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!