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Kenya animal migration



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 16th, 2006, 12:48 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
mazda610328
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Kenya animal migration

I am thinking to go to Kenya to watch animal migration in the end of
Sept to beginning of Oct. Several questions might need help.
Appreciated.

- Is it a good timing, since I know it's seasonal activities?
- What's the proper length of vacation days? will 7-10days be too
boring to stay in different national parks (It's my first time to have
this kind of tour, i.e. wildlife kinda of tour) ? I saw a wide range of
tour package in different sites, from 4-5 days to 10-14 days. I will
fly from shanghai.

- Is it better to purchase local tour package in advance or it's very
easy to book upon arrival.
- Is it dangerours to travel alone?

Thanks,
Eunice

  #2  
Old August 16th, 2006, 03:11 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
Bill[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 49
Default Kenya animal migration

mazda610328 wrote:
I am thinking to go to Kenya to watch animal migration in the end of
Sept to beginning of Oct. Several questions might need help.
Appreciated.

- Is it a good timing, since I know it's seasonal activities?


I've only been to nearby Tanzania but the migration typically is in
Kenya's Masai Mara during the time frame you mention ... you can track
it at sites like this one ... http://www.atta.co.uk/nomad/index.html
.... seems a bit late reaching Kenya this year because of the excellent
conditions in the Serengeti.

- What's the proper length of vacation days? will 7-10days be too
boring to stay in different national parks


Depends entirely on you ... we've taken two trips to Tanzania, 13 and
10 nights on safari, and could easily have stayed longer but others are
bored after 3-4 days once they check off the major animals on their
list.

- Is it better to purchase local tour package in advance or it's very
easy to book upon arrival.


I understand July - Sept is peak travel time in Kenya so most of the
good places will be filled already. For example we are booking a long
trip to Tanzania next January when the migration is massed on the short
grass plains and two of the lodges we are using have been booked 100%
full since March for next January and February. So book in advance for
the busiest times.

- Is it dangerours to travel alone?


You should hire a drive/guide.

Bill

  #3  
Old August 16th, 2006, 06:21 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
mazda610328
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Kenya animal migration

Thanks much, Bill. It's helpful.

I just checked some website covering consolidated Safari Operators
info. and found that the cost per day ranges widely. For budget ranges
around USD 70-100 per day per person, is it normal price or cheap?
what's the lodging quality I could expect, clean & acceptable or lousy?

And~ when you were in Tanzania, what did you do there? Watching animals
all day long? How long does it take to travel from Masai Mara to
Serengeti?

Best,
Eunice

Bill wrote:
mazda610328 wrote:
I am thinking to go to Kenya to watch animal migration in the end of
Sept to beginning of Oct. Several questions might need help.
Appreciated.

- Is it a good timing, since I know it's seasonal activities?


I've only been to nearby Tanzania but the migration typically is in
Kenya's Masai Mara during the time frame you mention ... you can track
it at sites like this one ... http://www.atta.co.uk/nomad/index.html
... seems a bit late reaching Kenya this year because of the excellent
conditions in the Serengeti.

- What's the proper length of vacation days? will 7-10days be too
boring to stay in different national parks


Depends entirely on you ... we've taken two trips to Tanzania, 13 and
10 nights on safari, and could easily have stayed longer but others are
bored after 3-4 days once they check off the major animals on their
list.

- Is it better to purchase local tour package in advance or it's very
easy to book upon arrival.


I understand July - Sept is peak travel time in Kenya so most of the
good places will be filled already. For example we are booking a long
trip to Tanzania next January when the migration is massed on the short
grass plains and two of the lodges we are using have been booked 100%
full since March for next January and February. So book in advance for
the busiest times.

- Is it dangerours to travel alone?


You should hire a drive/guide.

Bill


  #4  
Old August 16th, 2006, 08:55 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
Bill[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 49
Default Kenya animal migration

mazda610328 wrote:
Thanks much, Bill. It's helpful.

I just checked some website covering consolidated Safari Operators
info. and found that the cost per day ranges widely. For budget ranges
around USD 70-100 per day per person, is it normal price or cheap?


