See you later! Off to Serian.
Jun 9th, 2008, 01:04 PM
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hari I was supposed to leave wednesday afternoon, so if i would not have come back earlier we would have had lunch together at Serian...you will love the soups, salads, and actually all the food is fantastic. I hope you will enjoy Serian as much as i do
Jun 9th, 2008, 02:13 PM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jenack and climbhighsleeplow,
Thanks for your replies. We would like to stay in the Masai Mara area for 4 nights. Staying in one place is preferable and the private vehicle is certainly enticing. We are looking at being in the Masai Mara early to mid August 2009. Will most of the migration still be coming in from Tanzania? If the answer is yes should we split our stay with 2 nights Serian and 2 nights maybe Rekero or Naibor inside the masai mara? There are so many options which makes it difficult to choose but I am having fun researching and planning our trip.
Thanks again and cheers Georgie
Thanks for your replies. We would like to stay in the Masai Mara area for 4 nights. Staying in one place is preferable and the private vehicle is certainly enticing. We are looking at being in the Masai Mara early to mid August 2009. Will most of the migration still be coming in from Tanzania? If the answer is yes should we split our stay with 2 nights Serian and 2 nights maybe Rekero or Naibor inside the masai mara? There are so many options which makes it difficult to choose but I am having fun researching and planning our trip.
Thanks again and cheers Georgie
Jun 10th, 2008, 03:51 AM
#24
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was there in September, and the migration was in the Mara and all the way up to Serian. I did the nights in Serian, then fly camp, and I also stayed at Rekero, another fantastic camp, but climbhighsleeplow, who actually advised me on and booked the Kenya part of my safari, can better advise you on what to do in early August.
bg
bg
Jun 16th, 2008, 02:58 AM
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello All,
IN Nairobi waiting for my flight in a couple of hours. Popped in here to say hello.
Serian was superb! One of the most flexible camps I have been to. Accent is on flexibility and is a very relaxed place. Camp atmosphere about the best! I was WOwed right from the moment I got into camp. No tiresome Indemnity forms to sign, no tiresome guideline descriptions of dos and donts, No Schedules that treat you like a college freshman and Most importantly - emphasis on the bush. Like mentioned before - Private vehicle provided to every party, yet can't emphasize the accent on flexibility enough ....
Gameviewing very good. I was fortunate enough to meet someone who is part of the Mara conservancy and they were generous to offer to take me out for the day yesterday inside the traingle area of the Mara. In those plains close to the Serena/Mara Conservancy office ..... we saw 4 different cheetah. Then on the drive out of there with my Serian guide and Spotter, saw another HUGE male cheetah patrolling his territory. What a sunday, eh?
The Loita Wilde herds are all over the plains near the Serian side right now. Why that wing of the migration doesnt get any press, I have no idea? Maybe no major crossings?
Had almost all sightings to myself. At most, one other vehicle at a few sightings. One exception being 4 vehicles - a rare privelege (courting pair of Black Rhino). That was up by Rhino Ridge area.
I got the feeling, the triangle area and Talek are sublime gameviewing areas all in all. Rhino Ridge very good also.
Fortunately, Serian has the flexibility of a mobile camp location at both Talek and Triangle. Good to combine that with Serian camp. That might be what I want to do.
All in all, a great trip! Anyone going to the Mara now (Nyamera, reading this?) you will have a great trip - not many cars around, gameviewing good and brilliant weather right now.
Anyone going to Serian soon? You will have a great time. Isaac is a perfect host and the couple, Nico and Pauli just got back from their off-season break!
Cheers
Hari
IN Nairobi waiting for my flight in a couple of hours. Popped in here to say hello.
Serian was superb! One of the most flexible camps I have been to. Accent is on flexibility and is a very relaxed place. Camp atmosphere about the best! I was WOwed right from the moment I got into camp. No tiresome Indemnity forms to sign, no tiresome guideline descriptions of dos and donts, No Schedules that treat you like a college freshman and Most importantly - emphasis on the bush. Like mentioned before - Private vehicle provided to every party, yet can't emphasize the accent on flexibility enough ....
