Those of you who are coming from abroad may want to consider going on safari here in Kenya. It is not possible for us to organize your safari for you, but we would like to give you a few hints and tips. There are some very special places close to Nanyuki that you could visit.
Obviously there is Mt. Kenya and you could consider a hike to the peak if you're keen! Alternatively there is Meru National Park, or Samburu National Park, and Nanyuki is also an ideal base for exploring Laikipia.
With so many choices, it can be difficult to decide, but please keep in mind that it is not a good idea to rush around trying to visit as many places as possible. We would recommend that you spend at least two or three nights in each place.
Here are some examples, just to give you a rough idea:
OPTION 1
possible dates:
starting from Nanyuki on 9th Oct 2011, ending on 14th Oct
or
starting from Nanyuki on 17th Oct ending on 22nd Oct
day 1: AM departure from Nanyuki, drive to Samburu National Park
day 2: Samburu National Park
day 3: Samburu National Park
day 4: depart Samburu, drive to Lewa
day 5: Lewa
day 6: depart Lewa, go for a few hours hike on slopes of Mt Kenya, evening return to Nanyuki
OPTION 2
possible dates:
starting from Nanyuki on 9th Oct 2011, ending on 14th Oct
or
starting from Nanyuki on 17th Oct ending on 22nd Oct
day 1: AM departure from Nanyuki, drive to Meru National Park
day 2: Meru National Park
day 3: Meru National Park
day 4: depart Meru, drive to Lewa
day 5: Lewa
day 6: depart Lewa in the late afternoon to return to Nanyuki by evening
There are several places to stay in Nanyuki, some right in town, others a bit further out. We have come up with a selection for you to choose from - please contact us if you need help. If you have no luck contacting the hotel directly, you could send an email to Daphne (daphne@muthaiga-fv.co.ke) and ask her to make a booking on your behalf.
This is probably the most luxurious option. Please bear in mind that it takes about 30 minutes by car to get from the Mount Kenya Safari Club to the wedding venue.
http://kongonicamp.com/ This is a nice and relatively simple option for accommodation - some of the rondavel style bedrooms have two double beds, so you have the option of sharing a cozy quadruple with your friends. This camp is just outside town and it takes only 15 minutes by car to get to the wedding venue.
Nanyuki Sports Club
This club is for private members only, so if you wish to stay here, please contact us and we can make a reservation for you. In case you happen to be a member of another club, the Nanyuki Sport Club reciprocates with the Nairobi Club, the Aero Club and the Rift Valley Sports Club among others. Distance to the wedding venue is only about 5 minutes by car.
http://www.sportsmansarmshotels.com/ This is the biggest and most modern hotel located right in town, at a driving distance of only 5 minutes from the wedding venue.
Nanyuki is a small town northwest of Mount Kenya. It is the capital of Laikipia County and situated barely just north of the Equator. If you are coming from abroad, you need to fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, and then make your way from Nairobi to Nanyuki.
Air travel from Nairobi to Nanyuki
In case you wish to book a flight, we recommend that you contact Daphne. Her email address is daphne@muthaiga-fv.co.ke and below is a selection of possible flight connections between Wilson Airport in Nairobi and Nanyuki Airport.
14th October and 15th October
Air Kenay flight 861 departing Wilson 0730 arriving Nanyuki 0900
or
Air Kenya flight 871 departing Wilson 0915 arriving Nanyuki 0950
Nairobi to Nanyuki by road
At the moment there are several construction sites along the A2 (Thika Road) so it may take up to four hours to reach Nanyuki. The road is pretty good and it is possible to do the journey with a saloon car, so not a must to have a 4WD.
Most likely there will be several people driving to Nanyuki either on Friday 14th in the afternoon or morning of Saturday 15th October, and returning to Nairobi on 16th. Please send an email to let us know a) whether there is space in your car b) whether you need a lift as it would be nice to organize a bit of car sharing where possible and for those willing.
Thank you so much to all those who were there with us on the day, and all those who sent their greetings and kind wishes. We had a wonderful day thanks to the generosity of family and friends - we were totally spoilt! Moving on to planning bash no.2 now...
So it seems that finally we have jumped through the last hoop and cleared the last hurdle and hopefully the finish line is all clear for us to be married on Saturday! The bureaucratic process has been trying to say the least, but after dealing with the governments of Zimbabwe, Tanzania, the good old Empire and of course ze Vaterland, we have finally got there!
