mariacallas2

Well, I'm finally going to Kenya. I'm not so keen to see the migration as I am to see Kenya and some wildlife.

Please tell me if I'm on the right track here as I'm close to booking.

A well-respected tour operator has set up the following tour for me:
Jan 18 2011: Kigio Wildlife Camp OK

Jan 19 2011: Kigio Wildlife Camp OK

Jan 20 2011: Kigio Wildlife Camp OK

Jan 21 2011: Hotel Intercontinental OK

Jan 22 2011: Finch Hatton’s Camp OK

Jan 23 2011: Finch Hatton’s Camp OK

Jan 24 2011: Tortilis Camp OK

Jan 25 2011: Tortilis Camp OK

Jan 26 2011: Elephant Bedroom OK

Jan 27 2011: Elephant Bedroom OK

Jan 28 2011: Elephant Bedroom OK

Jan 29 2011: Sirikoi Camp OK

Jan 30 2011: Sirikoi Camp OK

Jan 31 2011: Sirikoi Camp OK

Feb 01 2011: Richard’s Camp OK

Feb 02 2011: Richard’s Camp OK

Feb 03 2011: Little Governors Camp OK

Feb 04 2011: Little Governors Camp OK

Feb 05 2011: Little Governors Camp OK

Feb 06 2011: Depart to Egypt.

Please tell me your thoughts on this.

Also, any advice you can give me on where to find safari clothes in London is sincerely appreciated. Along with any packing list ideas.

This is VERY spur of the moment.

I have been studying your posts for YEARS!

Yours,
Mariacallas2

sandi

Itinerary is interesting.
Assume arriving early at NBO and heading out direct on safari, so it's a drive to Kigio and return to Nairobi.
Then,
- is it drive to Finch Hatton's at Tsavo? or flight?
- if it's a drive, then assume it's road transfer to Tortilis at Amboseli?
- if flight to Finch Hatton's who does the transfer to Tortilis?

Then, from Tortilis, have to assume it's a flight to Elephant Bedroom at Samburu? And then how to Sirikoi at Lewa? Road or flight?

Easy enough to figure from Sirikoi it's a flight to Richard's (Mara) and assume they'll do the transfer to Little Governor's.

Sure wish I had 19/days to be in Kenya at this time... lucky you!

mariacallas2

Oh Sandi thank you so much for answering. It means a lot to have you lend your wisdom to this.

It's all flights between parks/camps except a 2-hr drive from Nairobi to the first park.

I'm also thinking about taking a hot air balloon ride from Little Governors. Is that supposed to be a good one?

When you say the itenerary is interesting, do you think it looks OK?

I just went shopping for safari clothes. I am getting soooo excited I can't stand it!!!!

Thanks again
MC2

mariacallas2

Oh correction. There will be a road transfer from Richards camp to Governors camp which will be 60/90 mins.

sandi

Interesting as you've managed to cover all the good bases which many of us can't on a single visit... so the "green-eyed" devil (jealousy) rears up

Figured it would be road transfer between Richard's and Lil Govs and you should figure more like 90+/min., but it's game viewing along the way.

Can't comment on balloon safaris as I don't do heights and have no desire whatsoever. But others seem to enjoy this.

Safari njema!

atravelynn

Looks like an interesting and wonderful itinerary. Much more than OK.

Don't know the plan at Kigio Wildlife camp, but as it is near Aberdare, let me include from my recent report how I spent a day in Aberdare that I described as "one of Kenya's finer offerings." It is below in green.

I've done a balloon from Little Govs and from I've heard that is the best place to do it. First, you don't have to travel from another camp to get there. That brings up a request you may wish to make for a tent that is far away from the balloon gathering point and launch. The second advantage of LG is even more important and that is the winding Mara River below adds to the scenic element. The hippos offer an interesting perspective from the air and the river draws animals. I also was told that if you happen to be unlucky and not see much wildlife, at least the river makes for picturesque views.

The balloon ride from LG had everything going for it from perfect weather to animal views to sighting a new species (bat eared fox) to a soft landing in a herd of zebras. Still, I didn't care for it because the loud noise of the fire scared the animals. I would have preferred another traditional game drive. Others were much more enthused than I was.

No specific advice on clothing other than to suggest you don't need to buy any special clothes. Neutral colors are best, but on my last trip (which was more lodge-based as opposed to the camps in your itinerary) I saw every type of attire in every color. I do have a suggestion for a very good, practical hat that will last a lifetime: Tilley. Just google it for companies that sell it or you can buy direct from Canada. There are a variety of styles, but the widest brims are good for African sun.

