lodging in Masai for July
 

I posted last week and got loads of great advice.

Other than the expensive tented camps, is there a good, moderate lodge or tented camp to stay at in Masai Mara or a REAL FIND?

Our outfitter offered "Ole Moran" - but the pictures she sent reflected a "seedy" and BASIC accommodation. Has anyone heard of it, and/or can you offer any other relatively reasonable accommodations?

I haven't heard of Ole Moran but it's hard to keep up.

Ilkeliani used to be reasonable, but I don't know if it still is. Have you checked that one?

Maybe you could look through Nyamera's planning thread for ideas? http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35098519

For lodges, look at Keekorok or Serena.

checked both places - both are not inexpensive - $440.00 Keekorok

Serena - seems to be booked out for the dates I will be there.

US $ 328 for Ilkeliani


this last one: Ilkeliani is it really good?

I didn't find the link very helpful, the person seemed to be getting nowhere fast.

I stayed at Ilkeliani in November 2005 and it was very nice. I can't comment on its current condition so hopefully someone with more recent experience will reply.

thanks

Did you agent offer Ole Moran (never heard of it) or Il Moran? If the latter, this is the luxury high-end property owned by Governor's Camps.

Did agent send a link to look at photos? What link?

If traveling in July, properties - lodges or camps - will be expensive. "reasonable" is subjective. This is peak travel season.

Suggestion: Keep all your queries regarding this trip under one thread. Easier for you and us to find, and track your progress.

i spent a week last august at ILKELIANI and it was very good value for money. i would not say it's luxurious but very good. decent tent, flush loo, the vegetarian fare wasn't great but the carnivores were very satisfied from what we observed.
the money we saved by chosing ilkeliani instead of governors, elephant pepper or similar, we spent on a SUV. so we booked full board and not the game package. we did 7 full day tours with packed breakfast and lunch and spent the whole days in the bush which was excellent.

ilkeliani is still very reasonable charging around 180/200US$pppd plus reserve fees.

and they have got a special for july.

http://www.ilkeliani.com/

“I didn't find the link very helpful, the person seemed to be getting nowhere fast.”
And what do you mean by that, ldtc2? X(

Am I right that you are going on a road safari and looking for full board accommodation? Then the prices you’ve got seem high. Let’s Go Travel quoted $184 for Ilkeliani including game drives (not park fees) but that’s for June. A REAL FIND will be hard to find in the Mara. Most camps and lodges are madly expensive. I’d say the best value is Bushbuck Camp. http://www.bushbuckadventures.com/maracamp.html I’d go there if it wasn’t because I have unreasonable expectations on the guiding expertise, but if you’re bringing your own guide that’s not an issue. You could have a look at Mara Springs Camp, but I don’t think it’s as lovely as Bushbuck. http://www.mountainrockkenya.com/marasprings.htm Then there’s Olperr Elongo http://www.biketreks.co.ke/camp.html but the tents aren’t ensuite. I think Kichwa Tembo http://www.ccafrica.com/accommodatio...11/lodgeid-2-2 is more reasonable than other camps in the area – though that doesn’t say much – and sometimes special offers can be had at Mara Intrepids http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/intrepids_mara.html but it’ll still be expensive.

I’ve never heard of Ole Moran and I’d be very grateful if you would share any information or links.

oops - i forgot:
if you go for ilkeliani and SUV then ask for EDWARD as the accompanying guide/driver because he is very keen on driving. the other guides are a bit more hesitant when it comes to full day tours in a row.

Nyamera
Please don't' take offense - none was intended - I only got a few pictures of Ole Moran -am "trying" to post them here but with no success. it is new ( supposedly) and their website has yet to be posted. So, the agent sent some pictures .....

give me your email address and I will post them to you

I am trying but I can't cut and paste them here ..... any suggestions on "how to: do that?

idtc
i just red that you posted 328 US$ for ilkeliani.
pls double check as the reack rate for july 2008 should not be more than 202 for full board double occ.
if your TO won't sell it for that rate then i would book that part book directly!

Pippa where did you find those rates?


Sandi - it's ol moran not il moran.

Nyamera- I am checking on those useful camp links - thanks.

There's no way to post photos directly onto the forum. You'd have to use another photo sharing site and post the link here.

What rates are we comparing?

Full board is accommodation and meals (usually used by drive in guests).

Game package is accommodation, game drives and other activities conducted by the camp, and meals (usually used by fly in guests).

Park fees are on top of these rates.

If you're on a driving safari, a tour operator would normally quote a cost inclusive of their vehicle/guide, full board and park fees.

So understand what you're comparing.

Also are we comparing per person per night or per ?

Ldtc2, my email address is sannasusathotmaildotcom. Unlike forums like Safaritalk you can’t post photos here. I use www.kodakgallery.com when sharing photos from trips.

Patty is right – I wasn’t thinking - that your operator would normally quote the rate inclusive of your guide and vehicle and park fees, but you’d have to ask to be sure. The rate I was quoted for June would be $308.66 per night including flights and park fees for a single if staying 3 nights, but that’s too expensive and I wouldn’t stay for just 3 nights, $266.33 per night for 6 nights is also too expensive.

@ idtc2

i got the rates by the camp itself.

okay - normally a TO quotes a full package which cannot be brock down for each and every camp as you only get the whole amount which includes car, guide, accomm, parkfees and also considers single or double.

let say you know exactly what you want like
a car,
a driver and
a camp in the mara then i would go for a rented vehicle with a guide, chose
my camp on fullboard basis for me and the driver
and ask for driver accommodation.
the camp easily can quote on that!
then you find a reputable company for just the car and driver. and rent these seperately.
at ilkeliani you only pay the mara reserve fees IF you drive into the reserve - on a daily basis.

so it takes some effort to do it all yourself. but it will be worthwhile - in case you are a bit more "adventourus" and not only after a "full pampered package". ;-)

Mara Sarova camp could be an option but I do not find it luxurious though its a pocket friendly Camp. Its belong to the Sarova hotels chain.

Nyamera - am trying to post to this address; Is this correct?
sannasusathotmail.com

Where does one find a driver- guide for Kenya?

Has anyone heard of the RoyalMara in the Masai?

I just got off the phone with my friend in the UK, and she wishes to do JUST THAT. Pick up a driver and a guide and book the hotels herself. She gave me shoortravel.com as one possible site.

Our new itinerary
Drive from Nairobi to Lake Navaisha spend 2 nights ( with day trip to Lake Nakuru)

Then drive to the Masai. Stay at RoyalMara.

Driver will drop us at the RoyalMara lodge. It IS expensive but there are 5 of us going, and whatever they want is fine with us.

Driver and guide info - for a reliable person?
And has anyone heard of royalmara... looks fantastic.
Thanks