Gameviewing very good. I was fortunate enough to meet someone who is part of the Mara conservancy and they were generous to offer to take me out for the day yesterday inside the traingle area of the Mara. In those plains close to the Serena/Mara Conservancy office ..... we saw 4 different cheetah. Then on the drive out of there with my Serian guide and Spotter, saw another HUGE male cheetah patrolling his territory. What a sunday, eh?
The Loita Wilde herds are all over the plains near the Serian side right now. Why that wing of the migration doesnt get any press, I have no idea? Maybe no major crossings?
Had almost all sightings to myself. At most, one other vehicle at a few sightings. One exception being 4 vehicles - a rare privelege (courting pair of Black Rhino). That was up by Rhino Ridge area.
I got the feeling, the triangle area and Talek are sublime gameviewing areas all in all. Rhino Ridge very good also.
Fortunately, Serian has the flexibility of a mobile camp location at both Talek and Triangle. Good to combine that with Serian camp. That might be what I want to do.
All in all, a great trip! Anyone going to the Mara now (Nyamera, reading this?) you will have a great trip - not many cars around, gameviewing good and brilliant weather right now.
Anyone going to Serian soon? You will have a great time. Isaac is a perfect host and the couple, Nico and Pauli just got back from their off-season break!
Cheers
Hari
Jun 16th, 2008, 04:09 AM
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To add to the above - there are two camps, Serian main camp and Ngare Serian. 8 and 4 tents each...... Main is my pick as it has more of a bush feel. Canvas tents with zips, a little bit of a walk from your look-out deck to the bath room at the back. Another refreshing difference .... lanterns, very nice feel to it.
I mention all of the above, simply because of the recent changes in other countries.
Food - very good. Maybe the best camp food anywhere in Africa. It just shows, that if there is fresh, wholesome, good quality ingrediants you don't need to prepare any pretentious meals. Lots of salads at lunch, amongst the best in the world I have eaten. Yet, as mentioned simple and elegant and absolutely nothing pretentious.
What you won't find at Serian are wooden walkways/High Teas/Long siesta hours (unless you want that), schedules dictated to you or any other mundane standardized details ....
All in all - Serian joins my very short list of favourite places that I wish to return to! You know what the others are
Cheers
Hari
I mention all of the above, simply because of the recent changes in other countries.
Food - very good. Maybe the best camp food anywhere in Africa. It just shows, that if there is fresh, wholesome, good quality ingrediants you don't need to prepare any pretentious meals. Lots of salads at lunch, amongst the best in the world I have eaten. Yet, as mentioned simple and elegant and absolutely nothing pretentious.
What you won't find at Serian are wooden walkways/High Teas/Long siesta hours (unless you want that), schedules dictated to you or any other mundane standardized details ....
All in all - Serian joins my very short list of favourite places that I wish to return to! You know what the others are
Cheers
Hari
Jun 16th, 2008, 10:05 AM
#32
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very good report, Hari!
Your timing was good for the unknown Loita herds and I am happy Serian shined as always!
With David's help I am trying to figure out the Loita movements (including the birth and rut areas).
Your timing was good for the unknown Loita herds and I am happy Serian shined as always!
With David's help I am trying to figure out the Loita movements (including the birth and rut areas).
Jun 16th, 2008, 11:35 AM
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello again - still at airports, although this time in DBX.
some answers -
Jenack - sorry. The only guide and spotter I met was my own team of them. Have passed on the message to Isaac.
Bill - Mara is still very quiet. The only crowded section appears to be that from Kitchwa Tembo. It has been hard scheduling transfers out of Musiara airstrip as many camps used KT's airstrip yesterday. No safari taxi's or combis anywhere ........ even the Serena section was very quiet. At Serian camp itself, they expect things to pick up from Mid-july and onwards into the High season. Lots of the cars are watching Lions mating up and down the triangle. There should be lots of cubs in the months ahead. The Marsh pride have lots of cubs at the moment. Saw them a couple of days ago very close to the Musiara gate.
Rizzuto - I hear very good things about Rekero Tented. Everyone I spoke with, mention that their accent on guiding standards is pretty strong.
