u/britishballer

I am planning an east Africa trip. Gorillas at Bisate, either Mara Nyika or Mara Plains in the Mara, Ol Donyo near amboselli, however I cannot wrap my head around Laikipia.

Originally I thought it had to be Segera. The property looks stunning, but at the end of the day, I want safari over pampering. Safari viewing in Lewa seems more. Maybe not as polished obviously, but just good safari. I'm already pampered at the other locations, and again, this trip is all about the animals. I've looked at Kirafu with Elewana, Sirikoi and Lewa wilderness a distant third. What say you experts and previous East African specialists?

Segera? Sirikoi? Kirafu? Somewhere else in Laikipia?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to put this to bed once and for all!

I am planning an east Africa trip. Gorillas at Bisate, either Mara Nyika or Mara Plains in the Mara, Ol Donyo near amboselli, however I cannot wrap my head around Laikipia.

Originally I thought it had to be Segera. The property looks stunning, but at the end of the day, I want safari over just pampering. Safari viewing in Lewa seems more. Maybe not as polished obviously, but just good safari. Segera from my impression is pampering and beauty first, then safari. I'm already pampered at the other locations, and again, this trip is all about the animals. I've looked at Kirafu with Elewana, Sirikoi and Lewa wilderness a distant third. What say you experts and previous East African specialists?

Segera? Sirikoi? Kirafu? Somewhere else in Laikipia?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to put this to bed once and for all!

Considering east Africa route as wife is thrilled by gorillas and haven't gone. Likely bisate as she loves the loom of the lodge. Someone I recently talk to mentioned a number of options. Would likely do 2 or 3 of the below + gorillas. What are opinions, if people have been to any of the following:

Mara Plains Camp

Little Chem Chem

Ol Donyo

Segera

Suyian

Cottars 1920

Mwiba Lodge

Obviously various singita properties are in the mix but not sure the cost is worth it. It's my wife's safari and I am opting for a private vehicle. Obviously singita grumeti offers it's privacy given they have the concession, but is the cost really worth it compared to spending more days (literally likely more days given the cost) elsewhere? My wife and I are not super wine people so that is not a big part of our interest.

Thanks!

Considering east Africa route as wife is thrilled by gorillas and haven't gone. Likely bisate as she loves the loom of the lodge. Someone I recently talk to mentioned a number of options. Would likely do 2 or 3 of the below + gorillas. What are opinions, if people have been to any of the following:

Mara Plains Camp

Little Chem Chem

Ol Donyo

Segera

Suyian

Cottars 1920

Mwiba Lodge

Obviously various singita properties are in the mix but not sure the cost is worth it. It's my wife's safari and I am opting for a private vehicle. Obviously singita grumeti offers it's privacy given they have the concession, but is the cost really worth it compared to spending more days (literally likely more days given the cost) elsewhere? My wife and I are not super wine people so that is not a big part of our interest.

Thanks!

Considering east Africa route as wife is thrilled by gorillas and haven't gone. Likely bisate as she loves the loom of the lodge. Someone I recently talk to mentioned a number of options. Would likely do 2 or 3 of the below + gorillas. What are opinions, if people have been to any of the following:

Mara Plains Camp

Little Chem Chem

Ol Donyo

Segera

Suyian

Cottars 1920

Mwiba Lodge

Obviously various singita properties are in the mix but not sure the cost is worth it. It's my wife's safari and I am opting for a private vehicle. Obviously singita grumeti offers it's privacy given they have the concession, but is the cost really worth it compared to spending more days (literally likely more days given the cost) elsewhere? My wife and I are not super wine people so that is not a big part of our interest.

Thanks!

Considering east Africa route as wife is thrilled by gorillas and haven't gone. Likely bisate as she loves the loom of the lodge. Someone I recently talk to mentioned a number of options. Would likely do 2 or 3 of the below + gorillas. What are opinions, if people have been to any of the following:

Mara Plains Camp

Little Chem Chem

Ol Donyo

Segera

Suyian

Cottars 1920

Mwiba Lodge

Obviously various singita properties are in the mix but not sure the cost is worth it. It's my wife's safari and I am opting for a private vehicle. Obviously singita grumeti offers it's privacy given they have the concession, but is the cost really worth it compared to spending more days (literally likely more days given the cost) elsewhere? My wife and I are not super wine people so that is not a big part of our interest.

Thanks!

Considering east Africa route as wife is thrilled by gorillas and haven't gone. Likely bisate as she loves the loom of the lodge. Someone I recently talk to mentioned a number of options. Would likely do 2 or 3 of the below + gorillas. What are opinions, if people have been to any of the following:

Mara Plains Camp

Little Chem Chem

Ol Donyo

Segera

Suyian

Cottars 1920

Mwiba Lodge

Obviously various singita properties are in the mix but not sure the cost is worth it. It's my wife's safari and I am opting for a private vehicle. Obviously singita grumeti offers it's privacy given they have the concession, but is the cost really worth it compared to spending more days (literally likely more days given the cost) elsewhere? My wife and I are not super wine people so that is not a big part of our interest.

Thanks!

Hi all. Considering choosing east Africa for my 4th safari and wife's first in 2028. However, and maybe my interpretation from various posts have been wrong, is there a lot less animal density in east Africa compared to southern Africa? Just trying to make sure I'll still have the experience I am looking forward to. I am deciding on private conservancies over national parks likely

Hi all. Considering choosing east Africa for my 4th safari and wife's first in 2028. However, and maybe my interpretation from various posts have been wrong, is there a lot less animal density in east Africa compared to southern Africa? Just trying to make sure I'll still have the experience I am looking forward to. I am deciding on private conservancies over national parks likely

Not sure if this is allowed, and delete if so, has anyone had a commissioned painting by Don Troiani and can you discuss in experience in public or private PM. Thanks!

