Daydreamer

Help? Last minute planning a potential African adventure!! Hubby has sabbatical due this Sept, if his company doesn't change hands by then. But don't know where to even begin!! Or what touring companies to consider.

I do think w/Africa we'd use some company, even tho' we've always travelled independently until now.
Have heard OAT Travel mentioned by someone locally...any thoughts?

We're in our 40's, with a huge interest in wildlife & photography. (at least my hubby does...he's quite good!)

Is later Sept too late to commence such a trip? Any thoughts on the best time to journey there?

What are your all-time fave parks/countries? If you could only go once...where would YOU go? (your not-to-miss list!)

I'm guessing we'd take 2-3 weeks for this trip. I doubt I can get enough time off work for more.

Does one need lots of shots for Africa? And if so, how far ahead?
Does the political unrest concern you, and give pause to travelling there now? (and if so, mostly where?)

Thanks for *any* feedback. Will start delving into books soon,
just don't know where to even begin!! (which countries I should target) And lastly,
we're wide open here...and open to instead travelling to Greece, etc. if you've enjoyed trips there more than to Africa. (also mulling S. America just a bit, and/or even Australia/N. Zealand, too)
Also under consideration? A small cruise to SE Alaska...we've done the interior on our own before. If you've done any or all of these spots...share your fave, please! Thanks!!

atravelynn

After all these months, you've taken my advice, and that of others on the US board, and decided on Africa over Alaska.

***OAT
Here is a link that contains more links about OAT. There is even one about timing the migration in East Africa in Sept. Consensus was OAT may not offer the best option for migration timing in Sept.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35132839

If your husband is a photographer, you may want to consider a private vehicle to minimize movement and to allow you to linger for the best shots and have the best positioning. A private departure is not that hard to do nor does it cost a lot more than some group trips. OAT prices are hard to beat, though.

***Too late?
With the unrest earlier in the year in Kenya, I think there are more Kenya openings than usual this late. Normally, I’d say it is pretty late. And Kenya would be your best bet to see the wildebeest & zebra migration in Sept.

These charts show the best wildlife destinations month by month. Best correlates closely with most expensive.

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

http://www.bornfreesafaris.com/best_travel.htm

This chart concentrates on East Africa and shows “perfect” itineraries for each month.

http://www.kiliwarriors.com/


***Favorites: The reason so many of us return again and again is because Africa has many wonderful places. The Fodor’s editors asked the same question and here is the response they got. It's all over the continent.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35085090

Rather than find out what others liked, I’d suggest you decide what you want out of the trip and then find the place that matches it. For example: Do you want to see gorillas, the migration of wildebeests and zebras in huge herds, any specific animals, Victoria Falls, jungles, deserts?

For a photographer, you probably want to do most of your viewing by vehicle, but there are walking, canoeing, other boating options. How important is remoteness and seclusion to you and how much are you willing to pay ifor seclusion?

Of course price is a big consideration for the whole safari.

***Shots-medication
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35115499

Above is a recent discussion involving Tanzania, but it is typical of Africa. The best advice, which I follow, is to consult a travel clinic, which has up to date information. I’d contact them soon in order to secure an appointment and if a series of shots are needed, to allow enough time. Also some inoculations (oral or injections) cannot be given together. I think Hep B is a series given over time, but is not always recommended for the normal tourist. Medical advice on a board like this is helpful but should never substitute for consultation with a trained medical professional.


***Unrest
The post election violence in Kenya has abated, thank goodness, Here is a recent discussion on that.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35133399

Recently there were some problems in isolated areas of South Africa. That is where I am headed in July with no plans to change. A current thread with additional links on that:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35132665

You may want to check out this indexes of trip reports

Southern Africa
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34772027


East Africa
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860283

I saw you were still considering Alaska. You might want to check Hallo Bay Wilderness Lodge where you can spend from a day to a week or more roaming around with brown bears and a guide. It was a fav of mine. Or John Rogers Katmai Coastal boat trips, where trips range from 3 nights to a week or more and also focus on bears. I'm leaving in under a month for that. Sept is good for bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls, where I've been several times, but always in July. Glacier Bay out of Juneau was wonderful too, but I was there late June.

Since I encouraged you to go to Africa when your initial post was Alaska, it is only fair to suggest Alaska now that you are over on the Africa board.

Or go to the Pantanal in Brazil and enjoy the flocks of birds, the capybaras, and hunt for jaguars, with a high rate of success in certain areas along the Paraguay River. I have more info on that if you are interested.

But if you decide on Africa, how about a private trip to Kenya with at least 4 nights in the Maasai Mara and if you can afford the $500 per person gorilla permits, on to Rwanda for a couple of gorilla visits that offer great photo ops.

Check these companies that have been used with success by Fodorites—listed in no particular order. You will probably see them mentioned in the trip reports.

Eastern and Southern (Kenya)
Good Earth (Florida and Tanzania)
Africa Serendipity (NYC)
Africa Adventure (Florida)
ATR (England)

Wherever you are going, I wouldn't wait much longer.

Clematis1

Lynn has given you great advice. I will just add that we've done an Alaskan cruise and also spent three weeks touring NZ and still Africa beats everything else for us.

