Must see in Kenya
 

Hello all!
Besides Masai Mara, is there a must-see in Kenya in early Oct? I will be flying home from Nairobi after a safari in Tanzania and Masai Mara. Before I book the air, I want find out if I need to add a few days somewhere in Kenya. Is Nairobi worth a day or 2; or just skip it and fly out? Amboseli? Lake Nakuru? I was a bit put off by the mini-bus safari crowds in Kenya so we are spending most of our time in Tanzania, but we are going to the Mara. Any other highly recommended Kenya parks/ areas? Thanks!

Why not post what you already have arranged for the time you have (total # days in-country), both Kenya and Tanzania - where visiting (parks/reserves), # of days at each, lodging, etc. Assuming, this is all so far arranged as private.

Lots of places in Kenya, but how much actual time and means of transport can help in recommendations.

If you have a few days to spare I wouldn't hesitate flying up to the north of Mt Kenya to see some of the unique northern species. Samburu, Lewa, places like that.

Thanks for the suggestions. Our itinerary so far:
arrive Arusha; 1 nt
to Tarangire; 2 nts
to Lake Manyara, game drives; o/n Karatu
to Ngorongoro, full day; o/n Sopa
to Serengeti (w/stops at Oldupai and Shifting Sands); 2 nts
to north Serengeti; 1 nt
fly to Masai Mara; 3nts (in conservancy)
to Nairobi
We have used most of our planned budget by this point, so we could just fly home directly or spend a night in Nairobi to see the sights there.
But..... we've come so far, we've spent this much, how could we miss (?), for another $1000-$1500 we could have gone......
Fill in the blank!
Before I booked the flights, I just thought I'd ask if there is something we are really missing. Thanks for any advise.

Before I suggest adding another location, I'll mention that staying only one night in N. Serengeti in Oct seems like 1 night too little.

Most Serengeti itineraries spend 2 nights or more at each Serengeti location.

The problem with adding Samburu, which I think would be a good idea, is the logistics. Currently it looks like you fly from N. Serengeti back to Kilimanjaro and then fly JRO to NBO, switch over to Wilson and fly to the Mara. It lets you get from the Serengeti to Mara in one day if you choose the right flights.

But I don't think you can get to Samburu from the Serengeti in one day with the flight schedules. And you cannot fly Mara to Samburu.

So, based on the structure of your itinerary and your budget goals for $1000 to $1500 more, I'd add another night in N. Serengeti and if you can, a 4th nt in the Mara. You could also spend your first day in Arusha National Park, which is more of a forest environment than the other places you are going.

Atravelynn,

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have much flexibility in the itinerary because I can't change the days in Mara. We bought a package and that date was the only availability.
We are flying from Kogatende to Siana, not through JRO and NBO.

We could go to Nairobi for 1 nt, then go to Samburu the next day for 2 nts. I was thinking of 2 nts in Ol Pejeta or Lake Nakuru; Samburu seemed a bit far for just 2 nts.

I guess if we were going to add anything, I hoped it would be different geography or wildlife than what we will have seen so far. Thanks.

Where are my manners! Thanks to Sandi and Twaffle, too. Samburu seems to be the consensus so far.

<i>"We are flying from Kogatende to Siana, not through JRO and NBO."</i>

There is NO non-stop flight between Kogatende/Tanzania to Siana/Kenya. You're crossing country borders and have to stop somewhere for Immigration/Customs (Visas,etc.)

You're either
1) flying west from KOG to right outside of Isebania border, with road transfer (1/2-hr) to an airstrip for flight over the Mara to Siana. OR

2) flying east from KOG to JRO to WILson/NBO; connecting to the Mara/SIA.

Those are scheduled flights; even if you were flying charter... still have to stop at border - west or east.

Now that that's done... Agree with Lynn, 1/nt Northern Serengeti... no, no. Too long a haul (from I assume stopping in Central Serengeti on leaving Shifting Sands... ho-hum!) about 4-5/hrs for so short a stay. Maybe if you want, spend only 1/nt in Central and then you can justify heading North. And, where staying in north? It's a large area and who knows where the migration will be?

As to once back in NBO from the Mara (arriving about 12:15-12:30pm, too short to visit Samburu (return air WIL/SAM/WIL alone is about $400+/person, not including lodging and park fees), or other areas you'd have to fly, since flights to Samburu, Lewa, Meru, Laikipia are in the morning, so maybe....

For a breather... drive (2-2.5/hrs) to Lake Nakuru for game drives (flamingoes, Rothschild giraffe, rhino), or if "game drive'd out" a bit closer, also in the Rift Valley, at either Lake Naivasha or Lake Elementaita where you can walk, do boat ride for walking safari amongst tame game, Hell's Gate for walk/climbing, Oserian Wilderness (Naivasha), visit the weavers (Elementaita).

If the itinerary is set, then I'd arrive one day early and spend the day in Arusha National Park. You'd have 2 nts Arusha rather than 1. Arriving one day early is also helpful if you are delayed for some reason or if your luggage gets lost and it takes a day for you to be reunited with it.

Nakuru or Naivasha tacked on the end would be nice too. Just keep in mind that the Mara will likely be the highlight of this trip in Oct.

Thanks for the recommendations. Sandi, we are doing option 1, crossing at Isebania by bus, but the rest is by air. I will take your suggestion and look into Lake Nakuru. Thanks to all and I will post reviews upon return.

Sandi and atravelynn,

Took you advise and we booked 2 nights at Sunbird Lodge. From there, we can go to Lake Nakuru if we want to see birds and more game or to Crescent Island or Hell's Gate if we want to do some hiking. I hope we don't regret not spending those last two in the Mara, but 3 nights in Serengeti and 3 nights in Mara should be satisfying.

Thanks again.

Have a great trip pcex!

Back to your question...Nairobi??? We stayed an extra day..costs us about an extra $600-%800, was it worth it....NO! If you have a long layover I might book a day city tour but stay ...not worth it.

To each their own budget and mine is rarely shabby, but I wouldn't spend $600-$800 to stay anywhere for an extra day... especially a "city" - even Paris!