Hi Joel,
I think you will find that South Africa offers much the same
experience (from a driving, lodging, convenience perspective.
Obviously, the animals and environment are totally different) as you
would have in an American wildlfe reserve.
The roads are excellent, lodging is plentiful, English is widely
spoken, self-drive is definately an option, and automatic transmission
cars are readily available.
All you have to know about the ettiquette of game viewing is:
1) Drive slowly. There are speed limits in all parks,but if you stick
to the limits, you will miss ot on a lot. Travel well below the limit,
and keep your eyes open.
2) Get out early. Your best chance of seeing leopard is if you enter
the park as it opens in the morning. If you snooze, you lose!
3) When you see something interesting, stop your car on the edge of
the road, but leave enough space to allow other cars to pass.
4) If you're going to be watching something for more than a few
seconds, turn of the engine, and NEVER play the radio.
5) You shouldn't get too close to spook the animals, but most are
quite used to cars. You can usually get VERY close (within 6 feet but
often within touching distance, BUT DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING
THEM) to animals such as lion, baboon, wild dog, giraffe, buffalo and
most birds. Plains game, antelopes etc will spook easily so keep your
distance. You don't want to be too close to elephant, unless they
approach you. Try to stay about 60 feet or more from elephant, hippo,
rhino.
6) Unless there are signs that specifically allow it, NEVER GET OUT OF
YOUR CAR, even if you have a flat tyre. If you have car prblems, flag
somone down, and send a message to the wardens at the next camp.
Rgards,
Marc - Johannesburg.
On 14 Dec 2004 17:25:15 -0800, "Joel" wrote:
>Considering I started this thread I'd like to jump in a bit and offer
>my take on this.
>
>I normally like independent travel for several reasons. I am a
>semi-professional photographer and I dislike package tours. I like the
>freedom of exploring an area on my own timetable and setting my own
>itinerary. For the most part this works fine for a US national park
>strategy or for independent city touring. There are numerous lodging
>choices for every accommodation and in most cases it's quite easy to
>pick up and leave should your choice prove poor. Should one choose to
>camp, the logistics are easy to put together. Depending upon where you
>are the most dangerous thing to contend with from a wildlife
>perspective is bears. There is a wealth of material available from
>public and private sources on the national parks. Renting a car is
>simple, roads are well paved and marked and are not dangerous. In some
>ways I understand Eben's approach because I too have a hard time
>understanding why people take packaged tours to national parks in the
>U.S. since it is so easy to do by yourself.
>
>On the flip side though I am finding Africa much harder to deal with as
>an independent traveler in reference to safaris. Here is why:
>
>1. Airfares from the US are prohibitively expensive. Yes there are
>consolidators that one can use but most people do not go to or
>understand how to use them. Package tours do offer great arifares.
>There is a company called UTG (US based) that has airfare with their
>packages for $1000 no matter what the date. That is almost impossible
>for the average person without bein connected.
>
>2. Self driving is really an option for many of us. The majority of
>Americans, myself included, do not drive standard shift. Furthermore I
>think that a 5 hour drive from Nairobi to the Mara that requires a 4WD
>vehicle is beyond the driving skills of 90% of the population. Sure we
>own Jeep Cherokees, most are never taken off road. I'd be reluctant to
>do so without more experience.
>3. Independent camping is not an option. No need to expand on this.
>4. Lodging is limited. The available choices are expensive and you may
>not necessarily get a better deal once you add in extras like game
>drives, etc...
>5. Finding a guide company is problematic. Go on KATO's web site and
>you will find many companies that offer safari. Most follow the same
>itineraries. I've e-mailed several of them asking about customer
>itineraries. I've received a response from one. Several of the
>e-mails bounced back from the addresses that were provided on their Web
>Sites. I can tell you that doesn't inspire much confidence.
>
>I have appreciated both Eben's and Liz's input to my original inquiry.
>I've found Liz's site very helpful in learning more about the areas
>that I'd like to travel in. Travel is a very personal thing for
>different people. Everyone's goals are different. While frustrating
>for you Eben I suspect that the tourist in that mini-bus is just as
>thrilled as you are to be there and isn't interested in mingling with
>the locals. I'm also spending a lot of time doing research. Personally
>I enjoy it, the average vacationer likes to be presented with a package
>deal. I've also read many of Liz's post and while she does mention
>several companies most are in direct response to someone asking (and to
>be fair Eben, you did ask Liz) and she doesn't push or promote it. I
>would have no problem mentioning a company I have done business and
>that I was happy with their service. She is doing the same.
>
>For myself I'm working with someone now on a quote for a private
>safari. Hopefully it will fit into my budget. If not, I have no
>problem joining a tour and treating it as a reconnaissance trip for a
>later date. To each his own.
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