Kenya trip finalized
Jun 8th, 2008, 06:31 AM
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Kenya trip finalized
Hi Everyone – last segment of this trip was just completed on Friday so I decided to post the itinerary so that it might help someone else. I would like to thank everyone on Fodor’s for their fantastic trip advice. We are using Eastern and Southern Safaris as our tour operator out there, and emailed the Royal Mara directly for our hotel accommodations, and they took care of the flights for us ( going into and out of Malindi).- we did our own hotel bookings in Malindi.
July 1st 08 flying EWR to Nairobi ( via one stop in Amsterdam)
2nd July 08 - Arrival in Nairobi Hotel: Sarova Panafric Hotel for overnight( awaiting friends from the UK)
3rd July 08 - Nairobi – not sure what I am doing yet
4th July 08 - Nairobi/Lake Naivasha lodge: Lake Naivasha Sopa
5th July 08 - Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru & Hiking at Hell's Gate lodge: Lake Naivasha Sopa
6th July 08 - Lake Naivasha/Maasai Mara Lodging Royal Mara
10th July 08 flying direct
(hopefully) to Malindi hotel: Dream of Africa planhotel.com ( staying 4 nights to chill and snorkel)
14 July 08 Malindi to NBO ( overnight at Sarova Panafric Hotel)
15th July HOME
Regards
July 1st 08 flying EWR to Nairobi ( via one stop in Amsterdam)
2nd July 08 - Arrival in Nairobi Hotel: Sarova Panafric Hotel for overnight( awaiting friends from the UK)
3rd July 08 - Nairobi – not sure what I am doing yet
4th July 08 - Nairobi/Lake Naivasha lodge: Lake Naivasha Sopa
5th July 08 - Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru & Hiking at Hell's Gate lodge: Lake Naivasha Sopa
6th July 08 - Lake Naivasha/Maasai Mara Lodging Royal Mara
10th July 08 flying direct
(hopefully) to Malindi hotel: Dream of Africa planhotel.com ( staying 4 nights to chill and snorkel)
14 July 08 Malindi to NBO ( overnight at Sarova Panafric Hotel)
15th July HOME
Regards
Jun 8th, 2008, 07:52 AM
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idtc2
on 3rd you could visit the sheldrick foundation and the animal orphanage in the neighborhood.
you can easily take a taxi - i prefer to go with kenatco - which will wait for you or exchange cellphone number with the driver in order to call him to fetch you as soon as you are done with one venue and take you to the next.
i would be really curious to read your report afterwards especially in view to your royal mara experience.
wish you a great safari !
happy landing!
on 3rd you could visit the sheldrick foundation and the animal orphanage in the neighborhood.
you can easily take a taxi - i prefer to go with kenatco - which will wait for you or exchange cellphone number with the driver in order to call him to fetch you as soon as you are done with one venue and take you to the next.
i would be really curious to read your report afterwards especially in view to your royal mara experience.
wish you a great safari !
happy landing!
Jun 8th, 2008, 08:43 AM
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Hi
Relative to trip reports - I only "recently" started to write up my trips -but I can hardly compete with the eye for detail - that many of the Fodor's people possess - it's mind boggling to me ( in a positive sense)
I am not familiar with this service : kenatco - is this an agency or a taxi service?
I am a bit apprehensive about NBO- my son had a fit when we told him that we were going there for few days - as well as the coast ....
Personally, I think we are fine - and I can think of no better death than to be ON VACATION WHEN IT HAPPENS ( yeah I know it's sick- but true
Nonetheless, while I would normally take a taxi to these places - I think that we will be securing an agency to book the day trip in NBO
because of my kids' apprehension
( both of them) and. their craziness has made my husband worried .....
I was thinking of doing the Karen B museum and the giraffes there but these were the pries I was given: I chose the museum because I thought it would be a better value for the $$.
