We have FF tickets to Nairobi for next December (over the holidays). We've done the northern circuit in Tanzania before, and visited Rwanda and the Masai Mara last December. Here's what we're thinking of for this year - would appreciate any feedback.

Day 1 Arrive Nairobi
Day 2/3 Sweetwaters
Days 4/5/6 Samburu
Days 7/8/9 Masai Mara
Day 10/11/12 Zanzibar
Day 13 Nairobi

Now here's the thing - we need to keep the lodging costs reasonable because private games drives are a must. Is it ludicrous to think we can do this for $4000 per person (including the private game drives and flying the long distances)?

Would appreciate any opinions on the itinerary, as well as lodging recommendations.

Thanks !

I like the safari part and the number of days in the parks you have picked. No experience in Zanzibar.

Samburu Lodge was one of the less expensive options in Samburu and I liked it very much.

If you check Nyamera's Planning thread, she was investigating good values in the Mara.

I would shop your itinerary around. A classic, great itinerary by the way.

When I planned our trip last August to Kenya, I found Southern Cross, Eastern and Southern, and African Serendipity to be the most competitive (I contacted hordes of tour operators). Even less expensive was to stay exclusively in Serena properties but they were all lodges.

Good luck, keep us informed on your progress, especially which lodges or camps you are considering. (We loved Larsen's in Samburu and Little Governor's in the Mara).

Also, you may want to consider Lamu Island instead of Zanzibar. We loved staying at Kizingo. Mary Jo is hilarious and Louie is more quiet but very nice.

Kevin from California

My first suggestion would also be to contact Serena directly since they have properties at all 3 locations and at Sweetwaters you have no choice, but you said you had some trouble communicating with them previously? At Sweetwaters, try to get a front row tent.

Remember that over the holidays, you pay a surcharge (Xmas/New Year's). You won't know till you request prices. Is that for '07 or '08. If '08, prices not yet available; won't be before mid-'07.