You might hit the long rains in March. They usually start then but Kenya has been suffering, in the North anyway, from severe drought.

Safaris are great at any age! I'm taking a group to East Africa in June and so far the average age is about 60! You might find camping under canvas a little strenuous but lodges and tented camps are very comfortable indeed. I would recommend taking a longer safari than 2-3 days if you have the time. It is such a wonderful and unique experience and is what East Africa is most famous for.

Have a great time!

Hi Nippy
We go to the sun & sand next week the 28th and are thinking of going on a safari, did you book independantly or with the travel rep at the resort, and what was the cost ( sorry to be cheeky). I am taking some items for a couple of the beach boys from a chap who was there at christmas, I am sure they will apperciate it. I take it you enjoyed your last visit as you are going again, thats a complement to the resort & staff, we are really looking forward to our trip.
Cheers
Pete & Ann
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Thanks Nippy

What's a good amount of Kenya Shillings to have for a week's stay?

Outside of the safari i'd like to Snorkel, jet ski, visit TAKAUNGU village, Ngomongo cultural experience, etc.

Are you familiar with any of those?

Anything interesting to see on the route to Tsavo?

Thanks again for all the info.

Sorry for delay in posting...

We booked the Tsavo safari with the tour rep(Agri) and for 2 1/2 days staying at the aforementioned places cost roughly £225 per person. Prices will probably have gone up from last year and the one night trip to the Masai Mara, by flying, was around £350 pp.

The route to Tsavo by road wasn't really interesting, although you did get to see the natives up and about incredibly early walking to the local market or to get water. There were also a couple of times we stopped off on the way - one to get some great pictures of zebra standing by the roadside and the other to go to a local carving shop. This was a little daunting to be honest as they kept following us round and asking what we were interested in then pointing out items. We retreated to the van quite quickly.

We didn't take part in any water sports, so afraid I don't know much about those.

We went on the dolphin dhow trip which cost about £50 each - yes we saw dolphins etc and had the opportunity to snorkel, but didn't enjoy it as much as we would have liked.

We ventured out to the village just outside the hotel - the kids are all very welcoming and want sweets (the local lads will get u a bag for 200KSH and share them out for you too!) The local shops have some great carvings and most of the people are not very pushy...just be firm and if you're not interested, then just say no thanks - they were fine. My husband and my dad went out to the local German bar just outside the hotel too, which was incredibly friendly and the prices were dirt cheap. The only downside is that you sometimes get an entourage of the locals who would also like a drink

In terms of money - we paid for the safari on credit card, in case we needed the cash later, but took about £500 between two of us. We came home with a couple of hundred pounds. We will take £500 again - it was plenty.
Hope this helps..

Please let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know:-)
Sarah.

Hi
We are due to travel to Kaskazi Hotel Diani Beach 12 March. Any information re Safari welcome. How tough is the travel, my wife is recovering from a dislocated shoulder and I'm a bit worried by mention of road conditions. Also what should one take on Safari regarding cloths, footware, water etc?

Is Malarone enough for the Mombasa/Tsavo areas or do I need Typhoid, Hepatitis and Yellow fever vacs. as well?

thanks

I'd say that the Masai Mara is the best place I've ever been. Well worth the trip independently.

Tsavo is also amazing, but the Masai Mara is outstanding. I recommend a company called Gametrackers.

Just a shame about the massive drought in East Africa at the moment.

You'll love it.

By the way, if you're interested in wildlife and conservation, look at my post and see if you fancy going to the Kruger in August.

We took Malarone, but you must have Yellow Fever injections (approx £40 each) and Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

Safari wise we wore trainers and wore lightweight trousers, with t-shirts. In the evening we dressed up more but it wasn't necessary. For the late afternoon/early evening game drives the ladies amongst us took cardigans as it did get a little chilly. We took a large bottle of water with us (each) and found we drank this by the time we got to Tsavo. However our driver was very willing to stop off for some more for us if we wanted but we just bought some more in the hotel for the first time. The roads are incredibly rough - I'm not going to lie - a bumpy road ahead is what you'll find! And if you're very lucky like us, you'll get a flat tyre on the way back or stuck in the mud next to the buffalo!!

We are thinking of booking two weeks in Kenya that includes a Safari for the first week and then a week in a hotel. Has anyone done this with First Choice before? This will be the first time we have visited Kenya, so we would like something that is very organised. There will be two adults and three kids aged 17, 14 and 10.
Thanks for your help.

Hi there,

Just come back from 1 week safari 1 week beach but not with First Choice. Absolutely fantasic experience, during safari there is a lot of travelling but you get used to it and my kids ( 10 and 8 ) loved it.

I went with Somak so cant help re First Choice but if you have any questions please ask.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Hi Rubyred

I have booked to go to Kenya for 2 weeks early September with First Choice and decided to opt for the 2 night / 3 day Tsavo safari.

Just to let you know that i've received a letter from First Choice today saying that anyone who has booked to go on the 2 or 3 night safari will be asked to fully vacate the hotel for the time that they are away - this means checking out on the 3rd day and then having to check back in when you get back!!! They have also confirmed that there was no guarantee you would have the same room upon return. Your luggage can be stored at the hotel but would need to be locked securely! Great!!!

I'm really not happy about this and will be calling First Choice in the morning to see why. We were told at the time of booking that we could keep the room on while we were on safari - no problem!

...just thought you should be aware if you decide to go for a shorter safari and not a whole week as planned.

Were staying at the Sun n sand resort - anyone else going at this time and having the same problem???

Hi Round head !!

This was the same in our hotel (Voyager) - although we did the safari as soon as we got there so no changing rooms etc (Cosmos) - we did meet people who were doing the safari in the middle of their hols - and had to check out of rooms and check back in again - perhaps not in original room....

Tina x

I've just found out from First Choice that they don't allow children under 12 on their safaris. Great!!!
Have been told that Hayes and Jarvis do so will try them instead!!!

that's interesting to know,as kenya is our destination,for next year & a safari,is definately,a must,but never thought,we woulndn't be allowed,to take our grandaughter with us.
it's first choice,wev'e quoted it with,as well,so thanks for that information,
tracy

Hayes and Jarvis have qouted £6700 for 2 weeks AI Which is to include a 3 night safari.
6 nights hotel-3 nights safari-5 nights hotel.
The price is for 4 adults and 1 child(there are 3 kids but because of their ages 2 are classed as adults) in August.
Is this reasonable?

It does depend on the type of hotel, safari etc.

Have you looked at Somak Holidays ? We did a week safari ( 2 game parks 3 different hotels ) and 1 week AI 3 star in Malindi. That was a little over £5,000. For 5 people and going in August price doesnt look too far off the mark.

2 adults 2 children ( 10 and 8 )

Kind Regards
Stewart

Thanks, I'll give them a try

Hi all

I've never been to Kenya, and I'm looking at going for last 2 weeks in April (nothing booked yet), can anyone tell me just how rainy will it be? Is it worth going? I'm looking at hotels around Mombassa

I am currently doing my research re taking a holiday in Kenya in Oct this year. Having holidayed out there about 8 years ago I have a good idea what to expect. However I vaguely remember people booking the safari part of their holiday with their holiday rep. once they got out there. This meant they were able to keep their hotel room whilst they were absent from the hotel.

1. Can this still be done?

2. How do the prices compare with pre booking the safari in the UK?

We are considering a 21 day holiday and would like to be out on safari the middle 7 days (ish).

I welcome all comments and sugestions as to which travel company would be the best to use. I am open to all ideas.

I await some replies.
many thanks.