steff -

You're planning 5/days at Samburu? That's lots of time. Don't get me wrong, as Samburu is lovely, but a relatively small one when compared to the Mara where your 7/days in August makes sense.

Why not post your entire itinerary so we can see the full picture.

Yes, sure:

late arrival at NAI, one overnight.
Flight to Samburu, meet our guide with minibus or 4W (not yet decided)
5 nights Samburu, Elephant Bedroom or Larsens
drive to Nakuru
2 nights Flamingo Hill
drive to the Mara
7 nights Mara, either
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Explorer, or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Entim or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Rekero, or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Olonana (less likely)

What do you think??

hei, and I have so much difficulties with flights... They are getting on my nerves, the flights are never ever fully booked...

>>Flight to Samburu, meet our guide with minibus or 4W (not yet decided)
5 nights Samburu, Elephant Bedroom or Larsens
drive to Nakuru
2 nights Flamingo Hill
drive to the Mara
7 nights Mara, either
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Explorer, or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Entim or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Rekero, or
- 4 nights Mara Bush Camp and 3 nights Olonana (less likely)<<

Again, and very personal, 5/nts Samburu might be a bit much. Though I haven't done the drive (Patty has) consider, instead flying to Meru or Lewa for 2 or 3/nts, then drive to Samburu for balance of 5/nts up north.

As currently shown flying to Samburu, you can fly to Lewa or Meru, have guide/vehicle meet you for 2 or 3/days, then drive to Samburu.

Both parks are small with few other vehicles, and visitors in general. Lewa is smaller than Meru, so 2/nts would work. If Meru, many like 3/nts staying at Elsa's Kopje, but this camp is quite expensive. Alternate in Meru would be Offbeat Meru Camp. Or ask your agent for options (I'm not certain). In Lewa, Wilderness Trails is expensive as is Borana; with your budget you might consider Lewa Safari Camp, or ask the agent. Patty or others might have suggestions at either of these two parks.

Thank you so much!!
SInce we haven't booked yet, I'm always good for a change.

I've seen Elsa's Kopje, but operators told me that wildlife is not as good as in Samburu.

Do you know how long's the drive from Nai to Lewa or Meru?

Nairobi to Meru would be 6+ hours and Nairobi to Lewa would be around 4.5 hours. However, on Lewa Conservancy I believe you have to use Lewa vehicles (someone please correct if I'm wrong) so I don't see a point in driving there. Better to fly up, spend your time in Lewa, then have your private guide/vehicle meet you for the Samburu portion.

Similarly, I believe Elsa's Kopje only books on a game package basis although there's nothing stopping you from using your own vehicle/guide in Meru national park. Offbeat or Leopard Rock can be booked on a full board basis if you don't want game drives included. I get the sense you're looking to travel with your own private guide/vehicle throughout, is that correct?

I agree with Sandi that 5 nights seems like a long time in Samburu. However, if you're looking for the highest wildlife concentration, you may be happier spending all of your time in Samburu. Parts of Meru are also quite densely vegetated making spotting more difficult.

On another note, I read on Tripadvisor that KWS is postponing the park fee increase until Jan 2009. I'm wondering if Mara/Samburu reserves will do the same.

See, I knew Patty would have the drive times. She's the adventurous one... I fly whenever possible. And Patty is correct that density of game will probably be greater in Samburu. Still it's a long number of days to spend at... and the caveat always... "no guarantee as to weather or game anywhere/anytime."

As most visitors to Meru or Lewa do fly, it's understandable that the game drives be conducted by the camps in these parks.

However, as mentioned above, you can still fly to Lewa, use the camp vehicles and have your private guide/vehicle meet you on 3rd morning for drive to Samburu and balance of your itinerary.

While you might not have your own private guide/vehicle here (unless you arrange to do so), Lewa is a lovely park, many of the same game as Samburu... but definitely way less crowded than Samburu would be. With few camps here, even if you share a vehicle for 1.5/days, it's kind of nice to feel you're out there with few other vehicles for miles.

Choices, choices.

all those difficult choices;-))Thank you Patty and Sandi, this is important information for us.

What about having one ore two nights in Shaba (Joys camp) first instead of Lewa/Meru? Would it be woth to stop at Lewa/Meru just for one night?
Ever been to Ol Malo?

Joy's Camp at Shaba will cost same as Saruni Samburu. Then there is the cost of road transfer (1+/hr) from Joy's to whichever camp you choose at Samburu.

Ol Malo is also expensive.

For 1/nt I wouldn't stop at Lewa or Meru; minimum 2/nts than continue to Samburu for 3/nts.

What do you mean with expensive? Like Mara Explorer?

I don not care to have some nights in more expensive camps if they are worth it. Just 5 nights in SaSaab or Saruni and not beeing on the riverbank but quite far away is not what we are looking for.

How did you like Ol Malo?

