MY FIRST SAFARI!!! – Couldn’t have done it without all of you
Aug 16th, 2006, 06:32 PM
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MY FIRST SAFARI!!! – Couldn’t have done it without all of you
So, how does the cliché go? “First time poster, long time reader” LOL!!!
Well, it’s time to participate and I have to start by sending out many thanks and respect to all you Fodorites and safari junkies who have given me many hours of joyful and informative reading over the course of my research. Rocco, ClimbHighSleepLow, Sandi and all the rest of you are awesome!
Like most of you, at one time or another I’ve dreamt of trekking the plains, experiencing the people, sounds, smells and sleeping under the stars of Africa. Maybe it comes from watching too much Discovery Channel, but I have also always had an affinity for African tribal arts and culture, and I’m an avid wildlife photographer too. My family had roots in Angola for two generations (where I was born but never really spent much time) and something in me just can’t wait to get back to the Africa I never knew. All these factors have made this a dream of a lifetime. But enough about me… in true Fodors fashion here’s a little breakdown of our trip.
At first we wanted to see and do everything. That quickly passed, and after some great advice from people like Sandi at Serendipity we boiled it down to a two-week dry season safari (in early September) that covers Samburu, Mara and Amboseli in Kenya and Tarangire and Ngorongoro in Tanzania. We’re also tacking on a week in Egypt with a Nile cruise on our way back through the UK, and then home to Canada…but that’s for another post.
We wanted to cover Serengeti as well but were convinced that more time in Mara during the dry season was the best thing to do. We decided to stick mainly to Serena lodges. This trip is already a big step for my wife who is convinced something will bite or eat her altogether. The thought of sleeping in tents (however luxurious) was a bit much for her but she did agree to a two-night stay in Tarangire River Camp…I’ve heard this camp is under new management so I hope it doesn’t affect our stay. Any info on that would be great. She’s a great sport and didn’t even bat an eyelash when I told her I was augmenting my photographic arsenal with a new f2.8 300mm lens… God lover her!!!
To maximize our game viewing we also decided to spring for some flights between Nairobi, Samburu and Mara, and another one back from Arusha to Nairobi. This bought us at least two more days of game drives and fewer bumpy rides.
This was all arranged by Good Earth Tours who put together a great custom package. Actually all the companies we contacted were great, but we really liked their responsive attitude, the little extras they offered and the fact they operate their own fleet instead of contracting us out to Roys or some other larger operator. I think they partner with Safari-Line in Kenya. Also, their cost for making this a private safari and having our own driver meet us in the parks that we’re flying into was negligible. It was still an expensive trip but a great value for what we asked. Here’s the itinerary.
Day 01: late arrival in Nairobi via UK (Norfolk Hotel)
Day 02: early morning flight to Samburu with two game drives (Serena Lodge)
Day 03: full day in Samburu (Serena)
Day 04: morning game drive and an early flight to Masai Mara plus game drive (Serena Lodge)
Day 05: full day Mara (Serena Lodge)
Day 06: full day Mara (Serena Lodge)
Day 07: morning drive Mara and an early flight to Nairobi. Lunch at Carnivore and then drive to Amboseli
Day 08: full day Amboseli (Serena Lodge)
Day 09: morning drive in Amboseli en route to Namanga border crossing – proceed to Arusha and Tarangire in time for an afternoon game drive (Tarangire River Camp)
Day 10: full day Tarangire (Tarangire River Camp)
Day 11: proceed to Ngorongoro + game drive (Serena Lodge)
Day 12: full day Ngorongoro (Serena Lodge)
Day 13: Ngorongoro to Arusha and fly to Nairobi for flight to Cairo.
Total cost including local flights and private driver was $4k per person. Like I said, a lot of money…but I think we’re really maximizing our two weeks without running ourselves ragged. Some operators were easily 25% higher and less flexible or responsive. I hope they live up to our expectations, but many of you have given GET top marks and we’re really excited!
I hope I haven’t bored you all and I’d love to hear everyone’s input.
We’re just finalizing everything and getting ready to fly in about two weeks. Thank God BA has relaxed their carry-on baggage restrictions. I was getting really worried about checking $10K+ of photo gear…pheeeww!!!
We’re also wrestling with how much money to bring. Some of the posts on this have been helpful…but we’re still wondering how much we’ll blow on stuff like drinks, souvenirs and the odd bush dinner/breakfast? I figured about $300 for tipping and the like, but the extras are still a mystery.
