Newbie Starting to plan - have a few questions
 

OK - I really have several questions as all of us African virgins do, but let's start with a few and see where it goes from there.
Firstly, it will be hubby and I going, and I think I want to try and get Kenya and Tanzania in one trip. I am interested in seeing all kinds of animals and at this point do not have a must see. We enjoy just being together experiencing even the smallest things that we have not seen/witnessed before and I have had the urge to go to Africa for a while now just to experience the wonder and beauty of it all.
So having said that, I believe I know what TO I will use but I'd like answers from people here first:
1) I am curious if it will be better to go in June or Sept. What are the benefits of each month as far as what we will see/miss by doing each?
2) What should I expect the price difference to be between these 2 months if any?

I think I want to go in June because I'm not sure if I can handle waiting 3 extra months till September but if there is something about September that would make it more spectacular then......I will wait.

- June: shortly after the "long rains" means grass is high, everything supposed to be GREEN but wildlife is harder to find/see depending where you will be heading.
rates are lower than in peak season which startd mid/end of July

- September: getting drier so wildlife is easier to observe and the Wildebeast migration has already started.

Both above is considered "normal" means if weather brings no or more, earlier or later rain - everything shiftes.

Generally speaking September is the more spectacular month.

When you can wait until June you easily will be able to wait until Sep.

As you state you have decided on a TO - that TO should be able to give you all the technical info as rates, differences etc.

If you want more specifics here pls provide information on

- days on safari
- budget
- other preferentials.

SV

I think June is an outstanding month for East Africa! We have only travelled in May/June to EA, so I cannot compare it to Sept., but I don't feel as though we missed anything at all.

I like June because it is the off season, and that makes it both cheaper & less people around. The savings alone is worth it to me.

It doesn't feel 'crowded' in June - sometimes it seems like you have the whole area to yourself, and there is only one or two other vehicles at a cheetah or lion sighting - & sometimes you are the only ones! From the pictures I have seen in Sept - this is not true.

We have seen the migration all three times (in the Serengeti) when we have gone, and although we have never witnessed a river crossing (and wouldn't at this time of the year), I didn't feel as though we missed out on anything.

Weather - to me - is perfect in May/June. Over the three years, I can count the number of days I have seen rain on one hand - hardly at all. It is a nice even 78-80 degrees each day - not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

I can't comment on how long the grass is in June compared to Sept., but if it is longer, it hasn't been a problem. If there were smaller animals in there that we didn't spot such as caracals, servals, etc., then I guess we missed out on them, but then again I didn't know I was missing them as I didn't know they were there! The big cats, the ellies, the giraffe, hippo etc are pretty easy to spot even in tall grass :-)

"We enjoy just being together.." Isn't that a lovely approach to any venture!

I've gone in very late June and mid to late August, so my personal experience does not match exactly with your time frames.

For the first time I am able to travel in Sept, and that's when I've chosen to head to Kenya.

You asked about cost. If going in June, it is wise to inquire about exact dates and high/low pricing season cutoffs because sometimes mid-June is the break point.

Here is a chart that shows best wildlife viewing in different parks throughout the year, along with temps. As weather patterns change, the chart or any predictions become less useful.

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

If you go to "perfect safaris" this shows "perfect" itineraries for June or Sept.

http://www.kiliwarriors.com/

As the perfect itineraries suggest, how you split your Kenya/Tanzania time will differ whether you go in June or Sept. That's because the wildebeest & zebra migration moves between the Serengeti in TZ and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

In June, you'd likely spend more time in the Serengeti in TZ, probably the Western Serengeti if you wanted to see the migration. In Sept, maybe you'd go to N. Serengeti or skip the Serengeti entirely for the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Back to pricing. Airfares tend to drop in Sept and also are less in early June.

I'll give you one good reason not to go in June next year as the World Cup for Soccer is on in South Africa between June 11th and July 11th and as such, prices for safaris, airfares, accommodation etc have gone through the roof.

It would be much better to go in September.

