overland safari planning
Mar 7th, 2010, 07:45 AM
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overland safari planning
Hello,
I'm planning an overland safari with my girllfriend and we want to make sure we are setting ourselves up for the best and safest experience possible. Since we need to do this on a budget we feel that going "overland" is our best bet. I'm totally fine with pitching my own tent every evening but I think my girlfriend would rather me find semi permanent tented camps (the ones with beds rather than sleeping bags). It would be more than ideal to depart and arrive from nairobi (budget reasons). can anyone suggest any tour operators? We are looking to go Aug 1.
thanks
I'm planning an overland safari with my girllfriend and we want to make sure we are setting ourselves up for the best and safest experience possible. Since we need to do this on a budget we feel that going "overland" is our best bet. I'm totally fine with pitching my own tent every evening but I think my girlfriend would rather me find semi permanent tented camps (the ones with beds rather than sleeping bags). It would be more than ideal to depart and arrive from nairobi (budget reasons). can anyone suggest any tour operators? We are looking to go Aug 1.
thanks
Mar 7th, 2010, 08:27 AM
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The reps from these places can work on the GF to convince her (and rightfully so) that the conditions fine and safe.
You can compare the <u>costs</u> of what NOFlyZone recommended with some of the semi-permanent tented camps like Entim and Rekero and that may help convince her. However those camps do provide an outstanding bush experience. If you are looking for "best" that would be it, at a price.
For Africa-specific providers, maybe Gamewatchers or Basecamp.
The only company out of any of these I've personally gone with is Peregrine, not in Africa. It was great.
Or if your girlfriend would feel more comfortable in a lodge, there are many itineraries you can design for just the two of you on a private lodge safari with your own driver/guide. More costly than group budget camping, but not as high as the small, exclusive semi-permanent or even most of the permanent tented camps.
You can compare the <u>costs</u> of what NOFlyZone recommended with some of the semi-permanent tented camps like Entim and Rekero and that may help convince her. However those camps do provide an outstanding bush experience. If you are looking for "best" that would be it, at a price.
For Africa-specific providers, maybe Gamewatchers or Basecamp.
The only company out of any of these I've personally gone with is Peregrine, not in Africa. It was great.
Or if your girlfriend would feel more comfortable in a lodge, there are many itineraries you can design for just the two of you on a private lodge safari with your own driver/guide. More costly than group budget camping, but not as high as the small, exclusive semi-permanent or even most of the permanent tented camps.
Mar 7th, 2010, 08:40 AM
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If you're looking for a short trip (ie 14 nights), then companies like Explore, Exodus, Adventure Company are good. For the longer overlander trips which are more basic but allow you to see more countries for your money, then look at someone like Dragoman as an example of what to expect.
They are quite different experiences and depend on budget really. The 14 night trips usually have a cook and a camp assistant along with your guide and they use a mix of public and private campsites and smaller vehicles. The longer overlander trips are budget focussed and you tend to do a lot more work yourself and use more public campsites and larger vehicles.
They are quite different experiences and depend on budget really. The 14 night trips usually have a cook and a camp assistant along with your guide and they use a mix of public and private campsites and smaller vehicles. The longer overlander trips are budget focussed and you tend to do a lot more work yourself and use more public campsites and larger vehicles.
Mar 7th, 2010, 08:46 AM
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You will get a lot more bang for the buck if you contact local companies instead of the international ones suggested here. Peregrine is expensive.
Search for KATO and pick a few to work with or find Eastern & Southern who gets good reviews here.
Search for KATO and pick a few to work with or find Eastern & Southern who gets good reviews here.
Mar 7th, 2010, 09:34 AM
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Eastern & Southern as far as I know doesn't offer group trips. If you decide to go the private route (at higher cost), I can highly recommend them.
For a local operator based in Nairobi that offers group budget camping trips, try Gametracker Safaris www.gametrackersafaris.com and Basecamp www.basecamptanzania.com as atravelynn mentioned is a good budget operator in Arusha.
Gamewatchers www.porini.com (also mentioned by atravelynn) is more of a high end operator that offers group mobile camping safaris. These are camping safaris that take place on private conservancies and cost as much as a private, lodge based safari but provide a more exclusive experience.
For a local operator based in Nairobi that offers group budget camping trips, try Gametracker Safaris www.gametrackersafaris.com and Basecamp www.basecamptanzania.com as atravelynn mentioned is a good budget operator in Arusha.
Gamewatchers www.porini.com (also mentioned by atravelynn) is more of a high end operator that offers group mobile camping safaris. These are camping safaris that take place on private conservancies and cost as much as a private, lodge based safari but provide a more exclusive experience.
Mar 7th, 2010, 09:37 AM
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Searching KATO is a very good idea, you will get a good product from any of the operators on their list.
