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#1
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Kenya safari..
I have plucked up the courage to re- visit Kenya ( I was born there, but
moved to England when I was a young boy) and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent tour company. Ideally, I'd like a 10-12 day safari with lots of game drives ( want to especially see elephants , rhinos,buffalo & lion) and maybe a couple of days bumming around on a beach after to relax for as cheap as possible...I have stipulated Kenya purley for sentimental reasons as I was born there and I am curious to see for myself the land of my birth. I have done an online search for uk operators, but there is absloultey no way of knowing who are decent or who are fly-by nights...pretty web pages don't sucker me in so easily! If anyone has any reccomendations or even general travel tips for a kenya safari, i'd sincerley appreciate it. I do know that Nairboi isn't that safe, esp when it gets dark! thanks so much in advance :-) -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#2
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Kenya safari..
I'm sure you will get some good recommendations. I don't have
any at the moment, but I have some related information that can be useful, on http://www.michna.com/kenya.htm , particularly check lists for what to take with you, current prices, etc. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
#3
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Kenya safari..
In message
"the_niner_nation" dipakREMOVE49ers@hotmaildotcom wrote: I have plucked up the courage to re- visit Kenya ( I was born there, but moved to England when I was a young boy) and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent tour company. Ideally, I'd like a 10-12 day safari with lots of game drives ( want to especially see elephants , rhinos,buffalo & lion) and maybe a couple of days bumming around on a beach after to relax for as cheap as possible...I have stipulated Kenya purley for sentimental reasons as I was born there and I am curious to see for myself the land of my birth. I have done an online search for uk operators, but there is absloultey no way of knowing who are decent or who are fly-by nights...pretty web pages don't sucker me in so easily! If anyone has any reccomendations or even general travel tips for a kenya safari, i'd sincerley appreciate it. I do know that Nairboi isn't that safe, esp when it gets dark! Right, I was going to suggest some tailor-made companies, but I see you mention price as an issue, so I'll suggest Kuoni. You can request their Africa brochure from their website, or just browse the site, or get it from some of the better High Street agencies (I can't find any price advantage website/agency, maybe others can?) They have almost certainly got the best range of safaris sold by a non tailor-making company in the UK. Bangs for bucks, you won't get better, but be sure to read between the lines. Anything which isn't mentioned in the itinerary you'll have to pay for. I didn't notice any 'issues' in last year's brochure, but I wasn't really fine-toothcombing. Also it's easy to either take a combined safari/beach break or add a beach break on to your trip, though I think the beach has to come after your safari in each case (haven't looked at this year's brochure). For lodge trips, I don't think you can get better bangs for bucks than Kuoni within the ABTA/AITA system. For balance, and because I have no connection with Kuoni, I'll say that there are also other companies which do safaris, e.g. Hayes and Jarvis and Somak. In the UK it's dead easy to see which companies are fly-by-night: they don't have ABTA/ ATOL bonding (and/or AITA for flights) (therefore can't legally operate out of the UK). The bond is so high, that it's unlikely that people would set up then abscond with your money. (If they did, the bond would cover the cost.) There are a few 'grey areas' within that, some operators work (legitimately) within another operator's bond (some of the specialist nature/birding companies work that way), but you'd have to check out individual cases for yourself. I suppose it would also be possible for a company to post a bonding logo falsely, so caveat emptor. If you're worried, check directly with the bonding agencies. Rhinos can be elusive, but if you spend a couple of nights at Lake Nakuru, you'd be very unlucky not to see the introduced White Rhinos. Elephants you'll see in most reserves other than Nairobi NP, lots at Amboseli. You'd be fairly unlucky not to see Lion, though they usually have lots of minibusses surrounding them. Buffalo are pretty widespread too. If lodge safaris are outwith your budget, there are people here who can recommend camping operators. The 'established' UK names for overlanding are Explore, Guerba and Dragoman. If you're interested in tailor-making your own trip, I can suggest a few names too. You could risk booking with a company in Kenya over the internet, (no doubt you'll get some 'offers' as a result of this post) and with the bigger names you might be OK, but of course in the event of a problem, you have no comeback (e.g. if the company goes bust, which isn't unheard of in Kenya, or if your plane is so late you need an overnight stay, you'd have to pay). Your choice! Safari njema Liz (Lots of info on my site, nothing to buy!) -- http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos Photo Gallery: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/g...emberID=165111 |
#4
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Kenya safari..
