Safari Kenya or South Africa?

MANUTD99

Can anyone give some tips on their experiences?

Myself and herself want to go. We dont want to do any camping out in the rough and are looking to do some sort of a escourted tour staying in hotels/lodges.

Any hints on which tour operators you used for flights/trip:)

MANUTD99

Has anybody ever used this company before?

http://www.travelmood.ie/

0verblood

I'm in Kenya right now, I did the Masaai Mara safari, the trip is spread out over three days and I saw exactly what I wanted to see - lots of lions!





The safari cost me $300 including food transport and accomodation, and the accomodation is a pretty good campsite, but if you want to use a lodge or hotel I'm sure the tour company can arrange that for you, you wouldn't believe the posh hotels you can find in the bush.

I used www.intonaturesafaris.com, their driver Sam is a great guy. I booked it from Nairobi so it was pretty easy, not sure how you would arrange everything from Ireland. And I don't have a clue about South Africa so maybe wait for some more replies.

How long would you like to spend in Kenya?

Any more questions feel free to ask.

MANUTD99

Your pictures look amazing.

I think we are gonna go with Kenya.

I think we may spend around 10 days there now. 3/4 nights on safari trip and the rest chilling out on the beach resorts of Mumbassa (not sure of spelling!!). What would be your advice on organising this?

I am well travelled but have not been in Africa so a little concerned regarding safety etc hence hoping to book everything from Irelnad.

0verblood

I've been in Africa a year and it's pretty safe, especially if you're just sticking to the touristic spots like the safari parks and Mombasa.

I'm not sure if you're a luxury traveler or what, I'm a cheapo backpacker with no time limit or schedule so I did everything by ear. You could start off in Nairobi, and I'm sure any hotel you stay in can organize a safari for you. I just organized my safari from the hostel I was staying in and I was on the way to the game reserve the next morning. Maybe you should try contact the site I linked above to arrange everything beforehand.

Then when you're done with the safari, you can catch a short flight from Nairobi to Mombasa, takes about half an hour, cost is probably around 50euro. Or the cheaper option is the bus but this takes 6 or 7 hours so if you're only here for 10 days I'd say take the flight.

Mombasa is really nice, try kahamahotel.co.ke, it's just on the beach.

Spook_ie

Hiya, 10 of us went in July 2007 (family trip, 5 adults & 5 kids) we booked everything through Trailfinders here in Dublin, they use a local company in Kenya called Pollman's. This company picked us up from Nairobi Airport and got us to all our various accommodations - we went to Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Masai Mara and then to Mombassa and back to Nairobi. They also organised our internal flights. Dont forget to visit Daphne Sheldricks Elephant orphanage in Nairobi - best to adopt an 'ele' before you leave ($50) and then you can have a private visit in the evening at 5pm it was amazing !!!! any questions feel free to ask.

MANUTD99

Spook_ie wrote: »

Hiya, 10 of us went in July 2007 (family trip, 5 adults & 5 kids) we booked everything through Trailfinders here in Dublin, they use a local company in Kenya called Pollman's. This company picked us up from Nairobi Airport and got us to all our various accommodations - we went to Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Masai Mara and then to Mombassa and back to Nairobi. They also organised our internal flights. Dont forget to visit Daphne Sheldricks Elephant orphanage in Nairobi - best to adopt an 'ele' before you leave ($50) and then you can have a private visit in the evening at 5pm it was amazing !!!! any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for the info!!

Would you mind telling me how much the price worked out per person?

Spook_ie

You are probably going to be shocked when I tell you, so bear in mind, the price included return flights from Dublin (premium economy from LHR to Nairobi), 1 night Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi.
Internal Flight to Amboseli - 2 nights in Ol' Tukai Lodge
Flight back to Nairobi, then flight to Masai Mara, 2 nights Mara Simba, 1 night Mara Intrepids, flight back to Nairobi
Drive to Lake Nakuru, 1 night in Lake Nakuru Lodge,
Back to Nairobi, flight to Mombasa
7 nights in Mombasa Serena, flight back to Nairobi
1 night Norfolk Hotel

Plus 2 trips to Daphne Sheldricks & Giraff Manor and all park fees and transfers, full board on safari, half board in Mombasa Serena.

it worked out at 2,500 euros per person - we had what is called a private safari and did not share any vehicles during our 2 wk visit. Are you shocked ?!!!!! It was a very special holiday that FIL paid for following a bereavement and I can honestly say it was fab.

MANUTD99

Spook_ie wrote: »

You are probably going to be shocked when I tell you, so bear in mind, the price included return flights from Dublin (premium economy from LHR to Nairobi), 1 night Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi.
Internal Flight to Amboseli - 2 nights in Ol' Tukai Lodge
Flight back to Nairobi, then flight to Masai Mara, 2 nights Mara Simba, 1 night Mara Intrepids, flight back to Nairobi
Drive to Lake Nakuru, 1 night in Lake Nakuru Lodge,
Back to Nairobi, flight to Mombasa
7 nights in Mombasa Serena, flight back to Nairobi
1 night Norfolk Hotel

Plus 2 trips to Daphne Sheldricks & Giraff Manor and all park fees and transfers, full board on safari, half board in Mombasa Serena.

it worked out at 2,500 euros per person - we had what is called a private safari and did not share any vehicles during our 2 wk visit. Are you shocked ?!!!!! It was a very special holiday that FIL paid for following a bereavement and I can honestly say it was fab.

I'm not overly shocked TBH, its a holiday of a lifetime. I reckon if I could cut some days off to around ten days I could maybe get the trip for around 2000. I've worked hard this year and recently lost a family member myself so its good to enjoy yourself when you can..

Did you need to get many injections and need malaria tablets?

Spook_ie

Hiya, yes, you can definately cut your time down to 10 days. Personally if we were to go back, we would leave out Lake Nakuru. We did love Amboseli as it is famous for its huge herds of Elephants and the view of Mount Kilimanjaro was stunning from the Ol Tukai lodge, and the most famous really is the Masai Mara.
The lesser known area is Tsavo East & West.

We spent 10 months researching this holiday and it was tough with 5 adults ! SIL made things very hard work, so with just the two of you it should be easier !!! If you end up choosing the Masai Mara - please please do your research as to where your accommodation is, so many of the lodges are actually outside the park itself and can mean long drives before you get into the park - best area is around the Talek river ie Mara Intrepids, Mara Serena, Old Governors etc.

In relation to Mombasa, we stayed in the Serena (north coast) which was lovely, if your accommodation is on the south coast, just be aware of the long transfer which includes a ferry crossing - the ferry is notorious for breaking down. Dont forget that the rainy season is May & November.

Lastly, the adults all needed boosters ie polio, diptheria etc, the kids didnt because their childhood immunisations were still valid. I think we also had hepatitis, but you do NOT need the yellow fever vaccination if you are just going to Kenya. Yes, you def need Malaria tablets and we used Malarone.

0verblood

Serena is one of the poshest hotels in the coast, I really don't think you need to splurge that much! 2,000 per person brings the cost of the 10 day holiday to 4,000e!!! That's a bit ridiculous... Unless you're rich?

Also the kahama hotel I linked you to is locally owned, unlike the other luxury ones where the owners are either wealthy Indians or Europeans

Anyways it's up to you. You could cut a few grand off the price tag if you DIY.

By the way, check jetairfly for cheap flights to Mombasa from Brussels. I got a flight from Mombasa to Brussels for 200euro.

MANUTD99

So will be booking this trip at the end of the month.

Can anybody give me an accounts regarding safety over in Kenya. I've been reading mixed reports online and my OH is slightly doubting now