<green>Aberdare is known for “The Salient,” the lush, thick forest, which spans from about Broadleaf-Croton zone to the Rosewood Forest and is inhabited by a variety of lesser seen creatures, such as Sykes Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and Giant Forest Hog—and I saw all of these. I was especially thrilled with the 4 Giant Forest Hog Sightings.

Some of the troops of Sykes were shy and retreated into the forest when our vehicle approached, but other troops went about their business on the side of the road for 30 minutes while I watched. These are very attractive creatures, even more striking than the Golden Monkeys that share the gorilla’s habitat in Rwanda.

The Salient must have more Bushbucks per kilometer than anywhere and its rich vegetation results in Bushbucks the size of Waterbucks, and Waterbuck-sized Warthogs as well. Shy Duikers appeared now and then, especially at the higher elevations, and we even got a quick view of a large, dark colored leopard as it sprinted across the road.

On our trip out of the park, I mentioned it was a humorous coincidence that the two buffalos I was trying to photograph both decided to defecate simultaneously. Ben explained that it was no coincidence and they intended to do that to show aggression. Since the aggression was directed at us, it could quickly turn into no laughing matter, so we kept our distance and did not linger.

I saw 2 distant elephants and no rhino. The waterholes and salt licks of The Ark or Treetops would probably attract more eles and rhino and allow for better visibility of them.

The birding coup of the trip occurred in Aberdare and I know it is a coup because Bird Guide Ben wanted pictures that I took of the Crowned Eagle. We had over half a dozen sightings of this magnificent species, in pairs, on a nest and we even had audio when we heard a Crowned Eagle chick, hidden in its nest, calling to the parents.

My daylong excursion in Aberdare was in a 4x4 Land Rover owned by William who specializes in trips to Mt. Kenya and Aberdare. An armed KWS ranger joined us and was necessary for the hikes. E&S Guide Ben went too. One thing that really impressed me about these three guys was on our walks if there was any litter, they picked it up.

Our 10.5-hour outing included three easy hikes to three waterfalls: Karuru, Magura, Chania. With 6 trained eyes, plus mine, no Giant Forest Hog or anything else escaped us! This was a fantastic way to become immersed in the habitats of Aberdare National Park and The Salient it is known for, and to view the wildlife that call it home. What a worthwhile, quality outing. Truly, one of Kenya’s finer offerings!

For tips, I gave William the same as I would give my regular driver/guide for a full day of service. I gave the KWS employee ¼ of that since he’d be working somewhere in the park anyway. I considered that day as a regular work day for Ben, my E&S guide, when calculating his tip at the end of the trip.

The cost of arranging a day trip like this with an extra 4x4, driver, and armed escort was much less than I thought, maybe a couple hundred dollars or less. When I learned that William arrived the night before through pouring rain and stayed with the KWS staff so we could depart promptly the next day, and then drove back down through rain, dark, and ele herds, it was even more of a bargain.

Other vehicles and photos
All photos were taken with no other vehicles in sight. During my 3 days and 2 nights in Aberdare, I saw only 4 other vehicles going the opposite direction on the road, so we crossed paths for just a few seconds.

The album has 25 pictures of Aberdare, #4-#6 are of Fishing Lodge Banda.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Violette...PvTpbCH1e7rNw#


Interesting Birds in Aberdare:
Hartelaub Turacao
Scaly Francolin
Jackson’s Francolin
Montane Wagtail
Streaky Seedeater
Crowned Eagle
Hunter’s Cisticola
White Eyed Slaty Flycatcher
Alpine Chat
Stone Chat
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Montane Buzzard
Golden Winged Sunbird
Gymnogene
Crimson Tufted Sunbird

mariacallas2

Oh thank you so much Sandi and Atravelynn.

WONDERFUL! I'm getting super excited. REally happy I'm only waiting for a week to go - yayyyyy!

Is Hotel Intercontinental OK or should I change to Norfolk or Palacina?

I'm thinking why have just an average Nairobi hotel in the middle of all these wonderful places.

What do you think?

Yours in Africa Awe
MC2

sandi

The Intercontinental is fine, but is a big hotel with full services.

If I had to choose between Norfolk or Palacina, Palacina wins hands down. While Fairmont has taken over the Norfolk and completely refurbished it, in doing so, the Colonial Charm is gone and could be a hotel anywhere, much like the Intercontinental. Besides the fact that their prices even in the Delamere Terrace restaurant have doubled for no justifiable reason... shame on them.

Palacina has lovely suite rooms with terrace, living room (soft sofa/chair/table/desk) with full mini-bar/dishes/glasses, large flat-screen TV, separate bedroom and large dressing room/closet and bathroom with soaking tub and shower that can fit two or more (hee-hee) and a pool. Their Moonflower restaurant (for lunch and dinner) is one of the best in Nairobi.