In message ,
the_niner_nation writes I have plucked up the courage to re- visit Kenya ( I was born there, but moved to England when I was a young boy) and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent tour company. Ideally, I'd like a 10-12 day safari with lots of game drives ( want to especially see elephants , rhinos,buffalo & lion) and maybe a couple of days bumming around on a beach after to relax for as cheap as possible...I have stipulated Kenya purley for sentimental reasons as I was born there and I am curious to see for myself the land of my birth. I have done an online search for uk operators, but there is absloultey no way of knowing who are decent or who are fly-by nights...pretty web pages don't sucker me in so easily! If anyone has any reccomendations or even general travel tips for a kenya safari, i'd sincerley appreciate it. I do know that Nairboi isn't that safe, esp when it gets dark! thanks so much in advance :-) Having read what Liz has to say I would agree. I was lucky to live in Kenya for several years but after returning to UK continued to return on holiday for many more years. The tour operators here to use are Kuoni and Somak, they are professional operators and will give you good accommodation and a fair price. Hans Georg has a lot of experience and a visit to his site will give you some good advice on many aspects of going on safari. Where were you born in Kenya out of interest? By the way, you don`t need to pluck up courage to visit Kenya, it`s a great country with friendly people and you will be well cared for whilst you are there. Pat. -- Pat Anderson |
#5
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Kenya safari..
Thank you all so much for some very useful and helpful replies. It was extremly thoughtful of all of you!! -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#6
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Kenya safari..
"Pat Anderson" wrote in message ... In message , the_niner_nation writes I have plucked up the courage to re- visit Kenya ( I was born there, but moved to England when I was a young boy) and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent tour company. Ideally, I'd like a 10-12 day safari with lots of game drives ( want to especially see elephants , rhinos,buffalo & lion) and maybe a couple of days bumming around on a beach after to relax for as cheap as possible...I have stipulated Kenya purley for sentimental reasons as I was born there and I am curious to see for myself the land of my birth. I have done an online search for uk operators, but there is absloultey no way of knowing who are decent or who are fly-by nights...pretty web pages don't sucker me in so easily! If anyone has any reccomendations or even general travel tips for a kenya safari, i'd sincerley appreciate it. I do know that Nairboi isn't that safe, esp when it gets dark! thanks so much in advance :-) Having read what Liz has to say I would agree. I was lucky to live in Kenya for several years but after returning to UK continued to return on holiday for many more years. The tour operators here to use are Kuoni and Somak, they are professional operators and will give you good accommodation and a fair price. Hans Georg has a lot of experience and a visit to his site will give you some good advice on many aspects of going on safari. Where were you born in Kenya out of interest? By the way, you don`t need to pluck up courage to visit Kenya, it`s a great country with friendly people and you will be well cared for whilst you are there. Pat. -- Pat Anderson I was born in the aga khan hospital in nairobi, but left kenya when i was a little boy....i've never been back since we left africa. -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#7
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Kenya safari..
