Two weeks mid July : arrive Nairobi, depart Kampala...and in between
 

Greetings, all.

In initial trip planning/advice-seeking mode for two week trip in mid-July 2012.

Coming from San Francisco.Thinking to arrive into Nairobi, spend about 6 days on "standard" tour from Arusha (Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Masai Mara) then via road from Masai Mara to Uganda, for friend's "traditional" wedding in her home town of Busia (on the Kenya/Uganda border)

Her "formal" wedding is a week later in Kampala, so we have a week in Uganda before departing.

I'll fine-tune the specifics, with your help, later. For now, do you think the arrival and departure points, and time allotted (only two weeks, unfortunately) make sense? Would you plan those two weeks differently, knowing that there are specific dates i need to be in Uganda?

I have been to E Africa before, 40 yrs ago(!) ---have seen the "big name" game parks. But my travel companion has never been.

Any thoughts/advice/feedback most welcome! Asante!!

Even if 40/yrs the distances between the areas you want to visit aren't close. And, with only 6/days and seeking what you show, more time will be spent in transit.

Do you plan to drive yourself, or with a guide/vehicle? If on your own, except for some paved roads, once inside the game parks, there is little signage and even less roads... rather dirt, gravel tracks. And, you've better know where the petrol stations are and have local currency with which to pay. Trying to drive and also spot game isn't always easy.

Even assume arriving Nairobi, the drive from here (or Shuttle Bus) is 5-6/hrs and from here to the Ngorongoro Crater is another 4+/hrs... you've just eaten up 1/day. The Crater deserves 1/nt. From Ngorongoro to say Central Serengeti is about 3/hrs with minimal game viewing... longer if with game viewing, at minimum 2/nts. From Central Serengeti, out at the Western Gate, along the coast of Lake Victoria to the Isebania border with Kenya, can easily take 5/hrs. From here into the Masai Mara, is another 3-4/hrs... there goes another day and the Mara deserves 3/nts, but 2/nts will do. Then to the border.

If with your own vehicle, whether you can take one registered in Kenya into Tanzania and then a drop-off in Uganda?

Of course, you can arrange for a guide/vehicle in both Kenya and Tanzania, but ascertain what is doable from where-to-where.

It might just be easier to spend the time in Kenya with a guide/vehicle. You can easily visit Amboseli, Lakes Nakuru/Naivasha and Masai Mara.

You're going to have to do some intense research.

But, let's see what other ideas come up.

hello there for the six days in Kenya/Tanzania/uganda you would probably look for a local guide that would be easier for you or look for companies that do operate in all the three countries that would make the work easier for you and will help you manage your time well and have the tradition wedding in time and have a perfect safari across east Africa..hope this will make even your friend who has never been in east Africa enjoy too

Sandi, thank you! Your feedback is exactly what I need, from someone who can give a "reality check"

Definitely--a hired guide/vehicle tour--not a self-drive.

I like your dea of sticking to Kenya for the first week--Amboseli, Nakuru, Masai Mara. I do not want the kind of trip where the traveling between stops is the longest part of the journey.

You are right--lots more research needed. I have seen a few tour companies that describe a 6 night trip from Nairobi, to Amboseli,Nakuru and Masai Mara. I hope we can see the start of the herds' migration in mid July, into Masai Mara.

Thank you for your encouragement, kenyaholidaysafaris! I would like to find one company that could help organize the entire two week trip in both Kenya and Uganda, save for the specific dates of our Ugandan friend's wedding ceremonies.

There are hundreds of outfitters in Kenya who also handle Tanzania and even Uganda, but often hand-off clients at borders to an outfitter of the country entering.

Too many that are quite reputable. You can check the KATO site (believe website is www.kato.com or some version of that) will list those who belong to the association of Kenyan tour outfitters. The "A" "B" and "C" ratings are based on volume of business and not necessarily whether good or bad.

Some off the top:
Wildtrek Safaris
Eastern & Southern Safaris
Gamewatchers
Southern Cross Safaris

Drop each an email with details and ask what they recommend, doable and how. Good luck!

In July if you are going to Kenya, spend 3 nights in the Mara, especially if you hope to see the migration.

Thanks again to all.

Sandi, I did get a great estimate from ESS.

Atravelynn, based on your advice, I have asked for itineraries of 3 nights in the Mara.

hi calinurse,
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