Thanks again to all and I look forward to posting a great trip report and photo journal!!!
drano
Well, it’s time to participate and I have to start by sending out many thanks and respect to all you Fodorites and safari junkies who have given me many hours of joyful and informative reading over the course of my research. Rocco, ClimbHighSleepLow, Sandi and all the rest of you are awesome!
Like most of you, at one time or another I’ve dreamt of trekking the plains, experiencing the people, sounds, smells and sleeping under the stars of Africa. Maybe it comes from watching too much Discovery Channel, but I have also always had an affinity for African tribal arts and culture, and I’m an avid wildlife photographer too. My family had roots in Angola for two generations (where I was born but never really spent much time) and something in me just can’t wait to get back to the Africa I never knew. All these factors have made this a dream of a lifetime. But enough about me… in true Fodors fashion here’s a little breakdown of our trip.
At first we wanted to see and do everything. That quickly passed, and after some great advice from people like Sandi at Serendipity we boiled it down to a two-week dry season safari (in early September) that covers Samburu, Mara and Amboseli in Kenya and Tarangire and Ngorongoro in Tanzania. We’re also tacking on a week in Egypt with a Nile cruise on our way back through the UK, and then home to Canada…but that’s for another post.
We wanted to cover Serengeti as well but were convinced that more time in Mara during the dry season was the best thing to do. We decided to stick mainly to Serena lodges. This trip is already a big step for my wife who is convinced something will bite or eat her altogether. The thought of sleeping in tents (however luxurious) was a bit much for her but she did agree to a two-night stay in Tarangire River Camp…I’ve heard this camp is under new management so I hope it doesn’t affect our stay. Any info on that would be great. She’s a great sport and didn’t even bat an eyelash when I told her I was augmenting my photographic arsenal with a new f2.8 300mm lens… God lover her!!!
To maximize our game viewing we also decided to spring for some flights between Nairobi, Samburu and Mara, and another one back from Arusha to Nairobi. This bought us at least two more days of game drives and fewer bumpy rides.
This was all arranged by Good Earth Tours who put together a great custom package. Actually all the companies we contacted were great, but we really liked their responsive attitude, the little extras they offered and the fact they operate their own fleet instead of contracting us out to Roys or some other larger operator. I think they partner with Safari-Line in Kenya. Also, their cost for making this a private safari and having our own driver meet us in the parks that we’re flying into was negligible. It was still an expensive trip but a great value for what we asked. Here’s the itinerary.
Day 01: late arrival in Nairobi via UK (Norfolk Hotel)
Day 02: early morning flight to Samburu with two game drives (Serena Lodge)
Day 03: full day in Samburu (Serena)
Day 04: morning game drive and an early flight to Masai Mara plus game drive (Serena Lodge)
Day 05: full day Mara (Serena Lodge)
Day 06: full day Mara (Serena Lodge)
Day 07: morning drive Mara and an early flight to Nairobi. Lunch at Carnivore and then drive to Amboseli
Day 08: full day Amboseli (Serena Lodge)
Day 09: morning drive in Amboseli en route to Namanga border crossing – proceed to Arusha and Tarangire in time for an afternoon game drive (Tarangire River Camp)
Day 10: full day Tarangire (Tarangire River Camp)
Day 11: proceed to Ngorongoro + game drive (Serena Lodge)
Day 12: full day Ngorongoro (Serena Lodge)
Day 13: Ngorongoro to Arusha and fly to Nairobi for flight to Cairo.
Total cost including local flights and private driver was $4k per person. Like I said, a lot of money…but I think we’re really maximizing our two weeks without running ourselves ragged. Some operators were easily 25% higher and less flexible or responsive. I hope they live up to our expectations, but many of you have given GET top marks and we’re really excited!
I hope I haven’t bored you all and I’d love to hear everyone’s input.
We’re just finalizing everything and getting ready to fly in about two weeks. Thank God BA has relaxed their carry-on baggage restrictions. I was getting really worried about checking $10K+ of photo gear…pheeeww!!!
We’re also wrestling with how much money to bring. Some of the posts on this have been helpful…but we’re still wondering how much we’ll blow on stuff like drinks, souvenirs and the odd bush dinner/breakfast? I figured about $300 for tipping and the like, but the extras are still a mystery.
