K&T--sounds like a cool drink for a hot day.

With 8-9 days, I'd do K OR T.

You could see Vic Falls if you did SA or ZAM or ZIM or BOTS. But to include Vic Falls with Kenya or Tanzania when you have 9 days total is a bad idea.

Thought you might have meant Asilia, but I see there is an Asili Adventure Safaris. Had not heard of them.

As to K or T and where, what month are you traveling?

Glad someone out there knows what K and T are.

When will you be traveling? Most important. Prices are seasonal with those in Tanzania a tad higher than if in Kenya.

With less than 10/days, and your budget... you'll have to pick one country or the other. Regardless how close these appear on a map... they're not when transiting by road (air would be too expensive for your budget).

You'll also require Visas for each country - USD$50 for Kenya and USD$100 for Tanzania (if US passport, or USD$50 other passports), also a Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same to transit to/from/between countries.

You sure don't have time to visit VFA which is in southern Africa, and with limited flights, odd schedules and rather expensive, besides fact it's 4/hrs flying and often an overnight required in Johannesburg/JNB. Then a 2/hr flight to VFA, a Visa for entry to ZIM... all for viewing the Falls, which takes only a few hours. Plan this for another trip.

Thanks for all the info. I am reading a lot on line and learning about the differences between East Africa and South Africa. is South Africa goig to be cheaper than EA? Reading some of the posts (mind blowing!!) I am thinking of Botsana also.
where do I see most of the wildlife concentration, game drive and interesting stuff?
Also do any of you know good local (EA/SA based travel agents) for Safari trips? Can you recommend a few?

Not sure what "interesting stuff" is.
But if you want "wildlife concentration, game drive", that is to see the big 5 up close, personal, and often, go to one of the camps in the Sabi Sand reserve, South Africa. But SA likely to cost same as East Africa.

regards - tom

A first decision for you is when you wish to travel. That has a bearing on animal concentrations.

Here is a chart to help answer some of your questions. As weather becomes less predictable, this chart or any chart becomes less accurate.

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

Is SA cheaper than EA? If you self drive in the country of South Africa, it will likely be less expensive than Kenya or Tanzania. Botswana, in Southern Africa, is generally your most expensive option.

Agree with Tom on Sabi Sands and share his question on "interesting stuff." There's a whole lot of it across the continent.

Yes we were planning for Sept/Oct. After reading on the web (yes I got these charts also), now we are thinking Sept since Oct would be too hot.

We are also coming to the grip that we may have to do EA and SA on separate trips if possible.

Interesting stuff like an actual "Kill" (like the National Geography youtube "Battle at Kruger", wild chase, birth of a baby etc.

Made a note of the Sabi Sand reserve. Based on the vacation days and budget, we will target just SA now and make the best out of it.
Again if you have some good reliable SA based(local) travel agents please recommend. Heard good things about Roy's Safari... Some one wrote here about" buy one get one free air fare on SAA". Are you seeing that this year?

After I finalize the schedule and place I will look for the best airlne deal. Thanks friends for all the info.

Sept, lovely time, and generally less expensive in SA than high season rates. Check exact dates for best rates. They can change mid-month.

EA and SA on different trips, good idea.

The interesting stuff you mention is just luck. Don't set your hopes on it, as these events are rarities. But every outing produces its own interesting stuff.

Roy's is for Tanzania.

Now that you have narrowed it down to SA. I'd post again with a title like: "Looking for South Africa based agent and itinerary ideas."

I have not used a South African based agent, other than Cape Town's Take2Tours in and African Shark Eco-Charters.

Sept and/or Oct are great months to visit, whether East or Southern Africa.

As to weather in East Africa, October is nowhere near hot, especially on the Equator when daytime temps are relatively constant year-round, but for the so-called 'summer' months between mid-Dec thru Mar when they can reach into the 90s on the mainland. Evenings/mornings are always cooler/colder regardless time of year, though Aug or Sep would be the coldest.

But if considering South Africa, an outfitter whose name often appears here is:
go2africa.