Safari In Kenya August September
Feb 16th, 2007, 02:05 AM
#21
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Dear Friends and advisers!
Have paid deposit and we are off to Kenya for twelve days safari on the 6th of August. Best wishes to all of you who take to time to advise begginers like me.
If you have any further tips regarding travel, clothing and footwear please shout. Do we go for the vests or will they be too hot in August?
What about the extras talked about? The village visits and boat trips and such?
What not to do?
Best wishes Bernard
Have paid deposit and we are off to Kenya for twelve days safari on the 6th of August. Best wishes to all of you who take to time to advise begginers like me.
If you have any further tips regarding travel, clothing and footwear please shout. Do we go for the vests or will they be too hot in August?
What about the extras talked about? The village visits and boat trips and such?
What not to do?
Best wishes Bernard
Feb 16th, 2007, 04:55 AM
#22
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I sent off rec from Sandi, Just had this reply from Suntrek, they have been really good.
Dear Bernard,
Thanks for the email.
If you would like to spend more time in the Mara, its okay and the itinerary suggested by your friend is perfect.
I have outlined it below, please let me know whether its okay with you so that i can change the bookings that i had already made.
During this period its busy in Kenya so that i can secure accommodation for you.
Check out time from the rooms is 1000hrs on days of departure
NO. OF PAXS: 4 ADULTS
TIME FRAME: AUGUST/ SPETEMBER 2007
ACCOMMODATION: 2 DOUBLE ROOMS
MEAL PLAN: FULLBOARD AT THE LODGES
TRANSPORT: EXCLUSIVE USE OF ONE 4X4 LANDCRUISER
DRIVER: ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER WHO WILL ALSO GUIDE
SPECIFICATION: AS PER YOUR REQUEST
RATES: NET IN US DOLLARS
27th Aug: Arrive and transfer Nairobi Safari Club for your overnight
(no meals included on this day)
28th Aug: Spend whole day in Nairobi visitng the Elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum. Dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant.
(breakfast and dinner shall be provided on this day)
29th Aug
Nairobi – Mount Kenya National Park)
Depart Nairobi Safari club at 0800hrs and proceed to Mount Kenya National Park. Arrival at the Mountain Lodge in time for lunch. Mountain Lodge ( a dramatic wooden lodge) built deep within the forest. The floodlit waterhole & saltlick are in full view from the comfortable lounge area, giving guests the chance to watch animals at any time of the night. Elephant, Lion, Buffalo & Rhino are common visitors at Mountain Lodge.
Dinner & overnight, Mountain Lodge.
(breakfast,lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
30th Aug: (Mt. Kenya - Samburu National Park)
After breakfast proceed north to the dramatic semi-arid scrubland of the northern Frontier" Samburu National Park". After lunch, an afternoon game drive to sight resident wildlife species like the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx and the blue-necked Somali Ostrich that are rare elsewhere in the country. Dinner and overnight will be spent along the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River at the luxurious Samburu Serena Lodge OR Samburu Sopa.
(breakfast,lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
31st AugSamburu National Park)
Further exploration of this fascinating reserve awaits you. Early morning and afternoon game drives give a chance to travel over some of the world's most spectacular and exciting terrain. Meals and overnight at the Samburu Serena Lodge OR Samburu Sopa.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
1st Sept: (Samburu - SweetWaters Game Sanctuary)
Depart after breakfast for Sweetwaters Tented Camp, whose tents face a water hole with the view of Mt. Kenya in the background. An afternoon game drive where you can see the reticulated Giraffe, Buffalo, Oryx, Elephant, and various species of plains game can be seen in this game sanctuary far from the crowds of better known game parks. (Guests can also enjoy the excitement of a night game drive at a little extra directly with the lodge).
Please Visit Morani the tamed orphaned Rhino and the Chimps all with a guide.
Dinner & Overnight Sweetwaters Tented Camp
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
2nd Sept: (Sweetwaters - Lake Nakuru National Park)
Depart after breakfast on a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, where millions of flamingoes turn the shore of the lake to pink. Arrive the lodge in time for lunch. Evening game drive, in this beautiful park which boasts Kenya's first Rhino Sanctuary, home to the rare Black Rhino.