Hi all,

​

I have been fortunate to have gone to Africa 3x for safari. Each time it's been southern Africa. I have been to some moderate lodges like Muchenje in Chobe and Tintswalo in the Manyeleti to Tswalu and Jao, etc.

​

I want to plan a 40th birthday trip for 2028 for myself, but my wife has never been (don't worry she already has an incredibly nice Scotland trip already planned for her 40th!). I'm not sure how she will like safari given the lack of a lot of activity with participation if you know what I mean, but hoping to vary the locations enough to make it as interesting as possible.

​

3 possible broad itineraries include:

​

1. East Africa with 2 or 3 lodges then gorillas (which she is very interested in). The problem is I literally know nothing of this world. I have read up extensively on southern Africa lodges in Zambia, SA, and Botswana but know next to nothing about East Africa like Tanzania and Kenya outside of Laikipia because Giza is so fascinating. I have read enough on gorillas, particularly in Rwanda but less so Uganda, to have a grasp as to where to go.

​

2. Botswana heavy with trek to Tswalu. This intrigues me as it can still be so varied and very private given some locations. Was thinking one in the delta (Jao, Duba plains, Xigera, Elela [depending on how it is received]), Chitabe given the viewing which has been reported as excellent and purely land based, Mashatu for its incredible variation compared to others. I also love photography and the photographic hide is intriguing. +/- Mokete given it's so different is also in the mix. Tswalu at the end given how incredibly different it is and how the animals can be on a list of their own.

​

3. South africa heavy +/- trek to the delta or Pamushana. I like the idea of Sabi Sands given some of the most incredible lodges we know of plus the heavy animal density. I've been to Silvan, and while it's not considered the top tier, it really did do an excellent job with lodge design, food, service was excellent and I saw some excellent sightings. I'd again likely recommend Tswalu just given the variation in setting and animals. Thinking of a third region for SA is where I struggle when thinking how the setting varies compared to Sabi Sands. This is why I think either the delta or Pamushana to mix it up.

​

Obviously I've been to some of these areas which I suppose could be considered boring to repeat, however any safari in my mind is excellent. In the same , I want to make a trip she will love as well (who wouldn't want their partner to love safari just as much of yourself?). There is obviously time to consider, but I'm interested in other's thoughts as to what you would do if you were in the same situation.

​

Thanks for reading my long, drawn out thoughts!

Hi all,

​

I have been fortunate to have gone to Africa 3x for safari. Each time it's been southern Africa. I have been to some moderate lodges like Muchenje in Chobe and Tintswalo in the Manyeleti to Tswalu and Jao, etc.

​

I want to plan a 40th birthday trip for 2028 for myself, but my wife has never been (don't worry she already has an incredibly nice Scotland trip already planned for her 40th!). I'm not sure how she will like safari given the lack of a lot of activity with participation if you know what I mean, but hoping to vary the locations enough to make it as interesting as possible.

​

3 possible broad itineraries include:

​

1. East Africa with 2 or 3 lodges then gorillas (which she is very interested in). The problem is I literally know nothing of this world. I have read up extensively on southern Africa lodges in Zambia, SA, and Botswana but know next to nothing about East Africa like Tanzania and Kenya outside of Laikipia because Giza is so fascinating. I have read enough on gorillas, particularly in Rwanda but less so Uganda, to have a grasp as to where to go.

​

2. Botswana heavy with trek to Tswalu. This intrigues me as it can still be so varied and very private given some locations. Was thinking one in the delta (Jao, Duba plains, Xigera, Elela [depending on how it is received]), Chitabe given the viewing which has been reported as excellent and purely land based, Mashatu for its incredible variation compared to others. I also love photography and the photographic hide is intriguing. +/- Mokete given it's so different is also in the mix. Tswalu at the end given how incredibly different it is and how the animals can be on a list of their own.

​

3. South africa heavy +/- trek to the delta or Pamushana. I like the idea of Sabi Sands given some of the most incredible lodges we know of plus the heavy animal density. I've been to Silvan, and while it's not considered the top tier, it really did do an excellent job with lodge design, food, service was excellent and I saw some excellent sightings. I'd again likely recommend Tswalu just given the variation in setting and animals. Thinking of a third region for SA is where I struggle when thinking how the setting varies compared to Sabi Sands. This is why I think either the delta or Pamushana to mix it up.

​

Obviously I've been to some of these areas which I suppose could be considered boring to repeat, however any safari in my mind is excellent. In the same , I want to make a trip she will love as well (who wouldn't want their partner to love safari just as much of yourself?). There is obviously time to consider, but I'm interested in other's thoughts as to what you would do if you were in the same situation.

​

Thanks for reading my long, drawn out thoughts!

So my wife and I are doing her 40th in Scotland next year. After the Belmond train, we are going to The Fife Arms and The Torridon. Which excursions or activities at each did anyone find most enjoyable? There are just so many to choose from and lots look excellent!

So my wife and I are doing her 40th in Scotland next year. After the Belmond train, we are going to The Fife Arms and The Torridon. Which excursions or activities at each did anyone find most enjoyable? There are just so many to choose from and lots look excellent!

So my wife and I are doing her 40th in Scotland next year. After the Belmond train, we are going to The Fife Arms and The Torridon. Which excursions or activities at each did anyone find most enjoyable? There are just so many to choose from and lots look excellent!

Hi all. Maybe not an easy question or an answer. We are doing a weekend polo match in Newport this coming end of June. Last time (2 years ago), a lot of people brought picnic like food. We did not even know about any of this the last time and realized real quick we would have liked food. Anyone know a great place to get picnic food / sandwiches before the polo match without just going to a grocery store? It's our vacation and don't have a lot of time to prepare stuff like that unfortunately