My personal recomendations (both belong to KATO)for local companies that I have experienced, would be to contact
Kennedy at Waymark Safaris
[email protected]
OR
Daniel at DK Grand Safaris
[email protected]
Either of these two companies will customize a trip that suits YOUR budget and will work with you to get the best possible safari you could ever ask for - and both work with local ground operators in Tanzania so that going to both countries will flow smoothly. Either one of them can find you lodgings that will suit both you and your GF, and you will be surprised to learn that a custom private trip can be done for less than you think, and less than a group trip. Going to a local tour operator saves money as they do not have the overhead that some of the overseas companies have.
I have gone with both, and both have become our friends for life.
There are MANY more wonderful companies though in Kenya that you will find on KATO, jot down their names and then do a search in the East Africa Trip Report index on this forum for trip reports on the ones you have selected:
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm
When you get into the thread, use the jump to last reply button, that will take you to the bottom & work backwards from there for the most recent in the list.
I know this is lots of homework & reading for you - but it's worth it for your special trip of a lifetime. (of course it really isn't a trip of a lifetime because you will want to go back again and again!)
My personal recomendations (both belong to KATO)for local companies that I have experienced, would be to contact
Kennedy at Waymark Safaris
[email protected]
OR
Daniel at DK Grand Safaris
[email protected]
Either of these two companies will customize a trip that suits YOUR budget and will work with you to get the best possible safari you could ever ask for - and both work with local ground operators in Tanzania so that going to both countries will flow smoothly. Either one of them can find you lodgings that will suit both you and your GF, and you will be surprised to learn that a custom private trip can be done for less than you think, and less than a group trip. Going to a local tour operator saves money as they do not have the overhead that some of the overseas companies have.
I have gone with both, and both have become our friends for life.
There are MANY more wonderful companies though in Kenya that you will find on KATO, jot down their names and then do a search in the East Africa Trip Report index on this forum for trip reports on the ones you have selected:
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm
When you get into the thread, use the jump to last reply button, that will take you to the bottom & work backwards from there for the most recent in the list.
I know this is lots of homework & reading for you - but it's worth it for your special trip of a lifetime. (of course it really isn't a trip of a lifetime because you will want to go back again and again!)
Mar 7th, 2010, 09:50 AM
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The key is what is the OP's budget? No amount of tweaking and customization is going to bring a private trip down the to cost of a budget camping safari which runs +/-$150 per person per day in Kenya (higher in Tanzania) through a local operator.
For non-camping safaris, the equation is very different and I would agree that a private trip may not necessarily cost more than a group one.
For non-camping safaris, the equation is very different and I would agree that a private trip may not necessarily cost more than a group one.
Mar 7th, 2010, 10:04 AM
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For a private, non-camping high season (which is when you're going) safari in Kenya, $250-$300 per person per day would be a starting point (again higher in Tanzania) and it can go up a lot from there!
Mar 7th, 2010, 02:22 PM
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Yeh, it's the budget OP is working with. Entim and Rekero sure wouldn't fit that category, especially not in August and they're both closed during "low" season.
As to "overland" gather this means a driving safari between parks in Kenya and/or Tanzania with own guide/vehicle on a private basis. Using budget camping on public campsites with shared loo/shower facilities, with guide/vehicle and cook. Tents will be ample, but use of sleeping bags. If you want cots, then ask for options. For group travel, well that's another category and because of the numbers in a group will probably be more economical for OP.
The overland between both countries is done regularly via the Shuttle Bus at $35/person each way. But also Visas for both countries, along with Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same for entry to Tanzania and then back to Kenya.
Contact some of the companies listed above and also maybe 4-5 companies each country from the www.kato.com or www.tatotz.com sites for local in-country outfitters. Send the same info to all: when, where, type of accom, interests, estimated budget and then compare the offerings. Or come back here for input.
You might also want to check the Thorntree forum where budget travelers regularly post.
As to "overland" gather this means a driving safari between parks in Kenya and/or Tanzania with own guide/vehicle on a private basis. Using budget camping on public campsites with shared loo/shower facilities, with guide/vehicle and cook. Tents will be ample, but use of sleeping bags. If you want cots, then ask for options. For group travel, well that's another category and because of the numbers in a group will probably be more economical for OP.
The overland between both countries is done regularly via the Shuttle Bus at $35/person each way. But also Visas for both countries, along with Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same for entry to Tanzania and then back to Kenya.
Contact some of the companies listed above and also maybe 4-5 companies each country from the www.kato.com or www.tatotz.com sites for local in-country outfitters. Send the same info to all: when, where, type of accom, interests, estimated budget and then compare the offerings. Or come back here for input.
You might also want to check the Thorntree forum where budget travelers regularly post.
