We are planning on taking a safari at this time (only time available from work) and have planned on visiting Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater based on early research. Any comments or recommendations here? We are most interested in the game drives and photo ops. Also, we have been getting really good prices from Sardius Tours. Anyone have any experience with them? Any help here is certainly appreciated. We have been reading posts for a month or so and figured it was time to jump in! Thanks!

Since you are going to Maasai Mara already (which is basically Serengeti-in-Kenya) I'd suggest skipping Serengeti in Tz and instead visiting Tarangire, Ngorongoro and maybe a night at Lake Manyara. These are within a few hours drive of each other but each is uniquely different from the other two. Our guides told us that at the peak of the dry season (which is when you're going) Tarangire often has better game-viewing than Serengeti since animals are drawn to the river. It's especially good for elephants.

Bill

Bill,

Thank you. We are definitely going to Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara (looking at a 15 day tour), but we will also look into Tarangire. The wife loves elephants!

Jay

... and you can certainly, over 15-days, visit more than the Mara in Kenya. There's Samburu, Meru, the Laikipia area, Amboseli (though if visiting Tarangire and/or Samburu) can pass on Amboseli.

What is Sardius Tours offering - reserves/parks, accommodations (tent camps or lodges), number of days at each, means of transport between parks and countries, etc. Post the itinerary. What is your estimated budget?

Sandi,

I got three references for Sardius and the only negative was that their vehicles are a little older, but still comfortable with pop-up roofs and solid 4X4 (Land Cruisers). We had them design a custom tour for the two of us and have since asked to add Tarangire instead of the Serengeti - was told no problem would substitute on day 9 and 10 for same price. This is the original reply from the operator. My budget is flexible, but I don't see the sense in paying a premium when I can get the same lodges through these folks for about $1500 less than I've found anywhere. I'm still checking. Itinerary:

15 DAYS KENYA / TANZANIA COMBINED SAFARI
Samburu Safaris, Masai Mara Safaris, Amboseli Safaris, Lake Naivasha,
Masai Mara Safaris,Ngorongoro Crater Safaris, Serengeti, Safaris and
Lake Manyara Safaris.

BIGGEST WORLDS ANIMAL MIGRATION SAFARI-SERENGETI & MAASAI MARA

Day 1 Nairobi
You are met at the airport and transfered to Fairview Hotel for Dinner
and Overnight.

Day 2 Nairobi/Samburu
Drive through the coffee plantations crossing the equator at Nanyuki
and mount Kenya to Samburu national Park arriving in time for Lunch.
After lunch, take an afternoon game drive. All meals and dinner at Samburu
Shaba Lodge/Samburu Sopa Lodge.websites www.sarovahotels.com and
www.sopalodges.com]

Day 3 Samburu National Park
Early morning and afternoon game viewing in search of the big fine, you
will view other animals like the giraffe Gerenuk and leopards. Dinner &
overnight at the Samburu Shaba Lodge/Samburu Sopa Lodge[websites
www.sarovahotels.com and www.sopalodges.com]

Day 4 Samburu
After breakfast drive south to Treetop at the base hotel for lunch. In
the afternoon drive in clubs vehicles to the national park.You will
view the game animals including the Elephant, Zebra, Graceful Gerenuk,
Cheetah and many others.All meals and Overnight Treetops Hotel/ The Ark
Hotel.
[www.abedaresafarihotels.com and www.fairmont.com]

Day 5 Tree Hotel/ Amboseli National Park
After breakfast at 07.00 hrs transfer to base hotel for transfer to
Narobi arriving on time for lunch. In the afternoon drive to Amboseli
national park via Namanga border arriving early evening. Game drive and
viewing entoute to the Lodge .Dinner & overnight at the Amboseli Sopa
Lodge.[www.sopalodges.com]

Day 6 Amboseli – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast at 07.00 hrs early morning game viewing and drive to
Namanga border and cross into the beautiful land of Mt Kilimanjaro
(Tanzania) Lunch at Arusha. In the afternoon drive to ngorongoro crater.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge lodge/ Ngorongoro Sopa
Lodge.

Day 7 Ngorongoro Crater
Breakfast at the lodge. Depart with picnic for a full day crater tour.
Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge lodge/ Ngorongoro
Sopa Lodge.


Day 8 Ngorongoro/ Serengeti National Park
After breakfast at 07.30 hrs visit the Olduvai gorge famous for its
early man’s archaeological deposits en-route to the worlds renowned
Serengeti National park.Lunch at a lodge. Afternoon game viewing drive.
Dinner & overnight at the Serengeti Sopa lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge.

