> I often wondered who go on minibus safari convoys and where they come
> from!
>
> Honestly, I cannot think of a worse way to see Africa. Seven people in
> a pop-up minibus traveling in convoys on a packaged tour. Incredible,
> especially when I know how much they paid for that experience!
>
> It's even worse when people promote these kinds of trips on these
> boards. What are their motives? How much did they learn about Africa
> from behind the windows of their minibuses? Who in Africa will
> remember their nameless faces after they leave?
>
Well, I've done more than one 'organised tour'; the only 'convoy' driving
was from Amboseli to Tsavo when everyone had to travel in convoys (there had
been some trouble with bandits, I think). There might have been 2 minibuses
travelling together at times on the between park drives, but in the parks
themselves you are just as likely to see other vehicles if you are doing a
'tailor-made'.
For me, the first trip I did was done like that cos I had no experience to
do any other; subsequent 'tailor-mades' have been more expensive than the
organised trips, but at least I know the sort of thing I want now. The
first trip also made me want to return to Africa (and in many ways it was
the one I look back on as one of the most enjoyable, as everything was
'new').
On the whole, the people we have shared mini-buses with have been just as
keen on wildlife as we are; sometimes more knowledgeable.
In fact some of the least enjoyable experiences have been on 'tailor-mades'
(although we've also had some absolutely wonderful experiences too) - for
example, arriving in a camp in Botswana and having to share the safari
vehicle with a load of Australian 'first-timers' who didnt know anything and
just wanted to see everything quickly and drive on; having our own-driver
guide on Tanzania who knew almost nothing about birds; doing a 'fly-in'
safari in Zimbabwe where we seemed to spend more time travelling to and from
airfields and hanging around in them then we did watching animals.
I dont understand your last paragraph at all - I think I have learned quite
a lot about Africa - both by talking to drivers/guides and by watching what
goes on (and by reading books, watching TV programmes!). I admit I am more
interested in the wildlife than the people/politics and I dont really care
whether anyone in Africa remembers my face or not (as I dont in any place
I've been for a holiday).
--
Rita Daggett
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