Ol Tukay Lodge, Amboseli Kenya, is it closed?
Jul 13th, 2012, 04:53 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ol Tukay Lodge, Amboseli Kenya, is it closed?
I've been trying to book the Ol Tukay lodge in Kenya, but I have not received any replies!
Does anybody know if it has closed?
My family and I are spending 2 weeks in Kenya in January. We have already booked: Girraffe's Manor in Nairobi suburbs, Royal Mara in Masai Mara North Conservancy.
We still are trying to book a lodge(middle range price) in Ammboseli, any suggestions?
What about a hotel in Nairobi with a central location?
Thank you for your help!
Lery
Does anybody know if it has closed?
My family and I are spending 2 weeks in Kenya in January. We have already booked: Girraffe's Manor in Nairobi suburbs, Royal Mara in Masai Mara North Conservancy.
We still are trying to book a lodge(middle range price) in Ammboseli, any suggestions?
What about a hotel in Nairobi with a central location?
Thank you for your help!
Lery
Jul 13th, 2012, 01:21 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why are you trying to book this yourself?
A tour outfitter can do what you want and provide you with better rates, coordinate your meet/greet, transfers, flights to/from Amboseli, the Masai Mara and any other things you wish to accomplish during your safari.
You ask for a hotel in Nairobi, yet you show that you've already booked the Giraffe Manor which is very very expensive... so why another hotel in NBO?
At Amboseli, as best I'm aware Ol Tukai is open, but there's also the Serena Lodge in the mid-priced range; a bit more expensive and lovely would be Tortilis or Satao Elerai Camps.
You also show 2/weeks, so ask how are you using the 14/days (or even 12/days if including flying to/from Kenya):
- how many nights in NBO at Giraffe Manor?
- how many nights at Amboseli?
- how many nights in the Masai Mara?
A tour outfitter can do what you want and provide you with better rates, coordinate your meet/greet, transfers, flights to/from Amboseli, the Masai Mara and any other things you wish to accomplish during your safari.
You ask for a hotel in Nairobi, yet you show that you've already booked the Giraffe Manor which is very very expensive... so why another hotel in NBO?
At Amboseli, as best I'm aware Ol Tukai is open, but there's also the Serena Lodge in the mid-priced range; a bit more expensive and lovely would be Tortilis or Satao Elerai Camps.
You also show 2/weeks, so ask how are you using the 14/days (or even 12/days if including flying to/from Kenya):
- how many nights in NBO at Giraffe Manor?
- how many nights at Amboseli?
- how many nights in the Masai Mara?
Jul 14th, 2012, 10:35 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you Sandi!
We booked The Giraffe's Manor in spite of its price, because we love giraffes! During the 2 days we are spending there, we do not plan to visit Nairobi, in order to have plenty of time with them!
We will stay in Nairobi in 3 different occasions: when we fly from South Africa, then after Masai Mara, and last after Amboseli. That's why we need a very centrally located hotel.
We will spend 2 nights at Giraffe's Manor,
5 nights at Royal Mara, and 2 nights at Amboseli.Do you think that is OK? My family is very interested in animals in the wild!Do you think Amboseli is a good choice after Masai Mara?
Do you have any other suggestion?
Thank you so much!
Valeria
We booked The Giraffe's Manor in spite of its price, because we love giraffes! During the 2 days we are spending there, we do not plan to visit Nairobi, in order to have plenty of time with them!
We will stay in Nairobi in 3 different occasions: when we fly from South Africa, then after Masai Mara, and last after Amboseli. That's why we need a very centrally located hotel.
We will spend 2 nights at Giraffe's Manor,
5 nights at Royal Mara, and 2 nights at Amboseli.Do you think that is OK? My family is very interested in animals in the wild!Do you think Amboseli is a good choice after Masai Mara?
Do you have any other suggestion?
Thank you so much!
Valeria
Jul 14th, 2012, 05:58 PM
#4
Personally I do not think the Amboseli is the best choice to see lots of wild animals after the Masai Mara.
It is nice at the end of a long Safari tour and you do get to have nice view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Ol Tukai Lodge and the Amboseli Serena Loadge are about a 20 minute drive apart.
So if you really wanted you could spend a day at each Lodge.
Actually if you get cottage 45 at the Ol Tukai Lodge ,you can sit on your front porch and look up at Mount Kilimanjaro.
sandi, ...where do you think she should go after the Masai Mara ?
It is nice at the end of a long Safari tour and you do get to have nice view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Ol Tukai Lodge and the Amboseli Serena Loadge are about a 20 minute drive apart.
So if you really wanted you could spend a day at each Lodge.
Actually if you get cottage 45 at the Ol Tukai Lodge ,you can sit on your front porch and look up at Mount Kilimanjaro.
sandi, ...where do you think she should go after the Masai Mara ?
Jul 15th, 2012, 11:53 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To give you another point of view, I think Amboseli is great choice after the Mara. See this link on Safaritalk for a recent discussion of the park and some of my pictures from our trip there in 2010. We stayed at Tortelis camp.
http://safaritalk.net/topic/6999-let...al-park-kenya/
http://safaritalk.net/topic/6999-let...al-park-kenya/
Jul 15th, 2012, 12:57 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll only have time with the giraffe at GM when they come, otherwise, they're often at the Center a short distance from the Manor. You will be located in the suburb of Karen when you can arrange visit (besides the Center) to Karen Blixen House, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kazuri Beads, Utamaduni Crafts, and others... no need to actually go into NBO proper.
