Hello

Needing some advice from my friends here at Fodors!

I'm looking at possible trip to Mara for next year.

Considerations:
=============
*Budget (want to keep it as low as possible but maximise what we get for our money)
*Weather (neither of us can tolerate heat nor high humifity - would say no more than 30 degrees C max during day; don't mind going in green/wet season if daily rains are short and sweet rather than prolonged)

Q1 I have looked at weather charts but they just give temperature and rainfall - hard to get a feel. Which months would meet our criteria and can you elaborate on what we could expect in those months?

Q2 What kind of percentage discount off regular high season rate do you think is reasonable for travel during mid season and travel during off season? (Off season being March to mid July and November to mid December?

THANK YOU!

I don't know exactly what dates each operator might consider their peak, shoulder or low season. It probably varies by camp.

I have already discovered when is "rainy season" but the problem is, I don't know what is typical. Does it rain all day? Does it rain only for a short period each day? What is the weather like the rest of the day? This is the kind of detail I need.

For example, I was in the Mara for just 4 days back in early April 2004 and we were lucky that the rain seemed to come only at night - our days were sunny and clear. Is this typical or the exception?

When you say August is chilly - this is actually very warm for me - we were in Kenya in August 2008 and the temperature was great. Is this the only month with low temperatures or are any other months imilar.

I don't know what the ... ... ... mean!

Right now there is drought in Kenya. When it will rain is anyone's guess. And, even in the so-called "dry" season (Jul/Sep) it's been known to shower.

Yeah, I know there are no guarantees and that 2010 might not be a typical year either.
But I'm looking for feedback on what might be typical year just as a good starting point.
If anyone lives there or visits sufficiently regularly to see a pattern, I'd appreciate any thoughts.

... sticky fingers, sorry about that.

Generally,
Apr/May - "long" rains (if it does); can be daily, or not. It's weather - whether it will or whether it won't. If our local weatherpersons can't get it right, I don't expect more in Kenya. These can be serious downpours or just showers and then dry. This is the low season for prices.

late-Oct/Nov/early-Dec - "short" rains (if it does); if any it's usually amazing brief thunderstorm, then dry and sunshine. Or overnight showers. For some properties also low season, others at mid-season prices.

During both "wet" seasons, some tented camps are actually closed.

Jan-Mar - summer, the hottest months. In Kenya, many of the properties price at mid-season rates, though some keep at high (not peak as would be during the Migration).

Jun - is mid-season

Jul/Sep - is peak/high season depending on property.

Oct - some properties keep prices at peak/high, while others go down to mid-season rates.

It's not uniform thru all properties, nor group of properties.

As to "specials" or "discounts" - some properties have already listed those for 2010; others have still to do so. Many seem to be for "extended" stays, i.e., stay 6/nts, pay for 5/nts (more or less). Others - stay 8-9/nts, with 10-15% discount on all nights. Some are offering straight discounts if paid in full 4/months in advance (as did Governor's properties for '09).

Daily park/conservation fees remain unchanged.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Sandi!

And are approx prices for the kinds of small, intimate, high-end luxury camps you know I favour still of the order of $500 to $600 per person per night + park fees?

I have already had some suggestions for camps to consider if working to a lower budget. Any recommendations/ ideas?

THANK YOU!

While August daytime temps can be comfy, the nights and morning are often downright cold with visitors wearing ski jackets.

Everyone's body thermostat is different; one person's cold can be anothers balmy!

For extended stays some of those $500-600/pppnt rates do come down.

Yah, for me August is perfect. I'll take the cold nights in exchange for the less searing days!

Great, thanks!

I think June, July, August would be the cooler months and of those June would have lower rates at many camps so given your criteria of budget and weather, that's probably the month I'd choose.

We've been to the Mara in November and temps probably hit 30 during the day but cooled off substantially at night. We had no more than an afternoon shower. However the following year it rained heavily in November. The former is more typical than the latter but it's impossible to predict what will happen any given year.

You might want to look at the Kicheche camps which are in the $300-$400pppn range (they do close seasonally) and if traveling in low season, I'd also look at Olonana where rates are half of what they are in peak season.

Good luck!

Thank you again!

At the moment, we're not 100% sure if we can squeeze in Kenya, let alone afford it but there's the possibility of free airmile flights which MIGHT make it possible!

Kavey, as you know we have been three times in late May/early June - and in all three years w have only seen a little rain in the Mara once - that was 2007. It rained for about an hour & that was that.

This year the Mara was very wet when we were there (May 29/30), but we had no rain whatsoever. It would have had to have rained recently though as the roads were all mucky & wet. I really love end of May & early June - cheaper & I think perfect weather - not too hot, not too cold.

... me too for end-May/early-June. Previous years I traveled late-Nov/early-Dec. Both periods are at mid-season rates. Never experienced more than some brief thunderstorms or overnight showers, none of which impacted safari.

Except, of course, for that very wet season (believe late-'06/into early '07) when the rain never seemed to stop. Muddy roads, airstrips closed, vehicles getting stuck and needing to be pulled out... ugh!

However, as I mentioned above, some of the camps close Apr/May and/or Nov/early-Dec.

Anyone on this forum been to Entim recently? If so, how was the experience?

Thanks
Hari

Hari

We booked a total of 20 clients there since late July. All positive feedback although several couples are still traveling and I won't know until next week.

Oh that's great info, thank you.
Can you give approx camp rates for Entim (rates to client, not to yourself as operator) for high, mid and low season. No worries if prefer not.
THANKS

Thanks for the info, Eben.

Rgds
Hari

Entim is closed in the low-season.

Spent a few days there last year (June '08) when they first opened. Only guest and had a ball. Five tents (fairly close to one another), on a hill, facing a bend in the river... great view; hippos come out at night to graze on Entim's front lawn; nice tents in the rustic sense, not lux. But all amenities, flush loo, shower, pitcher water.

This past year, probably due to the economy, bring down their rates which were otherwise rather high (I thought). You may wish to contact them direct especially if for an extended stay.

Thanks Sandi!

Kavey,

I am looking at Entim for Mar 2010. When I contacted them direct they quoted me $230 per person per night all in plus park fees. That, to me, is very good value - if the camp is good of course. Most recent reports indicate that it is. I will be giving it a try I think!