I think dgreen was intending to visit East Africa, not South Africa.

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-a...n-1400964.html Guess this will help you plan.

Yes, I am planning on East Africa and I considered the World Cup as well - I wonder if the fact that everyone will be in SA if that would make the prices more appealing in EA.
And I know that my TO will be able to give me advise but I wanted advise from those "non-invested" in my trip first.
Although having said that, it seems like everyone here is vested in others travels as they all want everyone else to have a great experience.
I think based on comments now I will contact my TO and ask for itineraries and prices for each time and include that in my decision.
Thansk for the links in here as well as I will add them to my "To Read" list

OK - another question - Hubby likes to fish (bass fishing), I read about some fresh water fishing in TZ and thought I would try to surprise him by including a fishing trip in place of one of the game drives - has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Tell me what you think.

No experience fishing, but I plan to stay at a place in Kenya in the Aberdare region called Fishing Lodge where you can fish. It is a banda, so fairly basic.

I've been to Tanzania in June twice--lovely, perfect. I'll be going to Kenya next June even though it's not migration time in Kenya (I don't care about chasing the migration anymore, I just like the experience). For some reason I have never found any bargains but I'm generally rather pathetic at that kind of thing.

Enjoy your planning!

Just got back yesterday from 11 days in Tanzania. I traveled with my husband on a private safari and used Warrior Trails Ltd. as our guide, driver and trip planner. If you'd like my itinerary and places we stayed (all were fantastic) I'll send it on.


I, too, was a newbie to this forum. And after reading and asking questios, I wrote to several outfitters mentioned on this site...got responses from a few...and then followed up and adjusted our lodgings and itinerary to fit our needs. Warrior Trails ended up being the best choice for us.

They have an assoicate who handles the Kenya part of their travel. So, use a travel agent if you must, but this is something we were able to do just on the web with Warrior Trails and their respresentative in Canada.

I'll throw in my two cents about September (since that's the only time I've been to Kenya and Tanzania). We thought it was a wonderful time to go -- we caught a bit of the migration in the Masai Mara, saw lots of wildlife with that nice, short grass, and did not have trouble with crowds (except at 1 leopard sighting in Samburu). We also had beautiful weather, with some sunny days and some overcast days to add variety to the trip. But from what other people have posted here, I understand that that's the "busy season" compared with June, so some people have had issues with crowds. To some extent I think that depends on your guide. If you let him know you're not interested in chasing after every big cat sighting with everyone else, you can avoid them.

Have you had a chance to read through the East Africa trip reports (which LyndaS has so kindly gathered in one place for us -- if you click on her name or search for the East Africa trip report index you'll find it)? Reading about other people's experiences has helped us make decisions about when and where to go for our own trips.

For both SandraJoy and MyDogKyle - would you share your itineraries please?
I have been going through many of the Trip reports (thanks to LindaS) and am getting lots of advise from these as well.
What I am doing now is going through information here and from a few books, coming up with my ULTIMATE trip and then I will contact my tour operator to help price things out and go from there. I think I may be leaning towards September to catch some of the migration. The hard thing for me is that even though I'm sure I will want to go back after my first time, I'm not sure if my kids will allow me to keep spending their inheritence on my own selfish needs - only a joke people!!! But seriously I may not have enough money to keep returning (there are other places on our "To Go" list) so I want to try to get the most out of it while I can. I figure subsequent visits if I'm able will just be a icing on the cake.
Thanks again for all the help and advice - I appreciate it.
Debbie

Keep in mind:

In June the migration is in the Western corridor of the Serengeti, Tanzania

In Sept, the migration is in the Masai Mara, Kenya

Thus, either month can be ideal. If in June, more concentration would be in Tanzania, while if Sept, time in Kenya. Depending on how many total in-country days, if less than 12/days, it can be rushed/hectic to cover both countries. However, if planned right... it's doable.