In message ,
the_niner_nation writes "Pat Anderson" wrote in message ... In message , the_niner_nation writes I have plucked up the courage to re- visit Kenya ( I was born there, but moved to England when I was a young boy) and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent tour company. Ideally, I'd like a 10-12 day safari with lots of game drives ( want to especially see elephants , rhinos,buffalo & lion) and maybe a couple of days bumming around on a beach after to relax for as cheap as possible...I have stipulated Kenya purley for sentimental reasons as I was born there and I am curious to see for myself the land of my birth. I have done an online search for uk operators, but there is absloultey no way of knowing who are decent or who are fly-by nights...pretty web pages don't sucker me in so easily! If anyone has any reccomendations or even general travel tips for a kenya safari, i'd sincerley appreciate it. I do know that Nairboi isn't that safe, esp when it gets dark! thanks so much in advance :-) Having read what Liz has to say I would agree. I was lucky to live in Kenya for several years but after returning to UK continued to return on holiday for many more years. The tour operators here to use are Kuoni and Somak, they are professional operators and will give you good accommodation and a fair price. Hans Georg has a lot of experience and a visit to his site will give you some good advice on many aspects of going on safari. Where were you born in Kenya out of interest? By the way, you don`t need to pluck up courage to visit Kenya, it`s a great country with friendly people and you will be well cared for whilst you are there. Pat. -- Pat Anderson I was born in the aga khan hospital in nairobi, but left kenya when i was a little boy....i've never been back since we left africa. I know the hospital from visiting a friend who was in there. Go to Kenya for a visit, it`s a wonderful country with lakes, mountains, coast, and great wildlife, the people will say "karibu" or welcome and you will enjoy every moment! Once you have been there it leaves a lasting impression and you never forget it. Pat. -- Pat Anderson |
#8
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Kenya safari..
In message
Pat Anderson wrote: Go to Kenya for a visit, it`s a wonderful country with lakes, mountains, coast, and great wildlife, the people will say "karibu" or welcome and you will enjoy every moment! Once you have been there it leaves a lasting impression and you never forget it. Couldn't agree more. The only downside is the time you spend fretting about how/when you're going go get back. ;-) Slainte Liz -- http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos Photo Gallery: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/g...emberID=165111 |
#9
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Kenya safari..
"Liz Leyden" wrote in message ... In message Pat Anderson wrote: Go to Kenya for a visit, it`s a wonderful country with lakes, mountains, coast, and great wildlife, the people will say "karibu" or welcome and you will enjoy every moment! Once you have been there it leaves a lasting impression and you never forget it. Couldn't agree more. The only downside is the time you spend fretting about how/when you're going go get back. ;-) Slainte Liz -- http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos Photo Gallery: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/g...emberID=165111 I dont have any special urgency to visit the hotel, but my trip means I have to make my own flight arangements from London, giving me a full day to explore Nairobi. I ahve heard a lot of negative things about Nairobi, in particular, personal safety. is Nairobi ** really** that dangerous for someone who is sooo obviously a tourist??? That aside, i am really thrilled to do somehting that is very different from the sort of activities I usually do on my vacation , the usual places in the States and Europe are all so unsatisfying for me, i really can't wait to book...I am hoping to coincide my visit with the wildebeest migration if I can afford it :-) -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#10
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Kenya safari..
In message
"the_niner_nation" niner_nation_sf49ers.com wrote: I dont have any special urgency to visit the hotel, but my trip means I have to make my own flight arangements from London, giving me a full day to explore Nairobi. I hope you saw the Watchdog programme tonight about (financial) risks in booking flights independently. (It might be on their website? - basically an ATOL bond doesn't cover flights only. Also you're generally not covered in UK law if you book directly with the airline.) I ahve heard a lot of negative things about Nairobi, in particular, personal safety. is Nairobi ** really** that dangerous for someone who is sooo obviously a tourist??? Apparently so - but taxis are cheap :-) Remember how incredibly rich you are compared to many of the locals. Some Kenyans I've met don't spend a minute more than strictly necessary in Nairobi. TBH, There's not all that much worth seeing in Nairobi: main options a Nairobi National Park***** (easily worth a full day) Karen Blixen House and Giraffe Manor*** National Museum.*** Railway Museum (if you're interested in railways) Bomas of Kenya (traditional dances performed by professional dancers) (I haven't been to the last two) Slainte Liz -- http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos Photo Gallery: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/g...emberID=165111 |
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