108
CHOOSING A HOTEL
To assist you in selecting the accommodation that is most
suitable for you, we have devised a ratings system based
on our opinions and those of our customers, rather than
local or international ratings.
The Somak Connoisseur Collection is a selection of the
finest hotels and tours featured in our portfolio. The
holidays within this brochure bearing the Connoisseur
Collection logo, offer high levels of quality and
exclusivity.
Sun Ratings
Somak’s ‘Sun’ ratings give an overall view of a property
and take account of factors such as accommodation,
food, facilities and service.
RRRRR
First-class standards of accommodation and service,
usually with an excellent range of facilities.
RRRR
Good standards of accommodation and a range of
facilities.
RRR
Comfortable accommodation offering medium-class
facilities.
As standards of accommodation vary from country to
country, Somak’s ‘Sun’ ratings reflect the standards to be
expected within one particular country or region. It is
generally not appropriate to compare ratings from one
country to another.
SAFARI GUIDE
A safari is an incredible adventure that will introduce you
to the wonders of Africa – friendly people, diverse and
beautiful landscapes, and if you are lucky, many different
animals and birds. However, this is not something that
should be undertaken lightly as often the distances
covered are vast and journeys may be uncomfortable at
times. We offer different types of safari, so please read
the following information to enable you to choose the
most appropriate one.
SHARED SAFARIS BY ROAD
–
These have fixed
itineraries with set departure days. They are shared with
a small group of travelers in a Somak microbus in Kenya
and a 4-wheel drive vehicle in Tanzania. All guests are
guaranteed a window seat and access to the game
viewing hatch. We hold generous allocations of rooms on
these set itineraries and so they are easy to book and
confirm, although we would strongly recommend that
you book early for the peak periods such as during the
migration in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti as these
periods are very popular.
For all these safaris there is the option to pay for the
exclusive use of a safari vehicle. You can also choose to
fly from the Masai Mara to Nairobi or Mombasa at the
conclusion of your safari. Please see below for further
information.
We have also showcased a number of suggested
itineraries to help you choose your perfect safari. These
can operate on any day of the week and can be tweaked
to suit your requirements with extra days in any lodge or
camp. We therefore do not hold allocations and each
element has to be confirmed separately. Many
suggestions can be found on our website
If you cannot find your perfect safari in the pages of this
brochure or on our website, we can custom-make a
personalized itinerary just for you, to create your dream
vacation. This could be an adaptation of one of our
classic or suggested itineraries, flying or by road, or a
combination of both. You are limited only by practical
considerations such as traveling times and flight
networks, the availability of your chosen lodges or
camps, and your budget. A selection of camps and
lodges throughout Kenya and Tanzania can found on our
website
A higher deposit may be required at time of booking for
some lodges and camps.
YOUR SAFARI VEHICLE ON A SAFARI BY ROAD IN
KENYA
– Our safari vehicles are driven by expert driver-
guides who accompany you throughout your safari.
Somak microbuses in Kenya have game viewing hatches
which are accessible from the rear seats, but not from the
front passenger seat and are equipped with a cool box in
which you can store your drinks. Our Shared Safaris by
Road in Kenya use a maximum of six seats, thus
guaranteeing you a window seat and access to the game
viewing hatch. Four wheel drive vehicles are available for
a supplement and seat up to four or six passengers.
Tanzania safaris operate using 4-wheel drive vehicles
accommodating four or six passengers.
On a Shared Safari by Road you can book a vehicle and
driver-guide for the exclusive use of your party. This
affords you greater flexibility with game viewing as you
may have favorite animals that you would like to see or
particular areas within a game park that you want to visit
– although please bear in mind that no sighting of
animals in the wild can be guaranteed! The applicable
supplements to book an exclusive vehicle on a Shared
Safari by Road are shown on the individual safari pages.
Holiday Guide
Driver
No access to
viewing hatch
Driver
Driver
No access
to viewing
hatch
Not
occupied
Short wheel base
4-wheel drive
Premier
Safari Bus
Standard
Safari Bus
Driver No access
to viewing
hatch
Long wheel base
4-wheel drive
CONNOISSEUR
C O L L E C T I O N