PA_Kathy

I have been reading this forum and trying to get ideas for my first trip to Africa -- but I am overwhelmed by all the available information.

I will be traveling with DH and another couple. We are interested in a private tour to Kenya and Tanzania in September 2011 (am I looking into this too early?) We have 3 weeks to spend (including travel time from and to USA) - although DH and I are considering staying longer and adding a trip to view the mountain gorillas.

We are not interested in "deluxe" accommodations, but nor do we want budget lodgings.

Our "must sees":
Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater (including Olduvai hominid archeological fossil site and museum)

Other possibilities:
Lake Manyara, Amboseli, Samburu,Tarangire

We would like to see some birding areas, although that is not our main focus.

We might like to spend an extra day or so in Nairobi (Karen Blixon home, elephant rescue area, museum, etc.)

So, after all this lead-in, my first dilemma - how to choose a safari outfitter? There are many listed here, but I have yet to notice a "bad" review - are they all good, or is Africa just so wonderful that it doesn't matter with whom you go? I'd love to hear from you Africa experts which companies you travel with.

Thanks very much!

Elizabeth_S

We were in Tanzania and Rwanda earlier this year for our first time (private tour as you are contemplating). For trips like this to other parts of the world I have usually found a local guide first (as we believe the guide is the most important part of the trip) and planned the trip via a combination of booking with them and booking online.

I could not find a similar circumstance for Tanzania so I looked at several of the outfitters mentioned here (Good Earth, Roys, And Beyond, Dumas etc) and received quotes from them (pricing was all pretty similar).

Then I read that Nomad Tanzania was really known for their guides and booked them (also liked their mobile camps in the Serengeti). We were very happy with Nomad and absolutely thrilled with Felix Mollel, our guide for 10 days.

Link to our blog (insufferably long) - navigate on the right hand margin to Tanzania and Rwanda

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/africa/

Speaking of insufferably long, here is our Tanzania trip report

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...t-174346-2.cfm

If you do end up going with Nomad Tanzania (you have to use one of their travel agents - they don't deal direct) we recommend you request Felix as your guide. If you are not using Nomad Tanzania, I know of two very reputable North American based tour operators who have teamed up with Felix (he is a private contractor). If you want the latter information email me at

eseibertca AT yahoo DOT ca

rsnyder

For our most recent safari (Nov 2009) we wanted one company or organizer to handle arrangements for Kenya and Tanzania simply for peace of mind. But, so I could get a feel on pricing for at least Tanzania I sent a request for proposals to several companies handling safaris there. I included incountry ones and a few with offices or organizers here in the US. In doing so I provided the same "wish list" as you have begun to prepare so I could compare results on an apple to apple basis. The results were very interesting to say the least as some companies didn't seem to have read my request and were attempting to steer me into packages of little appeal. I also read up quite a bit on companies on this forum and another. We opted for Africa Serendipity based in New York City. Except for the international flights to/from the US, they handled all our arrangments including incountry flights in Kenya, lodging between safaris and special activities including the elephant orphange, etc. I have no regrets on this approach and our contact person was only a phone call away during the planning process. I was also pleased to learn afterwards a friend got a quote for a similiar safari with the same Arusha-based company we used for about the same price we paid but for less-nice accommodations and one or so days less. If you check on this forum you will find the report I filed on the trip.
Dick

atravelynn

A good reference with even more trip reports is Lynda's East Africa index. These list the companies used.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm

With 4 people, you should be able to get some good pricing. If possible add the gorillas in Rwanda. It appears you have ample time.

PA_Kathy

Elizabeth_S, thanks for the insight about guides, and the references to your trip report and photos - I've started reading - and no way is it "insufferably long". How else do we newbies learn about the ins and outs of Africa?

Dick, thanks for sharing your experience. Africa Serendipity is on my list of possibilities. I'll be reading your trip report, too.

atravelynn, thanks for the link. I've looked at that list - very long and comprehensive, but it was the start of my confusion. There are so many different outfitters named that I felt I had no basis to choose among them.

Any additional recommendations will be appreciated.

atravelynn

When you narrow it down to a few companies, you can go back to that index and Ctrl F for the key names and see what was said. Hopefully that will reduce confusion.

Nomad is a top notch name in mobile tented camps, in part because of their good guiding. Africa Serendipity gets rave reviews. So great names given so far.

If you are going to Kenya and Tanzania, one thing to consider is: if you book with a Kenyan company, they will probably arrange the Tanz portion with their partner company. Likewise, if you book with a Tanzanian co, they will probably arrange the Kenya portion with their partner. Make sure those partner companies are who you want. If not, then you can use a separate company in Kenya and a separate one in Tanzania.