Sounds very low to me given the cost of park entry fees etc ... my
guess is on a trip like this you are sharing a jeep with many other
people, doing one game drive mid-day instead of doing one in the early
AM and another in the afternoon, and staying at the cheapest
accomodations ... I don't know much about Kenya, maybe Dave Patterson
or Hans-Gorg Michna (who both know Kenya well) can chime in with some
words of wisdom on this and correct any misconceptions I have.

what's the lodging quality I could expect, clean & acceptable or lousy?


I don't know ... in Tanzania pretty good lodges like the Serena or Sopa
chains are running around $400 double per night with all meals while
the "Wildlife Lodge" chain with supposedly lousy service, shabby rooms
and indifferent food are around $200/night/dbl rack rate. Comparable
lodges in Kenya are supposedly cheaper (the Serena in Masai Mara is
under $300 double, for comparison), but I don't know what you'd get if
paying $100 per person for the vehicle, driver, park fees, food and
lodging ...

And~ when you were in Tanzania, what did you do there? Watching animals
all day long?


Our goal was to get in as many game drives as possible and photograph
animals ... you can see how we did at this site ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/africa/ ... if you have limited time
to look at pics these are the pages that are most popular, with the
cheetahs, lions and birds ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...06/cheetah.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...lion_fight.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...etah_T4710.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...lion_T2707.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta.../birds_all.htm

To get shots like this we have a private vehicle so we can stay out as
long as necessary and, especially important, leave the lodge at first
light ... most people wait for breakfast at the lodge and get to the
animals about 2 hours after the best action.

How long does it take to travel from Masai Mara to Serengeti?


They are adjacent, the Masai Mara is basically just the northern
extension of the Serengeti ecosystem ... however Tanzania shut the
border crossing many years ago so it's not feasible to drive directly
across the border there and most people return to Nairobi, then to
Arusha and then to Serengeti ... for the months you mentioned there is
more going on at Masai Mara so if you go there I wouldn't stress out
trying to reach the Serengeti to see lower numbers of the same animals
.... in Sept and Oct I think the best parks in northern Tanzania are
Tarangire and Lake Manyara plus the Ngorongoro Crater area.

Bill

  #5  
Old August 17th, 2006, 01:05 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
LisaG
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Kenya animal migration

Hi,

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here...

I own a travel company and would be very wary of any company offering
safari drives for less than $100 per day (speaking of Tanzania or
Kenya). First, the park fees are $30 - $50 per person per day, so
check to see if the sites that are offering safaris for $70 - $100 even
include your entry fees. A camping safari will run more than $100 per
day... and that is WITH a bunch of people. Bill is right on the money
there.

If you want to go for a quality experience, I would suggest spending
the money required to match your expectations. I don't mean dishing
$600 per day, but for LODGING (not ground tents), and meals that are
not shared affairs around a picnic table... AND if you want to be able
to get out and take photos at your own pace, you certainly will not
want to share an "overlander" or even a completely full van where
people will be jostling for space when The Photo steps in front of your
lens.

Sorry there's no good Cheap safari out there that will give you the
experience you hope to have. A camping safari is excellent if you are
not bothered by sleeping on a ground mat, raising a mug with a group of
strangers-soon-to-be-friends, and if you are there for the sheer
experience of being in Africa. If you are looking for more, you're
going to have to pay for it.

PS: the Crater is one of the most expensive parks with a daily entry
fee AND a "service fee"... the Serengeti has the daily fee and a
"transit fee" tagged on.

safari njema!
Lisa


Bill wrote:
mazda610328 wrote:
Thanks much, Bill. It's helpful.

I just checked some website covering consolidated Safari Operators
info. and found that the cost per day ranges widely. For budget ranges
around USD 70-100 per day per person, is it normal price or cheap?


Sounds very low to me given the cost of park entry fees etc ... my
guess is on a trip like this you are sharing a jeep with many other
people, doing one game drive mid-day instead of doing one in the early
AM and another in the afternoon, and staying at the cheapest
accomodations ... I don't know much about Kenya, maybe Dave Patterson
or Hans-Gorg Michna (who both know Kenya well) can chime in with some
words of wisdom on this and correct any misconceptions I have.

what's the lodging quality I could expect, clean & acceptable or lousy?