Shaba vs Samburu would have the same issue of game density as Meru vs Samburu. I love Meru and Shaba but it depends on your priorities.

I wouldn't do Meru or Lewa for just one night. I don't think it would be worth the extra travel time, but Shaba would be OK for 1 night as the distance is much closer.

Oh why is this so difficult. I think we are more into game, love to stay out in the bush the whole day and stay lets say with one animal/family some time. Additionally, I like to come back the next day just to see what happened during the night.

5 nights in Samburu would mean only four days in the parc, first day is late arrival from Nai, last day will be early wake up to leave for Nakuru.

On the other hand, Ol malo and Joy look so interesting. But I think we stick to the plan and stay 5 nights in Elephant Bedroom (or Larsens).

The rack rate for Joy's or Saruni is $540/person/nt. plus daily park fees. The early flight from Nairobi to Samburu arrives 9:30 or 10:30 depending whether flying Safari Link or Air Kenya.

If you decide on 5/days, and with your own guide you can often have game drives whenever and for how ever long you wish.

However, be sure your provider knows you want more than just the usual morning & afternoon game drives at any of the parks - Samburu, Nakuru, Mara. You don't want to run into conflict with your guide.

Haven't been to Ol Malo. Rack rate is similar to that at Joy's or Saruni.

I've not even read all of the posts on this thread, so I may be sticking my nose in where it is not needed, but one thing I would say is that although you are going to have fantastic game viewing, you are visiting the three busiest parks in Kenya at the busiest time of year and I wonder whether you might not want to think about that and reconsider Meru NP. Game viewing is really pretty good - all the regulars are present and correct, there are a few less common inhabitants, it is a beautiful area and you can do things like bush walks and picnics in total peace and solitude - and night drives. In August you are going to see everything you can want and more in the Mara and Nakuru, including the "minibus circus" and Meru would give you an another kind of safari experience. Samburu is a pretty small reserve - you can cover just about all the roads in a single day, and Buffalo Springs covers an even smaller area. It is easy to see leopards there (unfortunately, probably because they are baited at night and the drivers know where the leopards are likely to hang out while waiting for sunndown and their free snack)but I saw a leopard in Meru and not in Samburu (except for one coming to bait, which I don't count). Samburu also has serious elephant action though.... maybe a consideration for you (plenty in the Mara and Meru too, but possibly not in the same quantities). Lewa would offer a similar deal to Meru, but I have yet to visit except via various documentaries.

Just trying to make things difficult for you. ;-)

Kimburu,

appreciate your comment very much, thank you. Sandi and Patty gave the same advice not to stay too long in Samburu...

yes indeed, things are getting more and more difficult, and I am not really a decisive person;-)

Would you recommend Elsa's Kopje in Meru? Fly from Nai to Meru?

Patty, you as an experienced "driver" will certainly know how long it would take us from Meru to Samburu driving.

Sandi: The good thing with Meru and Lewa is, that we could do night drives!!! ;-)

There is a fee for night drives at Meru.

I'm not a particular fan of night drives; have done a few and had some good sightings, so it's all very personal.

But, you can also do night drives while in the Mara at camps not located inside the Reserve. Also at Saruni Samburu, which is on private land.

Better make your decisions soon, as even with the early year disturbances, visitors are returning and booking for the busy Migration season.

Sandi,

just read your report of last year. We nearly met at Olonana!! You stayed there 1st of june and we arrived ten days later!!

Decisions will be made the following weekend, hopefully my husband has enough time... (still dont know which opertor to take)

Is ist really so busy in August?

August (actually bet. Jul-Sep) is peak season for travel to Kenya. the migration and it's just normal vacation time for most people. Granted numbers might be a bit lower this year due to the situation of early January, but visitors will be back. I'd lock in as soon as.

ok, I will put some pressure for final decision. Hopefully we wont get any problems with the bookings.

So you wont go during this season? I am really longing to the see the migration... and we go from mid until late of august, which should be good for that.

I can highly recommend Elsa's Kopje. If you stay at Elsa's, I would fly from Nairobi to Meru, then fly from Meru to Samburu. There are scheduled flights on both Air Kenya and Safarilink. If you decide to drive, our drive from Samburu (we actually came from Shaba but it's practically the same) to Meru took about 4 hours from gate to gate. From Murera gate to Elsa's Kopje takes another 45 min or so. Larsens to Archer's Post gate is no more than 1/2 hour (if that) and Elephant Bedroom is closer to the gate than Larsens. It was very wet when we were there so we had to travel south on A2 passing Isiolo and down to almost where the Lewa gate is, then onto B6 through Meru town and C91 to the park. Perhaps during a drier time you can take a shorter route.

If you decide to go to Lewa, from Lewa to Samburu would only be 1.5 or so, not counting the travel time between gates and camps. I haven't been to Lewa so don't know how far in the camps are located.