doryyoung

OK-I have made the first decision for my safari and have chosen to go to Kenya. My first questions is...should I spend all 8 days on the Mara or divide it between anywhere else? Any input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all!
Dory

stakerk

When do you want to go? Depending on the time of year, it may be better to go to Tanzania.

If definitely Kenya, do you want to do all game viewing or do you want some variety? I would suggest 4 days in the Mara and then 4 days somewhere else like Samburu or Lake Nakuru, Sweetwaters, Meru or some place different. For really different go four days to the Coast, such as Lamu Island.

Kevin from California

note: take the above with a large grain of salt am going to Kenya for the first time in August.

Also, for Kenya would recommend consider as a your tour operator, African Serendipity, Southern Cross, or Eastern and Southern. If on a budget, consider staying only in Serena properties.

atravelynn

I agree completely with Kevin. Looks like advice from an old timer rather than a yet to safari-er. August will roll around soon enough, for both of us. That's when I go too.

Chinook

I would do 4 days in Masai Mara then 2 days Nakuru and 2 days Sweetwaters or Meru .
I did'nt appreciate Samburu so much ..;and it's quite far away. You would loose a lot of time to ride so far to the north

When do you want to go ?
Masai Mara is incredible between mid august and oktober .

have a nice safari

Chinook

doryyoung

Thanks Guy! I can go anytime-I am planning this trip for late 2007. Also-I am a great beach lover & want to see the Indian Ocean so I am actually going to AFrica for 2 weeks-but think just 7-8 days safari (I do want to see game viewing the most) and spend the rest of the time 2 other places-maybe 3 days on a beach and 3-4 days somewhere else? I would love to do som volunteer work at an orphanage or school while there...I haven't even tried to look into that yet. Also-is there a site out there that can give me an idea of where places are in relation to each other (ie-sweetwaters, Samburu, Lakes Nakuru & I have seen mention of Tvos sites?? what and where are they?
Dory

Patty

Here's a map of Kenya which will give you a general idea of the locations of various parks and reserves - http://www.shoortravel.com/kenyamap.html

Travel distances by road can be longer than it would seem. The Masai Mara, Tsavo and Samburu are all around 6 hours drive from Nairobi in different directions. You can drive everywhere, do a combination of flying and driving, or fly everywhere. Flying generally costs more than driving.

You may also want to purchase a guidebook. I like the Bradt guide for Kenya and Lonely Planet has a brand new Kenya guide out (I haven't looked through this one).

Chinook,
What didn't you like about Samburu? Thanks.

doryyoung

Thank you Patty! That was EXACTLY what I was looking for-now when I read posts, hopefully they will start to make more sense! When you've never been to Africa it is hard to get a handle on where to go or even begin!
Dory

Chinook

If you do stay for a few days near Mombasa , you may have a visit to : http://www.ngomongo.com/Index.html.
There is also possibility of viewing Dolphins - 1 day excursion . I had really great time !
As other beach destination you could consider Lamu.

Chinook

santharamhari

Doryyoung,

IF game-viewing is your number 1 priority........then, even if you opt to spend all 8 days in the Mara.......you wont go wrong. What month do you plan to visit?

Hari

aby

Chinook - I'm really sorry you have not had a great time in Samburu.
but Samburu is one hell of a park:
if i had to choose only 3 game parks in Africa, Samburu would be one of them!! i've been to Samburu over 50 times so my "sample size" is not bad & i know a number of safari-guides which share my views of Samburu (so statistics adds up to many hundreds of visits...)

Dory
my personal view is that coming to a country one should have some perspective. in addition to "game" i would recommend seeing some ethnic groups, landscape, freshwater lake/s teeming with birdlife (& hippos by your boat), soda-lake with a million flamingoes, different vegetation belts
(on high mountains), experiencing a night-viewing lodge were animals come at night to lick salt & u r woken up in case something interesting happens at any hour...
as a zoologist, there is nothing i love more than searching for "game" but still i cannot identify with itineraries of 4 days Mara & 4 days Samburu with flights in between.
I think driving has its importance of seeing the place, stopping on the road side even for a 5 minute chat with the banana seller....
If u r not afraid of long drives (rest at the beach afterwards), & u would like a better perspective combined with a VARIED experience - i can suggest to you an 8 night trip which would be really exciting.

it will be great fun even if u stay only at Mara & Samburu

aby

santharamhari

Aby,

50 times in Samburu.........WOW!!!

What time of the year is best to travel to Samburu? I really would love to see the different species there...gemsbok, gerenok, reticulated giraffe, grevy's zebra etc etc., along with the usual lineup of the predators.......

Hari

Ile

Dory,

after spending some time on this forum, you'll know what you'lg like to do while in Kenya. The only problem you'll probably have is that you'll find out 2 weeks is such a short time... At least this is what happened to me (I'll go for my first safari in august).

As for guides, I have the new Lonely Planet (april 2006) , which is very helpful because it's up to date, but I also have the Rough Guide, which I preffer to LP. It's better in terms of maps, details etc.

Good luck!

stakerk

Aby:

We are going to Larsens Tented in Samburu in August. Any advice?

Kevin from California

Chinook

Sorry Patty ;
I realize I did'nt answer about why I did not appreciate Samburu too much .

We were there for 3 days ( Samburu Serena) and after that 1 day in Shaba
We saw very few animals in both reserves ..;but meaby we were not Lucky ! ( To be honnest I have to admit our driver was not a good one !)
But The landscapes are fabulous ( also shaba Sarova swimming pool -)

Chinook

kewit

Fantastic decision! No, dont spend the 8 days in Mara only, too long in one park. There are other interesting parks in Kenya as well. Located in different parts of the country thus giving visitors a great chance to encounter different wildlife, landscape and people. Samburu game reserve,Lake Nakuru,Mt. Kenya and Amboseli are fascinating, try them too.

Nice trip.

Nyamera

Dory,
I’d happily spend a lot more time than 8 days in the Mara. One more park – like Samburu or Tsavo - would also be nice.

Chinook,
What time of the year did you visit Samburu? Was it raining? I saw a lot in June, even wild dogs.

Safari njema

Chinook

I was in Samburu mid september , totaly dry . next time I think I will try to go to Meru. . I saw a documentary on TV about "genesis" of Meru ..it seems fantastic.

Chinook