Dinner and overnight, Lion Hill Lodge OR Lake Nakuru Lodge OR Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this)
3rd Sept: (Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara Game Reserve)
After breakfast, depart for Masai Mara Game Reserve - the land of vast migrating herds. Arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive to get a closer look at the Mara. Return to the Mara Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this day)
4th Sept - 6th Sept: (Mara - Masai Mara Game Reserve)
Early morning and evening game drives to absorb the enormity of the Mara. In this country of breathtaking vistas, view its vast assemblages of plains game together with their associated predators: Buffalo, Black Rhino, Hippopotamus, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion, common zebra, Coke's Hartebeest, White bearded Gnu, Oribi, Warthog, and Thompson's and Grant's Gazelles.
All meals and overnight stay Mara Simba Lodge.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this day).
7th SeptMasai Mara - Nairobi)
After a leisury breakfast return to Nairobi.
On arrival transfer to airport for your flight out.
(only breakfast shall be provided on this day)
End tour
COST OF THE ABOVE ROAD SAFARI:
US$ 2260 per adult sharing a double room (each of 4 adults)
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind rgds
Peter
Sun Trek Safaris Kenya.
Dear Bernard,
Thanks for the email.
If you would like to spend more time in the Mara, its okay and the itinerary suggested by your friend is perfect.
I have outlined it below, please let me know whether its okay with you so that i can change the bookings that i had already made.
During this period its busy in Kenya so that i can secure accommodation for you.
Check out time from the rooms is 1000hrs on days of departure
NO. OF PAXS: 4 ADULTS
TIME FRAME: AUGUST/ SPETEMBER 2007
ACCOMMODATION: 2 DOUBLE ROOMS
MEAL PLAN: FULLBOARD AT THE LODGES
TRANSPORT: EXCLUSIVE USE OF ONE 4X4 LANDCRUISER
DRIVER: ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER WHO WILL ALSO GUIDE
SPECIFICATION: AS PER YOUR REQUEST
RATES: NET IN US DOLLARS
27th Aug: Arrive and transfer Nairobi Safari Club for your overnight
(no meals included on this day)
28th Aug: Spend whole day in Nairobi visitng the Elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum. Dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant.
(breakfast and dinner shall be provided on this day)
29th Aug
Nairobi – Mount Kenya National Park)Depart Nairobi Safari club at 0800hrs and proceed to Mount Kenya National Park. Arrival at the Mountain Lodge in time for lunch. Mountain Lodge ( a dramatic wooden lodge) built deep within the forest. The floodlit waterhole & saltlick are in full view from the comfortable lounge area, giving guests the chance to watch animals at any time of the night. Elephant, Lion, Buffalo & Rhino are common visitors at Mountain Lodge.
Dinner & overnight, Mountain Lodge.
(breakfast,lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
30th Aug: (Mt. Kenya - Samburu National Park)
After breakfast proceed north to the dramatic semi-arid scrubland of the northern Frontier" Samburu National Park". After lunch, an afternoon game drive to sight resident wildlife species like the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx and the blue-necked Somali Ostrich that are rare elsewhere in the country. Dinner and overnight will be spent along the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River at the luxurious Samburu Serena Lodge OR Samburu Sopa.
(breakfast,lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
31st Aug
Samburu National Park)Further exploration of this fascinating reserve awaits you. Early morning and afternoon game drives give a chance to travel over some of the world's most spectacular and exciting terrain. Meals and overnight at the Samburu Serena Lodge OR Samburu Sopa.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
1st Sept: (Samburu - SweetWaters Game Sanctuary)
Depart after breakfast for Sweetwaters Tented Camp, whose tents face a water hole with the view of Mt. Kenya in the background. An afternoon game drive where you can see the reticulated Giraffe, Buffalo, Oryx, Elephant, and various species of plains game can be seen in this game sanctuary far from the crowds of better known game parks. (Guests can also enjoy the excitement of a night game drive at a little extra directly with the lodge).
Please Visit Morani the tamed orphaned Rhino and the Chimps all with a guide.
Dinner & Overnight Sweetwaters Tented Camp
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees & dinner shall be provided on this day)
2nd Sept: (Sweetwaters - Lake Nakuru National Park)
Depart after breakfast on a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, where millions of flamingoes turn the shore of the lake to pink. Arrive the lodge in time for lunch. Evening game drive, in this beautiful park which boasts Kenya's first Rhino Sanctuary, home to the rare Black Rhino.
Dinner and overnight, Lion Hill Lodge OR Lake Nakuru Lodge OR Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this)
3rd Sept: (Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara Game Reserve)
After breakfast, depart for Masai Mara Game Reserve - the land of vast migrating herds. Arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive to get a closer look at the Mara. Return to the Mara Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this day)
4th Sept - 6th Sept: (Mara - Masai Mara Game Reserve)
Early morning and evening game drives to absorb the enormity of the Mara. In this country of breathtaking vistas, view its vast assemblages of plains game together with their associated predators: Buffalo, Black Rhino, Hippopotamus, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion, common zebra, Coke's Hartebeest, White bearded Gnu, Oribi, Warthog, and Thompson's and Grant's Gazelles.
