i am only a veteran of one safari to tanzania a few years ago, and am thinking of planning something for 2009 or 2010. my funds are limited, and i am thinking of heading to kenya.

would it be a good plan to concentrate all of my time in the mara area, with perhaps a trip to amboseli? i would like to go for about 8 to 10 days, and i want to maximize my photographic opportunities. i am keen on photography, but i am not a pro at all. i can afford to go with a private vehicle, but at the cost of staying in upscale lodges. the best location of a lodge is preferred, but not luxury. i stayed in mobile camps when i went to tanzania, and that worked out very well. i have a few specific questions.

* would 7 or 8 days be too much for 1 camp location in the mara?

* if i want to go to amboseli, how best can my schedule work if i fly into nairobi, and have the masai mara on the itinerary?

* is the mara trianle *the* place to be? since i haven't been before, i have no reference point.

thanks in advance! i am doing tons of searches on the forum right now, as i recently found out about this site. there is some great information here, but it is difficult to mine the data here, as the search isn't the easiest.

I've only been on one safari so far -- to Kenya and northern Tanzania -- but here's my two cents. If you have 8 to 10 days, I think it would be a shame to spend it all in one place. Yes, the Mara is amazing and you could easily spend the whole time there. But one of the things I loved most about Kenya was the incredible diversity of landscape and wildlife in a relatively small area. I know you might not want to move around too much, but consider dividing your time between the Mara and Samburu in the north (very different scenery, and some unique animals you won't find in the Mara), or perhaps a short trip to the Mt. Kenya or Aberdares area and/or Lake Nakuru, in addition to the Mara. 10 days would be plenty of time to do this. I haven't been to Amboseli, but considering that you have already been to Tanzania and are also going to the Mara, I think this park would be more similar to what you've already seen than some of the other choices you have farther north in Kenya... unless you have your heart set on seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro, or some other special reason to want to visit Amboseli.

Some of our Kenya experts here may have better advice, and can tell you more specifically about routing and places to stay.

Hello jgardner,
I’d just like to say that I agree with MDK: Samburu will give you more variation, but I haven’t been to Amboseli. Having only 8 to 10 days I’d limit my trip to the Mara and Nairobi. I’m slower than most people though. You normally have to return through Nairobi between the Mara and Amboseli. What time of the year are you going? I haven’t stayed in the Mara Triangle. It’s a good location that I’m very interested in, but the choice of accommodation is limited. A camping safari would keep cost down, as would going in low season. Have a look at the Trip Report Index to see what others have done. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860283

It's been several years since I've been to Kenya, but I also combined my time in the Mara with some time further north. I haven't been to Samburu, but I went to Lewa and appreciated the difference in terrain and wildlife between Lewa and the Mara that MDK mentions. With 10 days I think you could easily fit in two locations.

Another vote for dividing the time between two reserves - Samburu and Masai Mara - are good combination.

You can fly to Samburu (the drive takes almost 6/hrs and the last portion of road is a horror). Spend 3/days here. Then fly to the Mara for remainder.

Once in the Mara you can split the time between a lodge/camp in the triangle and another in the greater reserve or adjacent group ranches.

Flights do add to cost, but it's a trade-off of long drives and lousy roads. Besides, Nairobi/Samburu/Mara/Nairobi is a multi-segment flight with a slight savings over individual segments.

As mentioned above, however, there are really few properties in the Triangle itself, so check carefully if on a tight budget. Unfortunately, those that are within/adjacent to the triangle tend to be larger properties, some at reasonable prices, others more expensive. The small camps in the area tend to be on the higher end.

If looking for a private vehicle at any of these properties, be aware that the costs aren't inexpensive ($250-400/day), so inquire of your outfitter their costs to send a vehicle for your exclusive use... then compare.

Keep us posted on your progress.

keep on photography and limited funds would aks for a one venue massai mara trip.

instead of changing camps i would invest my holiday money into sole use of vehicle at a decent but not luxurious camp and stay in the mara or one of the conservancies for the whole duriation of the trip.

regarding your funds, time of travel and duration (10 days) incl. safarilink or air kenya flights from/to wilson you can do it for
approx. 5000US$ which i consider excellent value for money.

div