Travel Answers

Does any body can suggest an itinerary on how to go from Masai Mara to Lake Manyara?

I'm trying to plan a safari for my honeymoon in November, but I keep reading conflicting information. Would I be better off visiting Masai Mara or the Serengeti in mid November? Is this heavy rain season for either of these regions and what would be our chances of actually spotting game during this time? We are interested in seeing the big 5, of course, as well as other wildlife if possible. Any tour recommendations and/or camps/lodges suggestions would be of great help. I've been looking at Kensignton Tours...has anyone ever toured with them?

I am planning to visit Masai Mara around June 20th. Primary objective is photography. I am aware that the migration may not start by then. I am ok with it. But my question is, is it good time to spot all other animals?. I heard grass will be tall that time and photographing will be difficult. Is it true?

Thanks in advance.

Hi there. I am new to Virtual Tourist but would like to ask for advice on booking a 3 night Safari at Masai Mara. Travelling with my husband and 3 boys ages 17,14,12. I have looked at many different options for accomodations but have decided that a luxury tent at a smaller property is what we prefer. We would like to include private game drives in a 4 X 4 open jeep. There are SO many options that I feel overwhelmed with deciding on a property. I am looking at the Fairmont Safari Club as I have heard many good things about it but wonder if it's too big of a camp and we might not get the personalized unique experience we are hoping for.

hello, i am from India and planning 5 nights masai mara trip (no lakes), just the game reserve. i do not know how the weather would be and where to stay/how to book guides etc. My budget is 1000USD/2 people and would like to be in the game reserve all 5 days going on safari. Can someone suggest the weather, accomodation, guides and the fees for 5 nights. I plan to fly to Nairobi. Your advise to go to Masai mara from Nairobi is also appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Dear Vter's, I'm planning for a trip to Nairobi & Masai Mara in August. I need reply on following: 1) Masai Mara reserve fees is USD 70/night. Is it payable for each night of stay or one time online. we are spending 2 nights in reserve. I've checked website of Narok city council, as per that "Daily fees” means fee for one day/ twenty four hours or thereof continuous stay within a specified site in the Maasai Game Reserve. Is that means we've to pay total USD 70 for our stay, as we will stay inside Reserve and making only 1 entry. Please confirm. 2) We are group of 6 persons with 2 children, looking forward to arrange transportation facility by ourselves, instead of tour package, in order to do things as per our convinience. Any recommendations. 3) Our flight is reaching 2.30 am to Nairobi. Is it safe to start driving for Masai Mara around 4.30am/5.00am in the morning. Thanks in advance. regards Nilin

I'm planning on going to the Masai Mara on a four day safari around 20th November 2011 (staying at Mara Intrepids) and just wondering if anyone else has been at this time of year? If so, please could you give me an idea of what to expect in the way of wildlife? Plus any tips you can think of?! (It's my first time outside of Europe, let alone to Africa on safari!) Thanks : )

on a tight budget wishing to visit Masaii Mara around Nov 22 2011 I want a wildlife drive & to stay in a campsite using tent & equipment for a 1 or 3 day stay. Prices quoted so far are way beyond my budget. Can anyone help? Alternatively I could go for a day's visit, incorporating a wildlife drive. How much is this & please could you suggest who to go with? Or perhaps another cheaper game reseve could you suggest?

Hi All, We ( a team of 4 adults and 2 children) are planning for a Kenya trip this Aug end. I would like to have a safari trip originating at Nairobi for Masai Mara and ultimately ending at Mombassa. Is this possible ? Has anyone have similar experiences? If so, can you kindly provide me the link/contacts for the organizer? We have about 4-5 days for this trip and would be going on luxury terms/ but with mostly basic comforts. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Has anyone on VT ever been on a student trip with the Me to We organization. I would be interested in your comments. Thanks Catpurring

I will be staying in the Masai Mara for 3 days,Lake Nakuru for 2 days and 1 night in Nairobi at the end of October. I saw the nurse at my GP surgery last week for advise for injections and malaria. I have had the recommended jabs but she said that there is only a low risk of malaria and therefore I didn't have to take any tablets. I was surprised at this - Lake Nakuru is shown as low risk on the Travax website which health professionals use but to me it looks as if the Masai Mara is in an area which has a substantial risk. I am now worried that I may have been given incorrect advise and should seek a second opinion. I would be grateful for any advise. Thanks

Does anybody have recommendations on whether it would be better to do a 4 day Masai Mara tour (Nairobi - Masai Mara, so losing half a day on both ends), or to do a 4 day Masai Mara with Lake Nakaru tour? From itineraries it looks as though I would lose a full Masai Mara day to go to Lake Nakaru. Is it worth it? I'm most interested in seeing big cats and the wildebeest migration, but want to see wildlife in general. Thanks!

