African Safari (1 Viewer)

[kutta]

The wife and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in about 2 years. I know I am way early, but I think I have convinced her to do an African Safari for that anniversary. The problem is, I know NOTHING about these things. I've heard you can stay in a hotel and take jeep safari tours. I've also heard about these fancy tents they can set up for you in the wild. I want to start the research now so I have a lot of time to think things through and book something.

I am pretty set on doing something in Africa, but I'm looking for some guidance from someone who has done this to help point me in the right direction.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Christo]

Don't shoot any lions

 

[Christo]

But if you do, don't take any pictures.

 

[kutta]

Don't shoot any lions

 

[chet]

Step 1:

Choose East or South.

East is savannah and South is jungle. Different experience. Personally, I think East is better for safari but South is better for other sights. I've been on both and can help next week after I return from an out of town golf tournament.

 

[mquinnjr]

I went to this reserve in 2011 while on a trip for work in South Africa, just an unreal life experience. About a few hour drive from Cape Town north IIRC. Amazing accommodations and while not cheap not unreasonable, solid food and drink so you have a great time when not out on a tour. Went on a few runs, the guides are fantastic and you should see most of the Big 5 in their reserve. Got to be about as close as you could be and not be mauled by a pride of lions, will never forget the experience.

http://www.kapama.co.za/kapama-river-lodge/

 

[cstu]

I am pretty set on doing something in Africa, but I'm looking for some guidance from someone who has done this to help point me in the right direction.

I have in-laws in Tanzania, including in Arusha (near where the major parks are). I'll get in touch with them and see what they recommend.

 

[whoknew]

Its been a while (probably 8 years) but our trip to Africa was an incredible trip.

We stayed at a private reserve just outside of Krueger - the Djuma game reserve. It is a very nice reserve but not the super elite. (I'm sure there are tons of great private reserves - this is just the one we were at).

You stay in huts/cabins on the reserve. They wake you at like 5am so you go out for 3 hours in the morning - when the animals are feeding. When you get back, you eat a terrific breakfast on a patio that overlooks a watering hole where animals come to drink. For the rest of the day, you just kind of relax in the camp - read, hang out by the pool, go on a hike, etc. Then you go back out looking for animals at like 5 until dusk. You come back, have dinner and drinks, and go to bed.

When they take you out, you are in a topless range rover type vehicle with three rows of seats. The animals are used to those cars so they will walk up right next to you. Its absolutely incredible. It will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.

And when you are there, I HIGHLY recommend Cape Town. Its stunningly beautiful and there's a ton to see - from Robben Island to Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope.

Its an amazing trip - you won't regret it at all.

ETA: If you are going in South Africa, I recommend going during dry season. There are no leaves on the trees so the animals are easier to see and because of the lack of water, they have to congregate at the watering holes.

 

[msommer]

I've been here

http://thornybush.krugerpark.co.za/Family_Safari_Lodges-travel/lodges-south-africa-tangala-safari-camp.html

and here

http://www.botlierskop.co.za/

For animals and nature Tangala was far better and cheaper, but harder to get to from Cape Town. Open camp so when you are ready to tuck in the (armed) ranger will escort you to your bungalow so you don't get to be lion food. Same in the morning. Saw the Big Five there

Botlierskop was better for the kids, nicer accomodations and much much more expensive. No predators except for a lion enclosure. Elephant and helicopter rides were popular though as were petting the lion kittens (but can't promise they have any of those any more, they must be five year old by now).

 

[Ted Stickles]

I spent three months traveling overland from Cape Town through Western SA, up through Namibia, and then cut West through Botswana, Zimbabwe, to Malawi. Lots of great parks in Namibia and Botswana, as well as the Sossusvlei sand dunes and Victoria Falls. I loved the safari parks here as they had much fewer tourists and it felt like a truer, purer Africa in comparison to safari parks in SA and Kenya/Tanzania. From there I headed to Tanzania and Kenya and went to the Masai Mara. Saw the great migration which was incredible and is a one-stop shop. But the MM and the Serengeti are definitely impacted with tons of other vehicles, albeit rightfully so. A lot depends on your budget and time frame. I've backpacked through quite a bit of the world and this overland trip rates up up there near the top. Prepare to spend some duckets..

