I think the outfitter meant Petley's. And it is not unlikely that we will stay there after I found a 30 year old picture of my mom at Petley's. Will visit the place anyway and off course satisfy your curiousity ;)

Thanks for the link

siro:
That is very cool--finding the picture of your Mom at Petley's.

yes, it was. I've been scanning some (eh...some... an understatement, 1700) old negatives and plan to take a few of them with me on the trip, try to "restyle" the motives.

Then you have no choice; you have to stay at Petley´s.

hehe, that's what I'm thinking too. Too bad you'll have to wait so long to hear about it.

trying to share a picture for the first time, but total failure... Heeelp

One quick comment from me before I have to head to the airport, I don't quite understand how June 15 is supposed to work. I thought that the Arusha-Nairobi shuttles left at 8:00am and 2:00pm? If that's the case, I don't think you can make the 8:00am one unless you overnight in Arusha on the 14th. If you take the 2:00pm one, I don't think you can make it to Nairobi in time for the afternoon flight to the Mara.

Patty,

thanks, I'll check that out.

Seems like our operator has done several mistakes. First, Patty, thanks for the June 15. (shuttlebus) coment. You were absolutely right, we'll be flying from Arusha instead.

It is unclear which camp the operator is referring to in Mara. I thought she meant Base Camp Explorer but was wrong. We have to cut our costs somewhere and one option is to stay in a lodge instead of a tented camp. I don't like the idea at all.

Can you guys give me some general idea of the prices per night in tented camps in Mara? Doubt that we will go for the most expensive...

Siro,
To cut cost I’d cut out some destinations and spend a longer time in others and drive to the Mara. Also, there´re very nice cheaper hotels in Arusha, Nairobi, Lamu and Zanzibar, but you have to stay at Petley’s.
Tented camps aren’t necessarily more expensive than lodges. The prices you get depend on many different factors. I too would like to know which ones are the least expensive. I just got the new LP guide to Kenya and Basecamp looks like the best deal. Though I remember that someone was quoted a better price for Ilkeliani. All the camps are very expensive, but in the LP guide there are some very interesting lines about an up-and-coming midrange camp – the first in the Mara. I’ll have to investigate this.

Try Ilkeliani which is right next to Basecamp. Their 2 night flying package in June is $415pp plus park fees. Check with them on the cost of an additional night. If your tour operator is quoting higher prices, you can book your stay and flights directly through the camp. Good luck!

We are considering cutting Tsavo, still discussing whether to use that cut to put in an extra day in Mombasa (using Shambani as a base and drive around, Gedi, Malindi and so forth) and an extra day in Zanzibar. We have decided changing from Paje Ndame to Tamarind Beach Hotel. A bit more expencive, but no "kubb" and rumors of an employee ("the professor butler") with great Zanzibar knowledge.

We have discussed driving to Mara but I have a sister who get's really carsick.... Still considering though..

Nyamera: do you have specific suggestions with regards to cheaper hotels in Arusha and Stone Town? Are set for Fairview in Nairobi because this is the hotel we stayed at when we first arrived Kenya in 1971.... Lamu still set for Petley's, have to right a report you know ;) Been looking into Pool House though but know nothing about the rates.

Mara: are requeting the operator to give us spesific camps and the respective quotes. Will ask for quotes for Basecamp and Ilkiliani. Thanks

Nyamera: Give me a hint if you find out more about the up-and-coming?

With regards from a bit tired siro I-)

Siro,

I’ve never been to Tanzania, but I have some ideas about less expensive hotels, like Meru House Inn in Arusha: http://www.victoriatz.com/office.htm there’s a Norwegian connection BTW.
I’ve already suggested Clove House in Stone Town. There’s also Garden Lodge http://www.zanzibarexcursions.com/za...en%20Lodge.htm
Warere Town House http://www.wareretownhouse.com/
Florida Guest house and many others.

We're having trouble getting answers from our travel agent.... :( Sending our itinarary to several others now for quotes.

A question for you guys: Does anyone know the park fee for Tsavo West? Is there additional costs for bringing our own car? We've heard 40$ pp per day + 100$ for the car.

Nyamera: Petley's Inn is probably out. We heard rumors about noise in the neighborhood and it turns ot that the neighboring hotel (?) has a big outdoor screen with noisy actionmovies rolling day and night...

Siro,

The park fees for Tsavo West are $ 27 and from 1 July they’ll be $ 40. Here are the new fees: http://www.kws.org/images/new-tariffs-2006.pdf It looks like the fee for the car is 300 shillings if it has seats for 5 passengers or less and 800 shillings if it has seats for more than 5 passengers – a lot less than $ 100.

There are lots of noises in Lamu, but maybe actionmovie noise isn’t the kind you’d like to hear. Can you trust the rumours? I’d like you to go to Petley’s.

I hope a hippo hasn’t killed your travel agent. Anyway, there’s plenty of time.

KWS tariffs before July 1, 2006 - http://www.kws.org/tariffs.html

On or after July 1, 2006 - http://www.kws.org/new-tariffs-2006.html

The $40 per person entry fee is correct after July 1, but the vehicle fee is only a few hundred shillings per day.

Thanks guys, hmmm I'm wondering why the agent told us 100$ for the car...

Nyamera: Noises are ok but carchases from big speakers...... it's not looking good.

Ooops, my mom read $ but it was shilling... slight difference :))

Oh well, off to celebrate our national day, I'd rather read tripreports :$

Anybody know if it is possible to get from Ngorongoro to Mara in one day? Our plan is to drive from the crater after breakfast, fly from Kili to Nairobi to Mara. How many hours to Kili? How about the drive from Kenyatta to Wilson? Are there any alternatives to Mara in one day?

Thankful for any response
Siro

Why don't you take the afternoon Air Kenya flight from Kilimanjaro to Wilson? Then you don't need to change airports in Nairobi. I believe this flight leaves at 2:00pm which should give you enough time to drive from Ngorongoro and is timed to connect with their afternoon departure to the Mara.