Debbie:

Since I went late October and just got home, don't know if my itinerary will be of use to you in June or September...but for what it's worth...her it is:

Day 1 Arusha..Day 2,3 Tarangerie- Boundry Hill Lodge (fantastic) Day 4 Transit..Gibbs Farm lunch..Sopa Lodge at NGO crater, Day 5..NGO crater Day 6 transit and overnite at Ndutu, Day 7, 8..Central Serengeti..Mbuzi Mawe Tentented Camp,
Day 9, 10 Northern Serengeti (Lobo area) Migration Camp (also fantastic) Day 11 Fly to Arusha, lunch at Coffee Plantation..homeward bound PM...it was the dry season with short rains...the migration was earlier this year so plenty of game in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti and also in Lobo..

Debbie, we too were worried about what our son would say when he discovered we had spent all of his inheritance on trips to Africa so we took him with us this last time - showed him first hand :-)

Just had to throw that in! :-) Have fun with your research and check back with us when you start developing an itinerary, the experts here can certainly help you with that!

Hi Debbie. Here's our Kenya/Tanzania itinerary, for the last week of September and first two weeks of October. Our safari companies were Eastern & Southern (for Kenya) and Green Footprint Adventures (for Tanzania):

Day 0 -- fly SFO to NBO (via Chicago and London)
Day 1 -- arrive Nairobi and meet up with Eastern & Southern (Kenya Comfort Hotel)
Day 2 -- Nairobi -- Giraffe Center and Sheldrick's elephant orphanage, then drive to Mt. Kenya (Serena Mountain Lodge)
Day 3 -- drive Mt. Kenya to Samburu -- afternoon game drive (Elephant Bedroom)
Day 4 -- Samburu -- game drives and visit Samburu village
Day 5 -- drive Samburu to Sweetwaters -- afternoon and night game drives (Sweetwaters Tented Camp)
Day 6 -- Sweetwaters -- morning lion tracking with rangers
Day 7 -- drive Sweetwaters to Lake Nakuru -- afternoon game drive (Sarova Lion Hill Lodge)
Day 8 -- drive Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara (Mara Serena)
Day 9 -- Masai Mara -- balloon flight, day and night game drives
Day 10 -- Masai Mara -- "breakfast with the hippos," game drives, Maasai village visit
Day 11 -- fly Mara to Nairobi to Arusha (Karama Lodge)
Day 12 -- Arusha National Park -- game drive and canoeing
Day 13 -- fly to Tarangire -- game drives (Oliver's Camp)
Day 14 -- Tarangire -- walking safari and game drive
Day 15 -- fly to Lake Manyara -- afternoon and night game drives, bush dinner (Kirurumu Lodge)
Day 16 -- Mto Wa Mbu walking tour, and visited the Rift Valley Children's Village near Karatu (Plantation Lodge)
Day 17 -- Ngorongoro Crater -- all-day game drive (Plantation Lodge)
Day 18 -- drive to Arusha, fly to Zanzibar (236 Hurumzi, Stone Town)
Day 19 -- island tour, including Spice Tour, lunch and Jozani Forest monkeys (Pongwe Beach)
Day 20 -- Pongwe Beach laziness
Day 21 -- fly Zanzibar to Nairobi to London, and then eventually home

Ok - thanks for the input. I have pretty much decided that it will be Spetember - (may be late Sept/early Oct.). I have thinking it will be 14 to 16 days with probably no more than 2 days in any one location.
MyDogKyle - how were the Giraffe Center & Elephant Orphanage? I am interested in the orphanage and heard that if you make a "donation" you can get up close with the elephants. Is this true and worth it or just a touristy place to go?
I am close to my intinerary and will post it once I'm sure so that I can get input on it as well.
Thanks,
Debbie

Sheldrick:
Here’s MDK’s report
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ptoct-2007.cfm

The part about the eles at Sheldrick is in this excerpt. You’d want to focus on the elephants and not the ice cream bus.
• MyDogKyle on Nov 21, 07 at 9:47pm
PART 3 – “Elephants and an Ice Cream Bus” (Sept. 24th, 2007)