Some of the preparation has been great though and we have been lucky enough to be able to try out a number of beers to see what we liked for the day.... beer testing has never been so fun! We were asked to test 25 different beers from 6 different breweries... now that is what I call wedding preparation!
Fortunately Mirjam's family have taken on all the real preparations and we have been very lucky in that respect; we have no idea what is going to happen on Saturday as it all has been done in utmost secrecy, and we are in for a surprise; hopefully a good one!! Right better get back to beer testing......
The greatest gift and the most appreciated gift will be if you join us at our civil ceremony in Germany, or at the wedding party in Kenya, or perhaps at both events. That goes without saying.... so we thought we would say it anyway.
We have shared a household for 6 years or so and have over that time assembled everything we need to be comfortable and to make visitors comfortable. We have also collected numerous items which we don't really need and now have them cluttering up storage space.
While we don't expect or need any presents several people have been asking what they can give us.
At some point in the future we hope to have the pitter-patter sound of little feet in our lives, and we have decided to set up an education fund for the day when the owners of these feet need to be enrolled in school. If you would like to make a contribution towards this education fund, please email us so we can send you our account details.
If you have your heart set on giving us a certain item as a wedding present then please go ahead by all means. However, we would like to ask you not to give us large or heavy items at the civil ceremony in Germany because we will need to take everything with us on the flight back to Kenya.
If you are coming from further afield, perhaps you might want to visit some of the sights and tourist attractions in the area. The following websites (in English) offer some helpful information to get you started.
Laichingen is a small town so there is not a huge choice of places to stay.
The best hotel in Laichingen is the Hotel Krehl, located at short walking distance from the party venue.
http://www.hotel-krehl.de/
You might also consider the Hotel Post which is only a short driving distance away from Laichingen.
http://www.gasthof-hotel-post.de/
Alternatively there is the Hotel Ratstube in Laichingen, which offers good quality accommodation, located at short walking distance from the party venue. If you wish to make a reservation here please contact us.
Then we also have the Engel Guesthouse, in Laichingen town, which is more basic, but also less expensive than the other hotels mentioned. It is located at short walking distance from the party venue. If you wish to make a reservation here please contact us.
Laichingen is a small town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Note - this is not Bavaria! The closest city is Ulm and the largest, most well-known city in the area is Stuttgart.
Air travel
It is definitely easiest and most convenient to fly to Stuttgart Airport.
Train
Please visit the following website - http://www.bahn.com - it will give you all the information for rail travel in Germany, and the entire website is in English.
Your end station should be either Blaubeuren or Geislingen Steige. You will probably have to change trains at least once.
There are not many buses running between those train stations and Laichingen!! It takes about 45 minutes by road to get to Laichingen.
Please send us details of your arrival and let us know in case you need assistance in order to get from the train station to Laichingen.
Below you will find some information regarding possible accommodation and prices. For help please contact Rinu rinu@muthaiga-fv.co.ke and ask her to put together an itinerary for you.
OPTION ONE
SAMBURU LODGE - SAMBURU
USD 190 per person sharing per night on full board
USD 300 per single per night on full board
USD 100 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (3 - 12 years)
www.discoverwilderness.com
LARSENS CAMP- SAMBURU
Rates include : full board accommodation, pre-dinner hot / cold canapés in the lounge, mineral water in tents, soft drinks, beer, house wines, and non-luxury sprits, and 2 pieces of laundry per person per stay
USD 330 per person sharing per night on full board
USD 530 per single per night on full board
www.discoverwilderness.com
SARUNI SAMBURU - SAMBURU
Ground package :
Full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wines, day and night game drives, local airstrip transfers (Lewa downs), guided walks, pre-historic site visits and laundry
USD 480 per person per night
USD 590 per single per night on full board
USD 360 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservancy fees @ USD 80 per person / USD 40 per child (under 16 years) per night
Accommodation only : includes soft drinks, beer, house wines and non-luxury spirits
USD 400 per person per night on full board
USD 490 per single per night on full board
USD 280 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Rates valid in October 2011
Conservancy fees @ USD 80 per person / USD 40 per child (under 16 years) per night
www.sarunisamburu.com
SAROVA SHABA LODGE - SHABA
USD 230 per double per night on full board
USD 175 per single per night on full board
USD 60 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (3 - 12 years)
