We will visit Kenya in August - 9 nights. We would like to self-drive. Visit Mara and some other place (maximum 2 + Mara). Or maybe stay in 2 different lodges in Mara.

We would like to stay in nice lodges/ camping. River views if possible.

Let me know a trust company to rent a car in Nairobi and the itinerary and lodges we should do.

Regards

Do you really mean next month? We are doing a self-drive through the Mara in August 09 and we booked a 4x4 with a roof-top tent months ago - in December 2008 (www.safaridrive,com). You will be hard pressed to find an available vehicle at this late stage. August is peak season because of the (wildebeest) migration, so visitors have to book early. Robin

Tks for your replay. Yes in the end of August 09.
What is your itinerary?

Regards

Kenya/Tanzania August 2009
All self-drive - mostly camping with a roof-top tent, but some tented camps/lodges
Land Rover rented from Safari Drive in the UK
Trip planning/itinerary all done by my husband and me

Fly Canada to Heathrow to Nairobi
Nairobi - House of Waine - 1 night
Fly to Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara, Serian camp - 2 nights - pick up 4x4 here
Maasai Mara - Maji Ya Ndege private campsite - camping 6 nts
Maasai Mara - Serian Camp - 1 night
Drive to Tanzania via Isibania and Sirari border posts
Speke Bay Lodge - 1 night
Western Serengeti - camping 2 nights
Serengeti Seronera area - camping 1 night
Serengeti Lobo area - camping 3 nights
Serengeti Seronera area - camping 1 night
Olduvai Tented Camp - 1 night
Ngorongoro - Lemala Tented Camp - 2 nights of luxury after all that camping!
Arusha Coffee Lodge - 1 night - restock groceries
Lake Manyara - camping 3 nights
Tarangire - camping 3 nights
Arusha - Rivertrees - 1 night
Arusha to Nairobi (land transfer) to Heathrow to Canada
Can't wait!! I leave tomorrow - maybe I'll see you in Kenya! Robin

Fil - please keep us posted how/if this works out for you. I'd be interested in what you find available and cost on a months notice.

And hey Robin, if you see this, have great safari, I'm so envious of your adventurous spirit!!!
regards - tom

Robin, I understand that you will stay only in Mara, and then move to Tanzania.
Our idea is concentrated in Kenya. I am not sure if it is a good option.

Having not visted either country before, I am not really in a position to say which is better, if either - they both sound fabulous. Since it is our first trip to the area, we thought we would try the "northern circuit" of Tanzania and combine it with the Mara in Kenya - it is an easy pairing and the (driving) distances are short. We debated taking in some of Kenya's other parks, but Safari Drive seemed reluctant to allow us to self-drive in Kenya other than to the Mara. We have learned to listen to the advice of people who know the area. Good luck with your planning! Robin

Thanks Tom! Eight hours and counting! Robin

Fil,
Tented camp on the river... sounds like you would be pleased by Serian Camp, which lies along the banks of the Mara River in a private conservancy just outside of the Musiara Gate.
Getting there by road is easy enough from Nairobi and shouldn't take much longer than five hours. I would suggest that you stay in the Mara for around four to five nights, particularly if you are staying at Serian. I motivate this simply because they offer a great deal... a fly camp experience on either the Talek or Mara River and dependent on the location of the wildebeest at the time. Plus being in a private concession they conduct night drives and offer walks in an area where no vehicular activity is permitted.

Your second stop.. Since you will have seen great game in the Mara, I would suggest that you stop for two nights at lake Nakuru as this is quite a unique geography and simply stunningly beautiful lake environment where you will note species endemic to the area along with flocks of flamingoes and pelicans.

I would actually encourage a reverse itinerary: Nairobi - Nakuru - Mara - Nairobi. As for car rental: I don't know of a company since I use a friends 4x4 when I travel through Kenya.

Thanks a lot for your help.
I would like to have your opinion about Samburu?
I would consider to stay at Serien Camp, but I also would like to have experience inside Mara.
Please let me know if it is difficult to drive to the camps inside Mara.

Tks a lot
Filipa

Serian is outstanding as to their game drives. And, there is no problem driving "into" the reserve. There's little problem with any camp sited outside, to drive into the reserve. The Serian park fee includes game drives both inside the reserve and on their private lands.

Samburu is great for herds of elephants and species not found elsewhere - reticulate giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gernuk, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and even wild dogs.

Samburu and Mara are an excellent combination.

Samburu and Mara is a good combination but keep in mind that it's not possible to drive from one to the other in 1 day. You'll need a stop in between (generally Nakuru) but even that means you have 4 long drives of up to 6 hours on each leg, Nairobi-Samburu, Samburu-Nakuru, Nakuru-Mara, and Mara-Nairobi.

What's the advantage of self driving to Serian if you'll be going on game drives through them? You'll save time and money by flying (I'm not referring to canadian_robin's itinerary where they're continuing on a longer journey).

We may drive to Subaru (2 nights) - Nakuru (1 night), and then Mara. How long will take, to drive, from Nakuru to Mara?
Please let me know your opinion about to choose Serien (2) and then any place inside the Mara (Governors?) 3 nights. The experience are different?
Regards
Filipa

<i>How long will take, to drive, from Nakuru to Mara?</i>

5-6 hours depending on the location of the camp.

Patty told you how long the drives - 5-6/hrs each leg.

If you are intent on this, realize that your game drives at Samburu, Nakuru and the Mara are done by your lodge/camp.

Renting a vehicle for these long drives, along with fact that once at reserves it'll sit idle for the time at each, have you checked flight prices? Might be worth your while and save on navigating in unknown areas - vehicle rental, insurance, petrol, maps/gps, mobilel phone for emergency, etc.

Serian is a small camp with about 14/tents, vs Main Governor's with 40/tents. At the latter, you'll share game drives with other guests; at Serian you have their private vehicle/guide.

You can do game drives on your own. I'm not clear if that's what you want to do. If so, I don't think you'd want to choose Serian which includes a private camp vehicle in their rates.

Thank you to all.
We really like to selfdrive...but I do not want to be in the middle of the jungle... with lions...in a bad road, as in Chobe...
Usually we selfdrive, without problem, like in Etosha, Kruger...

Etosha and Kruger are actually set up for self-drives, with descent road networks. The parks/reserves in Kenya really aren't.

Sandi, please let me know if you know a good travel agency based in Kenya,

The below get good reviews here:
Wildtrek
Eastern & Southern
Africapoint

check the www.kato.com site for others.
Good luck!