We (2 middle aged Australian women) are looking for safe and affordable way to get from Nairobi to Narok. It looks like the bus only goes 9pm. The camp we are heading to can do private transfer for US$280 each way. This is going to make the trip unaffordable for us so we're wondering if hiring a driver in Nairobi might be cheaper - what's the best way to do this and does anyone have an idea of a fair price?
We are flying into MQP (Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit) on Thurs 10 Sept, we will pick up a hire car and do 2 nights Berg-en-dal (Th-Fr), 1 night Satara (Sat), 2 nights Shingwedzi (Sun-Mon).
We need to be in Entebbe, Uganda by the Wed evening (16 Sep). The only suitable flights are from Jo-burg to Entebbe daily at 12:50pm. So we need to get to Jo'burg from Shinwengwedzi after our safari. The only morning flight from Hoedspruit to Jo'Burg arrives at 12:50 so that won't suit, nor Skukuza airport. MQP/Nelspruit airport have 8:25am (arrives 9:20am) or 10:50am (arr 11:45am). Perhaps the 11:45 arrival is too tight to get the 12:50 onwards to Uganda?
So it looks like we will need to travel from Shingwedzi camp to MQP/Nelspruit on the Tuesday - stay somewhere then get to the airport by 7:00 am to return the car and get the 8:25am.
We are aware this is a massive day driving from Shingwedzi so unsure on the best option to break it up - should we just leave from the north of the park and travel down the R40, stay close to the airport? How long would this take? There are conflicting drive times between camps/gates on the Sanspark site. How long realistically would say Shingwedzi-Lower Sabie be then Lower Sabie to the airport in the morning? Could we even leave in time to get to the airport at 7am?
Are we possibly just being too ambitious adding Shingwedzi? We really just love the sound of Shingwedzi and overall want a a quieter experience - tent camping, simple bbq cooking, smaller quieter camps - we are not interested in all the facilities etc.
Another option is to drive to Jo'Burg Wed morning to get there by 11am but again, its difficult to work out how long this actually would take. Any advice grateful accepted!