Nyamera:

I don't know about the areas you are interested in. In the past you have been far more daring than I in the places you have stayed, walking all over the country, etc.

However, on this trip I can only seriously caution you on two scores.

They are still having serious rain and flooding in many areas of the country with road washouts, etc. Many of the mud homes have collapsed. Please be sure you aren't driving on your own. Pay the extra for traveling more safely with a professional.

Also, there has been a spate of Mungiki killings lately - very barbaric with beheadings and leaving people's heads on fence posts etc. Though at this point no tourist has been targeted, things are heating up between the police and Mungiki and some innocent Kenyans have been killed in the cross-fire.

Thus your safety has to be primary before cost, accomodations, etc.

Go on www.Kenyalastminute.com (run by Southern Cross Safaris). You might find some deals there. If you see something you are interested in you can email them at sales@southerncrosssafaris.com (Phillip would probably be the one that responds) and request a price. They are an extremely reputable travel company and you would be safe with their drivers. You don't give us a price range to work with. My July trip for 18 days including airfare within Kenya, charter flights, etc is $5,700.00.

You may run into a problem with booking now. When I made my arrangements about three months ago many of the places I was interested in were already fully booked. I would defrinitely contact Phillip and let him know what you are looking for and an approximate price you are willing to pay and see what he can come up with.

Good luck - and keep in touch please.

If I remember the prices correctly, About six months ago I found a self drive company in Kenya.
Don't quote me on this but I believe the prices were (sorry in pounds sterling)

Toyota Rav4 £53 per day. Toyota crew cab pick up £70 per day. Some had roof tents, not the Rav4 but you could also hire the full camping gear for about £10 a day.

Ah maps! Not sure about Kenya but I've found maps in Africa very much part of the fun, especially park maps!!
Beg steal or borrow a GPS, you can hire them.
Self drive camping is not the cheapest way & you really do need a guide with local knowledge but if solitude is what you require than it's the best & for me the only way to see Africa.
You do not have other people crowding you, if you want to sit & just watch a herd all day you can! And best of all you wake to the sounds of the bush each day & whats better than a bush shower & a vehicle wing mirror?

Thanks Jan and Kipper! A self-drive sounds wonderful, but I’m too worried about a number of things, not primarily Mungiki, though I do want to keep my head attached to the rest of my body.

The problem I have with a price range is that I’ve already spent too much. I have the money for a more expensive trip, but I don’t know what my work situation will be when I return home. That’s why I should try to stay out of parks and at less than 1000 shillings accommodations after my trip to the Mara. But then, if I could find something good for less than $150 per day (everything included) I’d spend more time in parks and hope for the best. I’m paying $1095 for a 6 nights’ road package to the Mara.

BTW, does anyone know anything about Bushbuck Adventures?