Hi Duncan
Indeed, you can do better with local companies as long as you choose
the right one!
1. During Jul/Aug you MUST plan your trip around the Masai Mara. Spend
at least 4 days there to watch the Migration. The Mara should be your
final stop during your trip - and the highlight! But try to stay on
the Western half of the park where the tourists are fewer.
2. Before the Mara, you should visit a few other parks that have
different experiences to offer. In Kenya, try Lake Nakuru (leopards,
flamingos), Samburu (gerenuks and other rare species). If you want to
visit Tanzania, forget about the Serengeti (it's the wrong time of
year) and focus on Ngorongoro (stay i night only) and Tarangire (not
more than 2 nights).
Now, you know where to go. Next you need to decide how you want to
travel! The cheapest way is to drive everywhere (even to Arusha from
Nairobi!). Be prepared for long hours and bumpy roads. You may want to
do a few fly-ins. It's cheaper than you may think.
That brings us to the safari companies. If you're OK with going on
safari in a minibus or landcruiser with 4-6 other souls (and a convoy
of other vehicles from the same company) then you have plenty of good
choices such as Ranger Safaris, BushBuck, Roy Safaris, Sunny, etc.
These are basically safari taxi's - they have seemingly hundreds of
vehicles on the road at a time, moving safari clients from park to
park with amazing efficiency. You have a worry-free trip, get to tick
off the animals you want to see, and you stay in large lodges with
lots of other people to keep you company. Many UK companies use these
local operators anyway, so you can just as well contact them direct.
If you want a more personal experience, then you have to ensure that
you don't share your vehicle. Costs will go up, but most local
companies will set you up if you ask. Ask to stay in permanent tented
camps - not those big ugly brick lodges. You may even want to try
luxury camping (think proper beds, decent toilets & showers, good food
& drinks) for a few nights.
I suggest you start with the local companies mentioned above, and work
your way up to a level of customized luxury and privacy that suit your
budget. Forget about those set departures that "depart every monday".
Most local companies are very capable of arranging a great safari for
you if you give them some guidelines as per my park suggestions above.
Driver/guides and vehicles can be rented for $120 per day in Tanzania
- you must arrange your own accommodation (all lodges have web sites).
But be aware that Tanzania is heavily overbooked this year and next
year may be no different. Upon arrival at your lodge, you may find
your booking to be worthless and that you have been bumped!
Eben
www.go-kili.com
duncanm@mail.com (Duncan Mackay) wrote in message news:<70818030.0408181352.6fd54cef@posting.google.com>...
> Hello All,
> Thanks for your suggestions!
> I am leaning toward travelling to Kenya and/or northern Tanzania.
> I've checked the travel package price from Kuoni and the price is
> around 2500-3000 Bristish Pounds for 14 days (+ 3 day flight) on
> July-August time frame. The package covers everything (meal + airfair
> from London + guide...ect...) and it covers most big national parks in
> Kenya and Tanzania (Serengeti).
> It is a bit expensive. I wonder if there are better and cheaper ways
> to book a safari trip from local travel companies (Kenya or Tanzania)
> instead of booking from the US or Europe.
>
> Again, thanks for all suggestions since this will be my very first
> trip to Afria and i have very little knowledge about the area.
> Duncan.
>
>
>
>
> eben.schoeman@mindspring.com (ClimbHighSleepLow) wrote in message news:<3cc1741e.0408171700.4763b1ba@posting.google.com>...
> > If it is your first time in East Africa then focus on the Great
> > Migration.
> >
> > Places like Uganda are more for folks who have already experienced the
> > basic safari since the wildlife there are dispersed, making it a
> > specialist destination.
> >
> > Where to go? It depends on the time of year. I suggest you visit
> > http://www.go-kili.com/afterclimb.htm and select the month of your
> > visit. The site will then tell you where to go.
> >
> > Which company to use? It depends on where you are going! I will let
> > others help you choose a company!
> >
> > Eben
> >
> > Samia wrote in message news:<40$248438$1604629$1092730484@britishexpats.com>...
> > > > Hello,
> > > > My friend and I plan to travel to East African coutries to see the
> > > > safari/wild animals and the beaches there. We plan to stay at the
> > > > beach for about a week after or before seeing the safari.
> > > > I would like to know what is the reasonable amount of time we should
> > > > spend at the safari to see all the big animals? where we should go?
> > > > Kenya or Tanzania or both? what is reasonable price and good travel
> > > > company/guide?
> > > > I appreciate all your advise :-)
> > > > Duncan
> > >
> > > Uganda is the place! Not much is known about Uganda because of the
> > > economic turmoil it gone through. For over a decade now, Uganda's become
> > > a safe and secure place to visit (except for northern Uganda) please
> > > have a look at (http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=2459_0_1_0_M).
> > > It's quite a cheap place, accomodation, meals, etc and will have alot to
> > > see, you could:
> > > - go white water rafting on the nile
> > > - visit 7 unique national parks with the greatest variety of primates
> > > in the world
> > > - see tranquil lakes and moutainscapes
> > > - go bird watching, over 1,000 species of birds to see
> > > - white water rafting etc
> > > - many more
> > >
> > > Like it has been mentioned before, you can skip the beaches. In my
> > > opinion Uganda has many more animals to see. Should you decide to go
> > > your own, take a look at http://www.uwa.or.ug/new.html for the new
> > > tarrifs to the national parks. As for how much time, it is rather had to
> > > so though 2wks to 3wks would be good time.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps,
> > >
> > > Rgds
> > >
> > > Samia |
