What are your top Kenya picks under $500USD pp/per night?
 

I'm trying to plan my trip to Kenya for June-July 2011. I've chose Tortillis and Elsa's Kopje as finalists (due to rave reviews) and now I need to add TWO more camps that offer variety in experience/wilderness/game and are around $500 per person, per night. Any suggestions?

You asked this same/similar question in an earlier thread. Didn't you get any ideas from that? Where do you want to visit? Lewa, Laikipia, Masai Mara, Samburu? How many days? Hint, please!

I've been on six safaris but only to one camp in Kenya, Little Governors in Mara. Liked a lot and would go back. Consider it if you haven't already.

Here's listing of Kenya camps with rates. Not sure how (in)complete it is, but does show your two choices -
http://www.eyesonafrica.net/rack-rates-kenya.htm
Same site also has other countries.

regards - tom

sandi: all those camps and the ideas I got (you gave me) were excellent but much more than $500/pp/per night. I'm trying to get an idea of luxury on a budget, as told by people who have recently been there or have other ideas. I finally chose Elsa's as my splurge camp (and Tortillis--though not as expensive). Still two more camps to choose... I have a total of 16 nights from start to finish. I want to do the Mara-Meru-Ambo triangle and possibly one more. If I only do three camps, that's fine too (I'm realizing that the in-between flight transfers are what is expensive. I don't do road). Although I could be driven from Meru to Kicheche (yes?). Lion's Porini is great but rather $$. What do you like in Mara?

cary999: I was considering Governor's but got seduced by the idea of staying within a conservancy rather than Mara proper. Of course, this just adds to the cost and I'm still not sure if it's worth the extra...

I've only stayed at two camps in Kenya and one is self-catering (and fantastic!). For a more catered experience, I loved Kicheche Bush Camp. Six-tent camp, excellent guides, really flexible about game drives, eco-friendly (whatever that means these days; anyway, no plastic bottles of water), good food, wonderful staff, beautiful location on Conservancy with only two other camps, lion-heavy area, etc., etc. Here's my tent:

http://www.pbase.com/leelygoes/image/126335201

Leely2. Thank you so much for your great photo. I am leaning heavily toward staying there. And now I have one more reason to do so!

I didn't know that Kenya had places that charge OVER 500$ a night, lol.

J.

Meru/Mara - driving? don't think so.
The drive from Nairobi to Meru is easily 4/hrs.
The drive from Nairobi to the Mara is 5-6/hrs.
Thus Meru/Mara would take up a full day and not recommended when there's scheduled flight from Meru to the Mara.

As you're already considerinng two (2) Cheli & Peacock properties - Elsa's and Tortilis - then go for Elephant Pepper or Saruni in the Mara. With 6+/nts combined you'll be entitled to 10% discounts (for travel 2011) on per nt room rates all three, which would equal about 1-2/free nights (maybe 1.5/nts). EPC and Saruni are all located on the Mara North Conservancy.

sandi: what do you think of Kicheche?
and to keep the rates down, would swapping Lion's Porini for Governor's be a bad idea? Better to splurge on this?
you have mentioned Elephant Pepper before, so I'll look at it...
thank you!

Kicheche Laikipia that is...

sandi: One more.... Porini camps... would you recommend??

Haven't been in Laikipia for a few years, and the Kicheche Camp here is only about 1/yr, so can't comment. Overall though the Kicheche Camps get good reviews.

Likewise, the Porini Camps get good reviews, especially Lion (had visited a few years ago; didn't stay) and are good value for the money and service provided. Porini Mara though is a bit more expensive (also smaller).

Have mixed feelings about the Governor's Camps, especially Main... too big and last I visited, looked "worn/shabby." Some reports indicated they've refurbished, but can't attest to this. Little Governor's gets better reviews, but personally not being a water person wasn't keen on stairs to/from the River to get to camp by boat. We all have some quirk :)

There are reports on here about both Kicheche and Porini Camps and they're favorable.

thank you so much sandi. i think porini is the way to go. they offer excellent rates on packages. getting closer to making my decision.