gin_beach

Hi - 1st safari coming up and overwhelmed with conservancy accomodation choices. I'd really appreciate your help to narrow them down.

Assuming costs are similar and they both offer Kenya conservancies - to stay in your budget, would you prefer the highest level offered by an operator that offers both moderate and luxury options, or the least expensive one offered by luxury-only operator? Why?

What is THE most important amenity or service at your accomodation that you'd look for if you were going again? (we're going to Kenya in Jan)

Thanks!

tracilee

My husband and I used Spirit of Kenya for our first safari this past April. Our package price was based on several things, among them was closing from three levels of accommodations. The name of each lodging choice was given and I relied on Trip Advisor and other reviews to make a decision. We chose the luxury option for each of our locations. We were happy with our decision but think we could have gone with the midrange choice in the Maasai Mara as we really weren’t in our room enough to enjoy the place.

Have fun!

KTtravel

If you list your options that you are considering here, some posters may have personal knowledge or suggestions about the specific places you are considering.

ekscrunchy

The guide..research names in advance

The traversing area (how many camps with share this?). You don't want to be in a mash up with 20 vehicle surrounding a pair of lions snoozing.

crellston

A very interesting question and one I suspect that is very difficult to answer. Unlike many here , I have only been on two safaris, one years ago, a group tour with cheap and cheerful operator to Amboseli, Lake Manyara and Ngorongo. Another a few years later with a "luxury" operator to Selous in Tanzania. I enjoyed the first as I had no basis for comparison but there was some of the "mash ups"eke describes above which did detract from the experience. The second safari to Selous was a wholly different experience. Far fewer visitors go to that park, we stayed in luxury tents with great views and travelled by jeep with a max of four with truly expert rangers. a massive highlight of our entire travelling lives was a walking safari out in the bush, just the two of us with a ranger and his rifle. We arrived at our fly camp late afternoon in time for cocktails with six other traveller prior to a silver service dinner by candlelight. A truly magical and surreal experience. I dread to think what that would cost these days!

Essentially, I think it is really down to the animals you want to see rather than the level of luxury and in that respect, I think the most important fact will always be the location, the fewer other visitors the better.

We also did a third safari just pre pandemic, to South Africa. That was the least expensive of all as we rented a car and did self drive safaris through five or six national parks staying at the state owned San Parks accommodation. Driving ourselves was amazing and it really felt that e had the parks to ourselves a lot of the time. It lacks dates luxury but that was more than offset by the freedom and feeling of adventure the self drive option allowed. I dont know that that option is available in Kenya though.

gin_beach

Thanks! I'm waiting on the specific lodging names - these are good ideas!