Well, if the heard were to move one week earlier than that map suggests it could be a pretty good time (somewhat wishful thinking, I know). With Grumeti and then SUC I think I should be well covered.

Any map is certainly +/- one week for accuracy of predictions. Not at all like a train schedule.

You also can drive some distance to locate the herds if they are not on your doorstep. Taking your breakfast and/or lunch in a box makes that approach a possibility. A private vehicle also helps so you don't have to convince your vehicle-mates to give up the cuisine in camp. However, the upscale camps like you mention (I still cannot believe SUC) will do their best to accommodate the game viewing wishes of the guests and mix and match you with like minded vehicle-mates.

You cannot predict the movement of the animals or the weather, but you can control what company you choose & where you stay, who is in the vehicle (if you go private), and what you'll do on a daily outing (if you go private or if you let the management know upon arrival what your wishes are).

Congrats on your upcoming marriage.

So it's been decided (unless there are booking problems).

First, three nights at Serengeti Under Canvas.
Then two nights at Sabora.
Then two nights at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
Overnight in Nairobi.
A week in the Seychelles.

Thanks so much to everyone here for all your help. Now the hard part....waiting 7 months for the trip!

WONDERFUL itinerary!

Now you have a good reason to come back: Migration in The Massai Mara next time! :-)

Maybe your TO should try to get House of Waine in Nairobi
http://www.houseofwaine.co.ke/
Even if it's only a stop over: It should be STYLISH ;-)

Happy travels! And all the best for the wedding!

SV

I think she's been recommending the Norfolk in Nairobi. Any comparison between the two? I haven't done a lot of research on this front as I've been much more focused on Tanzania.

I loved the Norfolk - so full of history & comfortable - and good food. I haven't stayed at the HOW yet, but I am sure that either would be nice for you! From the website it looks absolutely lovely!

One thing to consider is the distance to Jomo Kenyatta in the morning from each & how early you have to get out of the wonderful luxurious beds that each has, as you have to be at the airport at 7AM.

Which is the other thing I am writing about - I've known three sets of people (separate trips) that were going Kenya Airways from NBO to the Seychelles & two sets were bumped off the flight. Seems to happen a lot, which is a shame for an every few day flight. Please make sure to confirm your reservations the day before - not that that helped either of the people I knew, but it's worth a shot.

I would highly recommend the House of Waine. Small, stylish boutique hotel with wonderful ambience. Whether you would appreciate it fully for such a short time I don't know, but I wouldn't go into Nairobi in a blue fit if I didn't have to (apart from tourist activities).

<i>I've known three sets of people (separate trips) that were going Kenya Airways from NBO to the Seychelles & two sets were bumped off the flight.</i>

I remember that happening to cybor. Who was the other bumpee? Am I the only non-bumpee? I did reconfirm both directions. I always reconfirm or check-in online with KQ.

Congrats to the OP! Where in the Seychelles are you going?

Though House of Waine is often my "home away from home", another lovely option is Ngong House, lovely property, tree-houses, their chef is a genius!

Regardless, whether at the Norfolk, HOW or Ngong, it will be an early wake-up and out to get to JKIA for SEZ flight! It is what it is at 6am!

Looks good!

We'll be staying at the Four Seasons. They were running a deal that made it too good to turn down.

Thanks for the comment on people getting bumped. I'll try and take whatever precautions that I can.

Patty, you were indeed the 'unbumped' set of travelers to the Seychelles I was referring to. Cybor, as you mentioned was the first bumpee (oh, I like that word! :-) ). The other people were two people from the group that we were with on our 2006 safari. We were flying to Z'bar after the safari on a 10 AM flight, while they were flying for 3 days to the Seychelles, so we were at the airport together that morning. They got on in the end, but not without much yelling, screaming, threatening, etc. They only had three days in the Seychelles, and KQ wanted to re-route them through Jo'berg, and overnight them there. They were at one of the most expensive hotels there, it was a small luxury hotel of the world, prepaid of course & had NO intention of giving up a night so that someone else could go instead. Daniel HAD reconfirmed their flights the day before as I had warned them about what happened to Cybor when I heard they were going to the Seychelles. But, I guess confirmations don't count, it's all in who shows up first at the airport that morning. Anyhow, Micato fixed it all up for the couple, they sent their airside rep over to 'talk' to KQ, and they - along with two other couples who had been bumped - all ended up getting on the flight.

... <i> "all ended up getting on the flight" </i> I have to wonder who KQ then bumped to allow these bumpees to board. My guess is that the KQ agent doing the checkin was simply being ornery? Amazing!