Day 9 Serengeti National Park
Morning & afternoon game viewing and drive in search of the big five.
All meals and overnight at the Serengeti Sopa lodge/Serengeti Serena
Lodge

Day 10 Serengeti / Lake Manyara
After breakfast drive to lake Manyara serena lodge for lunch. Afternoon
game drive in lake Manyara National park famous for its tree climbing
lions.Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Hotel.

Day 11 Lake Manyara/Nairobi
Breakfast at 07.00 hrs drive to Arusha for lunch afterwards transfer to
Namanga border onwards to Nairobi, in the early evening. Dinner &
overnight at Fairview hotel/Hotel Boulevard in Nairobi.

Day 12 Nairobi / Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast at 08.00 hrs,drive north through the great Escapement
to lake Nakuru National park. This lake is refered to as the pink lake
due to its large number of pink flamingoes .Afternoon game drive.You
will see other animals like the rare white rhinos.Dinner & overnight at
lake Nakuru lodge/ Sarova Lion Hill.[www.lakenakurulodge.com and
www.sarovahotels.com

Day 13 Lake Nakuru/ Masai Mara
Breakfast at 07.00 hrs. Then drive Southwards via Narok town to the
Masai mara National reserve arriving in the time for lunch. Afternoon game
viewing drive in this most Kenyas finest game reserve. This reserve
borders the famous serengeti park in Tanzania.Dinner and Overnight at Mara
Sopa Lodge/Mara Sarova Lodge [www.sopalodges.com and
www.sarovahotels.com]


Day 14 Masai Mara national park.

Full day with morning and afternoon game viewing and drives.You will
have a chance to see and photograph the big five.Elephants
,Buffalos,Rhinos,Cheeters are in plenty.All meals and overnight at Mara Sarova
lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge.[www.sopalodges.com
and www.sarovahotels.com]


Day 15 Masai Mara/Nairobi

After breakfast at 06.30 hrs drive to Nairobi arriving in time for
lunch at the Carnivore restaurant and proceed to Bomas of Kenya for a fine
tune of cultural & traditional dance. Farewell dinner at the carnivore
restaurant then transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for
your home fight.

End of Services.

Price : US$ 2,940 per person sharing Min. 2 pax

Please note: Guaranteed departure in August 2006.

Price includes

The above price includes:
1. All game park entrance fees
2. Transport based on a Safari Vehicle in the game parks,
3. Services of a qualified and experienced English speaking tour
driver/guide
4. Fullboard accommodation in lodges based on double/twin sharing
5. Three meals a day throughout the safari.
6. All vehicle park entrance fees.
7. Bottled water for use during the safari
8. Drivers allowance
9. Airport transfers

Not included:
- International air transportation to and from Nairobi
- Expenses of personal nature such as visas, travel/baggage insurance,
laundry,beverages.

"Day 6/7 Ngorongoro Crater Breakfast at the lodge ... overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge lodge/ Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge."

From this it sounds like they will put you in either the Wildlife Lodge or the Sopa, their choice ... I would <b>strongly</b> urge you to firmly request in writing in advance that you get the Sopa in this case. The drivers I've used all tell me the Wildlife lodges cause them many problems for poor service and occasionally bad food, plus the Sopa is alone on the far side of the crater and offers easier access to the floor. I think the rack rate is almost double at the Sopa so it's hard to believe they would put you there instead of the WL lodge if they have the choice.

Overall you got a very good price, but I'm not familiar with most of the lodges.

Bill

You're zigzagging all over both countries. Starting in Kenya, then to Tanzania and back to Kenya. No reason for this.

The Day 5 driving from Treetops at Aberdare to Amboseli will take most of the day; then staying only 1-day at Amboseli at a lodge way outside the park the farthest from the Namanga border.

Then Day 6 driving from Sopa at Amboseli to Ngorongoro another full day on the road.

Day 11 Lake Manyara to Nairobi is another long day of driving - overnighting in NBO!

I would recommend as direct a route as possible:
Day 1 - Arv. Kenya - o/n NBO
Day 2 - Morning visit Sheldrick Orphanage, lunch at Carnivore, drive to Mt. Kenya - o/n Serena MountainLodge or to Amberdares - o/n Treetops or the Ark
Day 3 - Drive to Samburu - o/n
Day 4 - Samburu
Day 5 - Drive to Lake Nakuru (it'll be long, but instead of 1/nt, the following full day)
Day 6 - Lake Nakuru
Day 7 - Drive to the Masai Mara (its a long 5-6/hrs on lousy roads);
alternative, early departure to NBO, and fly 3pm to Masai Mara - o/n
Day 8 - Masai Mara
Day 9 - Masai Mara
Day 10 - Fly from Mara via NBO, drive to Amboseli
Day 11 - Amboseli
Day 12 - Drive via Namanga border via Arusha to Tarangire
Day 13 - Tarangire
Day 14 - Drive to Ngorongoro
Day 15 - Drive to Arusha - day-room, depart from Kilimanjaro (JRO); or fly 1:45pm from Arusha to NBO; day-room; fly home from NBO.
Another alternative, when arriving Arusha return to NBO on the 2pm bus. However, depending on your homebound flight departure time, and bus schedules being uncertain you may be cutting it close.

