlist Explorer, Rekero and Intrepid's. There are probably block bookings, especially at Intrepid's (the larger [26/tents] of the three) that could clear closer to the date.

Consider Olonana (12/tents) in same class as Explorer or Il Moran, just west of the Triangle, a click down the road from Kichwa Tembo. Also, Kichwa Tembo, though 30/tents, there are 12 that have been upgraded to lux-class, costing about $100+/person/nt over their standard tents.

Kavey

Thanks Sandi, but as they've got 4 nights in Serian, the perfect second location would be in area of Mara Explorer/ Rekero. Also good for crossings, I believe. Olonana too close to Serian to be a good choice.

I know you visited Entim in June, I've suggested that as a possibility. Do you think their guiding is up to par with the top camps?

They aren't keen to be towards East of reserve either as we all agree that area between Governor's and Mara Explorer seems best for combination of game viewing and crossings.

Sigh...

sandi

Sorry, hadn't read all the threads, so missed the Serian days.

Note: Explorer Camp is scheduled to be remodeled during Apr/May for reopening the summer '09 season. Not sure whether they'll be on time and might be why they're not showing space (only a guess), but do waitlist here.

Entim was lovely, though recently opened and some rough edges had to be smoothed, but the site is lovely with amazing views and crossing point real close (but that depends on whether the wildies are here in Sept). Tents are nice size and well appointed, though not quite as lux as Explorer.

My guide was Pilot, with good command of English, great personality and easy going. As a regular safari goer, I approach game drives more leisurely (remember: not at 6am) than many others might, but we saw plenty of game; stayed at long as I wanted (i.e., that leopard) or short a time as I wished. We had lots of fun. Put Entim on your list, check prices, but keep with those waitlists.

Naibor has a new manager, but not sure whether she is temporary pending a permanent one. Believe it's gal who was a Saruni Mara back in '07. Many of the managers do move around, so not unusual. While there was some negative reports with former management team, believe they're on the right track now. They also have a new "Little Naibor" (believe 2/tents) close by the main camp... inquire about this.

Naibor and Entim are in the same vicinity along the river, the former a bit north of the latter, but you can't see one from the other as they're so well hidden.

Kavey

Thanks, Sandi, much appreciated.