I don't know ... in Tanzania pretty good lodges like the Serena or Sopa
chains are running around $400 double per night with all meals while
the "Wildlife Lodge" chain with supposedly lousy service, shabby rooms
and indifferent food are around $200/night/dbl rack rate. Comparable
lodges in Kenya are supposedly cheaper (the Serena in Masai Mara is
under $300 double, for comparison), but I don't know what you'd get if
paying $100 per person for the vehicle, driver, park fees, food and
lodging ...

And~ when you were in Tanzania, what did you do there? Watching animals
all day long?


Our goal was to get in as many game drives as possible and photograph
animals ... you can see how we did at this site ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/africa/ ... if you have limited time
to look at pics these are the pages that are most popular, with the
cheetahs, lions and birds ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...06/cheetah.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...lion_fight.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...etah_T4710.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta...lion_T2707.htm
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/ta.../birds_all.htm

To get shots like this we have a private vehicle so we can stay out as
long as necessary and, especially important, leave the lodge at first
light ... most people wait for breakfast at the lodge and get to the
animals about 2 hours after the best action.

How long does it take to travel from Masai Mara to Serengeti?


They are adjacent, the Masai Mara is basically just the northern
extension of the Serengeti ecosystem ... however Tanzania shut the
border crossing many years ago so it's not feasible to drive directly
across the border there and most people return to Nairobi, then to
Arusha and then to Serengeti ... for the months you mentioned there is
more going on at Masai Mara so if you go there I wouldn't stress out
trying to reach the Serengeti to see lower numbers of the same animals
... in Sept and Oct I think the best parks in northern Tanzania are
Tarangire and Lake Manyara plus the Ngorongoro Crater area.

Bill


  #6  
Old August 17th, 2006, 03:07 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Bill[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 49
Default Kenya animal migration

LisaG wrote:

If you want to go for a quality experience, I would suggest spending
the money required to match your expectations. I don't mean dishing
$600 per day ...


I agree with Lisa ... we are using a well-regarded ground agent in
Arusha, booking directly with them because we know exactly where we
wish to go, and it's costing in the range of $350 - 400 per day for two
people staying at Serena - Sopa class lodges with a private guide and
an over-sized vehicle set up for long-lens photography. We could shave
off some costs with another person in the jeep or getting a smaller
jeep or not spending so many days at the more expensive parks like
Serengeti or Ngorongoro, but with a private driver it's probably hard
to get this below $250/day or so.

Then there are people paying $1,400 per night for a double at the CCA
lodges and finding they have to share a vehicle on their game drive ...
but they are happy because they have a deluxe luxury lodging
experience.

Sorry there's no good Cheap safari out there that will give you the
experience you hope to have.


Sad but true, due to the high cost of park fees and need to have a
driver/guide.

PS: the Crater is one of the most expensive parks with a daily entry
fee AND a "service fee"... the Serengeti has the daily fee and a
"transit fee" tagged on.


We didn't break out our costs all the way to the entrance fees, but I
think it's still only $25 per day at Lake Manyara and Tarangire ... you
can actually find cheap lodging outside Manyara in the aptly named Mto
Wa Mbu ("Mosquito River") and do a cheap safari there, but it's a small
park ... but Serengeti is I think $50 per tourist per day plus $6 for
the jeep plus $1.50 for the driver or $107.50 per day for two people
just to get in ... and add another $10 "guide fee" (though you don't
get the guide) if going off the main road to the good stuff like Gol
Kopjes ... Ngorongoro is even worse, I think $30 per day per person
just to be in the Conservation Area and $100 per jeep to descend to the
crater floor, now limited to only 6 hours per day to boot ... so $160
per day for two at Ngorongoro crater ... that's why I was skeptical
about the $100/day or cheaper trips ... I think Kenya fees are lower
than Tanzania fees though (for now).

Bill

  #7  
Old August 17th, 2006, 10:43 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
ngeresa
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 27
Default Kenya animal migration

Actually 7-10 days is good.You can visit the maasai mara but to make it
more better you can accomodate more parks just to make your tour more
intresting.

Actually right now is the best time to visit August to October.You can
click on this link to get the migration map
http://www.destination-connect.com/e...pmigration.htm

To make your vacation better i would advice you to accomodate mombasa
so that you can enjoy the beach.

