"Sadly, none of us are the 'camping' types which I'm sure means spending more $$. "

Lodges are actually less than luxury tented camps. They are not less than budget group camping in public campgrounds, though.

"2-3 weeks" & "Gorilla tracking in Uganda or Rwanda"
Then I'd stay in East Africa, such as Tanzania. I've gone gorilla tracking in both Uganda and Rwanda and have found the climate, vegetation, and travel logistics make Rwanda a little better choice. But gorillas anywhere are outstanding.

To help you decide when to go, see this chart:
http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

This is a link to a similar plea for help. It contains additional links. Lots of people chimed in with many great ideas and company recommendations.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4&tid=35095477

Please post again as you narrow your options. How exciting you'll be undertaking this journey with friends. You'll have memories and photos for a lifetime.

Yes, there might be times there are numerous vehicles at sightings or during the migration waiting for the wildies to cross the river. However, at certain times of the year whether Tanzania or Kenya, there are many visitors who simply wish to have this experience. Often difficult to avoid, but it is doable once your guide knows your wishes.

Also, realize that the Masai Mara isn't all Kenya has to offer, any more than the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti in Tanzania. There are many off-the-beaten path locations in both countries with less visitors, so less crowds and vehicles.

As atravelynn above, if you also wish the gorillas, then easiest to stick with East Africa. And, depending on time of year, one or the other Kenya or Tanzania can be your choice.

That said, however, if your group is into self-drive, you might want to consider Namibia, for wildlife, the amazing dunes and the Himba people. Good road system and wide choice of lodging.

Suggest you pick up a few guidebooks. Fodor's recent "Complete Safari Planning Guide" is a place to start, or individual country guides. Also, do a search for flights ( www.kayak.com ) to see which carriers get you from your home locations to/from/between: Nairobi/NBO Kenya, Kilimanjaro/JRO Tanzania, Entebbe/EBB Uganda, Kigale/KGL Rwanda, Windhoek/WDH Namibia, Johannesburg/JNB South Africa. Be aware that besides the major carriers, there are internal air providers all countries, most of which can be arranged thru your tour operator during the safari portion.

Guess you have a bit of homework and research in front of you. But do return with additional questions and keep us aprised of your progress.

Wow, you guys are amazing here! Thank you so much! I just went through all 95 posts for that link! So much fun and so exciting to be doing the planning.

It's interesting how few people talk about actually meeting the people and learning more about the culture. Is that because it is so difficult to do? My friends and I are fairly well traveled having been around the world to India, Bhutan and such, and we all avoid the group travel approach as much as we can where everything is a set itinerary and you are spending weeks with people you don't know...Not that that is a bad thing, but have you ever had to do a bus tour in europe? Yikes. Did one once for my grandmother's sake as it was her first and only time to Europe and I was her escort. I swore never again. Then again, perhaps the people who are heading to Africa aren't the same as the Americans traveling in Europe who want to be 'protected' in a sense from people they consider different in any way!
I'm going to go through all the websites for Africa specialists that were mentioned and see if what we are interested in matches with any of their itineraries. We are all in tv and doc films and really want to meet and learn about the people there as well as see beautiful wildlife. The more I've been reading, the more the mobile tented camps sound exciting (albeit I'm being drawn to those amazing luxury ones which I'm sure are ridiculously priced!) We would love to do Ngorongoro Crater Lodge but doubt we could afford it. I suspect going at that level wouldn't give you a very realistic feel for Africa though...but what a beautiful place! I think after reading more, I'm leaning more toward Tanzania and Rwanda for the gorilla trekking. I'd like to go for about 3 and 1/2 weeks. Is this a reasonable amount of time to fit in a short jaunt to Zanzibar as well? Something tells me I can kiss my savings goodbye!!! But, hey, what's life about if it isn't to travel and see the world? I'm open to any other comments and suggestions! thanks so much again!
best to you...

Consider South Africa. It's a big, multi-cultural country with oodles of diverse scenery and an interesting (and sad) political history. The US dollar goes far there. You can see wildlife relatively inexpensively in Kruger Natl Park, even self-drive. See rhttp://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger
There are many opportunites to meet people, from Zulu villages in the east to townships in Cape Town. A paradise for filmmakers. And it's easy to get to the private reserve lodges of Sabi Sands, where you can splurge for a few days on an upscale lodge with fewer tourists, and drive off-road in open vehicles instead of pop-top vans. There are loads of choices and prices.

