Just an update on my research. As I mentioned in my last post, I have
been working with a private company (US based) to provide a quote for a
private safari for two in Kenya based on an suggested itinerary that I
put together and to which the company has provided their own input to.
I'd like to post the itinerary for comment and to help guide future
people making the same types of decisions and research.
DAY 1 (9/13/05) - Leave US
DAY 2 - AM arrival @ Heathrow, Evening arrival in Nairobi, transfer to
Nairobi Serena.
DAY 3 - Breakfast, then transfer to Wilson airport and fly to Samburu.
Afternoon game drive, overnight @ Samburu Serena
DAY 4 - AM & PM game drives in Buffalo Springs and
Samburu game reserves. Samburu Serena
DAY 5 - AM & PM game drives in Buffalo Springs and
Samburu game reserves. Samburu Serena
DAY 6 - Breakfast, then slow game drive to reserve gate.
Drive south through Isiolo town to one of the
following properties: Sweetwaters tented camp, Mount Kenya Safari Club,
the Ark. (Not yet chosen by me by I like Sweetwaters)
DAY 6 - Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon
game drive. Overnight at Lion Hill Lodge or Lake
Nakuru Lodge.
DAY 7 - Morning & afternoon game drives. Overnight.
DAY 8 - Drive to Masai Mara game reserve. Afternoon game drive.
Overnight at Mara Intrepids tented camp or Mara Sarova
tented camp. (I'll probably go with the Mara Sarova to economize)
DAY 9 - Morning & afternoon game drives. Overnight.
DAY 10 - Breakfast, then game drive en route to Mara Serena.
Afternoon game drive. Overnight @ Serena.
DAY 11 - Morning and afternoon game drives. Mara Serena.
DAY 12 (09/24)- Bush Breakfast by the Mara river. Fly to Wilson
airport.
(Fly to Kigali)
Day 13 Gorilla Tracking
Day 14 - Gorilla Tracking
Day 15 - Early morning sightseeing. Transfer from Kigali to Nairobi
Overnight Nairobi
Day 16 Sight see Nairobi, Lunch or dinner Carnivore Restaurant Fly home
on BA
The Gorilla tracking part of the trip will be handled by Volcanoes
Safaris at a price of $1519 per person which includes permits for both
days. I have not yet gotten firm pricing for the first 11 days but an
original 15 day trip which included an extra night in the Mara and
another night at Samburu was around $5,000 per person so their portion
should now be cheaper. According to the tour operator this private
safari package, when priced, will include the international & the
domestic flights in Kenya, all park fees, private services of your
Guide/driver, bed & breakfast in Nairobi, all meals while on safari,
all accommodations as selected after our discussions, the flying doctor
service, tipping of the Guide & of the porters at the hotel and safari
lodges/camps. Any additional expenses would be travel insurance,
tipping of waiters, barmen, room stewards & maids, drinks (except on
game drives).
I'm curious to see what questions and/or comments people have on this.
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