You can check on some of these itineraries
8 day safari
http://www.destination-connect.com/e...wmarketing.htm

11 day safari inclusive of the kenya coast


Day 1:
Met on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, briefed by
the Destination Connect representative and transfer to Safari Park
Hotel or similar-
Nairobi. Booked on bed & breakfast basis. Free evening entertainment by
the resident safari cats. Optional City Tour of Nairobi Overnight at
the hotel.

Information about NAIROBI
Nairobi is a cosmopolitan and multicultural religious city, with many
immigrants from former British colonies, including India, Somalia and
Sudan. This is highlighted in the number of churches, mosques, temples
and gurdwaras within the city.


Day 2:
After breakfast, depart southwards to Amboseli National Park famous for
its spectacular view of the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather
permitting). Arrive at Amboseli Serena Lodge/Similar in time for lunch
and at 1600hrs enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive in the park. This
is in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, beside Acacia trees and a natural
spring, amidst more big game than almost anywhere else in Africa.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 3
Full day game drive in the park, to see more of the spectacular views
in the park.

Information about AMBOSELI
Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border
with Tanzania. Amboseli was established as a reserve in 1968 and
gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms
part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem. Large
concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making
Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6
communally owned group ranches.
The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains,
acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and
covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin is
a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy
rainfall. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic
beauty - the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.

Activity
Game viewing, bird watching

Day 4:
After breakfast, depart and drive to Nairobi with a snack stop ( OWN
ACCOUNT) Then proceed to the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park
arriving at Lake Nakuru Lodge / Similar enjoy a game drive in the park
that also takes you to the shores of the lake famous for its birdlife
especially flamingoes that form a pink hue across the lake enroute to
the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Information about LAKE NAKURU
Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent.
It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and
grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh
and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of
acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on
the eastern perimeter.
The lake catchment is bounded by Menengai crater to the north, the
Bahati hills to the north east, the lion hill ranges to the east, eburu
crater to the south and the mau escarpment to the west. Three major
rivers, the njoro, makalia and enderit drain into the lake, together
with treated water from the town's sewage works and the outflow from
several springs along the shore.
Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded
to National Park status in 1968. A northern extension was added to the
park in 1974 and the lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The
foundation of the parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina
platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo.

Activity
Game viewing, bird watching

Day 5:
Depart Nakuru after breakfast and drive through the floor of the Rift
Valley to the world famous game reserve, the Maasai Mara arriving at
Mara Serena Lodge / Similar in time for lunch. At 1600hrs enjoy an
afternoon game drive in the reserve. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 6 & 7:
Full day in the reserve with both morning and afternoon game drives at
0630hrs and 1600hrs respectively. The Mara is the northern extension of
the Serengeti and its rolling plains are home to hundreds of plains
game together with predators that feed on them. All meals and overnight
at Mara Serena Lodge / Similar.

Information about MAASAI MARA
The Maasai Mara is Kenya's most celebrated game park, it offers the
possibility of seeing "the big five" and many other species of game.
This is where the great wildebeest migration is a spectacle to behold
for any would be visitor to Kenya mainly in July and August of each
year. We drive straight to our Permanent campsite along the Talek
River, which borders the reserve. Accommodation is in large stand-up
tents with beds. Showers are available in the camp and meals are served
in the dinning mess or in the open.

Activity
Game Watching, Wildlife, Ethnic, Traditional Dances, Photography,
Relaxation, Camping.

Day 8:
Say good-bye to the "bush" as you depart the Maraand drive back to
Nairobi arriving early afternoon. Lunch at the carnivore and thereafter
proceed to JKIA airport for your scheduled flight to Lamu. Met on
arrival and transferred to Kijani House Hotel. Dinner & Overnight at
Kijani House Hotel or similar.

Information about CARNIVORE
The Carnivore is a unique experience. This open-air meat specialty
restaurant has become a standard stop on the safari trail. Every type
of meat imaginable, including four choices of wild game, is roasted on
traditional Maasai swords (skewers) over a huge, visually spectacular
charcoal pit that dominates the entrance of the restaurant.