Tanzania, with Zanzibar, plus Rwanda would be great for 3.5 weeks. There's also more in Rwanda than just gorillas. I came back a few days ago from doing some great colobus monkey and chimp tracking in Rwanda.

Be sure to indicate you want to include a cultural component to your trip when talking with your agent and your guide. Sometimes the guides can arrange things and provide more flexibility in cultural connections than even the agent who plans up front. You can often visit a school and make a donation of either supplies and/or cash. You may want to include Lake Eyasi and hunting with the Hadzabe Bushmen and visiting the Dagota tribe. This would take 1 or 2 nights (maybe 3 for a longer stay) before or after the Ngorongoro Crater. There should be more opportunties for interactions around Arusha, Tanzania. And in Rwanda, I found people very approachable.

Mobile camping--many of the higher end, comfortable mobile camping options are not ridiculously priced. Some of the Serengeti mobile camps, where the camp moves, but you don't move from place to place with it, are very expensive. But there are some more reasonable options there, too.

Tanzania is ideal for semi-lux camping at "special" camp sites*, where your tents will be set-up, separate toilet loo, separate one for showers and covered dining area... with your own guide/vehicle and even a cook. Just for your group. You can mix camping with lodges or permanent tents... depends on where and how much $$$$.

*Have to be booked in advance, which agent can arrange.

You can visit Rwanda first, fly from Kigale/KGL direct into the Serengeti (if a stiff price), where guide/vehicle meets you for a few days here. Then drive south - Lake Eyasi is good for 2/days, then Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara or Tarangire (either of these depending on time of year), and finally ending on Zanzibar (or Pemba or Mafia).

All doable, even Kenya... just do the research, put together the questions and we'll fill you head with so much stuff you'll wonder why you even asked!

"A Tourist would like to visit an undiscovered tribe, but on one condition: that it will not be farther than a half hour drive from a 5 star hotel... when the tourist leaves the yet undiscovered tribe, he/she will make sure that they'll get a T-shirt or a cap, prefererably with 'i love NY' on it..."

Yes you can...
visit some pretty authentic people.
one example is the Hadzabe tribe (Tz) a hunter-gatherer culture.
Another really authentic group is the pastoral Pokot you meet on the Samburu-Baringo road. they have no set "manyattas" for tourits... you need to take a translator with you (many do not speak kiSwahili) i can give you a few tips, but you'll need a cooperativr driver
Take a camel-walk with Samburu warriors
Maasai - off the beaten track = are simply amazing (easier to find in Ke than Tz)

My suggestion would be to find and use a good Africa specialist. I, too, plan our world travels with friends. I usually book everything myself. The only two places I felt it was a great advantage to obtain assistance was China and Africa. We will spend 3 weeks in southern Tanzania this coming January and I used a lovely UK organizer. The problem with self booking is that most of the camps won't deal directly with customers. They all have an intermediary, so one might as well engage help to fit their own needs. I know that we saved money over booking directly at rack rates, as he was able to negotiate some packages that included air fares etc.

As for seeing gorillas, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that highly restricted with only a few expensive permits issued. It is my understanding that one goes to see gorillas with whomever they can find who has an opening and a permit. Rather YOU fit into THEIR schedule, rather than the other way round.

As for seeing gorillas, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that highly restricted with only a few expensive permits issued. It is my understanding that one goes to see gorillas with whomever they can find who has an opening and a permit. Rather YOU fit into THEIR schedule, rather than the other way round.

My understanding is that gorilla permits can be purchased directly from ORTPN in Rwanda or UWA in Uganda or you can have a tour operator purchase them for you. A few posters here have done independent treks without using a tour operator. Perhaps a few larger operators will purchase permits in advance but I think most Kigali/Kampala TOs only buy them with confirmed bookings.

hi Wanderfilms

if u r looking for a TA/Operator for Africa -
i suggest you contact Sandi
She can't advertise, but i reckon if you write atravelynn (click on her name and you'll see her email) she can mail you Sandi's contact, i guess)
you're based in NY - she may be too {or elsewhere in the US}

aby