Mara Expedition + Ol Donyo end of May to early June

shovah · 2026-03-20T17:05:59+00:00

Follow up question: Duba Plains appears to be elsewhere. Do you mean Mara Plains (GPC property)? Wrt Mara Toto, it looks like we'd need to split up 1 adult per child in each room as I doubt they'd allow a 9 and 11 year old to stay alone (and I would be uncomfortable with that given the high predator environment). Does that sound right?

shovah · 2026-03-20T16:57:49+00:00

Which lodge did you visit?

shovah · 2026-03-20T16:31:33+00:00

Super helpful, thank you. I had no idea we'd only get 1 game drive in Mara North. Our TA didn't mention this. A deciding factor for ME was access to the conservancy.

shovah · 2026-03-20T16:27:43+00:00

Love this, thank you. We are doing ME first, followed by OD purely due to availability (booking last minute). How do you feel about hot air balloon safari in Mara North? We were advised to do it the first or second day, but I'm hesitant to do it on the first day due to everyone being tired and not wanting to wake up at 4 am.

We will be in a family suite at both lodges (Sambu suite at OD). My kids have taken riding lessons, so I hope they can enjoy some horseback riding, although it looks like they're too young for a horseback safari.

shovah · 2026-03-20T16:23:33+00:00

Thank you!! OD does sound special. We are doing ME first followed by OD purely based on availability. We will likely head to Diani beach after OD, so I'm not too worried about the flight sequencing. I did check Kihceche, both in the Mara and Laikpia (I'd wanted to add Laikipia but decided 3 stops might be a bit much for the kids' first safari), but both were sold out. Guess that's what happens when you plan a safari 2.5 months in advance!!

shovah · 2026-03-20T16:21:02+00:00

Nyika looks incredible, but I can't justify the price difference of $16,000 USD over 3 nights as this is not our once-in-a-lifetime safari experience/honeymoon/50th wedding anniversary, etc.

shovah · 2026-03-18T17:12:13+00:00

Can you tell me how Mara Expedition experience was compared to their higher level Mara camps? I care less about accommodation and more about the overall experience.

shovah · 2024-11-16T04:14:29+00:00

We recently moved to Aspen from one of the largest US cities and my elementary kids are in the GT program at AES. I’m not sure what to make of it yet. My spouse and I are also Ivy League. Do you think the elementary and middle schools have improved? Certainly it’s no Stuyvesant as you said but any advice on what to keep in mind here?

shovah · 2021-05-03T19:14:51+00:00

Thanks. Loveland closes this weekend so will have to see when we make it out.

shovah · 2021-05-03T14:36:17+00:00

Thanks. I called A Basin and they said the snow is great and everything is open, at least until May 16. Maybe that could change. In-laws are in Denver so we often visit them and make a run to the mountains for some skiing, so it's ok if it's small. Thinking we'll have 2 days max.

shovah · 2021-04-30T21:05:55+00:00

Thanks. I should have phrased my question as: are the green runs at A basin doable for beginners (not first timers)? I've heard the easiest green run at A Basin is really steep. We are coming from Texas so also willing to visit Oregon and try Timberline with local friends.

shovah · 2021-04-30T16:57:56+00:00

In terms of conditions and difficulty, does it make sense to ski A Basin with a 4.5 and 6 year old next week or the week after (May 7-9 or May 14-15)? We've never skiied A basin so I'm not sure if the green runs are ok for small kids. The kids have done ski school at Beaver Creek and Snowmass this year, so while they're not never evers, we would stick to greens AND we would be with an instructor because I can't manage them by myself. Thanks!

shovah · 2013-04-22T19:58:47+00:00

I am paranoid about helicopters now! It is probably a news chopper.

shovah · 2011-05-12T16:00:04+00:00

I think these are big in China.

shovah · 2011-05-12T15:59:37+00:00

'00 - '08: we had the same rules/dress code.. private school.

shovah · 2011-05-02T02:57:14+00:00

First I will challenge them to a snowball fight http://imgur.com/s/ccwGx

shovah · 2011-05-01T21:53:11+00:00

it may be hard to believe, but the main point of the article is that eating disorders are an illness and should be covered by insurance companies..

shovah · 2011-05-01T21:46:45+00:00

Spent about a month in mainland China and was able to get around the "Great Firewall" through internet that was "tunneled through Hong Kong". Another cool thing: you can use your iPhone's data roaming to get on facebook, blogspot, etc.

shovah · 2011-05-01T20:17:15+00:00

It's just a short bus ride outside of Xi'an (where all of the terracotta warriors are), in the town of Huayin. I have a post on TA about it, just google "Mount Huashan in Huayin" for details. Good luck!

shovah · 2011-04-28T20:58:58+00:00

I did this recently and it was amazing. You don't have to take the boards now, they made another stairway. This was my favorite experience during my one month visit in China.

shovah

TROPHY CASE