If you book with a US company like Af Serendipity in NYC or The Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale (which I have used with success) that one company arranges both Kenya and Tanzania and you may have more choice on the ground operators in each place. That's because the US company may use more than one ground operator in each location. Another US company I used one time that worked out well was Adventure Travel Desk in Massachusetts.

Now, if you also include Rwanda, some Kenyan and Tanzanian companies have partners in Rwanda too, but some don't. A company like Africa Adventure can do all three for you--Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania. So could Adv Travel Desk.

I have used Eastern and Southern in NBO for a short Kenya excursion last year and will use them again this year. They partner with a Tanz co and I see they are now working with a company in Rwanda too. So far I've used them just for Kenya.

In Rwanda last year I used Volcanoes and was very happy with them. They do only the Great Lakes countries and not Tanzania and Kenya.

Kiliwarriors, based in Tanz and Virginia arranges great itineraries in Kenya and Tanz along with gorillas. They are adamant about being in the right place for an adequate # of days. They have specially equipped vehicles for photographers, as do some other companies. I am working with them on a future trip but won't use the fancy photo vehicle.

That's my input on naming names.

PA_Kathy

atravelynn, I really appreciate your "naming names" - you've given me a lot to think about. I usually plan all of our travels, but Africa is a whole different ball game...

atravelynn

<I>"There are many listed here, but I have yet to notice a "bad" review - are they all good, or is Africa just so wonderful that it doesn't matter with whom you go?"</I>

Africa IS just so wonderful. So many first time visitors comment it was the best trip of their life, and these are people who have traveled extensively. Rarely someone encounters a few miscues and misadventures, but even in those cases, the people, wildlife, and beauty of Africa receive compliments.

I would not go so far as to say "it doesn't matter who you go with," but fortunately there are many reputable companies that will provide an excellent experience. If you pick a trip that matches your interests and you don't go too cheap--unless you have lots of time--then you'll have the trip of a lifetime too.

rsnyder

atravelyn,
Appreciated your posts to this thread. Being somewhat computer illiterate I am always forgetting path to the index and now the shortcut (control/F) as to companies, lodges, etc. Thanks again.

Afrisa

We did 14 days Kenya Tanzania Safari with http://www.opulentafricatours.com/.

The trip was wonderful,we also got qoutes from Pollmans,kobo but they were a bit expensive for our budget.

We visited Maasai mara,Lake Nakuru,Sanburu,Amboseli,Ngorongoro,Serengeti and Tarangire

All the best.

PA_Kathy

Afrisa,

I've been away for a while, so sorry for not thanking you for your input sooner. I'll be looking into the company you went with, along with others recommended here when I return from 5 weeks in Europe in mid-August. Africa will be on my mind, even as I stroll through European cities.

Crumbs32

I can recommend Mind & Soul Travel - A small and personal tour operator based in Arusha. Here is link to them: and ask for Susanne when you e-mail them.... she knows a lot and are very informative and patient with any kind of questions. the guide I travelled with was excellent. His name is 'Toyota'

http://www.mindsoultravel.com

TC

I planned our 22 days in Tanzania with Lenny from Africa Travel Resource. He was a dream to work with. I am based in the US and he in the UK, but he never hesitated to phone me at odd hours (for him) so that we could talk over details. He (and the entire staff of ATR) have been to all the camps and are known there. Their personal knowledge is limitless. I even got a stellar Dar restaurant recommendation for the young lady in accounting who accepted my payments.

I had a very good idea of what I wanted for this trip based on reading these boards and doing skads of research. My opinions were welcomed by Lenny. Together we worked to tweek my itinerary and the locations for the best outcome. He was able to suggest which camps to do in which order -- building from more rustic to lux (for our 40th anniversary). He strongly suggested one camp that I had been on the fence about because it sounded too rustic for our taste. Lenny was spot on in his insistance that this camp had the absolute BEST guides and was well worth a visit. We saw more wildlife there than anywhere else.

Once we had the entire itin put together Lenny was able to get an amazing price since they are known to all the camps and lodges. When I started my research I was told by three different providers that there was no way I could do my proposed itinerary for my proposed budget. Lenny really worked to keep within my numbers, in fact, after I had made the initial downpayment (so the deal was done) he added a discount from Nomad that had just been announced. He also introduced me to a UK travel insurance company that insured our entire trip for a fraction of the prices I had been quoted from all the US companies -- offering more coverage, at greater amounts for a lower premium.

