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.
Joel,
let me add some more comments.
>I normally like independent travel for several reasons. I am a
>semi-professional photographer and I dislike package tours.
As soon as you are into photography, you cannot have other
travellers in your car. Taking just one photo can take hours (in
some cases days, weeks, months, or years).
There simply is no other choice than to do it alone or with a
hired driver. But the driver is usually more hindrance than
help, unless he is a photographer himself. I once tried to
explain sunlight angles to a driver, but it didn't work.
>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.
True, but if you are intelligent and can learn, read the Jeep
chapter in http://www.michna.com/kenya.htm and learn how to use
a jeep properly. Then buy and learn how to use a suitable GPS,
download the routes from http://www.michna.com/gps.htm and
upload them into the GPS.
Actually the driving itself poses not many problems to
newcomers. Obstacles are a bigger problem, but there are no
difficult ones on the way to Masai Mara.
I agree entirely that self-driving is not a reasonable option
for many. But there are quite a few who believe they cannot do
it for the wrong reasons, and these persons can, in fact, do it,
once they are given the missing information. In my experience
the real problems are in the following areas:
1. Typical third world country traps, i.e. misunderstandings and
wrong assumptions about the country and particularly its people.
Avoiding crime is one major topic here. This is mainly a matter
of having the information.
2. Driving. Taking a jeep over obstacles. Driving on the left
side of the road. Navigating (though the GPS makes that quite
easy nowadays). This is mainly a matter of learning.
3. Knowing the few species of animals that potentially attack
cars and behaving accordingly. Knowing minimum distances and
understanding how these animals signal their irritation.
Just one rule, to give a simple example. As long as an animal
keeps feeding as before, while having you in sight, you are not
too close.
>3. Independent camping is not an option. No need to expand on this.
Oh yes, there is a need to expand on this, because most people
start with completely false assumptions. I'm sure that some
travellers would change their minds on this, once they have all
the information. Not everybody, obviously, but some.
Some say that they cannot do it, but when you insist, you find
that they could do it very well, once they are given the
necessary information. They often just don't want to do it
because they prefer the comfort and luxury of a wildlife lodge.
I often prefer that too, but a visit to Kenya wouldn't be quite
complete for me if I didn't spend a few nights out in the bush.
>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...
That depends a lot on the season. I usually visit Kenya in June
for this reason. Rarely is a lodge completely full, and in the
places I usually visit, there are several other lodges nearby.
I never book anything in Kenya, except the occasional
accommodation in Nairobi, and I remember one case when I arrived
at Fig Tree Tented Camp in Masai Mara, only to find the lodge
shut down and empty. It took me a while to find somebody, and
then they literally switched the lodge on for us. Take the hint
and go in June, if you have no overriding reason to choose
another month.
By the way, I'm planning a self-drive safari in June 2006
(originally planned for 2005, but recently put off for another
year). If anybody would be interested to join in, that could
probably be arranged. I don't earn any money from this, I only
do it for fun. On the other hand, everybody is free to do what
he wants, and I act only as a voluntary guide and source of
information. I do try to get the participants to drive in a
convoy though. Participants have to hire their jeeps, bring
along one GPS and one printed copy of
http://www.michna.com/kenya.htm per jeep. (:-) One of the
vehicles will probably be a four seater aircraft for added joy
and security.
Hans-Georg
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