Kenya Safari Advice

[reigate]

Looking to go to Kenya for 2 weeks in October, to include approx 4 days safari as well as a beach resort.

Anyone got any good tips? How much cheaper is it to book the safari whilst im there and is this advisable?

 

[Acker79]

Kenya is where the giraffes are.

 

[Ulloa's Soul Patch]

Kenya is where the giraffes are.

Congrats

 

[Acker79]

There's a video about it here:

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/songs/kenya/

 

[Brian Parsons]

You'll love it I was there many years ago, the people are very friendly and scenery is mind blowing. take your anti malaria pills and sleep under a mosquito net, if like me you find them slightly claustrophobic go to bed reeking of alcohol, Mossies can't abide the smell of beer! My only concern is the date you are going, Africa only has two seasons hot and cool, during the transition off seasons the wildlife goes to ground. I was there in November and on safari I saw one Elephant and two giraffes!

 

[ferring seagull]

Looking to go to Kenya for 2 weeks in October, to include approx 4 days safari as well as a beach resort.

Anyone got any good tips? How much cheaper is it to book the safari whilst im there and is this advisable?

In our experience, we got a better deal signing up for it here but check it out.

 

[reigate]

You'll love it I was there many years ago, the people are very friendly and scenery is mind blowing. take your anti malaria pills and sleep under a mosquito net, if like me you find them slightly claustrophobic go to bed reeking of alcohol, Mossies can't abide the smell of beer! My only concern is the date you are going, Africa only has two seasons hot and cool, during the transition off seasons the wildlife goes to ground. I was there in November and on safari I saw one Elephant and two giraffes!

Thanks - October seems to be just about ok, but November looks dodgy

 

[Wilko]

I will be living in Nairobi as from Aug so PM me and we can hook up for a Tusker beer and chat about the Albion

 

[reigate]

In our experience, we got a better deal signing up for it here but check it out.

Who did you use? Some of the packages seem outrageous. Gametrackersafaris.com look reasonable. Most advice seems to suggest it is much cheaper booking out there, but you run the risk of not getting what you want and waste holiday time sorting it

 

[n1 gull]

We went last year, stunning holiday. It does depend on your budget to be honest. We chucked a ton of money at it as it was a holiday of a lifetime, but it was worth every penny. We avoided large tours etc and stayed on a private ex colonial ranch. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the sea, which I regret. We spoke to fellow travellers who stayed just outside Mombasa in little hotels ( not all inclusive ) and they loved it

 

[reigate]

I will be living in Nairobi as from Aug so PM me and we can hook up for a Tusker beer and chat about the Albion

Will do - Brett mentioned you were going...

 

[Wilko]

Will do - Brett mentioned you were going...

Yes. Brett will be coming out at some point to do a safari too

 

[SeagullSongs]

My advice is to spend a couple more days on safari.
We flew into Mombassa, and went to Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Kilimanjaro-Kimana and the Masai Mara, 6 days in total and we still didn't see leopards or cheetahs. The second week was relaxing at the hotel, I think we got the balance pretty much spot on.

Also, take a few really cheap football shirts (preferably England, Man United, etc) and use them for haggling, they'll be worth more than you paid for them.

 

[lawros left foot]

Went with the navy years ago,probably the best country I have ever been to. I think Malindi Beach is the best beach area, just outside Mombasa, I hope you have a wonderful holiday

 

[reigate]

My advice is to spend a couple more days on safari.
We flew into Mombassa, and went to Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Kilimanjaro-Kimana and the Masai Mara, 6 days in total and we still didn't see leopards or cheetahs. The second week was relaxing at the hotel, I think we got the balance pretty much spot on.

Also, take a few really cheap football shirts (preferably England, Man United, etc) and use them for haggling, they'll be worth more than you paid for them.

Plan was to spend week chilling on Mombssa. It possible to do a safari that takes in Masia Mara, then moves west to Tsavo West, removing the need to get a flight from Nairobi to Mombassa

 

[Bald Gull]

Who did you use? Some of the packages seem outrageous. Gametrackersafaris.com look reasonable. Most advice seems to suggest it is much cheaper booking out there, but you run the risk of not getting what you want and waste holiday time sorting it

Try African Big Five (africanbigfivesafaris.com). They are based in Uganda but do great safaris across east Africa. They are also great value. Have done a few safaris and they are by far the best operator I've used.

 

[swindonseagull]

I will be living in Nairobi as from Aug so PM me and we can hook up for a Tusker beer and chat about the Albion

stay safe there....I used to go there a few times a year when I was flying in the RAF...

Nairobi city centre is a shit hole and definitely not safe after dark for a white man.....

enjoyed Tusker in Florida 2000 though and cheap exotic flowers to bring home for the wife from the market... ( and soap stone chess sets)

 

[smudge]

Trip Advisor is probaly better than NSC for this sort of thing.

 

[reigate]

We went last year, stunning holiday. It does depend on your budget to be honest. We chucked a ton of money at it as it was a holiday of a lifetime, but it was worth every penny.

Was hoping to only spend about £3,000 for 2 of us. Is that unrealistic? I have seen reasonable flights for about £650 each and hotels for £50 a night

 

[Wilko]

stay safe there....I used to go there a few times a year when I was flying in the RAF...

Nairobi city centre is a shit hole and definitely not safe after dark for a white man.....

enjoyed Tusker in Florida 2000 though and cheap exotic flowers to bring home for the wife from the market... ( and soap stone chess sets)

Cheers for the message. Needless to say I am going to be living in one of the posh suburbs!!