The flights add a bit to your price, but well worth the time saving and added game viewing. And, it's smooth transition from place to place.

I concur with Sandi. Also when you have intinerary decided shop around to various tour operators. I found lowest prices for our trip were African Serendipity, Southern Cross and Eastern and Southern. Good luck,

Kevin (leaving California for Kenya tomorrow)

I am also considering Sardius. Felix Ndunda is very responsive by email and offers a great priced 9 day lodge safari. Any previous experience or knowledge of him or Sardius (since I will be paying before I even know if they exist). His customer references check out well as also his membership in the wildlife society and ASTD (American Society of Travel Agents). I would like to book with them, but I would feel much more comfortable with some true independent references. Please reply with any comments. Thanks

We stayed at the Samburu Sopa lodge and it was brand new last July. If you go to Samburu, visit the Samburu community school and bring school supplies. The head teacher, Mr. George Ekwang would appreciate any donations. Also, the children only eat lunch two times a week at school. A visit would be worthwhile and appreciated.

JAYINTX
I haven't stayed in many of the Kenya lodges however I concur with Bill try and stay in Ngorongoro Sopa instead of the Wildlife Lodge In my opinion it is far better
also as a matter of interest the lodge at lake Manyara is owned by the same company as the Ngororgoro Wildlife lodge
Both have the best views of either location
generally speaking the Serena lodges are better followed by Sopa and then the Wildlife lodges
BUT this is all a matter of opinion
the Sopa lodges in Kenya have the same owner as Tanzania so you would expect a similiar standard
It seems you are happy with the company and the price is good
I would ask them for references from clients who have travelled with them and
maybe with a few of the suggested itinerary changes go with them
after you have paid your deposit ask them to fax you the confirmation slip with deposit paid for the various lodges then you are sure where you are staying
Try and get the Fairview instead of the Boulvarde on day 11 however

Thanks for the advice on the lodges and game parks. I have updated my potential itinery. I am still waiting for additional comments on Sardius. They seem great on paper (internet and via email). Anyone have personal experience or know of them?

If you want my true opinion I would get of this board.
Mark

I and my wife had a wonderful 14 days Kenya and Tanzania Safari with Sardius Tours.I Never knew if my dream safari would be a reality upon arrival at the airport in Nairobi. I was afraid to arrive and find no traces of any one waiting for me there.All of a sudden there was a paging board inscripted my name correctly and aimed straight to it and Felix himself was holding the Sardius Tours board .What a beautiful reception. The tour with Sardius Tours was excellent for the guides were knowledgeable.They know the guiding pretty well.Accomodation was good too.I would recommend any traveller to try their services for no regrets at all.

Thank you Humphrey. That is my exact situation. I appreciate your information and recommendation and will book with Sardius. I am sorry if we offended Mark, the previous blogger, but after all, this board started off with JAYINTX specifically asking about this safari company. My wife and I will be booking it soon and will be leaving in October Thank you very much and also the previous posters for your perspectives on the lodges.

We have just booked our safari for September 26 through October 7 and thanks to the posts on this site we will be staying mostly at Sopas and Serenas in Amboseli, Samburu and Maasai Mara. (Serenas are more expensive) Also, the Lake Nakuru Lion Hill and the Treetops in Abadares. The cost of the safari itself seems to be holding, but there are other costs for each of us ($150 for travel insurance, $200 for Yellow Fever and Typhoid shots and the ($50) Visa. Are there any other major costs (besides tips, souvenirs and meals in Nairobi) to prepare for?

Tetanus. Also Hep A is strongly recommended (even over Thyphoid) and of course, your malaria meds.

Picture development if you wish to have hard copies to document your trip.

This assumes you already have a decent 8x or greater optical zoom camera or at least a 200 mm lens.

Thanks:
Sandy -- absolutely correct. I did not mention Hep A, Typhoid, or even Polio, as well as Malaria (Malerone) because they are covered by my HMO (Oxford). But they are all highly recommended.

Atravelynn -- good advice -- we have a zoom digital camera and are taking extra rechargeable batteries and memory cards.

Did we mention the addiction for life expense?