Kenya trip help
 

I need some advice. I am going to kenya in late March. In early April I will have the chance to do an add on safari for 4-7 days. I would like to fly into the Mara and stay for most of that time. My questions are: whats makes the most sense for organizing a simple trip there for me alone? I prefer to fly in. I want to avoid anything that may be closed or too rainy! I am in the middle price range. Also I will be working in an orphanage in Nairobi, I want to avoid bringing my big slr camera and lenses, is there a decent small digital camera that does OK on safari?
many thanks already for everybody's contribution to this forum! Its so helpful!
AM

I suggest you consider the Mara Serena. Would be a good value.

Consider this camera (Olympus SP-550 UZ) if it is available by the time you leave:

http://www.dphotojournal.com/olympus...sample-photos/

Camera, Canon S2, last years model about $280. Or Canon S3 about $380.
regards - tom

The Serena Lodge isn't always the best choice during this wet season... often very flooded in the area. Consider Keekorok instead.

You can also consider Main Governor's Camp or Kicha Tembo Camp. Will all depend on your budget.

If not wanting to take your big camera and lenses, be sure wherever you leave it, it will be there when you return. Believe me, many people take their big cameras and lenses on safari, the reason they have this equipment in the first place.

Thanks! Maybe I should take my slr - was just worried about taking expensive equipment into poor part of Nairobi for a few weeks.... ?
Thanks for the rainy season suggestions. Would something like the governor's camp be the best idea for 4 day safari in rainy Kenya? am

Hi, Am interested to hear Sandi's thoughts. I woud differ in that Serena is I think at a higher altitude than Keekorok, so may be less likely to flood, and also the roads are better maintained at the Serena side of the reserve with less areas of the black soil which I find harder to drive on (without getting stuck) than at Keekorok - excepting along the escarpment - but maybe other folk can help us in our thinking x

I have been to the Mara several times in the rainy season. Images here:

http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mar...araiImages.htm

The problem is not the altitude of the lodges/camps. The issue is with the approach roads and game drive roads in the vicinity. Serena roads can be restricted (Rangers don't want you to drive on the roads when too wet so you have to plunge around in the tall grass and swampy areas).

Keekorok roads are better but less wildlife and most game drives will be towards Talek.

In my experience, the better wildlife experience will be the northern Mara Triangle where the grass tend to be shorter than at Keekorok and areas around the Serena.

But, when the Talek floods the Serena vehicles cannot cross north and you are restricted to points south - with fewer game drive roads and the traffic coming from Keekorok (they drive west to see the Mara River).

I would avoid Keekorok and and areas north and east of Keekorok.

Instead, places like Mara Explorer, Governors, Mara Intrepids are best, followed by the camps near the Talek gate if you are on a budget.

You will the Talek area quite rich in wildlife in green season because the grass stays shorter there for many reasons. And more cats. And more tourists.

Mara Explorer is closed in April so try Mara Intrepids, or Governors or Talek camps!

Since Eben has been recently, I have to defer as he has first-hand current info. But, its the roads and grasses in/near Serena during the wet that is a problem, despite the fact that the Serena itself is on a hill.

Eben's recommendations are good, but might be a bit too rich, even in low season for amesoeur. And, Intrepid's might be refurbishing during April/May for opening June 1.

If you want "reasonable" and camps, believe Kichwa Tembo will run somewhere between $160-$200/nt+ daily park fees; Main Governor's is a bit more expensive, about $220/nt+ daily park fees.