All meals and overnight stay Mara Simba Lodge.
(breakfast, lunch, tea/coffees and dinner shall be provided on this day).
7th Sept
Masai Mara - Nairobi)After a leisury breakfast return to Nairobi.
On arrival transfer to airport for your flight out.
(only breakfast shall be provided on this day)
End tour
COST OF THE ABOVE ROAD SAFARI:
US$ 2260 per adult sharing a double room (each of 4 adults)
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind rgds
Peter
Sun Trek Safaris Kenya.
Feb 16th, 2007, 06:01 AM
#23
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Posts: n/a
Bernard -
I believe the revised itinerary will more than the other meet your expectations and wishes. Besides, it's simply a smoother transition between areas. Some legs are longs especially to/from the Mara, but unless you choose to fly back from the Mara... distances are what they are. Elsewhere, the driving has been broken up, with few legs more than 3/hrs, if that.
If budget allows, flight from the Mara is only about $130+/- giving you time in the afternoon for last minute shopping, dinner at the Norfolk Hotel (on the Delamere Terrace, quite reasonable) before heading to the airport for your night flight departure. You may even be able to arrange with Suntrek for a driver for the afternoon to take you about; between 4 or you, it shouldn't be too costly. No harm in inquiring... see what the earlier inquiry got you? A better itinerary. If it doesn't work or money you prefer not to spend, then it doesn't work.
Glad to have been able to help. Have a great time.
I believe the revised itinerary will more than the other meet your expectations and wishes. Besides, it's simply a smoother transition between areas. Some legs are longs especially to/from the Mara, but unless you choose to fly back from the Mara... distances are what they are. Elsewhere, the driving has been broken up, with few legs more than 3/hrs, if that.
If budget allows, flight from the Mara is only about $130+/- giving you time in the afternoon for last minute shopping, dinner at the Norfolk Hotel (on the Delamere Terrace, quite reasonable) before heading to the airport for your night flight departure. You may even be able to arrange with Suntrek for a driver for the afternoon to take you about; between 4 or you, it shouldn't be too costly. No harm in inquiring... see what the earlier inquiry got you? A better itinerary. If it doesn't work or money you prefer not to spend, then it doesn't work.
Glad to have been able to help. Have a great time.
Feb 16th, 2007, 06:51 AM
#24
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Sandi,
Taken your advice again! You should go into the Safari business!
Seriously, You have helped me no ends and this site is a God send. I can now relax about the trip and get back to some work.
Keep up the good work
Bernard
Taken your advice again! You should go into the Safari business!
Seriously, You have helped me no ends and this site is a God send. I can now relax about the trip and get back to some work.
Keep up the good work
Bernard
Feb 16th, 2007, 07:34 AM
#26
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Hi Bernard
Basically, i agree to most of Sandi's suggestions.
still i would make 1 change in the (present) program:
IMHO since u visit Samburu, i would skip SweetWaters.
my advice is to add a sweet-water LAKE instead (e.g. Baringo or Naivasha), where u can have a boating experience +
in Naivasha, a walk among wildlife on crescent Island (+ a visit to Crater Lake )... you can also have a horseback tour etc' at Naivasha...
read more about Naivasha at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34800853
<u>Or</u> add a day to either Mara or Samburu where wildlife watching is better than at SweetWaters.
If u wanna take 1 flight, i may suggest Samburu to Mara & later drive back from Mara to Naivasha/Nakuru & back toi Nairobi.
Other small additins:
when driving from NBI to Mt. lodge -Aug 29th - MUST stop on the way at the Katatina Market (one of the largest open-air Markets in Africa), & possibly at a coffee plantation (there are also peneapple plantations, but your driver will prefer to put u in a "tourist-trap" curio on your first day out)
when returning from Samburu (if not flying) past Isiolo there is a nice place to stop at a nice spot near some Raffia (Raphia) Palms & a beautiful Sycamore-Fig [Ficus sycomorus]
Last remark: about your <b>"or"</b> lodges:
Clear the Nakuru issue: Lion hill much better than Nakuru lodge. & there is an Option of naivasha on the same day ("squeesed"
Try for Serena rather than Sopa at Samburu
aby
Basically, i agree to most of Sandi's suggestions.
still i would make 1 change in the (present) program:
IMHO since u visit Samburu, i would skip SweetWaters.
my advice is to add a sweet-water LAKE instead (e.g. Baringo or Naivasha), where u can have a boating experience +
in Naivasha, a walk among wildlife on crescent Island (+ a visit to Crater Lake )... you can also have a horseback tour etc' at Naivasha...
read more about Naivasha at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34800853
<u>Or</u> add a day to either Mara or Samburu where wildlife watching is better than at SweetWaters.