1) Nairobi City Tour - 2 hrs
A tour of the City
Center, Shopping areas, Parliament Buildings, National Museum and Snake
Park
Price : Per Person US$35
2) Nairobi National Park - 4 hrs
Visit the Nairobi
National Park only a few kilometers from the city center . Of the big five, only
the elephant is absent. The tour will include The Nairobi Safari
Walk.
Price : Per person US$135
3) Bomas of Kenya - 3
hrs
Enjoy the rich traditional music accompanied by dance at this
cultural center, then take a guided tour of the different bomas (huts) within
the compound.
Price: Per person US$40
4) The Carnivore Experience - 2 hrs
Lunch or
dinner at The Carnivore Restaurant, considered "Africa's greatest Eating
Experience". The Restaurant serves every type of barbecue meat imaginable,
including four choices of wild game.
Price: Per person US$45
5) Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre - 4 hrs
A
tour of the Karen Blixen Museum situated at the foot of the Ngong Hills. The
Museum was originally the home of Karen Blixen of the Out of Africa fame. This
is combined with a visit to the Giraffe Center, an educational centre and part
of African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. The park has a small herd of
Rothschild's Giraffe which are endangered specie and you will get a chance to
feed them.
Price: Per person US$45
6) David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage -
1hr
Visit the orphanage where the baby elephants and baby rhinos are
taken care of. The best visit time is between 1100hr - 1200hrs when the
babies are being fed.
Price: Per person US$35
Relative to trip reports - I only "recently" started to write up my trips -but I can hardly compete with the eye for detail - that many of the Fodor's people possess - it's mind boggling to me ( in a positive sense)
I am not familiar with this service : kenatco - is this an agency or a taxi service?
I am a bit apprehensive about NBO- my son had a fit when we told him that we were going there for few days - as well as the coast ....
Personally, I think we are fine - and I can think of no better death than to be ON VACATION WHEN IT HAPPENS ( yeah I know it's sick- but true
Nonetheless, while I would normally take a taxi to these places - I think that we will be securing an agency to book the day trip in NBO
because of my kids' apprehension
( both of them) and. their craziness has made my husband worried .....
I was thinking of doing the Karen B museum and the giraffes there but these were the pries I was given: I chose the museum because I thought it would be a better value for the $$.
1) Nairobi City Tour - 2 hrs
A tour of the City
Center, Shopping areas, Parliament Buildings, National Museum and Snake
Park
Price : Per Person US$35
2) Nairobi National Park - 4 hrs
Visit the Nairobi
National Park only a few kilometers from the city center . Of the big five, only
the elephant is absent. The tour will include The Nairobi Safari
Walk.
Price : Per person US$135
3) Bomas of Kenya - 3
hrs
Enjoy the rich traditional music accompanied by dance at this
cultural center, then take a guided tour of the different bomas (huts) within
the compound.
Price: Per person US$40
4) The Carnivore Experience - 2 hrs
Lunch or
dinner at The Carnivore Restaurant, considered "Africa's greatest Eating
Experience". The Restaurant serves every type of barbecue meat imaginable,
including four choices of wild game.
Price: Per person US$45
5) Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre - 4 hrs
A
tour of the Karen Blixen Museum situated at the foot of the Ngong Hills. The
Museum was originally the home of Karen Blixen of the Out of Africa fame. This
is combined with a visit to the Giraffe Center, an educational centre and part
of African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. The park has a small herd of
Rothschild's Giraffe which are endangered specie and you will get a chance to
feed them.
Price: Per person US$45
6) David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage -
1hr
Visit the orphanage where the baby elephants and baby rhinos are
taken care of. The best visit time is between 1100hr - 1200hrs when the
babies are being fed.
Price: Per person US$35
Jun 8th, 2008, 11:08 AM
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I believe kenatco is a taxi company. Another one I've found reliable is JimCab. Really, it's unlikely you'll have problems with a taxi from the hotel. You can negotiate a day or half day rate or however long you want with the taxi driver. You can also ask your tour operator for their day or half day vehicle/guide hire rate. In these cases you'd pay for your admissions, lunch, etc. separately.
