Help! My TA has suggested Richard's Camp for a 3-4 night stay. Does anyone out there know anything about this camp? Thanks!

They have a very nice web site
http://www.richardscamp.com/
What is pppn rate?

regards- tom

pppn = per person per night

yeah, ok, so what is the pppn rate at Richard's Camp???????

regards - tom

Rates and images here: http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/richards.htm

Richard's is a lovely camp, with only 6/large traditional tents; great guides and outstanding meals. One of the nicest boutique shops with many unique items and surprisingly, great prices.

As to costs, there are special reduced (10%) prices for bookings (up to 3/days; then 30% from 4th nt or more) made by 31st March for travel thru 19th December '09. Also, no single supplements, and 1/child under 16/yrs free with paid adults.

The current rack rates at Richard's for hi-season is at $595/pppn; mid-season at $495/pppn, including FB, beverages/alcohol (except champagne), night game drives, bush walks, laundry. There's also the daily park fees. I'm sure your agent will get a better price and then the discount.

When will you be traveling.

richard's is also marketed by www.chelipeacock.com
maybe you contact them directly.
i think they are prepared to negotiate.

just try.

would be nice to learn what they came up with.

div

Should've mentioned its location. See map:

http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mar...a2007Nov20.jpg

Note that this camp is set in the north-west zone of the greater Mara.

For the best safari that suits YOUR needs, you have to consider several factors of which price is only one.

Time of year, willingness to share game drives, standard game drive circuit areas, driving distances to major wildlife concentrations, park fees when entering adjacent land, walking and night activities, cultural activities, and so on.

Basically, when are you going and what is your main reason for going to the Mara?

right...
disadvantages when staying in a conservancy:
- either pay only when visiting the reserve additionally to the coservancy fee which is 40$ (+60$ Massai mara reserve fee)
- when going to the crossing points from a conservancy it's a loooong way.

some camps charge a sum of let's say 75/80$pppd conservancy/reserve fee but guests are entitled to only visit the reserve every 3 or so days. so info on richard's fee-policy should be requested

advantages:
- conduct night drives
- see something other besides the animals in the reserve which can be a bonus - camps located within the reserve don't visit conservancy - at least that i am aware of.
- few gamedrive vehicles

and some consider it an advantage when tracks are not to be left - as it should be the case in the reserve.

div

Richard's has two camps. His permenant camp, and a fly camp near Talek. The fly camp is now being surrounded by other camps with fencing, and looks ugly. Game near the permenant camp would not be as plentiful as in the park.

Also do you want to pay two entry fee's a day (Masai Mara and Conservancy)? If you want night drives, stay in the Mara for the game, and hen go to another private ranch which allows night drives.

In the Mara, Governors Camps, Mara Intrepids/Explorer are great camps with very good game around.

If you have 4/nts, you might want to spend 2/nts at a camp inside the Reserve/Triangle (Kichwa Tembo, Governor's, Intrepids... others) and 2/nts at Richard's or other on the private group ranches (for night activities and bush walks). Transfer between the two would be by road, at a fee which varies depending on distance

Ask your TA if they know anything about Ngare Serian. Simply outstanding, walks, night drives, tree houses, fly camps along the Talek and Mara rivers, an all inclusive rate, excellent guiding and food to match.