I should be able to give you some information as we go in just under 4 weeks and as part of our safari we are staying in lodges however we will be in a tented camp for one night as I wanted to try one out.
We are going to Tsavo East, Tsavo West & Amboseli National Parks followed by a break at the Baobab Beach Resort, I will let you know when we get back

yummymummy wrote:

Is it safe staying overnight in the accomodation, ie a tent or lodge?

I was over there last year and felt just as safe in the tents and lodges as I did anywhere else. You have to remember you're in a wild place and chances are, you'll have elephants and even lions walking around at night so you're advised to stay inside your tents and will be escorted around the camp after dark. It's perfectly safe though and all part of the adventure.

Darren

Thanks for all the reassurance . I was reading trip reports and people are saying that they sit on their little porch and the elephants are very close etc.
This sounds amazing, something i really want to experience.

It's my partner who is really in need of the reassurance, up to now he's firmly saying he doesn't want to come, and that he will stay in the hotel for the 2day/1night safari on his own

He seems to think that wild Lions will break into our tent/lodge overnight and eat us alive

He's also worried about what happens if our jeep has a flat tyre, and our guide has to stop and change a tyre, or worse if the engine completely cuts out.
I've tried explaining that this would be very rare, and if it did happen the guide would always be in mobile phone contact with the other guides etc.

Looks like just me and the little one will be doing the safari, but why travel all that distance to Kenya if you're not going to experience this?

yummymummy wrote:

It's my partner who is really in need of the reassurance, up to now he's firmly saying he doesn't want to come, and that he will stay in the hotel for the 2day/1night safari on his own

Tell him that if he does, he'll miss out on a trip of a lifetime. These are just some of the things that he'll be missing;















Kenya is a wonderful country with scenery and wildlife you can only dream of. It is a very poor country, I have friends I made over there that I keep in touch with and it's a real eye opener as to how lucky we are and the way we live. You have to be careful in the cities and if anything, I would say there is more chance of seeing a problem in your hotel or on the beach than you will on safari! The people are wonderful and so is the experience they offer. I've travelled the world and I have to say the food at Severin Safari Camp where we stayed in Tsave West is probably the best I've had. Tsavo East was top class too. We had monkeys come in to the hotel in Mombassa (Bamburi) every evening so be careful what you leave on your balcony as you might find it's not their the morning after!

yummymummy wrote:

He seems to think that wild Lions will break into our tent/lodge overnight and eat us alive

While there is a risk of that, it is highly unlikely. We had a heard of elephants come through the camp one night which was an experience. The ground was shaking as they walked through and you could hear them blowing their trunks, whatever you call it but that's all part of the experience. The morning we got to Severin, the staff were telling us they had 3 lions lead on the varanda where breakfast is served that morning but it's not a problem, there are people around to keep you safe. They dress as massai warriors and know how to handle situations so tell him not to worry. He's also probably thinking a tent like you may use over here which is not the case. They are very sturdy structures and although they have canvas walls, it's not something you can cut in to easily. This is Severin Safari Camp and their 'tents', I'm sure many of the other camps will be pretty much similar;





Many of the lodges have perimter fences or walls to keep the site safe and secure so nothing to worry about.

yummymummy wrote:

He's also worried about what happens if our jeep has a flat tyre, and our guide has to stop and change a tyre, or worse if the engine completely cuts out.

He'll simply stop at a safe area and change it. It's not a big deal and probably no more dangerous than changing a tyre on the side of a motorway. Drivers are in constant contact with each other over CB radio. They communicate what they are seeing in order to show you as much as possible. He may have the impression that Lions are widespread, which they are not. We had to travel quite a distance to catch up with them. It was the elephants we had the closest encounter with. The one looking straight at us in the photo above had just demolished a tree, he was having a bad day and looked like he was about to charge at us. I'd be more wary of them than the lions as we litterally saw 1,000's of them! If there's a mechanical problem, there are plenty of other vehicles around and assistance if needed so there's really no need to worry. There are park rangers who are armed dotted around the place who can hep out if needed. You'll probably pass a few of their bases while you're there and meet some of them.

yummymummy wrote:

mobile phone contact with the other guides etc.

Mobile phone coverage isn't that great once you get out of Mombassa and off the A109 on to the plains. They use CB radio that has far greater range and reliability.

If he has any other burning questions, fire away as there is really nothing to worry about and as you say, it would be a shame to travel all that distance not to experience it. While I was there, I was diving in the Indian Ocean with Black and White-tip reef sharks. The Lions were tame by comparrison!

Darren

Thankyou Darren, lovely photos .

I will manage to persuade him by the end of next year, I always do. I will show him this thread so he can see for himself what he will be missing out on.

We can't go this winter as we are going to Egypt, but will be going for our next winter holiday, which I can't wait for!!

Could you describe a typical day of safari holiday and any dissapointments? I am thinking of doing one! Thanks.

