steffid

I just found out that Bedouin Camp is not running any more and that there is a new camp called SaSaaba Camp running at Samburu.

Does anybody know something?

nyama

Here's the website of Sasaab, www.tamimiea.com

steffid

nyama, have you been there already?
What do you think??

nyama

steffid -- no, I havn't been to Sasaab.

Btw, there's another interesting development just north of Samburu GR, Saruni Samburu (www.sarunisamburu.com).

steffid

thanks a lot.
Saruni seems to open in the next month and would be very nice as well.

So it will be difficult to choose between Elephant Bedroom, Saruni and SaSaaba...

nyama

At least Sasaab and Saruni give you more exclusivity during game drives.

steffid

Why???

We think of traveling with our guide.

sandi

Stef -

If the below is the same itinerary you're considering:

What do you think?
flight Nai - Shaba
3-4 nights at Joy's camp (Shaba)
drive shaba to lake nakuru (possible in 1 day??)
2 nights Flamingo Hill Camp (Nakuru)
4 nights Little Governors or Entim Camp or Naibor (Masai Mara)
3 - 4 nights Bushtops camp (Masai Mara) or other camp inside the parc
return flight to Nai

If you fly to Shaba or Samburu, you'd have to pay for a private guide to meet you here, if Joy's or Saruni or SaSaaba can even accommodate pvt guides; likewise the small camps you are considering in the Masai Mara.

If you do have private guide, the drive to Nakuru would be a very long drive. And, then drive to the Mara another long drive. Roads are terrible.

For smooth routing where scheduled flights get you to both Shaba/Samburu and the Mara, suggest you hold Nakuru to the end, if this is a must see, thus using the guides/vehicles at the camps up north and in the Mara, as

Day 1 - Fly to Shaba/Samburu - o/n
Days 2 & 3 - Shaba/Samburu - o/n
Day 4 - Fly to Masai Mara - o/n
Days 6 - 9 - Masai Mara, split between camps inside Triangle/Reserve and on group ranches
Day 10 - Fly to Nairobi; w/ guide drive to Lake Nakuru - o/n
Day 11 - Lake Nakuru - o/n
Day 12 - Drive to Nairobi

There are no scheduled flights to/from Nakuru. Closest is at Lk. Naivasha, where you can have guide/vehicle meet you.

steffid

wow Sandi, that sounds terrific, thank you so much.

We will have to discuss.

What do you think, wait for reservation or do it right now (even the situation in Kenya seems to be very unstable at the moment)?

Another question I had in the "comment the itinerary" as well: what would you choose
1-cross border: Tarangire, Sayari and then Masai Mara (2 diffrent camps) or
2-route in Kenya (Samburu, Mara, Nakuru)

???

sandi

Stef -

>>Another question I had in the "comment the itinerary" as well: what would you choose
1-cross border: Tarangire, Sayari and then Masai Mara (2 diffrent camps) or
2-route in Kenya (Samburu, Mara, Nakuru)<<

For travel Aug/Sep, with the exception of the Ngorongoro Crater, you can get everything you wish in Kenya. Shaba/Samburu for elephants and unique species; Lk. Nakuru for flamingos, rhino, Rothschild giraffe; Masai Mara for the migration.

Believe me, even with the recent upheaval in Kenya, space for this peak-travel season, is closing fast especially at the small camps you are considering. I'd get a quote and verify availability as soon as.

Even during this difficult period, from postings here on Fodor's of those visitors in-country during the upheaval, they've felt perfectly safe, roads have been open, domestic flights have been getting visitors to their destinations, none of the parks/reserves have been impacted and no tourists have been targetted. Yes, many Europeans have cancelled trips due to the "no non-essential" travel, but since this has been lifted, safaris and international flights all seem to be back on schedule.

It's now in your hands.

nyama

steffid asked: "Why???"

To answer your question: Sasaab is the only permanent camp in West Gate Conservancy, and so is Saruni in Kalama Conservancy. You rarely will see any other game drive vehicles in these areas. Elephant Bedroom shares the game viewing area with a lot of other camps and lodges, and you can expect quite 'busy' moments at big cat sightings, even if you have your own private guide and vehicle.

Joy's Camp, as suggested by sandi, is also a good choice.

Patty

Yes, during peak game drive hours, you can expect traffic jams inside Samburu/Buffalo Springs, particularly around cat sightings. However, in between morning and afternoon game drive hours, you'll likely find it very quiet. I mention this because on your other thread you said you like to stay out all day.

MyDogKyle

Last September, we had one really crowded sighting of a leopard in Samburu while staying at Elephant Bedroom. The rest of the time (over two days' time) we only occasionally saw another vehicle pass by, and actually never had another vehicle at a sighting with us. So, sure it can happen... but it doesn't mean that you will find mobs of minivans around you at all times.