arka

Hi,
Planning a trip to Kenya between 26th September and 10th October 2009. Though I contacted some safari companies, I am not thrilled with the replies that I received. So now mulling on doing the safari on our own by hiring a vehicle (4x4) and an experienced guide/driver.
Tentative itinerary, in sequence:
Arrive Nairobi, stay night
Proceed to Samburu, 2 N
Transfer to Masai Mara, 2 N
Transfer to Amboseli, 1 N
Tsavo West , stay at Voi
Tsavo East
Transfer to Malindi, 2 N in Malindi

Now the questions;
1. The itinerary above - is it too ambitious? I could not find information on driving time between parks, so cannot make an informed decision.
2. Is it a good idea to arrange the safari on our own (cost, comfort)? We have travelled in Asia & Africa before and never did a package/organised tour. Always did on our own and enjoyed it.
Thanks

twaffle

I think you are trying to fit too much in. The drive from Samburu to the Maasai Mara will take ALL day. You'll be exhausted. IMO. You don't say how many nights in Tsavo East or West. I hope you don't plan to drive Amboseli through the Tsavos and straight down to Malindi in a day.

Have you asked the safari companies to price a trip with a 4x4 and driver just for you? I know Sunworld do a great job, have well maintained vehicles and their guides (the ones we had) were excellent. We didn't book through Sunworld but through Bunson Travel in Nairobi. They are business travel company rather than a mass tourism travel agent but arranged our trip to our instructions and made it all seemless.

Did you get quotes through local (to you) safari companies or directly through Kenyan based companies? I have also used Bush Homes of Kenya and they were also excellent. Also based in Nairobi. Personally, I would work directly with a reputable Kenyan company but others here will have a different opinion and may suggest a travel agent you could try.

aby

arka my dear
at first i thought "it's impossible" but actually it is possible to do these drives only it doesn't make sense. it's like a cross-country race but cannot be enjoyed as a safari

when coming from Samburu, even with an overnight in Nakuru,before continuing to Mara, it is still a tight (but reasonable) schedule. 2 nights each in Samburu and Mara with a break in Nakuru is the minimum; many fodorites <u>feel</u>
3-4 nights in each is minimum
that way you can maximize your game viewing - the main reason for coming. unlike many other world destinations here the "sites" are not in the center. it's less about places and more about situations, unteractions, luck. chance
Imagine coming into a huge world class museum where the exhibitions shown are dictated by a roulette. stay there and play the roulette don't waist your time on long-range-travelling to other roulette-operated museums

wanna plan your own safari? come on start asking while stating what you like/want/imagine/hope

aby

aby

arka

one place to start is
"NEW EAST AFRICA Trip Report Index" by LyndaS
search it here and read the reports, it will give you more than an idea

good luck

aby

PS1 if you'd like give us the number of days, and we'll give you some options to fill wem up
PS2 Voi is in Tsavo East

spassvogel

Far toooooooo much criss crossing/wasting time in transfers.

I would do 4 nights Massai Mara plus either Samburu or Amboseli for the rest and skip beach altogether.

Sorry if that sounds disappointing to you.

I predict you will regret
- travelling that much
- changing ecosystems and
- missing to get settled in to a place for not
- more than 36 hours.

I assume it it meant to be a safari and not just ticking venues/parks

SV

cary999

Not just you, but many other safari planners don't seem to realize that you see wildlife when you are out on game drives. Not when you are spending hours/days getting from from camp to camp.

regards - tom

atravelynn

What is the difference between hiring a vehicle and an experience driver and booking a private safari? I think they are the same thing.