Hi

We are not long back from a holiday and safari in Kenya, we booked our safari independently through a company called EKEA Safaris based in Diani Beach.

We chose a 4 day 3 night safari which EKEA taylormade to our exact requirements, our safari went like this -

Day 1, picked up early (6am) at our hotel for the drive to the start of the Safari proper, we drove to Tsavo East (about 3-4 hours) and entered the park and started a game drive immediately while proceeding to our first safari lodge, this drive lasted about an hour and a half to 2 hours before we arrived at Ashnil Aruba Lodge.

We settled in to our chosen lodge and had time for a bit of relaxation before our lunch and then got ready for our evening game drive, we left the lodge about 4ish and had an evening game drive that lasted for 2 hours or so, this depends on what is happening animal wise.

We then returned to the lodge for a shower and dinner and the remainder of the night to relax.

Day 2, Another early start, up for breakfast at about 6:30 and leave for our next destination which was Tsavo West, we immediately started a game drive when we left the lodge and drove through Tsavo East on a game drive before leaving the park and heading for the next park (Tsavo West).

Arriving at Tsavo West we again started a game drive as soon as we entered the park and this drive lasted about an hour and a half before arriving at our next lodge the Kilaguni Serena which was stunning, again free time then lunch and relaxation before our evening game drive which lasted about 2-3 hours or so before returning back to the lodge for dinner.
The Kilaguni Serena was amazing with a fantastic water hole and view with a regular stream of animals visiting it.

Day 3, As always an early start up for breakfast then out on to our first first game drive through Tsavo West heading for Amboseli National Park.
The drive to Amboseli took about 4 hours and once again we entered the park and immediately started our game drive, this game drive lasted for about an hour and a half before arriving at our next accommodation, Sentrim Camp where we had decided to stay in a tent.

The same routine, arrive in time for lunch and relaxation before heading out on our evening game drive, this time we had included a visit to a Maasai Village.
The game drive again lasted about 2 hours before returning to the camp for a shower and dinner followed by some entertainment around the camp fire then bed, very cosy in the tent.

Early morning start with breakfast then our final game drive through Amboseli with superb views over Mount Kilimanjaro, this drive lasts about an hour and half or so before leaving the park and a long 8 hour drive back down to our hotel, slept a good deal of the time.

I haven't mentioned specific animals or sights as I think the best way is by looking at my pictures http://travel.webshots.com/album/581269379xdGTap?vhost=travel

Dissapointments only the one, it passed far to quickly, we hope to return in 2013 and go on a much longer safari, this really was the most fantastic experience and I would highly recommend it to you.

Graham

hi any comments on safari companies to book with while in kenya (diani beach)
most welcome thanks in advance

We booked a camping safari with a local company at the shops across the road and down a bit from the Diani Sea Resort. I can't remember the name as it was so long ago, but everything went well and we had the whole camp including the bus, a guide, driver, security guard, waiter and two cooks just for the two of us.

luci

cornish budda,

We used Pollman's Tours and Safaris. They were pretty good.

Darren

Can recommend the company we used EKEA Safaris, they arranged the Safari exactly to our requirements and they also have a UK based lady (Wilma) who was very helpful and gave a great deal of her time in helping me plan it all.
EKEA only took a small deposit with the rest payable in Kenya when you meet them and confirm all your final details.

http://ekeasafaris.com/

These are pictures I took while out on the Safari http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/581269379xdGTap

I have just returned from a 17 day trip in Kenya which included a 3 days/2 nights safari in the Masai Mara national park organized by Integritour (INVALID URL We stayed at the Mara Sopa Lodge and had two part day game drives and a full day. It was well-planned, well-executed and we saw loads of animals. I can thoroughly recommend this company who will tailor make the safari to suit your needs at a very fair price.

Going to Kenya late October, staying at Baobab Beach. We are looking at a 3 day/2 night air safari to Masai Mara while we are on holiday. Anyone got any recent experience/recommendations for Camps in the Mara?? We have got a number of quotes from various operators but we are struggling trying to decide which tented camp to go for.

I am taking my two daughters 13 and 15 years old to Kenya hoping to see the wildbeest migration. We are taking the 8 days Samburu, Mt. Kenya, Lake Nakuru safari with MICS Tours & Safaris. The itinerary can be found on this link: http://micssafaris.com/mtkenya_safari.html
Am I being over ambitious considering that I am taking kids with me? Are there any accommodation suggestions suitable for teens?

Thanks for your help!
Eve

Hello, next time you want to checkmasai mara[u][/u] . I would recommend smile view kenya safaris. They did a perfect job for our honeymoon.

Visit the Great Rift Valley for its stunning vistas, panoramic & breathtaking views. Experience an excellent combination of wildlife-rich Maasai Mara, culture and stunning landscapes. Watch the African “Big Five” animals - elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions, leopards etc. Expert local driver-guide dedicated and attentive to your needs throughout the Masai Mara safari. Optional: Hot Air Balloon ride over the savanna with champagne bush-breakfast.