Ngorongoro

Hi Julian,

Our trip was amazing!  You would have heard from me sooner, but we were hit by Hurricane Irene the day after we landed and haven’t had electricity for 6 days as a result.  We just got our electricity back last night.  Our return to Connecticut wasn’t much different from Africa!  Good thing we were already used to it!  We loved our trip.  Your advice and recommendations were so fantastic.  I cannot thank you enough!  I wouldn’t change a thing about it.  I can’t wait to plan our next one with you!

The accommodations at both of those places were fantastic.  Our rooms at Borana were above and beyond our expectations just given the size of the rooms, how nice the rooms and bathrooms were, the lovely fires that were lit in each of our rooms every night and then connecting our room with our daughters’ room was an outdoor living room area with a large comfortable couch, great chairs and a fire pit that they also lit for us every night.  The view from the living room and our rooms was the watering hole down below where baboons, elephants, giraffes and lions drank.  After dinner (which was always an incredible experience with superb hosting by Sam and Flick) we would then go to our own “living room” with my parents and daughters and play charades or just hang out.

There was a bar in the living room that was well stocked with things for everyone.  Borana was probably everyone’s favorite, which is saying a lot given that the other places were fantastic.  Ngare Serian was definitely a close second.  The tents and the dining tent were beautiful.  Adrian, Rogine, Joel and all of the others there were so great.  The best game viewing was clearly from Rekero, and their location probably can’t be beat.  All in all, if we were to go back again, we would probably repeat the whole experience just as it was laid out.

Oh, and another enormous highlight to our trip (actually there were quite a few – the Serian entertainment being way up there on that list too) was Giraffe Manor.  I know you thinks it’s a gimmick, but it was also probably one of our most favorite stops – especially for Anna and Lily (and my mom).  That was an absolute highlight and a good way to end the trip.  The Manor is stunning, the food was out of this world and I would call it a must stop if one is going through Kenya (especially with children.)  It probably meant more to me as well because I read the book “Raising Daisy Rothschild.”  It was really expensive, but totally worth it.  My mom wants to go back to Kenya just to go there.  We really loved it.

I’m trying to decide if our next safari will be in South Africa, Botswana or Tanzania……?

Best regards,

K Hooker 2011

Dan

Herewith some comment on the places we stayed at:

• Onsea House. Two really fun Belgiques run this extraordinary hotel with very high quality food. We eat and drank to a very high standard in fun surroundings. We will certainly go there again. It is handy for Kilimanjaro airport and Arusha airfield.
• Ngorongoro Serena – a little tired but did the job. It is well positioned for a one or half day safari in the crater and you would not want more than that. Friendly and does the trick.
• The Serengeti Serena – this is a gem tucked away in the middle of the Serengeti – that is far better that it would seem at the outset. High quality management and loyal staff make this place in our view. The food and accommodation is good without being exceptional but is great value. Well positioned for safari. We always go back to this Serena – and they know us and recognise us.
• Ras Kutani – this is an exceptional venue on the coast. They should make it easier for guests to get there – but once you have arrived it is a superb place for quiet beach and lagoon time. Very good food, outstanding staff and certainly a place we will go back to. Our second son worked at Ras Kutani four years ago and little has changed; well run and high quality.

I hope this is helpful. We will be back! Regards to Marc.

Best wishes

S Hearn 2011