Hoping to go back to Kenya in August 2009. Would like to visit Samburu this time as well as the Masai Mara. Please comment on the following itinerary.

1 night Nairobi, moderate hotel - suggestions?
Fly to Samburu - would expect driver and vehicle to arrive day before hopefully!
3 nights Samburu Lodge or Serena
2 nights Sweetwaters
1 night Lake Nakuru Park (how long would the drive be from Sweetwaters?)
2 nights Mara Intrepids I understand this would be a long drive - doable in one day? (Can you use your private vehicle there or do you have to use their vehicles?) We are a party of 4 adults.
2 nights in the north-west Masai Mara, not sure where, in or out of park. Any suggestions?
4 nights Mara Serena
Not sure if we fly or drive back, depending on costs. Possibly 1 night at Lake Naivasha Counry club to feed the fish eagles.
Thanks for any suggestions.

<i>1 night Nairobi, moderate hotel - suggestions?</i>

Country Lodge (part of Fairview hotel) has gotten good reviews on Tripadvisor.

<i>1 night Lake Nakuru Park (how long would the drive be from Sweetwaters?)</i>

About 3 hours.

<i>2 nights Mara Intrepids I understand this would be a long drive - doable in one day?</i>

Probably about 6 hours but definitely doable in one day.

<i>Not sure if we fly or drive back, depending on costs.</i>

The drive back to Nairobi from the Serena is longer due to its location on the south side of the Mara River. Figure an extra hour so you might consider flying back.

<b>1 night Lake Nakuru Park
2 nights Mara Intrepids I understand this would be a long drive - doable in one day?</b>

We drove from Nakuru to Mara Intrepids, with a stop for breakfast outside Nakuru, lunch at Narok and some time in Naivasha running errands, so for sure you can do it in less than a day.

<b>(Can you use your private vehicle there or do you have to use their vehicles?) We are a party of 4 adults.</b>

Yes, you can use your own jeep at Intrepids ... most of the people there were using private jeeps during our visit, though Intrepids had I think 6 jeeps of their own too.

<b>Not sure if we fly or drive back, depending on costs.</b>

Many Kenyan roads really suck, with a lot of traffic, choking diesel fumes and heavy dust (or mud, depending on the rains), poor road conditions in many places ... fly as much as you can!

Bill

If you have driver/vehicle meeting you at Samburu, he can be with you throughout your safari.

From Samburu to Sweetwater's, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and onto the Mara.

Note: There's also an Intrepid's camp at Samburu for consideration.

If you prefer not to drive the long leg from Nakuru/Naivasha to the Mara, you can fly from Naivasha and use the guides/vehicles of the lodges/camps you select here. Your price though will be on a Game Package basis vs Full-board (if using your own guide... though your private guide/vehicle will have been costed into your quote). Then from the Mara, you can fly back to Nairobi, saving another long drive.

With 8/nights shown in the Mara, and if you plan to drive back to Nairobi, I'd suggest the last camp/lodge be the farthest north, thus a shorter ride. As Patty mentions, the Serena is quite south in the reserve and can easily add 1-1.5/hrs to drive time.

You can work your way from the Serena to Intrepid's and conclude with a camp on one of the group ranches where you can also do night game drives.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sandi, (or anyone else) do you have any camps on the group ranches that you have tried and enjoyed?