GUIDEBOOK : Kenya Luxury Camping

Getting there: We traveled to Kenya independently, although many safari tour operators can arrange package trips in luxury accommodations such as the ones we experienced. We flew to Nairobi via Amsterdam (there are no direct flights from the United States); it’s about $2,000 round trip per person. Our safari arrangements were booked through Kenyan friends by Rhino Safaris: Box 48023, Nairobi, local telephone 28102. Total cost of our trip (excluding Amsterdam stopover) was approximately $8,500 for 15 days, including air fare.

Accommodations:

The following are approximate daily rates per couple based on double occupancy, meals included:

Mara Safari Club: $205; c/o Lonrho Hotels, Kenya, P.O. Box 58581, Nairobi, local telephone 723776.

Sarova Shaba: $165; P.O. Box 30680, Nairobi, 333233.

Treetops: $175; c/o Block Hotels, P.O. Box 47557, Nairobi, 540780.

Mount Kenya Safari Club: $220; P.O. Box 35, Nanyuki, Kenya, Nanyuki 2141 or 2142.

Tour operators:

A number of firms arrange luxury safaris in Kenya, among them:

Abercrombie & Kent, 1520 Kensington Road, Oak Brook, Ill. 60521, (800) 323-7308.

Overseas Adventure Travel, 685 Hillary Drive, Tiburon, Calif. 94920, (415) 435-6824.

Safariworld, 425 Madison Ave., New York 10017, (800) 366-0505 or (212) 486-0505.