Planning itinerary

I am trying to plan a trip to Kenya for mid-late August 2008 and am overwhelmed by the amount of choices. I plan to be in Kenya for 12d/11n. Based on reading the forums, travel guides, surfing the internet, etc, I have narrowed down my choices, but I'm not sure it is a reasonable schedule.

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi late morning and drive to Masai Mara for overnight
Day 2: Masai Mara game drives
Day 3: Masai Mara morning game drive and lunch. Drive to Lake Nakuru for overnight
Day 4: Lake Nakuru morning game drive and lunch. Drive to Aberdare for overnight
Day 5: Aberdare morning game drive. Lunch in Nairobi (and maybe an attraction). Drive to Amboseli for overnight
Day 6: Amboseli morning game drive. Drive to Tsavo East for overnight.
Day 7: Tsavo East morning game drive and lunch. Drive to Mombasa area beach resort for overnight.
Days 8-11: Days on own - enjoy beach, snorkel, day trips, etc.
Day 12: Morning on beach. Afternoon flight to Nairobi then fly home.

Is this a reasonable 7 day safari, or am I trying to visit too many parks in too short of time?

Can anyone recommend a travel agent that could book this itinerary? I have contacted numerous, and they reply giving me itineraries that do not match this one without explanation of why they changed it (maybe they are just sending me their pre-scheduled itineraries?)

I'm having a hard time deciding on the beach area - what are the pros/cons of the following areas - Watamu, Diani Beach, Nyali Beach, or Bamburi Beach?

Any tips based on personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I think you are trying to do too much. Maybe that is why they change it. My wife says you will be prostate by the time you get to the beach!!
Some of you days are impossible!! Especially day 5
It is always better to spend more than one day in a park as you get to see more instead of just rushing around
I always recommend doing the Mara last because after it everything else is anticlimactic so start in Nakuru.
Add a Day in the Mara, Nakuru and in Amboseli. Eliminate Aberdares and Tsavo.
Work it out and try again.
You can try Sunworld Safaris (google them) They have done a great job for me and can give you a more reasonable plan.

Whoa... Slow down a little bit... I think you are biting much more than you can chew...

I don't know if you've been to Kenya before, or anyone has ever mentioned this to you: In this part of the world, you NEVER travel late in the afternoon or overnight. The only exception to this rule is if you are in one of the large public service buses that ply regularly between the large cities only (Nairobi - Mombasa - Kampala and the likes).

You may want to take the advice of retiree on board.

As for coastal accommodation - my personal preference has been Diani - but that is because I have not had much interest in excursions and day trips from the resort. If you are interested in such day trips, you are better off on the north coast (Bamburi & Nyali) as these are much nearer to Mombasa Town (where you may want to see the Old Town & Fort Jesus etc). Roads to the north are better too.

Kind Regards

Mwenyeji

Diani is only an hour from Mombasa and the connecting road is very good. There were plenty of trips on offer when I was at Diani six months ago.

I think your itinerary is too cramped. You will be completely exhausted even if you could achieve this. You need at least 2 nights in maasai mara to appreciate the great wildebeest migration, the great cats and the expanse of the Mara Plains. One night in Lake Nakuru, Abadares and Amboseli is sufficient. Tsavo's main attraction is elephants but if you're going to Amboseli, consider skipping Tsavo as Amboseli is famous for its elephants and is much more picturesque with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

Bamburi beach is extremely crowded so you should try and avoid it. If you want to spend quiet time then consider either Diani beach or Watamu. Diani is about an hour away from Mombasa city in the south coast. Watamu is about 2 hrs away from the city on your way to a town called Malindi. There's an excellent marine park in Watamu where you can snorkel. Nyali beach is on the north coast and is only twenty minutes away from the city. There are lots of activities such as wind sailing, jet skiing, snorkeling and a healthy party scene in the north coast. Your motivation should determine where you want to go.

Check out the following web sites of established tour companies who should be able to design a customized itinerary for you: http://www.bunsonkenya.com/ and http://www.supersafari.com/ . If you want more luxurious safaris consider: http://www.micato.com/ and http://www.abercrombiekent.com/ . I also know several other smaller operators who can offer similar service if you're interested. Hope this answers more questions than it raises :-)

Thanks for all of your advice. It looks like I need to go back and make the first part of my itinerary less hectic. Also thanks for the links. I will check out some of the recommended companies.

From what I have seen my visiting friends do and most tour operators do, my input would be as below, and I still agree with retiree mara should be saved for last and spend more time there as it is migration time then,you could also check with other travel agents in Kenya

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi late morning and drive to Aberdares
Day 2: Gamedrives at aberdares in the morning and after lunch depart to L. Nakuru for overnight.
Day 3: Full day at Lake Nakuru.
Day 4: Depart lake nakuru early morning for maasai mara
Day 5: Fullday maasai mara- migration day 1
Day 6: Full day maasai mara- migration day 2
Day 7: Fly from mara to Mombasa- flights are available.
Days 8-11: Days on own - enjoy beach, snorkel, day trips, etc.
Day 12: Morning on beach. Afternoon flight to Nairobi then fly home.

I have eliminated amboseli and Tsavo as it would just but be a repeat of the things already done.

I wouldn't skip Amboseli. The large herds of elephants and Mt Kilimanjaro in the background is spectacular. I'd skip Abadares and Tsavo.

Why not just have a simple itinerary like
Day 1Nbo-Aberdares---stay at the Ark or treetop
2-Lake Nakuru--stay at Lake Nakuru Lodge--ask for the ZEBRA ROOM--The best they have--room i think 120
3-4 Mara--Stay at Keekorok or Mara sopa--2 or 3 days is ok
Day 5-6-Back to Nbo lunch at Carnivore..n proceed to Amboseli
Day 7-Fly to Mombasa ex Amboseli--Blue Sky flies there.
Day 8-11--Stay at the North Coast as its easier to access Mombasa Town.

I have always recommended Diwaka Safaris for their services and have recommended others--joseph@diwakasafaris.com and if you go through with them request for the most adviced drivers-Mike,Joseph and Jamal...or just read any report from them.