Kidani vs. Jambo

[jstaff]

Hi everyone!
We are coming down at the end of August into the beginning of September for a family of 3. I currently have a savanna studio at Kidani for 3 nights and a 1 bedroom value accommodation at Jambo for the same 3 nights. We are doing a split stay and will move to OKW anyway so having a kitchen does not matter. We have stayed at Jambo in a savanna studio and loved it but there is no availability currently which would be my ideal spot.

My question is what room would you guys take and why? I know that Kidani can be very far depending on what room you get from the main lobby, parking, busses, etc. I read that Kidani is going under renovation sometime soon, but I do not know when, which would push me to Jambo.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I prefer Jambo and the area where the value accommodations are. You may even have a savannah view.

 

[Mommb]

Pluses for Jambo 1-bedroom value: More convenient for Boma, Jiko, and The Mara. Larger gift shop nearby. Much larger room, with ability for people in the bedroom to watch TV, talk, etc. without disturbing the person in the living room.

Pluses for Kidani savana studio: More convenient for Sanaa. Safari view practically guarantees seeing animals from your room.

If the costs are similar, I'd go with Jambo for the extra space. Even if you can't see animals from your room, there are many other viewing areas.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you're talking about 2025, I'd be very surprised if a Jambo value 1 BR is available. However, if you mean 2026, and can jump on it at the 11 month window I would. Besides, doesn't the 1 BR at Jambo, even though it's a value, have a washer/dryer? So handy to have.

 

[muppets3d]

If you're talking about 2025, I'd be very surprised if a Jambo value 1 BR is available. However, if you mean 2026, and can jump on it at the 11 month window I would. Besides, doesn't the 1 BR at Jambo, even though it's a value, have a washer/dryer? So handy to have.

All 1 bedroom villas, except the fort wilderness cabins, have washer/dryer.

 

[jstaff]

I prefer Jambo and the area where the value accommodations are. You may even have a savannah view.

That would be great if it's a savannah view!!

 

[jstaff]

If you're talking about 2025, I'd be very surprised if a Jambo value 1 BR is available. However, if you mean 2026, and can jump on it at the 11 month window I would. Besides, doesn't the 1 BR at Jambo, even though it's a value, have a washer/dryer? So handy to have.

Yes, it is for 2025 and I got it a few days ago and there is still availability today!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

For us, part of the charm of AKL is the savanna. That being said, I might vote for the extra room of the Value 1BR, even if it turns out to be a parking lot view! FYI - Kidani refurb isn't currently scheduled to start until October, so that shouldn't be an issue. Enjoy your trip!

 

[erionm]

For us, part of the charm of AKL is the savanna. That being said, I might vote for the extra room of the Value 1BR, even if it turns out to be a parking lot view!

Only two of the Value 1BRs face the parking lot. Of the rest, four overlook an alcove of the Sunset Savanna and the other four overlook the Uzima Pool.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Only two of the Value 1BRs face the parking lot. Of the rest, four overlook an alcove of the Sunset Savanna and the other four overlook the Uzima Pool.

Just saying the 1BR Value would still be preferable, even with a worst-case location, should that turn out to be the case.

 

[drusba]

For three, the value 1BR is fine and better than any studio. it gives you a bedroom and separate living room, a kitchen, and a w/d. About 40% of the rooms have pool view, 40% savanna view, and 20% view of front area and parking lot but even there the lot is quite a distance away and you mostly see trees and some activities near the front entrance area. You cannot make a location request for a value room so location just depends on luck-of-the draw. All values are in the front part of the Jambo building with easy access to restaurants, pool, and buses.

My personal preference is actually Kidani but that is only when I get a 1BR or larger. (the Kidano studios are about the same size a those at Jambo but the Kidani 1BR's and 2BR's are significantly larger than the ones at Jambo, and have an extra bathroom.

 

[Girlstar30]

I voted for the Savannah View

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

Reviving this thread...hoping to get some input. Planning a trip for my family and 2 others. Original idea was to stay at Jambo...larger lobby, gift shop, pool, more dining options.

However, we plan on traveling May31-June6 next year, when the Kidani refurb should be wrapping/wrapped up. I'm thinking the fresh rooms might outweigh the "advantages" (it's all subjective) Jambo may otherwise have. Thoughts?

* My family will be staying in a 1 bedroom, the other 2 will be in studios.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Reviving this thread...hoping to get some input. Planning a trip for my family and 2 others. Original idea was to stay at Jambo...larger lobby, gift shop, pool, more dining options.

However, we plan on traveling May31-June6 next year, when the Kidani refurb should be wrapping/wrapped up. I'm thinking the fresh rooms might outweigh the "advantages" (it's all subjective) Jambo may otherwise have. Thoughts?

* My family will be staying in a 1 bedroom, the other 2 will be in studios.

Even staying in a Kidani room, you still have access to all the things you like about Jambo. We often stay at Kidani and walk to Jambo for the lobby, gift shop, animal lookout, and the restaurants. If you don't like the walk between, there's a van that takes guests between the Kidani lobby and Jambo lobby. If it were us in June of 26, we'd stay in a refurbished Kidani room. There's a chance of 'refurb construction/noise' going on at Jambo during that time which we would prefer to avoid.

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

Thanks for the input, that's what I'm gonna do!

 

[Girlstar30]

We prefer jambo and are staying in Kidani in April for hopes of getting the refurbed room, nothing like a new room

 

[sticker231]

We have stayed several times at Kidani and recently did a stay a Jambo It was probably because our savanna view was the same animals every day, we prefer Kidani. The access to the food and lounges at Jambo were better, but the pool at Jambo seems cramped it and was harder to find seats no matter when we went to the pool.

That being said, the Braai burger at Victoria's Falls Lounge is my favorite on property.

 

[Girlstar30]

We have stayed several times at Kidani and recently did a stay a Jambo It was probably because our savanna view was the same animals every day, we prefer Kidani. The access to the food and lounges at Jambo were better, but the pool at Jambo seems cramped it and was harder to find seats no matter when we went to the pool.

That being said, the Braai burger at Victoria's Falls Lounge is my favorite on property.

I didnt know they had food at the lounge good to know! Is the lounge at kidani or jambo, I don't recall seeing it last time

 

[sticker231]

it is at Jambo