crazyaboutafrica

Thanks, Sandi,

Moni

climbhighsleeplow

I went to the Mara in December for the last 2 years. I was quite amazed at the amount of wildlife ouside the Mara proper.

During my visits we stayed all over the greater Mara and heard lions at night at many camps - from Ol Seki to Serian to Naibor.

In early November just a few weeks ago the lions were almost as load as the hippos at Ngare Serian (and I was the only one in the new camp!!) It was an interesting evening.

In my experience (I repeat, MY experience only), we could hear lion at night in the group ranches but they were a lot harder to find during the day. Even early AM we could see the half-eaten kills but no cats. The same happended a fews weeks ago - I never saw the lions I heard.

Whereas inside the Mara proper, the lions appear to be less concerned about humans and do not hide during the day except for finding shade.

In my uneducated opinion but based on 2-3 trips a year to the greater Mara, I think the lions are very aware of the Maasai populations and their livestock and the potential fatal conflicts and therefor they mostly hide during the day.

IMO the same is true for cheetah and leopard.

So I think your chances for good daytime viewing of cats are better inside. But outside you can do the night time activities so you can stay anywhere west of Nyumbu and south of Royal Mara as the camps in this areas have easy access to the Mara proper!

Avoid the crowded Talek gate area unless you want to see your cats surrounded by minivans - can you spot the male lion in this picture? http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mar...MaraGreen9.jpg

I've had only great guides/trackers everywhere so it is unfair to pick a few. Many camps have driver/guides with local Maasai spotters - these camps are best for serious wildlife viewing.

My advice is:

1. Consider a camp where you get sole use of a vehicle,

2. Avoid bringing a guide from Nairobi. Really no need to. The local guides know their lion prides especially around their own camps.

crazyaboutafrica

Eben, where is ngare serian ??

What would be the per day cost, per person with a private vehicle(with park fees) at intreprids, explorer, naibor,rekero, royal mara, lion porini, governors etc...

Which would be the most value for money,(specially for wildlife viewing)I would like luxury and excellent wildlife viewing, but more, imp is the wildlife viewing

I am planning on staying for 4 nights in mara proper, where should I spend the other 4 nights ?? so that my game drive routes are different and donnot overlap, Are the cats around serian, mara safari club, saruni, elephant and pepper shy of humans(would definately not like that)

Do you have any info on the vehicles and guides at kilima camp

Would like your input

Thanks,

Moni

climbhighsleeplow

Moni

It is just north of Serian on the west bank of the Mara. See my pics and description: http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/serian.htm

You have to many questions here that will be best answered by a specialist agent. Per day costs depend on your agent. I have nightly rack rates for most places here:
http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mar...maralodges.htm

Add $250 per day for a car and $60 for park fees (on average).

Personally I think the camps on the escarpment (Kilima, Siria, Mpata, etc) work best for clients who are not that serious about game drives and prefer to spend a lot of time enjoying the views. It is a major drive up and down the hill and when it rains it gets downright scary - I slipped and slided there a few weeks ago in a major afternoon rain storm. Not fun.

As I said you can pick any of the places on the map even as far away as Saruni but I would avoid Mara Safari Club or camps that focus on package tourists or Micato-style group safaris. Image a convoy of 15 cars (6 tourists each) departing camp every morning looking for elusive cats!

50 tents with 100 or so camera-wielding tourists defeat the purpose of staying outside the Mara proper (where the idea should be to find seclusion and special bush moments) but when I read Fodors lately it seems the "in" thing is to travel in groups and pay a lot of money for the privilege!

crazyaboutafrica

Hello Eben,

Thanks alot for all the info, sorry to bombard you with soooo many questions,

With 7-8 nights mara, I should get a long stay discount, looking at the prices, for a couple the private vehicle costs would split....

What should my estimated expense per person be if I want a superlative experience

Your company does give bookings in kenya ??

Moni

Patty

Moni,
Fodors doesn't allow the posting of anything that could be construed as advertising. You can contact Eben directly through www.kiliwarriors.com. Otherwise, you're asking him to walk a very fine line. Good luck with your planning!

HariS

Thanks, Eben ...... that's what i was thinking about on the other thread RE predators and human conflict outside the triangle area.

Crazy: Why not spend all 8 days inside the triangle or just on the edge of it? The more time you spend in one spot and observe the animals the chances are that you will come across something interesting and cool. Just my thoughts, though .....

Hari

sandi

Moni -

Eben's site shows rack rates at many of the properties discussed here. You can use these as a guideline. But, only a tour operator can provide actual prices which are often less than rack and will include daily park fees, private vehicle (if you wish... can range from $250-$400/days depending on camp), transport to/from the Mara, etc.

With 8/days (lucky you), you can certainly split your time between a camp inside the Triangle and outside on the private group ranches.

Serian Camp a bit NW of the Triangle is one camp that does provide private vehicles per tent, but their rates are somewhat higher than other camps where you'd be sharing a vehicle. Also, the daily park fee (believe $85/person) at Serian is one of the highest in the area.

While early-December is low season, from 15th on - the Christmas holiday, rates will be peak-season. Speak to a tour operator for specifics and availability.

crazyaboutafrica

Hi, thanks for all the suggestions,

Moni