Hi All Has anyone used Sameco tours and would they recommend them? The iterniary they proposed looks great but I would like a recommendation if possible? Many thanks

safaricom is e.g. "offering a USB 3g/EDGE modem for 2000 KES, which comes with a sim card." question: does anyone have experience if it works in the mara bush camp area marabushcamp.com/en/guest-in... ? thanks for your help. wolfgang, vienna, austria

I have seen photos taken of a Masai village, Oloolaimutia village, in the Masai Mara Resrve. Does anyone know the location of this village? The siaze of the village?

Towards the end of our 2 weeks self-drive around some of Kenya in mid July we are going to spend 2/4/5 days in the Mara. Having used similar sites in Mana Pools, we are hoping to stay at one of the Private Campsites. Does anybody any experiences / preferences ? The Mara Triangle recommends hiring a couple of askaris for "night-time security". Is this in respect of visits from animals (not so much a problem) or people (may be a bigger problem) ?

Hello all. I'm going to be heading to Kenya for some field work, and at the end of the week some of us were thinking of tacking on a 2 or 3 day safari excursion to Masai Mara Park. However, there are literally hundreds out there, and so trying to sort through them has been a Herculean task. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to outfitters that are good, reliable, and reasonably priced (don't have an exact figure for that, since none of us have gone before). Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

Hi all, I am visiting both Masai Mara and Serengeti this October. I have been given 2 safari options. One is to start for an early game drive at 6 AM and complete the safari at 10 AM and again do an afternoon game drive. The other option is to start the game drive after breakfast at around 8.30 AM and continue on the safari till 6 PM. That means we are on the safari the whole day without returning to camp till evening. My question is: Which will be the better option? I want to see the Big Five as well as the Wilder Beast Migration. If I start after 8.30 AM, will I still be able to view the big cats or is it better to start early at 6 and return, then start again for a late afternoon game drive. Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

What is the cheapest Baloon Ride in End September ? USD 450 and all - its very costly for salaried people like us, going with a family of four. Kids has discounts ? Also please let us know the cheapest ( and proximity wise best ) hotel/lodge/camp in Masai Mara ?

Hi, What will be the weather in Masai Mara be like this October? We are from India and have been informed of the forecasts, which predict heavy rains starting from October. As we will be doing our safari in the Mara this Oct beginning, we like to know what the chances are of seeing the Big Five & the Migrating animals and whether rains would play spoilsport. We are also travelling to Serengeti, for your information. Any help? Thanks.

Hi All- I'm going on a 3-day safari in Masai Mara in Africa and looking to buy a new camera. Suggestions on which may be the most suitable for this trip? Currently, I am leaning toward the Canon SX1 is which has 20x zoom and can get me to 580mm. I like the idea that is less bulky than bringing multiple lenses with an SLR. I am a photo enthusiast, but not a professional photographer. Thoughts?? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone stayed here? - I would be interested to hear what it's like.

Hello Planning to go to Governors Camp for my Honeymoon in September for 4 nights, but not sure what camp to stay in. There is: Governors Camp Little Governors Camp Governors llmoran Camp Private Camp As its our honeymoon would like something a bit special. Anyone been and stayed in these camps?

I have been to the Masai several times over the last two years, usually staying at Kicheche camp. We now wish to self drive, can anyone suggest where to camp?... I believe there are public campsites, if so, where? what is the process, where do we book, are they safe etc. We would prefer to stay near to the Marsh area (gov camp) but I am not sure if there are any public campsites there. We are planning to visit Aug, Sept or Oct. We are also going to use Roving rovers (supply old range rover with roof tent) any one used these before? Thanks for your help and hope someone can shed some light! Sarah

We are planning a trip to Masai Mara Game Reserve in late May and early June. As we learnt that from April to June are the rainy seasons in Masai Mara, we would like to know if we visit Masai Mara in late May, will our activities in the Game Reserve be greatly affected? Will we still be able to see most of the animals and the "Big Five"? Will there be flooding in the camp? We are greatly concerned with the weather as we are worried that we will not be able to see the wild life if we visit during the rainy season. Hope to hear your advice, thanks!

looking to go for 3 nights over the easter weekend. which one is better? mara or serengeti for easter? if mara, obviously it is not the migration time so which area of the mara would be a good place to see animals. have heard serena is good cos its near the river too but are there a lot of animals in that area at this time of the year? which lodges would be the best to stay in during easter? looking for 5 rooms for 3 nights. travel by road or flight not decided.

I am going to Kenya for 2 weeks in Feb. I have no idea what I am going to be doing other than I would love to visit a game reserve. Can anyone tell me what Masai Mara is like and how much it costs to go for a few days? Also what is the cheapest way to get to the game park from Nairobi? thanks

Has anyone used them for safaris to the Masai Mara or any other destination in Kenya? Booking with them for August 2007 and would be interested in any comments.

Anyone been to this camp - what was it like, am going in February and would like some idea of what to expect

Our first visit is for 23rd to 28th oct 2006. We are a couple with 14 year son. Amateur wildlife photographers. planning 4nights at Kicheche mara camp and 1 night at Mara porini camp. Has any member stayed there. I need comments regarding wildlife around those areas and whether we should stay some other place to save on cost for similar experience.