www.sarovahotles.com
JOYS CAMP – SHABA
Ground package :
Full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wines, non-luxury sprits, sundowners, day and night game drives, guided bush walks, bush breakfast along Ewaso Nyiro River and gorge, cultural visits to nomadic Boran settlement (when within reach of the lodge), trips to Magado crator singing wells, local airstrip transfers (Chaffa / Samburu) and laundry
USD 460 per person per night
USD 560 per single per night on full board
USD 340 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Shaba park tickets : USD 60 per person per night / USD 30 per child (under 18 years) per night
Accommodation only :
USD 350 per person per night on full board
USD 410 per single per night on full board
USD 260 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Rates valid in October 2011
Shaba park tickets : USD 60 per person per night / USD 30 per child (under 18 years) per night
www.joyscamp.com
SAMBURU SOPA LODGE - SAMBURU
USD 180 per double per night on full board
USD 130 per single per night on full board
USD 45 per child sharing with 2 adults per night ion full board
Rates valid in October 2011
www.sopalodges.com
LEWA SAFARI CAMP - LEWA
Ground package :
Full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wines, day and night game drives, local airstrip transfers (Lewa downs), guided walks, pre-historic site visits and laundry
USD 400 per person per night
USD 500 per single per night on full board
USD 300 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 90 per adult / USD 45 per child per night
Accommodation only :
USD 270 per person per night on full board
USD 320 per single per night on full board
USD 200 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 90 per adult / USD 45 per child per night
Rates valid in October 2011
www.lewasafaricamp.com
MOUNT KENYA
KWS park fees : USD 55 per adult / USD 25 per child for a day trip
Day 1: AM departure from Nanyuki, drive to Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 2: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 4: Depart Samburu, drive to Lewa Safari Camp
Day 5: Lewa Safari Camp
Day 6: Depart Lewa, go for a few hours hike on slopes of Mt Kenya, evening return to Nanyuki. Drop off in Nanyuki
ALL INCLUSIVE TRANSPORT RATE X 6 days hire
Toyota Land cruiser standard version (carries 6 + driver guide)
USD 2,030 per vehicle (USD 290 PER DAY)
Rates include:
· Transport and exclusive use of vehicle as per programme
· Experienced English speaking driver / guide and his daily allowance
· Fuel
· Park fee for the vehicle & driver guide where applicable
Rates exclude:
· Tips for driver / guide
· Accommodation and park fee for clients where applicable
USD 205 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (3 - 12 years)
*Children under 3 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 50 per adult / USD 25 per child per night
www.Leopardmico.com
ELSA KOPJE - MERU
Ground package :
Full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wines, and non-luxury spirits, day and night game drives, bush meals, sundowners, line fishing (catfish and barbell), local airstrip transfers, and laundry
USD 480 per person per night
USD 590 per single per night on full board
USD 360 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 50 per adult / USD 25 per child per night
Accommodation only :
USD 360 per person per night on full board
USD 430 per single per night on full board
USD 260 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 50 per adult / USD 45 per child per night
Rates valid in October 2011
www.elsaskopje.com
LEWA SAFARI CAMP - LEWA
Ground package :
Full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wines, day and night game drives, local airstrip transfers (Lewa downs), guided walks, pre-historic site visits and laundry
USD 400 per person per night
USD 500 per single per night on full board
USD 300 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 90 per adult / USD 25 per child per night
Accommodation only :
USD 270 per person per night on full board
USD 320 per single per night on full board
USD 200 per child sharing with adults per night on full board (5 – 16 years)
*Children under 5 years accommodated free
Conservation fee : USD 90 per adult / USD 45 per child per night
Rates valid in October 2011
www.lewasafaricamp.com
Day 1: AM departure from Nanyuki, drive to Meru - Leopard Rock Lodge
Day 2: Meru - Leopard Rock Lodge
Day 3: Meru - Leopard Rock Lodge
Day 4: Depart Meru, drive to Lewa Safari Camp
Day 5: Lewa Safari Camp
Day 6: Depart Lewa in the late afternoon to return to Nanyuki by evening
ALL INCLUSIVE TRANSPORT RATE X 6 day hire
Toyota Land cruiser standard version (carries 6 + driver guide)
USD 2,030 per vehicle (USD 290 PER DAY)
Rates include:
· Transport and exclusive use of vehicle as per programme
· Experienced English speaking driver / guide and his daily allowance
· Fuel
· Park fee for the vehicle & driver guide where applicable
Rates exclude:
· Tips for driver / guide
· Accommodation and park fee for clients where applicable
· Any extras not mentioned
· Change of itinerary
*Please note that the above prices are valid for the period requested and are subject to change if subsequently affected by government taxes, exchange rate differences and/or any other influences beyond our control and accommodation and flights are subject to availability.
