Do you intend to hunt, or are you just taking photos?


If you're hunting, I'd suggest letting your PH Guide do the outfitter booking. They have far more knowledge, and will put you with the absolute best outfitter, since their tip is dependent on your experience.

Also, you will need State Department forms and BATFE Form 6 to bring your firearms BACK to the US, as well as State Department export forms to take them out.

If you're not attached to a particular gun, I'd consider buying one just for the trip, doing the export form on it, and then just leaving it in Africa when you're done. It's easier than trying to reimport it.

I did this a couple years ago with a rifle. Gave it to my PH Guide as part of his tip. He appreciated it.


Also, EVERYTHING requires either a tip, or a bribe. Start with a tip, and if that's not enough, go for the bribe.

Anonymous wrote:If you are travelling without kids, check out Little Governors camp. We did bring our 10 year old son but it was a bit scary at times for him and us! If you are going to go, this is the way to do it. http://www.governorscamp.com/property-descriptions/governors-camps-masai-mara/little-governors-camp

What was scary about it?

Lived in Kenya and a lot of people liked Phoenix Safaris.

We really loved Ol Tukai in Amboseli. The Mara is a pit - you should only go if you can afford to fly all the way there.

Highly recommend mountain travel sobek

Good Earth Tours

If you are travelling without kids, check out Little Governors camp. We did bring our 10 year old son but it was a bit scary at times for him and us! If you are going to go, this is the way to do it. http://www.governorscamp.com/property-descriptions/governors-camps-masai-mara/little-governors-camp

Many camps have scheduled drives and lots of people driving together. Little governors gives you a dedicated driver who will schedule a drive as you like. Want to have a peaceful breakfast out in the Mara? Just tell your driver and he will organize your breakfast to be served under a Baobab tree after an early morning drive. I went with my best friend and our two sons and it was nice that it was only the four of us driving around. I'd see drivers from other camps with ten people in their cars!

Everyone else is right - fly into Nairobi, stay at Giraffe house (from the Safari Collection ... you can email Richard to make a reservation - richard@thesafaricollection.com). Then you will fly to the Mara in a small plane. Little Governors will organize that for you. Then fly back to Nairobi and stay at Ngong House or fly out directly home. If you are staying for any time in Nairobi, the only thing I recommend you to do is go to the elephants at David Sheldrick. We stop in every time we are in Nairobi and I never get tired of hearing the stories of the rescued baby elephants. Also - very touristy - but dinner at Carnivore if you eat meat is hilarious.

Have a great trip! The Mara is the best place I've ever found for a safari.

Anonymous wrote:Game watchers.

Kenya. And East African Safaris

https://www.porini.com

Loved this place. Took my daughter on her first safari when she was 7 to the Mara for the migration. They have several camps.

Keep in mind there are elections in Kenya in AUgust and the us embassy has their own travel restrictions on official Americans for security purposes from late July.

Anonymous wrote:I loved looking at Ashley & Kata Hicks' photos on Instagram from Angama Mara. ($$$) Check out Giraffe Manor while you're in Nairobi.

Giraffe Manor is very cool as is Ngong House. Lived in Nairobi an there are tons of safari options

Game watchers.

Kenya. And East African Safaris

Anonymous wrote:We went 6+ years ago but had a great experience with Tanzania Odyssey on the Serengeti side (I think they were able to do Kenya side safaris too). Definitely do your research on where you want to go and what you want to see but we strongly preferred staying in tented camps to hotels and lodges.

Just went back and looked and I think they have a parent company - African Odyessy - that handles "East African" safaris. Don't know how strongly you feel about being on the Mara side vs. the Serengeti side but we loved our experience in Tanzania FWIW (although my recollection from that trip was that once you go you cannot cross between countries in the park itself).

We went 6+ years ago but had a great experience with Tanzania Odyssey on the Serengeti side (I think they were able to do Kenya side safaris too). Definitely do your research on where you want to go and what you want to see but we strongly preferred staying in tented camps to hotels and lodges.

Anonymous wrote:Abercrombie & Kent

+100

I loved looking at Ashley & Kata Hicks' photos on Instagram from Angama Mara. ($$$) Check out Giraffe Manor while you're in Nairobi.

Abercrombie & Kent

has anyone used any tour operators to Masai Mara? We want to go this year or next but it seems like a lot of work planning.
it would be easy to outsource this to someone.