Author Topic: Kenya Safari TR  (Read 35045 times)

Offline maxmiles

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #80 on: July 23, 2015, 05:15:39 PM »
Amazing job so far!

Offline Suave

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #81 on: July 23, 2015, 06:59:17 PM »
BEST TRIP REPORT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

yes, CAPS.
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Offline lunatic

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #82 on: July 23, 2015, 07:15:14 PM »
BEST TRIP REPORT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

yes, CAPS.
Wow. And coming from a world traveler...

Offline Shunts

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #83 on: July 23, 2015, 09:09:28 PM »
Part 5

As life has it, all awesome things must come to an end. Our safari would be no different. We had a departure time of 8:45AM from the Olseki airstrip to Wilson Airport, a forty five minute flight. From there we would be driven to Nairobi for our flight to ADD.

Here are some photos at the camp Encounter Mara.










Yes, very important to see


Bucket shower


General lounge area


We asked to leave to the airstrip a bit earlier so that we can take advantage of the extra time and perhaps get to see some more wildlife along the way. This worked out nicely as we got to see a lioness with her cubs, a wandering leopard and a flock of vultures consuming the carcass of a zebra.







 
It is safe to say that the most frightening part of this trip was flying on this aircraft whose last maintenance check is still unknown. Upon arrival at Wilson, we met our driver for the 20 minute transfer to NBO.


The airstrip terminal


I felt a bit safer with two engines


At NBO. Perhaps practicing for the president’s arrival?


When we arrived at the airport we asked if we can be placed on the earlier flight to ADD which wasn’t open at the time of booking. After speaking with a manager who allowed it, we attempted to check in. After an hour of failed attempts, they proclaimed that their computers were hacked and were shutting down. We panicked. If we weren’t going to make this flight, we were ready to purchase a ticket on any flight that would get us out of there.

They finally said they would be issuing handwritten boarding passes. When we finally got ours we headed to the lounge.




Lounge in Nairobi




And that is why I don’t fly Kenya Airways


The flight was better than expected. We didn’t have a kosher meal because we took the earlier flight. I didn’t at all mind the trade-off.




We had a long layover in ADD. We initially wanted to leave the airport. But it was dark, we were tired and we would need to purchase a visa, so we scrapped that idea.
 

The lounge in ADD






These were great!


A new 787 to LHR


When looking to book a safari, there are many factors which influence price, such as time of year, location, duration and level of luxury. The place we chose was all inclusive. Additionally, in Mara, there was no cell reception, Wi-Fi or swimming pool. There are those locations with more amenities but aren’t as exclusive.

I also want to point out that we never went hungry. We packed a large bag of provisions. Such as bread, peanut butter, granola bars, instant soups etc. We also had our freezer bag and had hot meals in the evenings.

Although not required to enter Kenya, we did get yellow fever and typhoid vaccinations. We also took malaria pills.

A visa for US passport holders is $50 which you can get on arrival.

I would like to thank Platinum for all his help booking this trip.


Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed!

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #84 on: July 23, 2015, 09:19:04 PM »
Thank you! Awesome TR!!!
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Offline Yaalili

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #85 on: July 23, 2015, 09:20:01 PM »
Wow wow wow, and that handwritten boarding pass priceless.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #86 on: July 23, 2015, 09:25:26 PM »
This was great! And thanks to Platinum for enabling this TR!  ;)
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Offline Moshe123

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #87 on: July 23, 2015, 09:25:30 PM »
Thank you!

Offline chucksterace

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #88 on: July 23, 2015, 10:05:59 PM »
Awesome TR..

On a serious note, want to help me plan a trip? I think I know where I might go next.
You may not hold me responsible for any actions taken that were recommended from my account or username.

Offline mlomni

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #89 on: July 23, 2015, 10:15:36 PM »
Kudos on a very well written TR. I enjoyed reading this one tremendously. This is one of the best TR's i have seen on DDF.

Offline rediplus

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #90 on: July 23, 2015, 10:35:51 PM »
superb!!! thank you

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #91 on: July 23, 2015, 11:24:22 PM »
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this up. Mind posting contact details of your hosts etc.

Offline morgs

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #92 on: July 24, 2015, 06:48:36 AM »
fantastic tr-Thanks so much for taking out the time!!

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #93 on: July 24, 2015, 11:50:57 AM »
Thanks for taking the time to write this amazing TR!!! A safari was always on my bucket list and you gave a new push!!!

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #94 on: July 24, 2015, 02:36:35 PM »
Really excellent TR and looks like an amazing trip! Wonder how to do a trip like that on points somehow

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #95 on: July 27, 2015, 01:15:12 AM »
Great TR!! Really amazing - I spent a week in Kenya last year and reading your report brought back such amazing memories. Seems like you had really nice sightings as well. Well done. How did your timing work out with the migration?

Offline moen

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #96 on: July 27, 2015, 06:43:06 AM »
On average what can I expect such a trip to cost? Points+$

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #97 on: July 27, 2015, 07:44:45 AM »
Great TR!! Really amazing - I spent a week in Kenya last year and reading your report brought back such amazing memories. Seems like you had really nice sightings as well. Well done. How did your timing work out with the migration?
Part 4

We were up early on Sunday for an all day safari which would take us to the Mara River. We were really hoping to catch the Serengeti wildebeest migration which follows the abundant grasslands to the Mara. The animals are required to cross the crocodile infested waters of the Mara River which is a spectacular sight. But because of the plentiful rains and food, their arrival is delayed until August.

Offline Feivish

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #98 on: July 27, 2015, 11:12:56 AM »
Great TR!! Really amazing - I spent a week in Kenya last year and reading your report brought back such amazing memories. Seems like you had really nice sightings as well. Well done. How did your timing work out with the migration?
Where did you stay?

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #99 on: July 27, 2015, 12:50:56 PM »
Where did you stay?
I spent 2 nights in the Hilton in Nairobi which I found to be decent for an East African hotel. Again this is not London, Paris or NY.
We then went to the Masai Mara and spent 5 nights in the Ashnil Mara Camp which is right on the Mara river. Location couldn't have been better. It wasn't cheap though although not crazy expensive either and points were worthless aside from the Hilton (unless you consider the fact that I sold points to fund this expensive trip!).

It was a really amazing trip however, and well worth it IMHO. I found the game to better then the South African parks or Chobe in Botswana.