Help needed with Safari holidays...

Leanne200

We are thinking of going on a safari holiday in Kenya but looking around the prices are a bit steep.

Has anyone ever done safari before and could maybe recommend a relatively cheap package?

Also is there anything to know about these sorts of holidays?

Thanks in advance

padders_2

There are a lot of very different types of safari you can do, from budget to staying in very nice hotels. It really depends the type of thing you want to do.

I recently did this trip, can't say enough good things about it - but it's not for everyone.

http://www.dragoman.com/destinations/tripdetails.php?cat=SKN

Joannekerry

I can highly recommend www.somak.co.uk and www.africansafariclub.com
Both would be worth a call as they always used to throw in a one night safari if you were going for two weeks, nothing elaborate but Mwalagangi???? however you spell it, is basically elephants, but its a taster.

Everything is down to budget as far as your safari goes, personally I love Tsavo and if you go by road you can do it for as little as £125 and you get the experience of seeing a bit more of the countryside. By air I think it is £185, this is for an over night stay. Tsavo West is your best chance of seeing Leopard and Rhino where as East is the only place in the world you will see red elephants!
If budget permits then the Masi Mara is the ultimate in Safaris and your best chance of seeing your Big Five. Im afraid there is no guarantee on any safari of seeing big game, you would be very unfortunate if you didnt see anything.
Also if you are staying in Mombasa then the South has far nicer beaches than the north. Take a taxi down to Nomads for lunch or get your hotel to book Ali Babas seafood restaurant on an evening, food is to die for and you are sat in the bottom of a cave looking up at the stars to dine. If you are there Boxing Day then they normally have Camel racing on the beach at Ali Babas and you can even race one!
Hope that helps

Leanne200

Thanks very much, for the help... don't think I could handle 90% camping though lolJoannekerry that's alot of info! Thanks! We def want to do the Masai Mara, but looking at Tsavo National Park it also sounds great!! Ooh decisions! No budget yet, just trying to get a good idea of what is reasonable at the moment and will be saving up for the trip!

Shimrod

you could also look at Kenya Safari Lodges, Cottages, Bush Homes & Tented Camps to get an idea of the lodges. I've never used the company, but they have a lot pics and videos of the various lodges in Kenya.

Prices for safari are split in three seasons, low, mid and high. The high priced season is when you are most likely to see game, and also the wildebeast migration. The low priced season coincides with the rainy season, when it can be quite difficult to get around by road.

Depending on how many of you are going, it may be worth doing a custom safari - I think this can work out cheaper if there are 4 or more in the party, and then you get to chose where you go, how long you want to stay, and of course you don't have to share your safari vehicle with strangers!

Do you want to do a single or multi-location safari? A common trip is Masai Mara, Nakuru (for the flamingo), and Amboseli. The last is particularly good in that it is a small park, with a lot of game - the best place for seeing elephants probably!

Don't forget to budget for malaria tablets as well - Malorone is £2 per tablet, and you should take them for the duration you are in the malaria area, plus 2 days before and 7 days after, so it can add up!

Shim