Here’s some other Sheldrick info. to confirm you can get up close and personal with your adoptees if you arrange up front. It is a highlight of many people's trips and a very worthwhile stop for you and the eles you'd be supporting.


http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...nage-visit.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...rphanage-1.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-orphanage.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...what-to-do.cfm

Giraffe Center:
That same excerpt from MDK has the part about the giraffes. I had a similar experience. Let me add that in the right light the tongues look purplish. You can also stay over night at Giraffe Manor, for more up close and personal time with the giraffes and for a hefty price. I believe the giraffes stick their heads into your windows for breakfast.

Here are some links on Giraffe Manor.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34880046

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35102499

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35020509


Late Sept? I'll miss you, unless we cross paths in the airport.

No more than 2 days in one spot works fine in East Africa, but I'd stay 3+ in the Maasai Mara in Sept/Oct, even if it meant cutting out something somewhere else.

Thanks - I hadn't gotten to MDK's trip report yet but just started reading and it is terrific!!! So much good information.

Absolute, need 3/nts in the Mara. Depending on where staying, some properties (often the lux ones) actually lower their prices as 1st Oct.

Yes, if you adopt an ellee you can arrange to visit at 5pm to meet the handlers and put your cubby to bed. Not to be missed. You will have to provide name of your charge so the orphanage is aware of your visit.

Ok - I'm back and I've been working with Africa Adventure Company and have an itinerary and want to get some input:
This will be in September although we have not picked the exact dates yet.
Day 1- arrive Nairobi (Nairobi Serena)
Day 2/3 - Fly to Amboseli (Amboseli Serena)
Day 4/5 - Fly to Samburu (Samburu Serena)
Day 6/7 - Fly to the Mara - (Mara Serena)
Day 8/9 - Serengeti - (Serengeti Serena)
Day 10/11 - Ngorongoro - (Ngorongoro Serena)
Day 12/13 - Tarangire - (Tarangire Treetops)
Day 14 - Nairobi - Fly Home
Approximate cost is 7500.00 per person (2 people)
In Kenya it is shared drives and in Tanzania it is a private guide.
My only hesitation is that it is all Serena lodges - are they different enough in each area that I will not feel like it is the same place over and over? Aside from this, I really like the route we are taking and the stops we are making.

I do need suggestions on airfare - since AAC has an air department - should I book through them or will I get a better rate if I book myself? And if I should book myself, does this make coordination a nightmare?
I also have questions about travel insurance - do I need a special policy for Africa? What are some of the better companies for this?

As always, thanks for any help.

I'm not sure why they have you going to both the Mara and the Serengeti, especially the central Serengeti. The Migration herds should be in the Mara (emphasis on "should" these days!) If it were me, I'd add two more days in the Mara and skip the Serengeti; both are part of the same ecosystem and it will take you a day or longer to get from one to the other, going back through Nairobi to Arusha and flying in to the Serengeti (can't just go across the border.) I haven't stayed in the Serena hotels; I prefer tented camps where available.

You might also see if you could fly in to Nairobi and out of Kilimanjaro (Arusha area airport), instead of going back to Nairobi. KLM has a daily flight out of Kili (JRO). Some of the larger safari planning companies like AAC have special contracted rates, but I know that you might find a better deal online. One safari company I know closed down their air department because of that. You can check rates at www.kayak.com. Nairobi is NBO and Kilimanjaro is JRO.

The cost for an (almost) "all Serena" lodge itinerary seems high at $7500/pp. Unless the very very costly price using Treetops at Tarangire is eating up most of that budget. And, the Serena in NBO for 1/nts sleep is a bit expensive... there are less costly options, i.e., Fairview or Macushla House. I believe you should have the option of both lodges and tented camps throughout unless you specifically asked for lodges, which is doesn't appear with Treetops in there.

