Here is what Caley had to say about her trip:
I had an amazing time. It didn't make any difference at all being by myself.
Amboseli was really good. The camp was about a 3.5 hour drive from Nairobi, but as I was there by 11 in the morning this was definitely the best way to get there. The camp itself was very nice and quiet and in the middle of nowhere. On my first night a giraffe visited me outside my tent. I could see it stop outside as I hadn't closed the blinds! The food was wonderful. I'm not sure how they prepared it in a tent! The staff were all really nice. Our guide, Emmanuel, was very good and on the first day we visited the nearby Masaai village. This wasn't too touristy as I think the only people that visited were from Amboseli Porini Camp. Got to throw a Masaai spear which is a lot harder then it looks! Amboseli itself was absolutely abundant with animals. It was
amazing to see so many different species of animals in one area at the same time. Saw lion and a big herd of elephants, hyena + all the usual animals there. The only thing was it was about an hour to drive there from the camp. You did see some animals on the way though.
I was glad that I flew from Amboseli/ Nairobi and then to the Mara. I got to Porini Lion Camp airstrip at about 11.00, however, some Americans who were at the first camp and who were driven to Nairobi and then got a flight didn't get there until 4.30. Luckily, I caught the connecting flight though as my flight was late from Amboseli and I had to go straight across the tarmac where they were boarding the flight to the Mara. After landing, we went on a drive on the way to Lion Porini Camp. Straight away we saw a big hippo grazing, then we saw a cheetah and cub (unfortunately the cub was killed by the lions the next day although I didn't see this), then a pride of lions and herds and herds of wildebeest and this was even before we got to the camp! The camp was similar to Amboseli Porini Camp, but the tent, etc, were slightly better and the staff even more attentive. Our guide was John, a Masaai, and he really looked after us. We saw quite a few cheetah, lions, a wildebeest crossing, a leopard very briefly as it came down a tree and many more animals. I decided to do a hot air balloon trip and this was really amazing. We saw a big male lion, female lions, giraffes, wildebeest, the pilot saw a cheetah but our eyes weren't so good! Again the food was really good. For a description of Caley's ballooning flight see: Hot Air Ballooning in the Masai Mara
After lunch on the Sunday John drove me to Governor's Camp. I only had 1/2hr before going on my first drive. My guide was Joseph and I shared the jeep with another couple who arrived the day before. Again, we saw a lot of animals including lion, cheetah and on the last morning we eventually managed to see a leopard on the move which was really good. The guide hadn't seen one in a month so I think we were pretty lucky. Also saw another wildebeest crossing. Unfortunately, the day I got there a fire started nearby and this got worse and worse over the next couple of days. It was quite smoky and obviously the animals were quite disturbed. Governors Camp was good, but I wouldn't see it matched it's very high reputation. There was nothing wrong with it, but what I found strange was that everyone sat at their own tables. I was, therefore supposed to sit by myself, but luckily the couple I was with invited me to join them. Also, the evening drive finished at 6 so there were no sundowners. You only saw the guide on the safaris so there was a lot less personal attention. The place itself and the surroundings and food were lovely though. On the last morning I saw dwarf and banded mongoose in the grounds which was interesting. On the first night elephants visited the camp. I heard them and saw the destruction the next morning, but didn't see them!
My flight back to Nairobi was fine. The only problem was that my transfer was not there to meet me. After about 1/2hr Safarilink contacted them and they came and picked me up. Luckily I had loads of time to spare.
Overall, I would definitely say that Porini Lion Camp was the best camp as you could drive round the private conservancy plus the Mara. The staff were all really nice and the camp was conveniently located.
Thanks very much for organising my trip. Brett is now sorting out my next one, probably to Botswana.
Caley's safari was arranged by SUN SAFARIS