lyban

Dave and Nyamera,
Thanks again. No, Dave I cannot change the dates, as you can see by my first post I will be in Uganda for a week on business and I have no control on thoes dates. So I have to leave Uganda on the 29 October.
Nyamera and Dave, I am getting the feeling from both of you that you really don't like Kichwa Tembo and seem to think Basecamp is much better. I really would like it if you could address for me the differences between these two camps. What I can expect from them regarding sleeping, eating and I hate to admit it here but I have a real fear of spiders. I don't think I want a lodge because I really would like to experience the whole African ambiance. Give me your honest opinions.

tuskerdave

hi again, ok so you can't change
i have never stayed at any of these camps. took a quick look here. this is what i found. maybe someone else can add to this.
this is just me now.
the kichwa camp: good price, BUT has 40 tents. way too many. about 25 tents too many.
Bateluer camp, much better. but the price is ungodly high.
for me, i wouldn't even think of it.

Basecamp: i think 13 or 15 tents. very big tents, good beds ect. my tour op put me in here in 2001. great people, food ect ect. go and try it out.
oh, ask for big moses for a driver.
do you have a certain thing your looking for? no matter where you stay. you can drive to where the animals are. no problem.
you mention spiders. ya know, i only recall a huge one in my tent in zimbabwe. thats it.
not sure if this helps.
david
ps, following is what i found:

All Inclusive Lodge Rates
Per Person Per Night Sharing
From To
Bateleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo USD 445.00 USD 560.00
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp USD 185.00 USD 260.00

lyban

OK. I just got an email off to Basecamp in Nairobi asking about prices for a single for a 3 night fly in safari.
I also have my follow up out to Lets Go
Travel, so I am awaiting there answer also. I do not want to go to too many operators because it just gets confusing and they all sound pretty reliable.
Hopefully, I will hear soon.
I'll let you know when I do. Thanks

Nyamera

Lyban, neither Dave nor I have been to Kichwa Tembo. It’s probably a lovely place, but I think there’ll be more of a bush feeling in Basecamp (15 tents next to Talek River), it’s very eco-friendly and the staff is extremely nice and interesting.

I’ve seen spiders everywhere I’ve been in the world (not that many places) and the Mara was no “worse” than any other place. I don’t think there are more spiders in a tent than in the room of a lodge. It might even be the opposite because spiders like hanging on walls.

What kind of business are you doing in Uganda? Just curious – you don’t have to answer.

lyban

Hi Nyamera,
I do not mind answering. The company I work for participates with VSO Uganda. They are sending myself from Canada along with 4 others from different European branches to do a 3 day study session with VSO to better understand their work and then 3 days of working in the field with one of their volunteers. The idea is that when I return to Canada, I have a better understanding of this programme and can enhance the visability of VSO Uganda and also make effective use of the media in fundraising endeavors.
Waiting my replies from Lets Go and Basecamp.
Later..

Nyamera

Thanks Lyban. Now I know you aren’t going to do anything bad.

Let’s see what Let’s Go and Basecamp come up with.

lyban

Hi,
I am back with a reply from Lets Go, Besides what I mentioned that I could have 2 nights in Kitchwa Tembo tents and 1 night in the roundavel.
I asked about Basecamp and it is booked on one of my nights.
Mara Serena is fully booked.
And Mara Explorer is too expensive.
I never received a reply yet from Basecamp directly.
Now I am really getting worried.
Lets Go Travel seem very nice but they answer my questions but do not make any of there own suggestions.

Nyamera

Lyban, I got the same impression of Let’s Go as you – if you ask for something they have lying on the shelves in front of them they deliver it efficiently, but if you want something else they don’t know what to do. Maybe you should try sending an email to Melinda at Eco-resorts. [email protected] She answers the silliest questions and comes with her own suggestions. This spring I was looking for a luxury stay, at a backpacker price, in a kind of camp that doesn’t exist in Samburu and she really tried to help me, even suggesting other travel agents. Finally I settled for a flying package to Samburu Intrepids and Let’s Go had the best price, but in the future I’ll try to use Melinda. You’re looking for something very reasonable and I’m sure she will find it for you.

If you don’t get a reply from Basecamp tomorrow you could try their office in Stockholm. [email protected] Tell them you’ve been trying to contact the office in Nairobi and ask if there’s a technical problem. There’s a Kenyan lady called Lillian who arranged my first trip to Kenya in 2003. If they are just being slow, she might phone the Nairobi office and scream at them.

I don’t think you’ll have to stay in a rondavel (in Kenya they are usually called “bandas", but maybe it sounds too “basic”) in a camp with 80 guests. The Kenyan tourism industry must really be booming – I thought things were quiet from mid October to late December.

lyban

Thanks to all the great Fodorites who helped me so much with all my questions about a safari.
I believe that I now have this all booked with Eastern and Southern Safari, Serah has been wonderful in pulling it together for me.
I leave Montreal for Amsterdam. Spend a couple of days there on business. then go Amsterdam to Uganda, spend a week there on business and then fly to Nairobi for a short but exciting fly in safari. 3 nights at Governors Camp and 1 night at Fairview with a day tour of Karen Blixen Musuem,Giraffe Centre and a bead factory. Then fly back to Entebbe and my return flights home. I am very excited to try this new venture and even though it is short, I felt it was all I could afford at this time and along with my time away for business was all the time I could allow. Many thanks to all the folks here who gave such good advice and made this dream a reality for me.

Patty

Congrats! On your final day in Nairobi, if you have time, you can also include the Sheldrick Orphanage (for baby elephants and rhinos). They're open to the public during feeding and mud bath time from 11:00 to noon. The Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick and Kazuri Beads are all located very close to each other. Hope you have a great trip and decide to return later for a longer stay!

lyban

Thank you Patty, I am going to try and fit the Orphanage in.

Nyamera

Safari njema!

lyban

Nyamara,
I could not find njema on my phrases site. I need a translation.
Thanks

Leely

Have a great trip. How interesting to be doing business in Uganda. The whole thing should be fascinating.

And I agree with Patty, if you can possibly visit the Sheldrick "orphanage" you won't regret it.

Nyamera

-ema means "good".

lyban

Ah......that is what I figured, Thanks Nyamara. I am sure it will be. And again I appreiate all your help.
Leely, thanks also. Yes it will all be new to me because I have never been to East Africa before.