You can get a quote from a variety of KATO agents.

http://www.katokenya.org/safari_quotation.asp

As the others have said, it is too ambitious. If your goal was wildlife viewing, you could just stay in the Mara. Or do Samburu and Mara.

opulentafrica

Sure it is possible,you hire the car for number of days/mileages,then for the accommodations,park fees for you,driver and car,you pay directly for yourself,so you need someone to reserve for your rooms if you are not camping,this is a wonderful experience,you will visit,semi-desert,highland,Savannah,and coast climates,[email protected]

sandi

Arrive Nairobi, stay night
Proceed to Samburu, 2 N
-- 6/hr drive, last 1+/hrs on terrible road

Transfer to Masai Mara, 2 N
-- you can't do in 1/day and feel safe; it's easily 5/hrs to Lake Nakuru and from Nakuru to Mara anothher 5+/hrs to your lodging in Mara = 1/wasted day; oh and the road to the Mara is by far the worst

Transfer to Amboseli, 1 N
-- 5-6/hrs to NBO, then 4-4.5/hrs to AMB, not arriving till dusk = 1/wasted day; oh and another terrible road from the Namanga turnoff to AMB.

Tsavo West , stay at Voi
Tsavo East
-- you can actually spend 1/nt each Tsavo W and E before reaching the coast, but not make it up to Malindi. I'd consider after leaving Mara to pass on Amboseli, overnight in NBO and next day head out to Tsavo, if you must; if Malindi more important, than fly from the Mara to Malindi.

Transfer to Malindi, 2 N in Malindi

With the driving distances and time needed, I'd simply pass on Samburu and visit Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo and then out to the coast.

From my time/driving requirements shown is probably why the responses you received weren't positive from the outfitters contacted. Not feasible, can be dangerous (there's no driving on these roads after dusk). Your itinerary is simply to adventurous for the limited time you have, inhibiting your having a doable and pleasant experience.

arka

Thanks for the replies and helpful information. I particularly liked Atravelynn's idea of requesting quotes through KATO, Kenya. I sent out the mail today. Also, thanks Sandi for giving the travelling time breakups, would be a huge help in planning.
Based on the ideas, I have already included one night in Nakuru (so from Samburu to Nakuru to Mara), now the trade off is between Tsavo & Malindi.

atravelynn

Check your email's trash over the next several days, Arka. Some of the replies from the KATO companies were sent directly there. At least my hotmail account did that.

jaluointhehouse

If you are an experienced traveler you should go ahead and adventure on your own though you need not to rely fully on the guide books , especially when you plan to do camping or staying in the camps. Some of the places mentioned in the guidebooks closed down , some changed the names etc . Also the park fee is $60 while almost all books qoute $40 . Car hire companies have fixed rates so you will not have a problem with this . You actually get in control of your budget , all you will need is to agree on how much to pay your driver/guide . This is the best option . on this and other Forums , i have always reccommend a guide by the name Nyikuriwhose email is [email protected] . Remember not to forget the Lake Nakuru National Park on your itinerary . This is the only place you will see the rare White Rhino and the Millions of Flamingos . Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha is also the great attraction . Lake Bogoria and Baringo are great places too. And there is the Famous Nairobi City tour !
J.

jaluointhehouse

TSAVO and MALINDI.

From the Main Nairobi -Mombasa highway , get to Tsavo West through Mtito Andei Gate .There are midrange places to sleep like ;
-Ngulia Safari Camp
-Kitani Bandas
Top End places include ;
-Severin Safari Camp
-Kilaguni Serena Lodge
-Finch Hatton's Camp
From here go to Tsavo East via Sala Gate . From here it is about 110 km to Malindi .The roads within the park are rough so a 4WD is recommended .Malindi is Italians beach paradise , you will see them all over. Attractions will include the culture , Malindi Marine National Park ,Malindi Corocodile Farm and Snake Park , Falconry , Deep Sea Fishing and Diving .You can access Malindi by road from Mombasa . There is also the flying option of using Air Kenya , Kenya Airways , Jet link , Mombasa Air Safaris or Fly 540 .
Enjoy !
J.

arka

I sent out my enquiry to KATO Kenya on 2nd March and have not received a single reply yet. This does not bode well for my trip/itinerary. Wonder what the reason is! (And yes, I do check my trash every day)