Safari questions
 

Am going on safari to Kenya in Sept. of 2007. I have several questions regarding my intinerary.

1. Has anyone ever stayed at Delta Crescent Camp in the Lake Bogoria/Mount Elgon area? I cannot find any information about this camp on the internet or on any of the Fodor's forums.

2. Has anyone stayed at the Bamburi Beach Hotel in Mombassa? If so, would you recommend it?

3. Finally, has anyone ever taken the "Lunatic Express" from Nairobi to Mombassa and if so would you recommend the second class compartments over first? I read an article which stated that second class was much roomier than first.

All other accommodations for this trip are just great.

Lake Bogoria and Mt Elgon aren't really the same area. Lake Bogoria is in the rift valley and Mt Elgon is on the western border of Kenya with Uganda.

It sounds like Delta Crescent camp is used for climbing Mt Elgon, but I couldn't locate any information about the camp either.

You're right Patty. My mistake. We are driving from Lake Bogoria to Lake Baringo and then via VITALE to Mount Elgon.

You may be right about the camp just being for climbing although we will drive up to 3000M with a 4x4.

I'm thinking about maybe eliminating this part of the itinerary as although I would like to see the elephant caves, I understand they are also flled with bats.

Hi Khori,
Delta Crescent Camp has no working website, but it’s mentioned at other websites and it’s in the Lonely Planet guide. The website should be www.dcfelgonsafaris.com

What’s wrong with bats?

The 2006 LP guide says:
<b>Delta Crescent Farm</b> (0722-2489317; camping Ksh 200, tw with shared bathroom incl breakfast Ksh 2000)
Conveniently located between Endebess and Chorlim gate, this farm has three huge areas for campers and three basic, clean thatched bandas. Four-person and 12-person rental tents are also available for Ksh800 and Ksh2000 respectively (plus camping fees). The communal bathrooms have gargantuan shower heads and decent toilets. The owners keep horses (riding per hour Ksh600) and there is even a small “wildlife sanctuary” (admission Ksh100) with imported giraffes and zebras. Transfers to Chorlim gate and Kitale are available (Ksh 1500 per vehicle) as are 4WD tours of the park.

Thanks Nyamera for the link. I love this forum because there are so mnay helpful, knowledgable persons contributing information.

To answer your question, &quot;what's wrong with bats?&quot;, they remind me of vampires. I guess I watched too many monster movies as a child.

Khori,
I like bats, but I detest vampires. As I child I kept garlic in my room to keep them away.
I suggest you absolutely not read The Hot Zone by Richard Preston before visiting Kitum Cave.

Nyamera, now you've peaked my interest in the book. Incidentaly, I think keeping garlic in your room would keep more than the vampires away.

I meant I got the impression that it's a camp used for climbing trips because I saw it listed in itineraries that involved climbs. I really have no idea.

Are you going just to see the caves? What would you do instead if you skipped Mt Elgon?

Interesting that you should ask that question. I did decide to replace that part of my intinerary and it was suggested by the tour company that I replace the two nights at Mt. Elgon with a one night stay at Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary and a night at Lake Naivasha and then proceed with the rest of the itinerary.

Patty,

just to clarify my last post. It will be Sweetwaters and Lake Naivasha but not in that order. I am going to Mombassa and Lake Naivasha will be just before my train ride to Mombassa.

What does your whole itinerary look like now, just curious?

My son and I have opted for a 15 day cultural/game safari so some of the places are off the beaten track but here it is as of now.

SWEETWATERS, FOLLOWED BY ABERDARE, LAKES BARINGO AND BOGORIA, KAKAMEGA, KISUMU, MASAI MARA, LAKE NAIVASHA, MOMBASA.

We might change several of the places where we are staying like Treetops in Aberdares to Mt. Kenya Safari Club and maybe upgrade to Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa. No selection has been made yet for Lake Naivasha. We will be staying at:

SWEETWATERS GAME SANCTUARY
TREETOPS
LAKE BOGORIA HOTEL
LAKE BARINGO CLUB
RONDO RETREAT
IMPERIAL HOTEL
MARA FIG TREE CAMP
BAMBURI BEACH HOTEL