Thanks again to all and I look forward to posting a great trip report and photo journal!!!
drano
Aug 16th, 2006, 07:16 PM
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Well, thank you so much. 
(kidding.)
Have a great trip, drano. I'd probably up your tipping budget. Once you see how hard your driver/guide is working to make your experience unforgettable, you'll likely want to "overtip" according to whatever guidelines you've received.
How much do you normally drink on vacation? How many trinkets do you normally buy? If you and your wife normally only have one glass of wine or beer with dinner, then figure the cost of that and add some for those few occasions you want to go all out. I wouldn't think you'd have to pay cash for bush dinners or breakfasts, but perhaps someone else can clarify (or Good Earth can).
Sandi, Patty and others can advise you about ATMs in Nairobi.
Please take me with you!!!
(kidding.)Have a great trip, drano. I'd probably up your tipping budget. Once you see how hard your driver/guide is working to make your experience unforgettable, you'll likely want to "overtip" according to whatever guidelines you've received.
How much do you normally drink on vacation? How many trinkets do you normally buy? If you and your wife normally only have one glass of wine or beer with dinner, then figure the cost of that and add some for those few occasions you want to go all out. I wouldn't think you'd have to pay cash for bush dinners or breakfasts, but perhaps someone else can clarify (or Good Earth can).
Sandi, Patty and others can advise you about ATMs in Nairobi.
Please take me with you!!!
Aug 16th, 2006, 08:50 PM
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Drano,
I am looking forward to hearing about your trip responses. I am also from Canada and have a very similar trip and lodges including a tour down the nile. We are staying at serena lodges also in Kenya. Unfortunately, we are doing the bumpy roads and not flying between parks.
I don't leave until March 2007, so lucky you that you get to go next month.
I am looking forward to hearing about your trip responses. I am also from Canada and have a very similar trip and lodges including a tour down the nile. We are staying at serena lodges also in Kenya. Unfortunately, we are doing the bumpy roads and not flying between parks.
I don't leave until March 2007, so lucky you that you get to go next month.
Aug 17th, 2006, 06:09 AM
#5
drano - Congratulations on your trip! I predict your wife will not have a problem with the tents because they are usually much better than you imagine them to be.
Congrats also on the new lens. If you don't already have them, pick up a 1.4 TC and a 2.0 TC. The picture quality with the teleconverters and that lens is very awesome and it will make the lens more versatile.
As for money, I vote for taking more than you think you'll need. I have run short of cash in Africa (for various reasons) and it's no fun. I guess I should get an ATM card so it isn't a problem.
Have a great trip!
Cindy
Congrats also on the new lens. If you don't already have them, pick up a 1.4 TC and a 2.0 TC. The picture quality with the teleconverters and that lens is very awesome and it will make the lens more versatile.
As for money, I vote for taking more than you think you'll need. I have run short of cash in Africa (for various reasons) and it's no fun. I guess I should get an ATM card so it isn't a problem.
Have a great trip!
Cindy
Aug 17th, 2006, 07:32 AM
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Thanks all. Your points are well taken...I guess I'd better be safe than sorry and bring a little extra cash. We're not big drinkers but a rum & coke (or two) after dinner would'nt go amiss.
And Cindy, yes I do have both the 1.4x and 2.0 converters...it's an awesome lens. I should get off my behind and set up some sort of online portfolio so I can share my pics.
Anyone know anything about Tarangire River Camp. I'll check the other posts reagrding the new managment.
Cheers
Adriano
And Cindy, yes I do have both the 1.4x and 2.0 converters...it's an awesome lens. I should get off my behind and set up some sort of online portfolio so I can share my pics.
Anyone know anything about Tarangire River Camp. I'll check the other posts reagrding the new managment.
Cheers
Adriano
Aug 17th, 2006, 09:28 AM
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You'll be able to pay for your incidentals (drinks plus any other extras) at the Serena lodges and probably Tarangire River Camp as well with a credit card, so you don't have to have cash for that. You'll need cash for tipping and roadside souvenir shopping. Larger curio stores and many shops in Nairobi will take credit cards. Hard to advise how much anyone else will spend on souvenirs.
Aug 17th, 2006, 03:21 PM
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Figure about $30/day person towards tips (may be a bit more or less, but that's a good average). Put aside what you project your tips to be throughout and then add or subtract as you go along).