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Namibia, Tanzania, or Botswana IMO, but South Africa is great overall. The parks elsewhere are more wild though, the South Africans have been promoting "Canned Hunting" and the like for decades making them pretty despicable IMHO.

 

[kutta]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

 

[Ted Stickles]

Etosha NP, Namibia was fantastic.

Chobe NP, Botswana has more elephants and hippos than you can imagine and is both land and water sighting.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

The best thing about safari trips is that the best countries to visit, are English speaking countries. Being in Africa is "different" but to me French speaking Africa is much scarier. I would not recommend anyone take their first trip to the dark continent to unstable nations, or non-English speaking nations. I want to go to Zambia in the next few years, that is the place South Africans go to experience "nature." Zambia is pretty rough though, to me Botswana is the perfect location for both adventure and safety.

 

[msommer]

I don't think there is like a safarisrus or safariwiki, unfortunately.

I've spent a good deal of time in South Africa and it's truly amazing.

You have Cape Town, the vineyards of Stellenbosch/Franschoek/Paarl close by, there is lots of stuff that doesn't involve wild animals, and then, on top you can go on a safari and actually see the wild animals, both dangerous and not. I'll never forget the first time I saw a male lion yawn or a giraffe drink.

To me you can't go wrong bringing your wife to South Africa for your anniversary trip. There is so much to see and do you can fashion a trip for the ages with ease, and it is just exotic enough for you to make an impression. Namibia and Botswana are likely similar in this but without Cape Town and the excellent vineyards to visit.

In many other African countries (I cannot speak for East Africa, I know West and South better) the differences to your normal life can be quite jarring and to some off putting.

 

[Gawain]

There's a lot less vaccination required for Botswana/South Africa.

If you or your wife have health issues, may be helpful.

 

[cstu]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

There are, but you are going to pay an arm and leg for it.

I'm biased since my in-laws are there and I've been 4 times, but I would fly into Dar Es Salaam and spend a couple days there to look around (great place to buy handmade art) and get over jetlag, fly to Arusha to go to the Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater, from there fly to Zanzibar to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before you go home, and fly back to Dar (about a 15 min. flight from Zanzibar).

 

[higgins]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

There are, but you are going to pay an arm and leg for it.

I'm biased since my in-laws are there and I've been 4 times, but I would fly into Dar Es Salaam and spend a couple days there to look around (great place to buy handmade art) and get over jetlag, fly to Arusha to go to the Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater, from there fly to Zanzibar to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before you go home, and fly back to Dar (about a 15 min. flight from Zanzibar).

You made that whole thing up, didn't you? Tell the truth...

 

[Ted Stickles]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

There are, but you are going to pay an arm and leg for it.

I'm biased since my in-laws are there and I've been 4 times, but I would fly into Dar Es Salaam and spend a couple days there to look around (great place to buy handmade art) and get over jetlag, fly to Arusha to go to the Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater, from there fly to Zanzibar to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before you go home, and fly back to Dar (about a 15 min. flight from Zanzibar).

This is also a good idea. The Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater is one of the world's best and most accessible safari spots for a reason. Zanzibar is a nice island with lots to do and is very peaceful and a great place to relax; it doesn't feel like mainland African at all.

Dar is dangerous though, so be wary. My friends arrived in the early morning on a train from Malawi. Hopped in cab and they were robbed by the cabbie, who took them around the City pulling money from ATMs. Scary. Another friend was walking with me on the street near our hotel. These thugs must have seen her use an ATM because no longer than two minutes a car drives by and yanks her purse from her shoulder... it was scary and surreal. Nairobi is also dangerous.

 

[kutta]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

There are, but you are going to pay an arm and leg for it.

I'm biased since my in-laws are there and I've been 4 times, but I would fly into Dar Es Salaam and spend a couple days there to look around (great place to buy handmade art) and get over jetlag, fly to Arusha to go to the Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater, from there fly to Zanzibar to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before you go home, and fly back to Dar (about a 15 min. flight from Zanzibar).