I'm with ShayTay, asking why to the Central Serengeti? With the Migration in the Mara, that's where you should spend your time. Besides, I'm gathering on Day 8 you're flying from Mara via Wilson/NBO to Kili/JRO and connencting to flight to Seronera... you won't arrive till 3:30pm earliest... duh! And then only have 1/full day here. If driving between Mara and Central Serengeti, it will take 10/hrs and you won't arrive till almost dark.

You can certainly include Tanzania, with visiting Tarangire and Ngorongoro. And, when looking at flights, if using KLM you can fly into NBO and out of JRO (but know this flight heads to DAR before to AMSterdam and home).

Suggest itinerary look as:

Day 1- arrive Nairobi (Nairobi Serena) - consider Fairview or Macushla House
Day 2 - Signsteeing NBO - Blixen Museum, Giraffe Center, Sheldrick Ellee Orphanage - o/n
Day 3/4 - Fly to Amboseli (Amboseli Serena)
Day 5/6 - Fly to Samburu (Samburu Serena) - consider Larsen's Camp
Day 7/8/9 - Fly to the Mara - (Mara Serena) - consider a camp, there are many choices here at same price or better.
Day 10 - Fly to Wilson; fly to JRO; drive to Tarangire - o/n Treetops (beautiful, but way outside the park by 50/min and very expensive, you won't arrive till dark... it will have been a very very long day. Suggest you o/n in Arusha and have early start to Tarangire next morning to have 2/days.
Day 11/12 - Drive to Tarangire; consider Kikoti or Boundary Hill, both outside the park, but somewhat closer and less expensive than Treetops.
Day 13 - Drive to Ngorongoro; afternoon crater tour - o/n Sopa or Serena
Day 14 - Ngo - option: morning crater tour; drive to Arusha for day-room till transfeer to JRO for homebound or flight to NBO/JKIA for homebound flight.

You can certainly compare air (see: www.kayak.com ) with what AAC is offering. Only possible benefit of booking air thru AAC is that if something goes askew, they'll be responsible for fixing it.

Otherwise, most people book their own air and there is no "coordination" issue. You advise AAC your flight details and they arrange to have someone meet/greet and whatever else required.

For trip insurance, see Insuremytrip at www.insuremytrip.com.
There are offerings from Access America, Travel Guard, CSA, others.

The previous comments contain very good points.

You might even consider skipping the Serengeti and spending that time in the Mara in Sept. That could cut down on costs too. Sandi's example skips the Serengeti.

If your itinerary must include the Serengeti and you have no more than 14 days, then maybe going as far as central is all you have time for. To get to where the herds likely will be in the Serengeti in Sept, you'd need to go further north, which could take yet another day.

"Day 6/7 - Fly to the Mara - (Mara Serena)
Day 8/9 - Serengeti - (Serengeti Serena)"

I'd be interested in the logistics from the Mara to the Serengeti. Same question as ShayTay.

If you really want to get to the Serengeti on a once in a lifetime trip, though, I understand, and the existing itinerary would do it. I wanted to visit both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara on what I thought would be my only trip to Africa.

A day in NBO is not a bad idea and there are worthwhile and unique activities you can do. (See Sandi's suggestions) Plus it gives a buffer day for lost luggage to catch up with you and for you to catch up from jet lag.

For wildlife viewing, the areas near the entrance to Tarangire are often the best. Tarangire River Camp or Tarangire Tented Lodge are located there.

I'd choose Ol Tuaki in Amboseli, which is a lodge, but if you wanted to add more tented camps, you could try the more expensive Tortellis Camp.

I like Sopa in the crater for its own access road, but Serena is supposed to be a little nicer.

Two nights in the Mara in Sept is insufficient. Even four is not too much. Three is fine. When I scroll up, I see I mentioned that earlier.

Sticking with Serenas may allow some savings and that's why it was done. I wouldn't worry about them looking all alike. If you go to the Serena website, you can check out the places.