Daydreamer

Wow! Thanks so very much Atravelynn for the *incredible* links & big headstart on things!

Hmmm...everything sounds sooo tempting, that this is going to be a bear to decide upon. All I can guess is that it might feel way too late in the game to plan a trip as complex as Africa (esp. if trying to go independently, which I'm still not sure about)...
so may end up 'staying more local' if doing trip this Sept. (but will at least investigate things more)

However, if hubby finds out he can wait safely a few months to take this time off, I could probably pull together a trip to Africa. (since it's gotten such glowing reviews)

We DO love grizzlies, however...and spent time at Knight Inlet one autumn.
So, that certainly would be tempting too...those wonderful links provided for AK bears, too.

Brazil, Greece, etc.
all call! :-\ Hubby has to go to Bulgaria for work a few times a year....tying in Greece soon after might work.

Anyway, that's a different area to go, if mulling that too! But I'd guess it would be quite nice in October?

Clematis...thanks too as it really helps to get feedback from world travellers who have tried everything...since I personally have way too little vacation, and may still have children. (even 'tho odds are looking poor) As a result, this might be our last big 'hurrah' trip for a while, if somehow that occurs. ;-)

Lastly, are the shots for Africa okay to have in a year when one might be considering a pregnancy? Or best to time around such things? Just curious. Okay if not proper to respond...just wondering if anyone knows? Thanks!

atravelynn

I'm with Clematis on Africa coming out on top.

Planning a private trip goes like this: You find an operator, discuss some options, and they do it all for you. You don't contact all the properties yourself or arrange transportation.

I don't know about the shots, but the malaria prevention pills are often avoided by women who plan to become pregnant soon.

atravelynn

Here is something on malaria-free areas.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34999409

Patty

I planned my first Kenya trip with help from this forum 3 months in advance. I knew almost nothing about my destination and had no idea you were supposed to start planning years in advance I pretty much booked my tickets and then set out to figure out what I was going to do. We ended up with a private, custom itinerary which you'll find is what most posters here do. A group tour may not be the best option if you're used to traveling independently. As Lynn mentioned, this year you'll probably not have difficulty with camp availability in Kenya, but do get clarification on the malaria prophylactic and other possible medical issues first.

skibumette

Hi, Daydreamer -- I've got my travel nurse cap on here. I work with a Tropical Medicine specialist. You should NOT get Yellow Fever vaccination while pregnant, as it is a live vaccine. (In cases where there is HIGH risk of YF, then we advise pregnant women not to go to that location.) If you get the YF vaccine, then we advise you not try to get pregnant for 1-2 months afterward.

In general, killed vaccines are probably safe, but it's hard to say 100% since pregnant women (not surprisingly) don't want to volunteer for trials! Like all medications during pregnancy, you don't take vaccinations unless necessary.

As for antimalarials, Mefloquine (Lariam) is the only one safe during any stage of pregnancy...but you may have some vivid dreams with it! Other antimalarials will completely clear your system within 10 days of stopping them. What if you return and find out you got pregnant while traveling (and taking antimalarials)? Don't panic -- remember that the fetus doesn't plug in to your blood supply immediately; exposure to medications will be minimal in the earliest days of pregnancy.

Daydreamer

Thank you all so very much!!
And it's encouraging to read that someone else here, Patty,
waited last minute to plan...
so I won't rule out Africa just yet.


Hmmm...so who to contact next for more info. My hubby's keen interest in photography makes me wonder about photo tours, specifically. Not sure if others 'rush' you too much. But the price might be prohibitive since I myself couldn't take full advantage of it, since not a photog. myself. (tho' I love spending time as hubby captures images best)

But then we're back to group tours, I suppose?

When doing yourself a private tour...is payment done ahead or do you pay as you go at hotels, to guides, etc. And does someone else do all the driving the whole time?? Just curious. Thanks!

Daydreamer

Ooohhh...and skibummette (love that user name, btw)
thanks for the info on vaccines too.

Really helps.
Am not pregnant nor likely prior to a trip if going this fall. However, slim chance if going in Spring, Summer next year. Was mostly wondering if dangerous even prior to pregnancy (but if close)...truly helped to read your note! Thanks!

atravelynn

Photo tours--Here is a good link regarding them.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35081251

I still think a private trip for just the two of you is a better bet than a group photo trip.

For some pricing, check out Good Earth's website where they have some standard itineraries with costs, then they state it is $150 more to make the trip private. I forget if that's $150 per person based on 2 or $150 per departure.

If you have a private trip, you pay up front, not as you go. You would only pay for some beverages, tips, in some cases laundry, souvenirs as you go.

Your guide does all the driving. A private trip works very much like a group trip, except the group is just your own party. You are picked up at the airport upon arrival and driven everywhere or taken to an airstrip or airport, then met when the plane lands again.

In addition to Good Earth (Florida and TZ), you can check out websites for Eastern and Southern Safaris (based in Kenya, that's who Patty used with 3 months notice), Kiliwarriors in TZ, Africa Adventure in FL, ATR in England, Africa Serendipity in NYC.

Of those Af Adv and just recently Good Earth do East and Southern Africa. The others are East Africa. There are many more good operators besides these, too.