DAY 9& 10
You have two more leisurely days to enjoy the beach and activities
available at Kijani. For a change of pace, you may also take a
traditional dhow and sail to the town of Lamu, the oldest surviving
town on the coast of East Africa. The old stone town has narrow winding
streets, historic mosques and a colorful market. There are no cars
allowed on the island, so transportation is by donkey or dhow. The
atmosphere here is friendly and relaxed and day to day life here has
changed little over the centuries. Overnight


DAY 11
Spend your morning at leisure. After lunch you will be transferred to
the airstrip where you will depart on the Kenya Airways flight back to
Nairobi. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to dinner. Afterwards
you will be driven back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to
connect with your flight home.

The migration period is tricky its better you book in advance reason
the demand for accomodation is usually high.

Its not dangerous to travel alone cause you will have a tour guide.

Parks have beefed up security

Paul
enquiries@destination-connect,com



mazda610328 wrote:
I am thinking to go to Kenya to watch animal migration in the end of
Sept to beginning of Oct. Several questions might need help.
Appreciated.

- Is it a good timing, since I know it's seasonal activities?
- What's the proper length of vacation days? will 7-10days be too
boring to stay in different national parks (It's my first time to have
this kind of tour, i.e. wildlife kinda of tour) ? I saw a wide range of
tour package in different sites, from 4-5 days to 10-14 days. I will
fly from shanghai.

- Is it better to purchase local tour package in advance or it's very
easy to book upon arrival.
- Is it dangerours to travel alone?

Thanks,
Eunice


  #8  
Old August 17th, 2006, 07:47 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
mazda610328
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Kenya animal migration

WOW, I feel so blessed that I got so many feedback and great
experiences sharing.

Bill, are you a professional photogragher? Those photos in the link are
so beautiful and more than eligible to publish in National Geography.

I think I would adjust my plan based on the suggestions: skip Tanzania
and arrange more budget for better travel quality. Good news is 2 of my
friends might join me, therefore, we could share vans to have more
flexible schedule at reasonable price, comparing if I travel alone. We
will also stop by Dubai for 2-3 days (we need to take connecting flight
there anyway).

I've got few itinerary from Safari operators today. Below one looks
good to me and in very details (sorry, it's long). My concerns is
whether it's typical and worthy to spend several hrs in vans traveling
among different places. Would it be also possible if my friends and I
want to cover mombasa, as Paul mentioned. pretty far though (we will
stay 7-8 days total in Kenya). I know I need to prioritize....just like
to experiences different things in Kenya.

Bill, Lisa and Paul. Thanks again.

Eunice


Day 1: Nairobi/Samburu
Depart Nairobi (morning) and drive across to Samburu, arriving Samburu
Serena Lodge in time lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight
at Sarova shaba lodge.
Approx Transit time: 5½ hrs

Day 2: Samburu
Full day in Samburu, with an early morning and late afternoon game
drive.
All meals and overnight at Sarova shaba lodge.

Day 3: Mountain Lodge
Depart Samburu after breakfast and drive to the lower slopes of Mt.
Kenya arriving Mountain Rock Lodge for lunch. Relax the afternoon away
as you watch game from the balcony with an optional guided nature walk.
Overnight floodlit game viewing - Mountain Lodge rightfully boasts of
having the highest record of animal visits and sightings in the area.
Dinner and overnight..
Approx Transit time: 3½ hrs

Day 4: Lake Nakuru
Depart Mountain Lodge (morning) and drive to the floor of the Rift
Valley - to Lake Nakuru National Park making a brief stop at Nyahururu
Thomson Falls. Arrive Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in time for lunch.
Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Approx Transit time: 3 hrs

Day 5: Lake Nakuru/Maasai Mara
Depart Lake Nakuru after breakfast and drive along the floor of the
Rift Valley to Maasai Mara, arriving Mara Sopa Lodge for lunch.
Afternoon game drive. Dinner at the lodge.
Approx Transit time: 6 hrs

Day 6: Maasai Mara
Spend the day in Maasai Mara. Game drives are flexible, with the option
of going out with picnic lunch boxes to spend entire day in the the
park, or you can choose to have early morning and late afternoon game
drives. All meals and overnight Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 7: Maasai Mara/Nairobi
Another early morning game drive in Maasai Mara, then depart after
breakfast and drive back to Nairobi arriving approx 13:00hrs. Drop at
your hotel or transfer to the airport Approx Transit time: 5½ hrs

2006 Prices:
High season: US$1469 per person sharing







Bill wrote:
LisaG wrote:

If you want to go for a quality experience, I would suggest spending
the money required to match your expectations. I don't mean dishing
$600 per day ...


