Best way to book holiday to Kenya but with a few differences

xxlaurissaxx

Hi, Im not sure where to start with booking a holiday to Kenya in October 2012.

I have went through agents before when going on a standard 2 week beach holiday or volunteering but I want something different.

Im looking to go to Kenya for 8 days beach holiday, 4 day safari (preferrably staying in tree top accomodation or lodges) and possibly going to madagascar for a couple of days or even a day trip but I dont need to go to Madagascar.

I want to do it as cheap as possible (as close to 2 thousand pounds for 2 adults) but Im not sure if I should do all the bookings myself or go through a company?

Has anyone ever been to Kenya for this sort of holiday? Also am I better going all inclusive or half board?

Many Thanks for any advice you have.

xxlaurissaxx

delwynshd

2K would be really pushing it

If your looking at the Masai Mara for Safari then its a definate no

You can do Safaris from Mombasa in Tsavo East & West which are much cheaper but your budget is a little low

Del

xxlaurissaxx

Im not really fussed about where I do safari just aslong as I can see the big 5 (I know theres a risk that wherever I go, that I might not see them) How much realistically would I be looking at altogether?

Thanks

xxlaurissaxx

Incapuppy

A lot of the big Tour Operators will be able to tailor make a trip to your requirements. Agree that your budget is way too low for some of your ideas and with your budget I would be inclined to forget about Madagascar completely.

I researched a similar trip last year and Virgin Holidays were very competitively priced amongst UK operators. The alternative is to go DIY and use a local tour operator as this could well lower costs; many are recommended over on the Trip Advisor forums.

delwynshd

I would suggest about 3k Laurissa

Del

littlestar1981

Flights alone from Kenya to Madagascar are very expensive, you might have to skip that bit if you're on a budget.

Lonely Planet and Trip Advisor forums usually offer recommendations on good local safari companies (cheaper than booking with a UK company). Trains from Nairobi to Mombasa take you through Tsavo NP so you could safari from Mombasa to Tsavo or safari to Maasai Mara before going home from Nairobi.

AI or HB - depends whether you're the kind of traveller that will leave the comfort of your hotel to seek out places to eat. In fact thhe whole thing depends on whether you're the independent traveller type or you prefer everything set up for you (and will pay for the privelege)

xxlaurissaxx

Im an independant traveller so not fussed about having everything there for me. I enjoy going out exploring, but I think all inclusive would save us alot of money. I've looked into it and im going to give madagascar a miss as, as yous have said it very expensive. Im looking into other areas aswell now as i was hoping to only spend around £2,000/£2,500 at the very most.

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice though and ill definately look into trip advisor.

xxlaurissaxx

Alan_Bowen

Have a look at Somak Holidays, they often have special deals in low season but be realistic, you do not want nil star accommodation in Kenya and this is one place I would recommend anyone taking a package unless they have lots of experience travelling in Africa, it can be very different to places you have been before!

marluc

Hi
We went to Kenya a few years ago. We went with African Safari Club. We went AI to a hotel south of Mombasa. We did arrange a 3 day safari with ASC to Tsavo east. This worked out far more expensive than a trip organised by locals on the beach, for a family that we got friendly with in the hotel. I think we paid around a £1000 each for 14 days in August (not the best time to on safari I might add, as it was the dry season)
HTH

Alan_Bowen

African Safari Club has ceased trading, presumably because it was selling too cheaply and not making a profit