This is also a good idea. The Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater is one of the world's best and most accessible safari spots for a reason. Zanzibar is a nice island with lots to do and is very peaceful and a great place to relax; it doesn't feel like mainland African at all.

Dar is dangerous though, so be wary. My friends arrived in the early morning on a train from Malawi. Hopped in cab and they were robbed by the cabbie, who took them around the City pulling money from ATMs. Scary. Another friend was walking with me on the street near our hotel. These thugs must have seen her use an ATM because no longer than two minutes a car drives by and yanks her purse from her shoulder... it was scary and surreal. Nairobi is also dangerous.

Yeah, I want an adventure, but "dangerous because of evil humans" is about at the bottom of my list.

I saw a place that had a hotel-like place that you stayed, and they picked you up at the airport in a limo. It looks pretty cool, and is kind of our speed.

http://nyati.com/

Has anyone done the trip where you go for a week or so and have tents set up and chefs cooking for you? I've heard about those but know nothing about them.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

You could go to Mali and practice evasion techniques. Fun for the whole family!

 

[Gawain]

Great stuff guys. Had no idea so many people have done this before. Is there some kind of "one stop shop" info on the web for these things? It seems like so much info to process.

There are, but you are going to pay an arm and leg for it.

I'm biased since my in-laws are there and I've been 4 times, but I would fly into Dar Es Salaam and spend a couple days there to look around (great place to buy handmade art) and get over jetlag, fly to Arusha to go to the Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater, from there fly to Zanzibar to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before you go home, and fly back to Dar (about a 15 min. flight from Zanzibar).

This is also a good idea. The Serengeti/Ngorogoro Crater is one of the world's best and most accessible safari spots for a reason. Zanzibar is a nice island with lots to do and is very peaceful and a great place to relax; it doesn't feel like mainland African at all.

Dar is dangerous though, so be wary. My friends arrived in the early morning on a train from Malawi. Hopped in cab and they were robbed by the cabbie, who took them around the City pulling money from ATMs. Scary. Another friend was walking with me on the street near our hotel. These thugs must have seen her use an ATM because no longer than two minutes a car drives by and yanks her purse from her shoulder... it was scary and surreal. Nairobi is also dangerous.

Yeah, I want an adventure, but "dangerous because of evil humans" is about at the bottom of my list.

I saw a place that had a hotel-like place that you stayed, and they picked you up at the airport in a limo. It looks pretty cool, and is kind of our speed.

http://nyati.com/

Has anyone done the trip where you go for a week or so and have tents set up and chefs cooking for you? I've heard about those but know nothing about them.

Really can't recommend Mountain Travel Sobek highly enough if you're willing to pay for a travel agency.

ETA Link: http://www.mtsobek.com/

ETA: The wife and I had an 11-day safari planned through MTS in Kenya/Tanzania that included three days in a luxury camp. We pulled the plug when we realized that her MS meds didn't jive with yellow fever vac and went to Australia instead. My mom is booked through MTS for a Nile cruise they put together special for her and a combo trip where she's doing Uganda/Rwanda/Namibia (IIRC). There are some tremendous accommodations out there.

 

[cstu]

Dar is dangerous though, so be wary. My friends arrived in the early morning on a train from Malawi. Hopped in cab and they were robbed by the cabbie, who took them around the City pulling money from ATMs. Scary. Another friend was walking with me on the street near our hotel. These thugs must have seen her use an ATM because no longer than two minutes a car drives by and yanks her purse from her shoulder... it was scary and surreal. Nairobi is also dangerous.

I've spent a total of about 3 months there and have never had an experience like that. The worst was when I was in a busy shopping area for locals (Karikoo) and someone tried to pickpocket me (only about 20,000 shilling ($15) in my front pocket anyway).

You only should walk around with small amounts of cash - definitely not your ATM/credit cards or a purse. Be smart, you're in a very poor country.

 

[johnnycakes]

Step 1:

Choose East or South.

East is savannah and South is jungle. Different experience. Personally, I think East is better for safari but South is better for other sights. I've been on both and can help next week after I return from an out of town golf tournament.

effing chet.