If you have an interest in Sheldricks and the Giraffe Center, I would pay the extra $$ and stay at Giraffe Manor. I stayed there 2 nts in Feb07 at the beginning of a Kenya/Tanzania trip and it was worth every penny. The giraffes were around most of the time (especially if they thought treats were in order). The stuck their heads in to take breakfast from the table, they came up to the front door and gently took offered treats and we had one reach way up to peek in our upper floor room both mornings we were there. We walked to the Giraffe Center, and the Manor arranged for transportation for us to Sheldrick's. The owners were very nice (they are not always there, sometimes there are caretakers), and the meals were delicious. I would go back in a heartbeat. Of course, the resident warthogs were my personal favorite! Giraffe Manor is not on AAC's normal list of hotels, but they gladly made all arrangements. AAC is fine with you questioning their itinerary choices, so I would definitely ask about some of the questions mentioned above.
Whatever you decide, you will have a fabulous trip.
Pat

Thanks for all the replies so far on this...
Ok - so let me clarify a few things
First of all I do have a budget that hovers right around 7500.

From the Mara to the Serengeti we are transferring at the Isebania border post. I was told this is a good 6 hour trip at least but since some of it is in parks, it is really part game drive as well. I was also told that this border crossing is a somewhat newer option with only certain hotel and camp groups able to offer???
I was told there was a price benefit to using all Serena and
I did ask about some tented camps but prices came back way out of my budget (the price jumped to just over 10,000/person using Mara Explorer and Sayari - this had us flying back from Mara to Nairobi and then to Kili, then to Serengeti).

I think they have me going to both Mara and Serengeti because we started with one of their standard itineraries and I didn't/don't know enough to question it. Maybe skipping the Serengeti is an option I would consider.
While I want this to be an amazing trip, if I do too much research I will always be second guessing myself and will not be able to enjoy it as I'll always wonder what if....and did I make the right choice.
As it is I am now freaking out a little and thinking maybe I am not really getting my money's worth...WHEW
I fell bad for Kyle who has to deal with my waffling and constant "what if we try this...." UGH
I'm now just about ready to call him and ask for yet another quote with some of the suggestions above.
Thanks,
Debbie

Mara to Serengeti via Isebania is more like 10 hours. Isebania is a normal official border post between Kenya and Tanzania (one of 4 I believe). Anyone can use this border post. There's nothing exclusive or special about it.

I wouldn't worry about asking for additional quotes with changes. That's what your TO is there for.

Even as an "all Serena" lodging itinerary, that $7500 seems high; it's that Treetops that's bring the price up up up! It's close to $700/person/nt at rack rates.

And, as Patty mentions in reply to your confirming that you'd be driving from Mara to Central Serengeti... 10/hrs. which I also mentioned in my earlier post.

Bye the way, who does AAC use as their ground operators in Kenya and Tanzania?

Actually - the 7500 is before the treetops when I include that it does go up to 8900 which is now staring to make me hyperventilate.
I don't know who they use as ground operators - I assume you are asking because it matters.
I tried to research them as I really just wanted one person to take care of and take ownership of my arrangements and it seemed as if they were reputable but now I am feeling a bit depressed over the whole thing :(

Don't be depressed! Did you get quotes from anyone else?

Even if you book directly with Kenyan/Tanzanian operators you can still have a single point of contact (though some people prefer to book separately) as most of them partner with an operator in the other country.

Don't get depressed, don't hyperventilate, and don't abandon your Africa plans. AAC is extremely reputable, but there are other companies too.

I know AAC sometimes use Origins in Kenya. This is a superb company with highly rated guides who also are exceptional birders in most cases. I've used them and they're outstanding. They are not a budget option.

Look at Lynda's index to get an idea of the variety of operators.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm

You could also let AAC know you'd like to use them but the current itinerary is not within your budget. They may have other options to offer you.

Good luck!