Eben- Loved the Mara. Really stunning gameviewing. I realize that if the guides know where to drive to, there is still plenty of room for good gameviewing away from the taxis and the like. I certainly will return to the Mara - really I could have stayed all day at many sightings without any disturbances ....... That Rhino Ridge section was pretty productive for game also. Besides the Rhinos, on a different day spent the whole morning with a female cheetah. On the Rhino day, saw a pride of 5 on the move!
Alejandra - Isaac says hello and looks forward to your visit later in the year. Yes, I loved Serian!
some answers -
Jenack - sorry. The only guide and spotter I met was my own team of them. Have passed on the message to Isaac.
Bill - Mara is still very quiet. The only crowded section appears to be that from Kitchwa Tembo. It has been hard scheduling transfers out of Musiara airstrip as many camps used KT's airstrip yesterday. No safari taxi's or combis anywhere ........ even the Serena section was very quiet. At Serian camp itself, they expect things to pick up from Mid-july and onwards into the High season. Lots of the cars are watching Lions mating up and down the triangle. There should be lots of cubs in the months ahead. The Marsh pride have lots of cubs at the moment. Saw them a couple of days ago very close to the Musiara gate.
Rizzuto - I hear very good things about Rekero Tented. Everyone I spoke with, mention that their accent on guiding standards is pretty strong.
Eben- Loved the Mara. Really stunning gameviewing. I realize that if the guides know where to drive to, there is still plenty of room for good gameviewing away from the taxis and the like. I certainly will return to the Mara - really I could have stayed all day at many sightings without any disturbances ....... That Rhino Ridge section was pretty productive for game also. Besides the Rhinos, on a different day spent the whole morning with a female cheetah. On the Rhino day, saw a pride of 5 on the move!
Alejandra - Isaac says hello and looks forward to your visit later in the year. Yes, I loved Serian!
Jun 16th, 2008, 11:47 AM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lynn made a reference to the Aitong plains in the North the other day. I was told that they do see cheetah from time to time up there. I found that Aitong area pretty unappealing. Lots of cattle and their bomas up there. I don't see how the predators are going to get up there in the day time? Yet, there is a rocky section with some semi-thick bush and we saw a leopard cub while it's mother was probably out hunting.
Jun 16th, 2008, 11:56 AM
#37
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Hari
Glad you had a good time and great trip report. Pleased to see the Mara did not disappoint. To those who are thinking going, this really must be the best time ever to get quality time at sightings.
Did you manage to go to the Aitong Hills area where we were lucky with leopard and cheetah (both with cubs) back in February ?
Phil
Glad you had a good time and great trip report. Pleased to see the Mara did not disappoint. To those who are thinking going, this really must be the best time ever to get quality time at sightings.
Did you manage to go to the Aitong Hills area where we were lucky with leopard and cheetah (both with cubs) back in February ?
Phil
Jun 16th, 2008, 12:01 PM
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, All .....
Phil - Maybe the Masai move their cattle from time to time? Aitong right now was full of cattle. Not far from Serian was an open plains area with short grass plains called 5Kilometre plains and there were thousands of tommies. I'm sure cheetah are bound to be around. i just didn't see any outside the actual park.
Yes, as mentioned above a leopard cub in Aitong around that rocky outcrop.
Forget to mention - the sounds of the free flowing Mara river at night from the tent. Amongst the best settings in Africa, easily. Also love that suspended bridge to walk from main camp to Ngare. On my first two days, there were some American travellers staying there, so Isaac thought we should all eat together over there. That bon fire area on the deck right in front of the Mara river is stunning .....
Phil - Maybe the Masai move their cattle from time to time? Aitong right now was full of cattle. Not far from Serian was an open plains area with short grass plains called 5Kilometre plains and there were thousands of tommies. I'm sure cheetah are bound to be around. i just didn't see any outside the actual park.
Yes, as mentioned above a leopard cub in Aitong around that rocky outcrop.
Forget to mention - the sounds of the free flowing Mara river at night from the tent. Amongst the best settings in Africa, easily. Also love that suspended bridge to walk from main camp to Ngare. On my first two days, there were some American travellers staying there, so Isaac thought we should all eat together over there. That bon fire area on the deck right in front of the Mara river is stunning .....