You've already blown most of our budgets, so why not... go for it! You won't be disappointed.

sandi

Oh, and at Finch Hatton's if they have the same chef... the best soups I've ever tasted.

Lynn - love the "green"

mariacallas2

Thank you, Sandi. I wish you could come along, too. It's always so fun to hear your side of things. You must be really quite someone to know.

I paid the tour operator today thanks to your recommendation.

And bought safari clothes, too.

It's getting VERY real.

Yours
MC2

sandi

Sure hope you didn't spend on the type of safari attire that pop off the pages on Vogue or Harpers... that's overkill and rather funny looking as it's not a fashion show; everyone is in the same situation when limited to 15Kg in those small planes.

You just need a few pair of comfortable slacks, walking shorts, shirts/t's, comfy walking shoes and flip-flops when indoors; also warm jacket/fleece for mornings/evenings. January is summer in East Africa, so daytime temps will be warm to downright hot, hot! Besides, most everywhere you're visiting includes laundry, so easy enough to rewear a few outfits, alternating... why sticking with one color scheme is best; all can be interchangeable.

Don't forget SPF, repellent and wide-brimmed hat and you should be set to go. Have fun and think of the rest of us freezing somewhere or shoveling snow!

Safari njema!

Elainee

We stayed at LG. Saw every possible animal and bird. I did request more birdwatching and they accomodated. Clothes..you don't go to Kenya to be a fashion person. Layers, comfortable clothes, a camera! Only people we saw who dressed for dinner were the ones who flew in for the day from a cruise ship...you don't want to be in that group.

Kimani_Nduta

My advice to all who are going to take safaris, Safaris are fun but extremely exhausting, take some resting time after them especially before you fly out, take a day or 2 at the Coast or i a quiet Nairobi hotel, just relaxing

cary999

KN - welcome to the Africa forum. What part of the world do you live?

I don't find safaris exhausting, a little tiring at times perhaps. Maybe I'm not doing the right ones . True, I'm not used to getting up in the morning so early, maybe 5:30 am, but I go to bed earlier than at home so still get enough sleep. What I do find extremely exhausting is the trip over to Africa from USA. From my house until I get to my first African hotel usually requires 3 plane flights and around 30 hours of flying and waiting. Then I also have a 9 hour time change. So, I like to arrive in Africa a day early and have a day there for sleeping anytime of the day I want to. The next day I go out to the safari camp.

And again, pleasure having you here.
regards - tom

sandi

It sure doesn't pay to go out to the coast for 1/day and even for 2/days, there are the flights to/from. This often doesn't work for many people or even considered, especially if travelers are coming from countries where "beaches" can easily be visited closer to home.

mariacallas2

OM Gosh - I'm actually packing. I can't believe it. My arms are sooo sore from these typhoid and yellow fever shots. And I have NOOOO idea how I'm going to fit all this antibacterial everything in my 15 kg bag, but I'm gonna try my best!!!!

Pinching myself, drinking beer, and watching tired old movies in my London hotel room

And dreaming of KENYA
Yours in big dreams
MC2

mariacallas2

question - Based on these camps I'm visiting, how careful do I need to be about food selection to stay healthy during my trip?

My doctor here in London scared me about not having dairy products or food served at room temperature. And no fruits or vegetables unless I peel them myself. Please advise me.

I just don't want to spend my hard-earned Kenya time suffering from some sort of intestinal crud.

Yours
MC@

sandi

I'd love to hang some of the docs whether in the UK, States, etc. not having ever been but only reading some periodical... ugh!

No problem with fruit/veggies, the things I actually look forward to as they taste like what they should - melons, pineapple, salad, tomatoes... yummy!; and even dairy products are fine.

Often what upsets visitors isn't the food, rather the long flights, weather, strange hours (early up/sleep), and somewhat hectic schedule... just be prepared with usual tummy meds. This can happen when visiting any country.

Also, remember when taking your malaria meds... always with food (not on empty stomachs)! If Malarone, they clearly state this should be taken with dairy products - milk, yogurt, cheese.

And, leave room for dessert... in fact, consider eating dessert first!

Enjoy!

KathBC

Have a fantastic time, take lots of pics and we can't wait to read your report!

Travel safe.

mariacallas2

Thank you Sandi and KathBc.

I only just now finished packing. I need to weigh my bag to see how I did. I'm just thrilled it all fit!!!

I'm so happy to hear about the food restrictions lifted.

It's 3am ish London time. Tomorrow will be easy now that I'm packed.

Packing early is a WONDERFUL thing.

Now I just need to decide if I should take my computer or not.

I can do without just about anything but my makeup and my computer!!!

Yours in Pre-Africa bliss
MC2