If u wanna take 1 flight, i may suggest Samburu to Mara & later drive back from Mara to Naivasha/Nakuru & back toi Nairobi.
Other small additins:
when driving from NBI to Mt. lodge -Aug 29th - MUST stop on the way at the Katatina Market (one of the largest open-air Markets in Africa), & possibly at a coffee plantation (there are also peneapple plantations, but your driver will prefer to put u in a "tourist-trap" curio on your first day out)
when returning from Samburu (if not flying) past Isiolo there is a nice place to stop at a nice spot near some Raffia (Raphia) Palms & a beautiful Sycamore-Fig [Ficus sycomorus]
Last remark: about your <b>"or"</b> lodges:
Clear the Nakuru issue: Lion hill much better than Nakuru lodge. & there is an Option of naivasha on the same day ("squeesed"
Try for Serena rather than Sopa at Samburu
aby
Feb 16th, 2007, 12:06 PM
#31
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Bernard & Lynn -
Thanks to both of you. Lynn, I was waiting for someone to pipe in there!!!
It's against the rules to promote myself and I follow rules. Those who wish, manage to find me. But there are many planners, operators and outfitters out there... enough for everyone to find a match. Besides, I have no issue assisting visitors as best I can. I too was in a bit of a fot, back about 13/yrs ago. The knowledge doesn't come overnight.
Bernard, you're going to have a great time and a wonderful experience.
Thanks to both of you. Lynn, I was waiting for someone to pipe in there!!!
It's against the rules to promote myself and I follow rules. Those who wish, manage to find me. But there are many planners, operators and outfitters out there... enough for everyone to find a match. Besides, I have no issue assisting visitors as best I can. I too was in a bit of a fot, back about 13/yrs ago. The knowledge doesn't come overnight.
Bernard, you're going to have a great time and a wonderful experience.
Feb 17th, 2007, 06:34 AM
#33
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<b>Correction, retraction, clarification, edification...</b>
I think the meaning of my last post is incorrect. I was reading Bernard's quote as indicating "she could have been in her own business" or "she could have opened her own business." as opposed to being an employee of a travel agent.
So I wanted to respond that Sandi does have her own business.
The meaning was not meant to be that she promotes her own company or uses this forum for advertising. If I had read the word "pushed" correctly, then I could have responded better.
11:18 pm, the time I posted, must just be past my bedtime and my comprehension no longer works.
Sorry for any confusion or insults!
I think the meaning of my last post is incorrect. I was reading Bernard's quote as indicating "she could have been in her own business" or "she could have opened her own business." as opposed to being an employee of a travel agent.
So I wanted to respond that Sandi does have her own business.
The meaning was not meant to be that she promotes her own company or uses this forum for advertising. If I had read the word "pushed" correctly, then I could have responded better.
11:18 pm, the time I posted, must just be past my bedtime and my comprehension no longer works.
Sorry for any confusion or insults!
Feb 19th, 2007, 04:56 AM
#35
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Hi Sandi and Lynn,
Many thanks to both of you. We know what you meant Lynn! Sorry for the late return; I have had the dreaded flue bug that is knocking so many down here in the cold and wet UK.
You deserve every success Sandi,the trip is booked on all your recs
and we can now look forward to a really great 'First Time Safari in Africa Experience'
Sorrry to be a pain but I have two more questions;
1) I am very prone to anything that bites or stings so would apreciate advice on repellents etc. (If there was only one mozzzie left in Africa it would find me)
2) Advise on clothing and shoes etc for August / September?
Best wishes
Bernard
Many thanks to both of you. We know what you meant Lynn! Sorry for the late return; I have had the dreaded flue bug that is knocking so many down here in the cold and wet UK.
You deserve every success Sandi,the trip is booked on all your recs
and we can now look forward to a really great 'First Time Safari in Africa Experience'
Sorrry to be a pain but I have two more questions;
1) I am very prone to anything that bites or stings so would apreciate advice on repellents etc. (If there was only one mozzzie left in Africa it would find me)
2) Advise on clothing and shoes etc for August / September?
Best wishes
Bernard
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