I would highly recommend Africa Travel Resources.

http://www.africatravelresource.com/...%201/about.asp

Click on my Fodor's posting name for links to our trip report and all our photos. Your trip sounds amazing. Africa is amazing. Enjoy both the planning and the travel. Cheers

AKR1

Read my recent report (click on my screen name) on a luxury safari in Kenya and Tanzania. It's important to understand the following point: most if not all African safari destinations are hurting significantly from the global economic downturn with a fraction of the tourists frequenting the upper end of the camp/lodge spectrum. While this is obviously a generalization I believe its true particularly in East Africa. Do not be afraid to negotiate hard on the price- the asking price is just that- rack rates have not been adequately adjusted downwards to reflect reality and the camps desperately need visitors. Then, deal with a local agent to cut out as many middle men as possible- get several quotes to compare. Finally, negotiate as little money upfront as possible to reduce your risk, and insist upon paying upon arrival- its possible, despite what most agents say, I did it. Flying between destinations in East Africa is, in my opinion, critical for a great safari experience as the roads are generally awful and make for tiring, boring journeys. Using the camp vehicles and guides is highly recommended as opposed to having your own vehicle/guide and driving between destinations, as in my experience, the better camps, have superior guides with local (immediate vicinity) condition knowledge and the vehicles are generally much better than what you get on your own. The ultimate luxury is having a camp private vehicle as you minimize the possibility of having others with you in the vehicle with completely different game viewing desires, but for first timers this is a smaller risk.

wildwings

Some good advice by AKR1 (and a great trip report, I recommend you read that). There are indeed a lot of outfitters and it can be overwhelming to make a choice. I agree that it is sometimes possible to get better rates by booking through a locally based company. There are also some US-based companies who deal directly with the lodges but most will deal with a local operator anyway, so that's an extra layer which can push up costs. Here are some thoughts to help you choose a good agent:
1. Make sure they are Africa experts and know the destinations they are selling. Ask your consultant how many times they have been to Africa, when their last trip was to Africa, and where they went, to establish if they can advise you from personal experience. The risk with using a non-expert is that you receive poor advice and may be disappointed.
2. Ask for contactable references and follow them up. You can also look for reviews online, but speaking to someone who has actually travelled with them is best, in my view.
3. Find out if they have bonding insurance. This reduces your risk and ensures you cannot lose any money paid upfront, even if the company fails. I hear what AKR1 says about paying the balance upon arrival, but most agents will not do this because they have to pre-pay the lodges. Bonding insurance eliminates the risk of losing money because the agent defaults.
4. Find out what industry associations they belong to, and verify membership. This gives you an additional layer of protection. Most of the small fly-by-night outfits which are likely to disappoint you would not bother to comply with the strict membership requirements and pay membership fees to belong to industry associations.
5. Find out if they are affiliated to one particular lodge chain, or only sell one lodge chain. For example, if you contact AndBeyond they will only sell you AndBeyond lodges. If you contact a Wilderness Safaris agent, they will normally gravitate toward WS camps. If they keep their volumes high with a specific chain, they will maintain good rates with that chain. This is not always bad but I think an agent should be independent and give advice that is best for you, not best for them.
6. Call the agent, or ask them to call you, and speak to them in person, rather than just by email. This will give you a good sense about the company and allow you to discuss your requirements in detail.
7. How responsive is the agent? Look at their response time, do they answer all your questions, do they pay attention to detail, do they make sure they understand your interests and requirements, etc. The level of service you receive during the enquiry and booking process often is an indication of the company's professionalism.
Hope this helps and good luck with making a choice!
Onne from Wild Wings Safaris

TC

I agree with all AKR1 and Wildwings profess adding two items.

-In order to keep down the amount of cash that we carried, I did pre-pay anything that I possibly could before heading to Tanzania. I do not regret that decision. If you are working with a reputable company, this should be no problem.

-I worked in the travel business, yet I am still skeptical of agents who have traveled to my destination - even many times. That, <u>in and of itself</u> is NOT enough. Many travel for free or at reduced rates at the invitation of lodges, camps, tour operators, or the like. They then lean toward selling you those specific properties "that they know" (ie. who have given them favors and are likely to do so again). Having been to a destination, does not <u>necessarily</u> guaranty a broad and unbiased base of knowledge. Ask a few more questions to be sure?

PA_Kathy

Vacation and work and family issues have kept me away from this forum for a while -- but many thanks to TC, Wildwings,
AKR1 and all others who have made such wonderful suggestions.

I am just about to make a trip to confer with our travel companions (we're in CA, they're in TX - a face-to-face is in order) about a possible itinerary (I'll be back with questions for y'all, I'm sure) then am about ready to query several outfitters.

I'm excited already...