If you have a full day, you have time to visit the National museum, Blixen museum, Giraffe centre and Sheldrick. The latter 3 are located close to each other so you should do the National museum either at the beginning or end keeping in mind that the Sheldrick public hour is from 11:00am to noon unless you're a foster parent. Foster parents can visit in the late afternoon generally between 5:00pm-6:00pm if you email them and make an appointment in advance.
If you have a full day, you have time to visit the National museum, Blixen museum, Giraffe centre and Sheldrick. The latter 3 are located close to each other so you should do the National museum either at the beginning or end keeping in mind that the Sheldrick public hour is from 11:00am to noon unless you're a foster parent. Foster parents can visit in the late afternoon generally between 5:00pm-6:00pm if you email them and make an appointment in advance.
Jun 8th, 2008, 12:44 PM
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idtc
KENATCO is a taxi. it's safe, very reliable and friendly.
i can give you the email if you want so that you can book in advance e.g. transfer from airport to the hotel. pick up hotel and transfer to whatever. they give the the price in kenya shilling prior to arrival so you know what to pay. (i don't get any commission, i just like the company for years and book them always! never set me back!)
....... Nairobi National Park - 4 hrs
Visit the Nairobi
National Park only a few kilometers from the city center . Of the big five, only
the elephant is absent. The tour will include The Nairobi Safari
Walk.
Price : Per person US$135
the taxi there costs you about 1200 KSH which is approx. 15 or so S. the same drive back. entrance fees etc.
for 2 pax it should be not more than klet's say 70-80US$ incl. everything.
but if you feel a bit unsecure on your own - you might be better of with an agent.
.....nairobi city tour
frankly - i cannot image that's worthwhile to do.
the carnivore is nice for people who appreciate that kind of "touristic" places. not my cup of tea.
patty gave you already some good info on the sheldrick times.
i gree with you on place of death!
i would also love to die on safari rather than due to a heart attack in europe ;-)
happy planning!
KENATCO is a taxi. it's safe, very reliable and friendly.
i can give you the email if you want so that you can book in advance e.g. transfer from airport to the hotel. pick up hotel and transfer to whatever. they give the the price in kenya shilling prior to arrival so you know what to pay. (i don't get any commission, i just like the company for years and book them always! never set me back!)
....... Nairobi National Park - 4 hrs
Visit the Nairobi
National Park only a few kilometers from the city center . Of the big five, only
the elephant is absent. The tour will include The Nairobi Safari
Walk.
Price : Per person US$135
the taxi there costs you about 1200 KSH which is approx. 15 or so S. the same drive back. entrance fees etc.
for 2 pax it should be not more than klet's say 70-80US$ incl. everything.
but if you feel a bit unsecure on your own - you might be better of with an agent.
.....nairobi city tour
frankly - i cannot image that's worthwhile to do.
the carnivore is nice for people who appreciate that kind of "touristic" places. not my cup of tea.
patty gave you already some good info on the sheldrick times.
i gree with you on place of death!
i would also love to die on safari rather than due to a heart attack in europe ;-)
happy planning!
Jun 8th, 2008, 01:07 PM
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The current fee for Nairobi NP is $40pp, the Safari Walk is $10pp and the KWS animal orphanage is also $10pp. You can't just have a taxi drop you off if you wanted to do a the game drive but you could do that if you only wanted to do the Safari Walk and orphanage (in that case you wouldn't need to pay the NNP $40 fee).
JimCab can also give you a quote by email.
JimCab can also give you a quote by email.
Jun 9th, 2008, 02:51 AM
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patty/idtc2
i didn't consider nairobi NP fee is 40$
which it is of course.
taking that into consideration 135 pp means 270 for a couple is still pretty expensive compared to privately organised activities.
i didn't consider nairobi NP fee is 40$
which it is of course.taking that into consideration 135 pp means 270 for a couple is still pretty expensive compared to privately organised activities.