I used AAC in 2007 and the Kenya operator was Origins as atravelynn mentioned, and Ranger Safaris was the ground operator in Tanzania. Both were very good, no issues at all. Do not feel guilty about asking questions, many questions. I have yet to book one of the "standard itineraries", and just yesterday Andre mentioned that he was sure I would have some of my "famous questions" when I get my final docs this week! I would have AAC price just doing the Mara, you certainly will not be disappointed. If you are flying, driving, transferring too many times it can wear you out and put a damper on things. Staying one general area longer could be a much better option (unless you win the lotto and then the $$ won't matter). I have always justified the extra $$ by telling everyone, "but it is the trip of a lifetime!!" I have had many, many trips of a lifetime by now and I will probably have to work until I am 80. Oh, well...

Ranger was the TZ company I used through them as well.

Thanks guys - I have started to breathe normally again and I think I am going to take the advise above and relook at my itinerary again - I didn't get to call Kyle yesterday but will today and bounce all my ideas off of him.
I know it is good to comparison shop but I also just like to be able to pick someone after a little research and just go with it and know that I am not being taken for a ride.
Thanks atravelynn and scruffypuma, you made me feel much better and I really appreciate everyone's input even if it does freak me out sometimes!!!
I'll make sure I come back and let you know what my current plan is.
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I too am a EAfrica newbie and started research by reading reports last summer...some people may have thought I was crazy for thinking of Sept. 2010 in July 2009, but I have found out it is not too early.

I asked this forum and several different operators hundreds of questions; changed my mind dozens of times; second guessed every decision until finally I made a decision that did not wake me up in the middle of the night.

I realized I did not want to jump around alot but wanted to see at least two different areas of Kenya - North and Mara (would have liked to head down to Amboselli way but needed to keep to my budget and I was not passionate about going there)

and wanted to keep my budget at $7,500 p/p I am proud to say I have come in under that!
Here is my itinerary (The migration was very imp't in our planning)
US - AMS overnight, visit for a day or two
AMS - NBO o/n Macushula House
2nd day fly to Nanyuki; charter to Ol Malo (3 nights)

commitment ceremony with Samburu Tribes at Ol Malo - working on those details with Ol Malo

Fly to Mara:
SEVEN nights at Ngare Serian, with 2 at their mobile camp and then back to N.Serian - plenty of time, no rushing, and at Serian you have a private vehicle and guide and are able to determine what, when and how you want to proceed each day. That was very important to us. Canadian_Robin has a good report on her stay there and I visited a few other forums and found lovely reporting and pictures....

(pics are also extremely impt to me and I found that Sandi and Patti always take lodge/camp photos - thank you ladies!
They are both very good with logistics when you are confused
about distances, getting to and from, etc.

So,
From Mara back to Macushula; day trips around Karen; visit adopted elie at Sheldricks, etc.

l0 nights - plus a night coming in;and a night before we leave = 12! I am ready!

I do realize with that time many folks would jump around to different camps, but we did that in South Africa and it exhausted us; we got tired more easily - made friends and had to leave them...just wasn't us. and as you, we do like to hang out together...

We'll see how it goes, but I definitely would not have had the nerve to have planned and finalized this itinerary via emails and the internet if not for this forum -and all the experts - most here responding to your anxieties. Atravelynn, Lynda, Spassvogel, the aforementioned Sandi and Patti & Robin- they all know so much! (and a bunch more who I forget, but know when I read their posts!)

Now I can plan my spring trip in the states knowing I can pay for it!

GOOD Luck; I am sure you will come to a great decision. Your anxietes and worries will disappear and you will say - Ah ha, this is it!

FP

Congrats on finalizing your itinerary, FP, and under budget too!

Sorry, forgot to add-
My price does NOT include international air, nor hotels in AMS - just Kenya air and 2 charters, lodings,etc.
(In case you were price comparing)
Obviously Serian is one of the higher priced camps in Mara, so I would think with your $7,500 budget you'd go a lot further if you are not in that range.

Hi Patty,
and thanks!
Obviously the forum's participation made a huge impact on how I went about "working" the itinerary :)
If I had just taken the first pricing sent me; I wouldnt be going!
FP

Looks fantastic FlowerPower!