Safari - tips/ideas?

Racheldevon

Hi All

My partner & I are thinking of booking a safari for our next holiday - has anyone been on one? Any tips on where to go, best time of year? Places to go/avoid?

Thanks
Rachel

jtr2803

We did a Safari and beach holiday last March to celebrate my 30th birthday in Kenya.

We did a few days on the beach, then a 3d/2n Safari with private van, staying in two top lodges, it was an amazing experience and one we hope to repeat in the future sometime. We booked an 11 night stay in Watamu through Hayes & Jarvis and I arranged the Safari with a local company who were recommended to me on the Trip Advisor forums. Doing it that way saved us a fortune, the big travel agents wanted £360 each for a shared safari staying in 3* lodges :eek:

Don't forger to factor in the cost of Malaria treatment and/or jabs etc, and VISA if going to Kenya. I have quite a bit of info on my website and lots of pictures in my blog. I don't think it's appropriate to post it here but you are welcome to PM me if you would like the links or think I can help with anything ,

hxm

Hi Rachel

I've been on safari in Kenya several times, have stayed in various lodges in several different National Parks - always had an absolutely fabulous time. You need to shop around for prices, and check whether or not the Park Fee is included because that will make a big difference (currently $80 per day for the biggest parks). Loads of recommendations for Tour Operators on TripAdvisor. I've booked with Africapoint the last twice and found them to be good.

The Masai Mara tends to be the most expensive but is definitely the best place to go in Kenya to see everything. There are three booking seasons - obviously you get the best prices in Low season and there are fewer people around, which is a big plus in my book.

Good advice already given about the add-on costs of vaccinations and malaria tablets, plus the visa which costs about £30 at the moment.

luci

Wear your oldest clothes for the safari as the dust doesn't wash out!

magicnum

Hi,

If you're going to Kenya (for example Masai Mara) then avoid March/April as this is when the grass is at its highest - and you won't be able to see anything (we found this).

The best time is around Sept/October time as that is when the wilderbeast migration happens - you'll see a lot of game and have a blast.

The hotels are great - we stayed at the Mara Sopa - which you arrive to by road. However, we have heard that if you can fly in to Masai Mara then the excursions from these hotels are even better (will do that next time as the roads to the reserve are rubbish!).

I've been told that the hotels around there are 5-star - I know the Mara Sopa was. The rooms are okay but you're guaranteed to put on a few stone - no matter if you have a special diet or not (vegetatian, gluten free etc etc - the cooks are great and the selection is massive).

One downside with the Masai Mara is that the drive from the hotel to the usual areas where you see game can be an hour or so. If you want a hotel closer to the game and are willing to try another national park - look at Sweatwaters - near Mt Kenya. It is bang on the equator. You stay in tented camps (luxury ones overlooking a big watering hole). The game doesn't take very long to get to - and it is amazing. The food though wasn't that good. Sweatwaters is about 3-4 hours from Nairobi - along brand new roads.

The post about wearing the oldest clothes is right. If you are travelling by road, try to leave your main suitcases at the hotel in Nairobi or wherever you were staying - and take small bags - they will get covered (I mean COVERED) in dust! Certainly no white clothes!

HTH

sazpot

We went to Botswana and Zambia over Easter a few years ago and it was fantastic. The camps we stayed at in the Okavango Delta area were run by Ker and Downey and I couldn't fault them.

It is the best holiday I have ever been on.

If we go again we wish to go to Namibia, Etosha is supposed to be one of the best places to go but the prices are eye watering!

Racheldevon

Hi All

Thanks for the tips and advice - much appreciated

Rachel