Jun 9th, 2008, 05:41 AM
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Congratulations ldtc2. Have a wonderful time.
Don't fret about a trip report. You'll be amazed how easily the memories turn into a report when you return. For me, writing a report is like reliving the experience all over again. However, don't feel like you have to compete with some of the detailed fabulous reports on this forum. Just write what you want, include the highlights, and others will find the information useful.
You leave in only a few weeks. Enjoy!
Don't fret about a trip report. You'll be amazed how easily the memories turn into a report when you return. For me, writing a report is like reliving the experience all over again. However, don't feel like you have to compete with some of the detailed fabulous reports on this forum. Just write what you want, include the highlights, and others will find the information useful.
You leave in only a few weeks. Enjoy!
Jun 9th, 2008, 09:46 AM
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Hello,
That's nice report.
Kind of a similar itinerary which we did last year with my wife for our honeymoon in Tanzania. It was great travelling with Globalsafaritours.com the company which gave us great deal and keeping intouch for the whole duration of our trip.
Congratulations
That's nice report.
Kind of a similar itinerary which we did last year with my wife for our honeymoon in Tanzania. It was great travelling with Globalsafaritours.com the company which gave us great deal and keeping intouch for the whole duration of our trip.
Congratulations
Jun 9th, 2008, 04:46 PM
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Author: ldtc2 ([email protected])
Date: 06/09/2008, 08:44 pm
Hi everyone
I KNOW I am being hosed by the tour operator for the NBO day trips -
Patty and Devine
Can you provide the email addresses for kenatco – and JimCab. I have already committed to the tour operator for airport pick ups etc ( going into NBO and picking up from NBO and then returning me back to the airport
Hey - everyone has to make a buck somehow -
BUT I really do KNOW I am getting "beat" on those day trips in NBO so if you can post their email addresses I would appreciate it
On the last night in any country in the world - we always have a FAREWELL DINNER with my UK travel buddies - it's a tradition - other than the Carnivores can anyone suggest someplace really great and fun?
Thanks Sooooooooo much
Ldtc2
Date: 06/09/2008, 08:44 pm
Hi everyone
I KNOW I am being hosed by the tour operator for the NBO day trips -
Patty and Devine
Can you provide the email addresses for kenatco – and JimCab. I have already committed to the tour operator for airport pick ups etc ( going into NBO and picking up from NBO and then returning me back to the airport
Hey - everyone has to make a buck somehow -
BUT I really do KNOW I am getting "beat" on those day trips in NBO so if you can post their email addresses I would appreciate it
On the last night in any country in the world - we always have a FAREWELL DINNER with my UK travel buddies - it's a tradition - other than the Carnivores can anyone suggest someplace really great and fun?
Thanks Sooooooooo much
Ldtc2
Jun 10th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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Here's JimCab's email [email protected].
Actually, I just realized it may be just you on the day trip? If so, you may not find that a taxi offers that much savings. If there are 2 or more of you, then a taxi would definitely be cheaper. The last time I hired a taxi for the day, I paid 5500 KES.
Actually, I just realized it may be just you on the day trip? If so, you may not find that a taxi offers that much savings. If there are 2 or more of you, then a taxi would definitely be cheaper. The last time I hired a taxi for the day, I paid 5500 KES.
Jun 20th, 2008, 05:23 AM
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I contacted Jimcab taxi company and they will be picking us up for a 1/2 day excursion. I found them to be efficient and reasonable ( online at least) will let you know when I return
Thanks for the link-
Thanks for the link-
Jun 20th, 2008, 10:24 AM
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sorry, didn't catch up with this thread.
hope it can still be of some kind of service:
http://www.kenatco.co.ke/
wish you a safe trip and great experiences!
happy landings!
hope it can still be of some kind of service:
http://www.kenatco.co.ke/
wish you a safe trip and great experiences!
happy landings!
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