As Percy above and as most know, I prefer to 'save the best for last' thus I'd visit Amboseli (or Samburu... also elephants and species not found elsewhere), then the Masai Mara.
Not knowing your budget, but for what you spend to stay an overnight in Nairobi on return from either the Mara or Amboseli or elsewhere, you can just as easily FLY.
I gather the reason for these overnights in NBO is that you are driving to/from the reserves, which for Amboseli to/from is 4-4.5/hrs each way; for the Mara to/from is minimum 5/hrs... and neither on the best of roads. Whichever order you plan to visit Amboseli/Masai Mara, there are flights between both on a schedule where you DO NOT have to overnight in NBO.
For 'centrally located hotels' these are mostly in NBO proper, though Macushla House in Karen which is reasonably priced though small with only 6/rooms; otherwise many like the Fairview in NBO (perfectly safe with lovely gardens, restaurant) and competitively priced with Macushla.
As to lodging at Amboseli, while AKR1 mentions Tortilis, know that this is more expensive than either Ol Tukai or the Serena, though if with family (how many people? any children? what ages? )... they do have a Family House and/or Family Cottage where the price might work for you.
As Percy above and as most know, I prefer to 'save the best for last' thus I'd visit Amboseli (or Samburu... also elephants and species not found elsewhere), then the Masai Mara.
Not knowing your budget, but for what you spend to stay an overnight in Nairobi on return from either the Mara or Amboseli or elsewhere, you can just as easily FLY.
I gather the reason for these overnights in NBO is that you are driving to/from the reserves, which for Amboseli to/from is 4-4.5/hrs each way; for the Mara to/from is minimum 5/hrs... and neither on the best of roads. Whichever order you plan to visit Amboseli/Masai Mara, there are flights between both on a schedule where you DO NOT have to overnight in NBO.
For 'centrally located hotels' these are mostly in NBO proper, though Macushla House in Karen which is reasonably priced though small with only 6/rooms; otherwise many like the Fairview in NBO (perfectly safe with lovely gardens, restaurant) and competitively priced with Macushla.
As to lodging at Amboseli, while AKR1 mentions Tortilis, know that this is more expensive than either Ol Tukai or the Serena, though if with family (how many people? any children? what ages? )... they do have a Family House and/or Family Cottage where the price might work for you.
Jul 15th, 2012, 05:54 PM
#7
Very nice pictures AKR1
The only animal I saw at Amboseli that I recall not seeing elsewhere
was a Gerenuk right beside the road feeding on its hind legs.
I took pictures of Elephants , Zebras and Giraffes mainly against the Mount Kilimanjaro background.
(It was awful dry when I was there with Dust Devils everywhere).
The only animal I saw at Amboseli that I recall not seeing elsewhere
was a Gerenuk right beside the road feeding on its hind legs.
I took pictures of Elephants , Zebras and Giraffes mainly against the Mount Kilimanjaro background.
(It was awful dry when I was there with Dust Devils everywhere).
Jul 15th, 2012, 08:18 PM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lery, I stayed one night at Giraffe Manor last June arriving at 11:00am and leaving about the same time the next day. The idea was to have a full 24 hours there with the giraffes.
However as sandi says with the exception of a short visit to the front lawn of the manor by one giraffe the only other time they came by was at breakfast. The rest of the time they are either at the centre or off in the little forest by the manor.
Your room rate includes admission to the centre and I wouldn't have missed my day at the manor for anything however the elephant mud bath at Sheldricks is fantastic. You'll have use of the manor's driver and vehicle so you may want to arrange a little excursion with them.
However as sandi says with the exception of a short visit to the front lawn of the manor by one giraffe the only other time they came by was at breakfast. The rest of the time they are either at the centre or off in the little forest by the manor.
Your room rate includes admission to the centre and I wouldn't have missed my day at the manor for anything however the elephant mud bath at Sheldricks is fantastic. You'll have use of the manor's driver and vehicle so you may want to arrange a little excursion with them.
Jul 30th, 2012, 05:59 AM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can stay at the giraffe manor for 2days, but you can still take an hour or so to experience other places.While at Giraffe Manor, you could visit the Mamba Village(15min drive),Sheldricks Orphanage, Kazuri beads- to get your self some African souvenirs. But one thing is for sure...you will spend more money by booking yourself.
My question is, do you have ground transportation for this?
It is very important to have a tour operator that handles your transfers when in Nairobi. You could even consider using ground transport(4X4 land cruiser) to the Mara so as to take in the wonderful views of the country. There is a lot to see on your way to Mara. You could try an outfitter by the name Speedbird Travel and Safaris. Just compare your quote and theirs and see what will work for you.
Have a good one!!
My question is, do you have ground transportation for this?
It is very important to have a tour operator that handles your transfers when in Nairobi. You could even consider using ground transport(4X4 land cruiser) to the Mara so as to take in the wonderful views of the country. There is a lot to see on your way to Mara. You could try an outfitter by the name Speedbird Travel and Safaris. Just compare your quote and theirs and see what will work for you.
Have a good one!!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JaneB
Africa & the Middle East
10
Apr 24th, 2010 12:43 PM