I agree with Lisa ... we are using a well-regarded ground agent in
Arusha, booking directly with them because we know exactly where we
wish to go, and it's costing in the range of $350 - 400 per day for two
people staying at Serena - Sopa class lodges with a private guide and
an over-sized vehicle set up for long-lens photography. We could shave
off some costs with another person in the jeep or getting a smaller
jeep or not spending so many days at the more expensive parks like
Serengeti or Ngorongoro, but with a private driver it's probably hard
to get this below $250/day or so.

Then there are people paying $1,400 per night for a double at the CCA
lodges and finding they have to share a vehicle on their game drive ...
but they are happy because they have a deluxe luxury lodging
experience.

Sorry there's no good Cheap safari out there that will give you the
experience you hope to have.


Sad but true, due to the high cost of park fees and need to have a
driver/guide.

PS: the Crater is one of the most expensive parks with a daily entry
fee AND a "service fee"... the Serengeti has the daily fee and a
"transit fee" tagged on.


We didn't break out our costs all the way to the entrance fees, but I
think it's still only $25 per day at Lake Manyara and Tarangire ... you
can actually find cheap lodging outside Manyara in the aptly named Mto
Wa Mbu ("Mosquito River") and do a cheap safari there, but it's a small
park ... but Serengeti is I think $50 per tourist per day plus $6 for
the jeep plus $1.50 for the driver or $107.50 per day for two people
just to get in ... and add another $10 "guide fee" (though you don't
get the guide) if going off the main road to the good stuff like Gol
Kopjes ... Ngorongoro is even worse, I think $30 per day per person
just to be in the Conservation Area and $100 per jeep to descend to the
crater floor, now limited to only 6 hours per day to boot ... so $160
per day for two at Ngorongoro crater ... that's why I was skeptical
about the $100/day or cheaper trips ... I think Kenya fees are lower
than Tanzania fees though (for now).

Bill


  #9  
Old August 18th, 2006, 11:03 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Rita Daggett
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 32
Default Kenya animal migration

Personally, I'd go for more nights per place at fewer places.
The roads arent that good so the travelling is tiring (although you will see
game along the way, and African life).
After quite a lot of safaris (tho not in Kenya for many years) we now go for
at least 3 nights in any one place, and also flying between lodges if its a
long way.
I know many on this group say that having your own driver/guide for the
entire journey is better, but our only experience of that (in Tanzania)
wasnt brilliant, and we've found that the 'resident' guides (in Botswana,
Zimbabwe and Zambia anyway) at lodges are excellent and know 'their patch'
intimately.
Having said all that tho, our first safaris (in Kenya) were Kuoni packages
with (mostly) 2 nights at each lodge) and we enjoyed them enough to keep
going back!
--
Rita Daggett



  #10  
Old August 24th, 2006, 02:22 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default Kenya animal migration

The Migration is arriving in the Mara as we speak. Lodges have been
booked out well in advance and accommodation is scarce. The 'migration'
remains in the Mara through to October and viewing remains good, but I
would recommend booking in advance. 3 nights in the Mara is generally
enough, then Kenya has a host of attractions to keep you busy. The Rift
Valley with flamingoes, Amboseli and views of Kilimanjaro or relax on
the beach.

Its as safe as visiting London on your own. Walk in the wrong areas
(which are normally obvious) and its not safe

mazda610328 wrote:
I am thinking to go to Kenya to watch animal migration in the end of
Sept to beginning of Oct. Several questions might need help.
Appreciated.

- Is it a good timing, since I know it's seasonal activities?
- What's the proper length of vacation days? will 7-10days be too
boring to stay in different national parks (It's my first time to have
this kind of tour, i.e. wildlife kinda of tour) ? I saw a wide range of
tour package in different sites, from 4-5 days to 10-14 days. I will
fly from shanghai.

- Is it better to purchase local tour package in advance or it's very
easy to book upon arrival.
- Is it dangerours to travel alone?

Thanks,
Eunice


 




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