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Looking to take my family on a Safari next spring, summer of early fall. It's one of those "100 things to do....", but not sure even where to start. Planning a 10 to 14 day trip, and my kids range in age from 15 to 19, and we like active tours with "no frills", but not hostels.
Basic questions and what I am looking are as follows:
* Reccomendations for dates (based on weather, sights, etc)
* Reccomendations for countries to see, and things to see in those countries.
* Reccomendations for travel routes from the US.
Appreciate any input you can offer, and if I can help for a Seattle Washington trip, don't hestitate to ask!
Thanks!
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Barry,
I did a safari in Tanzania two years ago, I really reccomend it! Very nice place, not too many tourist and prices are not as high as in South Africa.
I took the klm flight (this it has been upgraded to a MD11 or even a 777).
We did a safari with sunny safaries in Arusha, and stayed on Zanzibar for a few days.
Hope this informations helpes you,
Djim
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I found quite a few other posts as well when I used the forum's search with key word "safari".
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You are welcome to search my posts also. As Kenya correspondant and regular safari-goer.... always ready to help.
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Can you say Botswana? It's half an hour flight from Joburg to the capital of Gaborone. And it's a wonderful place. Probably the only verified "wonderful" place in Africa.
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I know of an airline employee that does "non-rev" safaris in Kenya...his home country.
If you would like his info, please reply.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Scoop:
Can you say Botswana? It's half an hour flight from Joburg to the capital of Gaborone. And it's a wonderful place. Probably the only verified "wonderful" place in Africa. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Or 3+ hr drive to SA side--Madikwe Game Reserve--lots of possibilities for lodges--we did Tuningi Lodge from luxurylink.com--nearly all-inclusive--they have family/budget properties,
too. You can see Gaborone from reserve. It's also malaria free zone,whcih can be a real plus!
Ck reviews @ tripadvisor.com (Tuningi) if you want to really do it up in style!!
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Actually, old sport, at least one of the main gates to Madikwe is just a mile or so across the Botswana/South African border, about half an hour from Gabs on the Tlokweng Road.
But why go there? Why not drive up the Francistown road from Gabs all the way to Chobe -- more lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes and such other beasts as warthogs (radio-controlled pigs as we called them) than you can shake a stick at. But don't shake a stick at them. They don't like it.
Meanwhile, all those adherents of north-east-central Africa must pay attention to the latest paen of pain out of that region -- this one from the vaunted Kenya. Told ya so. Any tenderfoot Yanks planning a trip to the dark continent, once again I say, would be better off going to Botswana. When was the last time you heard of strife there? Answer: Never.
Also remember that "safari" is a Swahili word meaning charge the white man a lot of money to cart him around the bush and point out an animal. Better always to hie theyself to a place and spot them yourself.
As an old Botswana, Zim (don't go there now) and South Africa hand, I'd be delighted to help anyone who needs/wants guidance.
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Scoop--when we decide to go back and try a real safari, I'll contact you. Loved your input--I would have probably picked Botswana, based on stuff I heard AFTER I won an incredible cheap auction deal for our safari. We have the "bug" so it wont be our last safari fer shur!
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Hi there, I non-revved to Tanzania last September and had a blast! I flew US Airways into Amsterdam then took the KLM nonstop to Arusha, Tanzania which is the base for safaris to the Serengeti as well as Kilimanjaro climbs. The flight goes AMS/JRO/DAR/AMS. I had no trouble getting down there but on the return the DAR/AMS flight was full and I got the last seat on the plane.
I did a 6 day climb of Kilimanjaro and a 5 day Safari. The safari went to 3 different parks-- Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater. I chose the budget option and did the camping safaris although for a bit more you could stay in lodges. Camping in the Serengeti was an an amazing experience as you could hear animals outside the tent at night! But don't worry, it's not dangerous! I chose Tanzania for a safari because of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater which has some of the best animal viewing in all of Africa. The crater is a completely self-contained ecosystem... pretty neat!
Time of year? Well, I was there in September/October which is the dry season. If I had it to do over, I would definitely try more for the shoulder or wet season (probably April/May/Jun). It was just too dry and dusty when I was there. Also, the herds migrate north into Kenya during dry season so animal viewing isn't the best. That is definitely something to consider when choosing where and when to go. I wish I had done a bit more research.
Although I, myself, didn't make it to Zanzibar, that would be another great place to see in Tanzania. It's known for its spices and beaches.
Good luck and you'll have an amazing experience wherever you decide to go!