You'll have more options for ATMs in Nairobi for local currency. While I've only used small amounts of local currency for camp staff tips, I've gotten what I needed at the start of trip at the NBO airport. Otherwise, I've used USD for guides/drivers and they're only too glad to have dollars.
In Tanzania, I've always used USD, even for camp staff and this has never been an issue; staff have actually indicated they preferred dollars. Besides, getting local currency in Tanzania isn't near as easy with few ATMs that I've ever been able to find.
So, it's a toss up - dollars or local currency; many people have had different experiences. Just be aware that if you have any left over local currency, these cannot be reconverted to USD when leaving the country, so use them up or put what's left into your photo album.
Drinks are inexpensive, never had any cost more that $5 (in fact, nowhere near that anywhere... more like $3 at most); beer is inexpensive as are soft-drinks; you should be able to pay with credit card at Serena properties, but do inquire whether they charge a fee for use of a credit card.
It's looking good. Glad to be able to help.
You'll have more options for ATMs in Nairobi for local currency. While I've only used small amounts of local currency for camp staff tips, I've gotten what I needed at the start of trip at the NBO airport. Otherwise, I've used USD for guides/drivers and they're only too glad to have dollars.
In Tanzania, I've always used USD, even for camp staff and this has never been an issue; staff have actually indicated they preferred dollars. Besides, getting local currency in Tanzania isn't near as easy with few ATMs that I've ever been able to find.
So, it's a toss up - dollars or local currency; many people have had different experiences. Just be aware that if you have any left over local currency, these cannot be reconverted to USD when leaving the country, so use them up or put what's left into your photo album.
Drinks are inexpensive, never had any cost more that $5 (in fact, nowhere near that anywhere... more like $3 at most); beer is inexpensive as are soft-drinks; you should be able to pay with credit card at Serena properties, but do inquire whether they charge a fee for use of a credit card.
It's looking good. Glad to be able to help.
Aug 19th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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Drano,
My kids and I stayed 2 nights at Tarangire River Camp in June this year. It was a wonderful camp - friendly new owners who seemed keen to make our experience a good one, and it was. We stayed in "Duma" tent - the furthest one from the dining/lounge. It had an awesome view from the very spacious balcony. We were walked to our tent both nights by a Maasai warrior - lots of animals meander through the camp, so best to have some accompaniment to and fro after dark. We enjoyed visiting with other guests around a camp fire each night before dinner. Food was very good, and staff very attentive. An excellent overall experience for our first 2 nights in the African bush. Here are Ebens pictures of the River Camp: http://go-safari.com/Tarangire/RiverCamp.htm
Max69 says you're from Canada. We're in Victoria BC. Where are you? And you, Max69?
Have a fabulous trip, Drano! We look forward to your trip report when you get back.
My kids and I stayed 2 nights at Tarangire River Camp in June this year. It was a wonderful camp - friendly new owners who seemed keen to make our experience a good one, and it was. We stayed in "Duma" tent - the furthest one from the dining/lounge. It had an awesome view from the very spacious balcony. We were walked to our tent both nights by a Maasai warrior - lots of animals meander through the camp, so best to have some accompaniment to and fro after dark. We enjoyed visiting with other guests around a camp fire each night before dinner. Food was very good, and staff very attentive. An excellent overall experience for our first 2 nights in the African bush. Here are Ebens pictures of the River Camp: http://go-safari.com/Tarangire/RiverCamp.htm
Max69 says you're from Canada. We're in Victoria BC. Where are you? And you, Max69?
Have a fabulous trip, Drano! We look forward to your trip report when you get back.
Aug 20th, 2006, 03:45 PM
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Hey Calo, thanks for the info for TRC. We had heard some weird rumours a while back. Glad to hear all is well there. We've heard that they also offer Masai guided walks...hopefully we'll have some time for that too?
We're in Toronto. It must have been a killer flight from BC for you???
Thanks again!
We're in Toronto. It must have been a killer flight from BC for you???
Thanks again!
Aug 20th, 2006, 10:15 PM
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TRC didn't take credit cards when I stayed there, but I'm not sure what their current policy is with the new ownership. You'll love the camp! It's a great setting, the Maasai walk is fun, and you might find eles feeding right outside your tent one night, as I did.
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