TravelBeyond

Hi Plambers,

I think the 4 nights Sosian, 4 nights Offbeat Mara combo that Chalo Africa pitched to you is a stunning option. They have promotional rates during June/shoulder season such as pay 6, stay 7 in a combination of their 2 camps. That’s for 2016, but I suggest you reach out to see if they can honor that special for 2017. The lovely thing about Sosian, as another poster indicated, is that they have heaps of activities. You will also see some “northern species” there that don’t exist in the Mara plus some great and upclose encounters with wild dogs (they are collared at Sosian for research reasons). You can also participate in things like outdoor “sleep outs” which will certainly add to your experience.

Offbeat Mara is a great little camp in Mara North Conservancy. If you can make a specific request to have David guide you, I think he is brilliant (I met him in San Diego on his first visit to the US). All guides at Offbeat Mara come from the local Koiyaki Guiding School which takes local Masai and train/educate them to becoming naturalist guides. Offbeat is a great outfit.

If you are interested in another idea, I suggest you check out Spekes Camp in the Mara Reserve. Tucked away in a more discreet location near Mara North in the Reserve proper, Spekes offers stunning value at $440/person/night. 2 huge benefits to Spekes: 1) they offer private vehicle and guide per tent (at Offbeat, you’d share a game drive with up to 6 people per vehicle) and they also have a pay 3, stay 4 promotion. The value of Spekes is undeniable. You can combine Spekes with any number of options in Laikipia (you can still retain Sosian – you don’t have to do a circuit with one lodge chain, although there may be some financial benefit to a long stay special). By the time you travel, the new Loisaba Tented Camp will be up and running which may be worth a gander if it isn’t on your radar yet. Sabuk is also another good one and under the same portfolio as Spekes (New Africa Territories) so you may be eligible for more promotional rates if you combine the two. Meru is also lovely – vast and remote. In short, there are no shortages of great places to combine with the Mara experience.

Good luck in your safari planning!

Sincerely yours,
Kota Tabuchi – Managing Director: Africa – Travel Beyond

plambers

Kota, thanks. I am just torn w Sosian bc although I love all the things to do, I am concerned I won't see as many animals. The camel safari does sound good. WE don't need the pool in late June do we? I am also considering other locals in the Laikipia conservancies for more animal viewing and the chimp and rhino rehabs.

Speeches cannot operate on the conservancy so we'd have to go into the NP. Is this an issue?

I will be sure to check out your other options. Thanks

Homeview, I think I agree with you. Alot of work to fly to Amoboseli for only 2 nights. Will try for Samburu, Mara and Laikipia. Other option is to add more time to Mara and just choose one more spot (most likely Laikipia.) Thoughts here?

plambers

Ol Pejeta or Sosian-that is the question? We will be with young teens for about 10 day safari. Laikipia would be our first stop-chould it be moved to middle for a safari break?

samcat

marking for reference.

Patty

You might want to post on safaritalk or PM safaridude about game viewing on Sosian vs other Laikipia ranches. You may not use a pool much in higher elevation areas such as the Mara and Laikipia in late June but you might want one in Samburu which is at lower elevation. Are you still thinking of a few nights at the beach? I was going to suggest shifting those nights to safari and picking a place with different activities. Of course, safari nights generally cost more.

plambers

Hi Patty. Beach is off-we have some pretty nice beaches here and it seems a shame to waste the safari time. I am thinking Sosian might be good for a bit of a change but need to see if I can get it in middle.

I also like the Porini but there is no laundry at the 3 camps so might add Sosian in the middle there too for laundry.

KathBC

It's unfortunate to have to stay one night at a non Porini camp just for laundry and I wish Porini would start offering the service.

I understand they're concerned about leaving a small footprint on the environment however it has made me strongly re-think choosing them for Oct 2016 even tho I agree with their whole concept.

Clean clothing daily is important to me and probably those that I'm sharing the vehicle with!! And besides who goes on safari to do laundry??!!

plambers

KathBC, I am with you. And packing so lightly to accommodate the weight limits for 12 days will be tough.

There are certain creature comforts I do enjoy.