Best airline routing from NYC to Kili?
Mar 25th, 2009, 09:01 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best airline routing from NYC to Kili?
Any suggestions about the best airline routing from NYC to Kilimamjaro? My plans aren't confirmed yet, but I'm looking into a volunteer trip from July 1-July 16. The group normally does all the airline booking together, but they route everyone through Dallas, and I'm not sure if that will give me an extra travel leg (which I'd rather avoid). I have the option of booking my own air if I can find something that is either a lot cheaper (i.e. under $2000) or a lot easier.
Mar 25th, 2009, 09:37 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most direct option would be via Amsterdam on the KLM Amsterdam-Kilimanjaro flight. On the return the flight routes Kilimanjaro-Dar Es Salaam-Amsterdam but the Dar stop is short and just to load/off-load passengers. I've even had the flight go to Dar first, then pick us up at Kilimanjaro but that's not the normal routing.
Mar 25th, 2009, 12:00 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Found $1,985 on NW/KLM with search on www.kayak.com
outbound: JRK/AMS/JRO
return: JRO/DAR/AMS/JFK
This is the routing most choose and has least stops.
The other airline that goes into JRO is Ethiopian Air, maybe out of Dulles (IAD), via Europe (believe Rome), then via Addis Ababa and onto JRO. Prices might be less expensive, but you have all those stops and have to get to IAD.
If you can find a flight into Nairobi/NBO Kenya that is less than $1,985 by about $500, that would cover the short return flight NBO/JRO/NBO. In fact on www.kayak.com they're showing Virgin Air via London at $1,465 which is pretty good for July travel and provides that $500 window. Only problem with this routing is that you have a long layover in London... about 12/hrs on the outbound; on the return they show you arrive 6:45pm with connecting flight next mornning at 9:30am. Ugh!
Only if I was on an Award/FrequentFlyer free ticket, would I consider flying from JFK to DFW and then onto Africa via Europe.
outbound: JRK/AMS/JRO
return: JRO/DAR/AMS/JFK
This is the routing most choose and has least stops.
The other airline that goes into JRO is Ethiopian Air, maybe out of Dulles (IAD), via Europe (believe Rome), then via Addis Ababa and onto JRO. Prices might be less expensive, but you have all those stops and have to get to IAD.
If you can find a flight into Nairobi/NBO Kenya that is less than $1,985 by about $500, that would cover the short return flight NBO/JRO/NBO. In fact on www.kayak.com they're showing Virgin Air via London at $1,465 which is pretty good for July travel and provides that $500 window. Only problem with this routing is that you have a long layover in London... about 12/hrs on the outbound; on the return they show you arrive 6:45pm with connecting flight next mornning at 9:30am. Ugh!
Only if I was on an Award/FrequentFlyer free ticket, would I consider flying from JFK to DFW and then onto Africa via Europe.
Mar 25th, 2009, 01:41 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are the best!!!
I definitely prefer fewer stops, even if it is up to $200 more. I'm still not 100% decided on the trip, but if I go ahead (which is seeming likely) I'll call the affiliated agent and find out what the Dulles connections are -- best case scenario they also go through Amsterdam and maybe I could fly direct from JFK and join them there.
As always, your help is invaluable.
Then I have to decide whether it is worth while doing the expensive optional mini safari at the end of the volunteer trip. I realize no one can decide for me...I'm just talking out loud...how much is it worth to me to get back to ngorongoro? How much will I kick myself if I fly all the way to africa and don't see any animals?...How ridiculous will I be if I start figuring out how much each animal is costing me? ($1 per wildebeest; $2 per zebra; $3 per warthog; $20 per lion; $30 per cheetah; $40 per leopard, etc).
Unfortunately, since the safari is just an optional add-on, I can't get very much information on it, so I'll just have to go with my gut.
I definitely prefer fewer stops, even if it is up to $200 more. I'm still not 100% decided on the trip, but if I go ahead (which is seeming likely) I'll call the affiliated agent and find out what the Dulles connections are -- best case scenario they also go through Amsterdam and maybe I could fly direct from JFK and join them there.
As always, your help is invaluable.
Then I have to decide whether it is worth while doing the expensive optional mini safari at the end of the volunteer trip. I realize no one can decide for me...I'm just talking out loud...how much is it worth to me to get back to ngorongoro? How much will I kick myself if I fly all the way to africa and don't see any animals?...How ridiculous will I be if I start figuring out how much each animal is costing me? ($1 per wildebeest; $2 per zebra; $3 per warthog; $20 per lion; $30 per cheetah; $40 per leopard, etc).
Unfortunately, since the safari is just an optional add-on, I can't get very much information on it, so I'll just have to go with my gut.
Mar 26th, 2009, 05:40 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ann -
If you choose to fly on your own JFK/AMS (via NW/KLM) and then use the agent's fare for AMS/JRO, remember that you'll be on separate tickets and unlikely to have your bags thru checked. Meaning at AMS you have to claim your bags, recheck and security. As I recall, the layover at AMS from JFK to the connecting JRO flight is 2.5-3/hrs... might be too tight.
>>since the safari is just an optional add-on, I can't get very much information on it, so I'll just have to go with my gut.<f
If the organization is offering/selling this mini-safri and as you say, is expensive, they should be able to tell you 1) how many days; 2) where visiting - parks; 3) at which lodge/camp you're laying your head; 4) inclusions (as park fees)/exclusions, etc.; 5) who's the ground outfitter they're using.
Ngorongoro is likely the most expensive stop, for the vehicle entry fee, but if others joining the price isn't so bad. If you're the only person or even 2/paxs, this stop is costly. And ask how many visits to the crater floor... they are limited to 6/hrs.
If you choose to fly on your own JFK/AMS (via NW/KLM) and then use the agent's fare for AMS/JRO, remember that you'll be on separate tickets and unlikely to have your bags thru checked. Meaning at AMS you have to claim your bags, recheck and security. As I recall, the layover at AMS from JFK to the connecting JRO flight is 2.5-3/hrs... might be too tight.
>>since the safari is just an optional add-on, I can't get very much information on it, so I'll just have to go with my gut.<f
If the organization is offering/selling this mini-safri and as you say, is expensive, they should be able to tell you 1) how many days; 2) where visiting - parks; 3) at which lodge/camp you're laying your head; 4) inclusions (as park fees)/exclusions, etc.; 5) who's the ground outfitter they're using.
Ngorongoro is likely the most expensive stop, for the vehicle entry fee, but if others joining the price isn't so bad. If you're the only person or even 2/paxs, this stop is costly. And ask how many visits to the crater floor... they are limited to 6/hrs.
Mar 26th, 2009, 09:09 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should be able to through check on separate tickets. Just show your onward ticket to the check-in agent at JFK and ask them to tag your bags to JRO. However, technically they won't be responsible for protecting you in case of misconnect at AMS since you're on separate tickets.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:16 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As always, thanks for your help. Somehow it all fell into place and I managed to get ticketed through the group agent, with routing direct from JFK to AMS to Kilimanjaro. This way I'll at least get help with re-ticketing if there is an unforseen problem.
For the optional excursion, I still don't have the details, but it will be a choice between Zanzibar and Ngorongoro. I give you one guess of where I'll probably choose, even without knowing the details!
For the optional excursion, I still don't have the details, but it will be a choice between Zanzibar and Ngorongoro. I give you one guess of where I'll probably choose, even without knowing the details!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jenymemo
Africa & the Middle East
7
Aug 2nd, 2005 01:54 PM
