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-   -   need Kenya outfitter/guide (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/need-kenya-outfitter-guide-288217/)

floridafodor Jan 20th, 2008 05:17 AM

need Kenya outfitter/guide
 
Hi Everyone, my husband and I are spending 1 week in Kenya in July. I would like to go to Amboseli, Mara, and Nakuru. Can you recommend a good outfitter/guide? We are looking for as much mobile camping as possible. Thanks!

Patty Jan 20th, 2008 07:44 AM

Can you elaborate more on what you're expecting in terms of the actual camping? Mobile camping covers a very broad range from very basic to very lux.

Without knowing exactly what you're looking for, here are just some "mid-range" examples.

Gamewatchers 7 day mobile camping itinerary http://www.porini.com/mobile_camping_safari.html

I believe this is a group trip with set departures, but verify with them if it can be done as a private trip if that's what you prefer. Gamewatchers has gotten positive reviews here.

Here's an outfitter that offers 2 different levels of mobile camping with some sample itineraries http://www.jksafaris.com/jk-safaris-...-adventure.htm

Keep in mind that Amboseli, Nakuru and the Mara are not that close to each other, so covering them in one week involves a lot of travel time.

floridafodor Jan 20th, 2008 10:12 AM

Thank you! I will check them out right now. We were wanting mid to upper range mobile camping. Do you you suggest we fly to all 3 of the locations? We will be starting out in Arusha and then back to Nairobi.

Patty Jan 20th, 2008 11:11 AM

If you're starting from Arusha, I'd drive to Amboseli as it's not that far. The other approx drive times are:

Amboseli to Nakuru - 7 hours via Nairobi
Nakuru to Mara - 6 hours
Mara to Nairobi - 6 hours

There's scheduled service from Amboseli to Nairobi, Nairobi to Naivasha (closest scheduled service to Nakuru), Naivasha to the Mara and Mara to Nairobi. There's an airstrip at Nakuru but no scheduled service, only private charter. What I would probably do is fly Amboseli-Nairobi and drive to Nakuru (from Nairobi to Nakuru is approx 2.5 hours). Otherwise, the schedule leaves you with a few hours in Nairobi between flights. Then you can drive from Nakuru to Naivasha (about an hour) for the flight to the Mara and also fly back to Nairobi.

Are you the same poster as laslaff?

Patty Jan 20th, 2008 11:23 AM

The order you listed - Amboseli, Mara, Nakuru - would also work if you fly (but not if you do an all drive).

In that case, you could drive Arusha-Amboseli, fly Amboseli-Nairobi-Mara (these flights connect well), fly Mara-Nairobi, drive Nairobi-Nakuru, and drive Nakuru-Nairobi.

floridafodor Jan 20th, 2008 03:48 PM

Yes, Laslaff is my mom and dad. They got confused and frustrated and gave up. I'm trying to help them out. :)

MrAloha Jan 20th, 2008 04:20 PM

Hi, agree with others this is a lot to cover in a week, unless you are flying from site to site.

Just returned from Kenya/Tanzania safari. See trip report posted yesterday.

Can't recommend Simon Belcher and colleauges at Ker & Downey (Kenya

http://simonbelcher.com/

http://www.kerdowneysafaris.com/

Hope you have a good time!


MrAloha Jan 20th, 2008 04:48 PM

Hi, sorry, my snafu. I meant to write: "I can't recommend them more highly!"

Simon Belcher, and his colleauges, Sandor Carter and Andy Campbell, at Ker and Downey (Kenya)

: )

floridafodor Jan 21st, 2008 07:03 AM

Thanks so much!

pascaline Jan 23rd, 2008 03:22 AM

Check this one out

,http://allseasonssafaris.com/kenyasa...20safaris.html

we are going to Kenya too using the above mentioned company.

All the best

floridafodor Jan 26th, 2008 06:50 AM

Is anyone familiar with All Seasons? I don't believe I have seem them mentioned.....

sandi Jan 26th, 2008 01:38 PM

Not many who post on Fodor's use All Seasons. You'll find more users of All Seasons post on Trip Advisor.

fluke Jan 27th, 2008 05:11 PM

C&CAfrica!

cmtravels Jan 28th, 2008 09:44 AM

We went on a 16 day safari last September and I planned the whole thing via email with Fred at Naked Wilderness in Nairobi. The entire trip was fantastic. Everything happened just like he said he would. It was a flying safari and his staff was always there to meet us when we came flying back through Nairobi to another location. (6 game parks). He had one truck that broke down and we were at the small Nairobi airport for 1 hour once until he found someone to pick us up; and to apologize, he sent us to Carnivore's with Dominique for a free dinner our last night there. We stayed in tented camps.


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