africalover

hi, what would a private vehicle with a good driver guide cost, per day in the mara and serengeti.................

cary999

Interesting question, I'd like to know also. Answer may depend a lot on what type of vehicle it is. And may be further complicated by whether we are talking about Mara/Kenya or Serengeti/Tanzania.

My understanding that (public?) driving in Tanzania requires an enclosed vehicle, like a mini-van. While driving in and private reserves can be open Land Rover type. Same for Kenya? I'd like a clarification/correction of this. Because, although I've never been on a game drive with a mini-van, I'm sure I'd prefer an open Land Rover. So to have a Land Rover (type) best way is to fly between camps? Which would also mean using the camp's vehicle and guide. (Like we did in 2006 at Little Governors Mara/Kenya).

regards - tom

kimburu

$300-500 a day maybe.... would depend on the resume though, and how much Disney were/are paying. You should put all your posts together as they are basically parts of the same question.....

Your time investment = so little you don't even bother with caps
Tom's (wasted, by no fault of his own) = considerably more

cary999

KB - thanks for acknowledgment re caps, I agree 110%. Writer shows lack of consideration for reader.

So, $300-$500 a day - per person, 2 minimum? Whichever, more $$$ than I expected. I had a quote from Roy Safaris for 14 days in TZ in Feb of 2009 (didn't go) was about $400 per person (2 us) per day with private guide, vehicle and staying at well know here camps/lodges

What about all my (wasted ) verbiage re enclosed or open vehicle. Any clarification of that (couldn't be more confusing )?

regards - tom

kimburu

No, Tom. I'm talking about getting a private guide who specialises in the Mara and has his own vehicle. Like a freelancer - just vehicle and guide. Any costs on top of that. That's why I said it depends on resume - someone really well known would be sure to cost more (no idea how much). I'm thinking about the guys who spot for Big Cat Diary and work with other filmmakers, and who also have regular clients, then maybe do relief guiding for some camps too and maybe guide for the photographic tours. That's why I commented - my understanding is that this is a guide to help track the migration and so a local expert, but that's deduced from other posts and threads. Didn't really mean to be too heavy on the poster. And I could be totally wrong about the question of course.

Your quoted rates for the normal thing would still apply I think, plus or minus.

cary999

Thanks KB. If one wanted to find such freelance guide, how would one go about it?

regards - tom

africalover

Well, well, well, kimburu, is really mad at me it looks, no idea, why ?.............

Anyways, I would be interested in booking a free lance guide, same question as tom, how do u locate such a guide

cary999

AL - That you're now using cap letters as in common business English, makes us, KB and me both happy

regards - tom

kimburu

@ africalover... I'm never mad, just grumpy - it is much cuter.

I really don't know how to find them except by meeting them or one of their former employers! Ask the BBC or Disney? I have two names I have kept for future use, if I can find their cards, but it doesn't really seem like the most reliable way to do it from your side - especially since I am grumpy today. ;-)

kimburu

Oh... and I was emphasising the putting of all the related threads together in one place, rather than the capitals. The caps was just a grumpy illustration.

spassvogel

It's practically a rented car from NBO or at camp.

At camp it sets you back between 220 and 450 US$/car up to 6 pax - from NBO it's the rental fee plus driver which might be a taxi driver but no guide.

Elizabeth_S

We had a fantastic guide in the Serengeti who is on contract to Nomad Tanzania but also works as a freelancer - if you would like his contact information email me at

eseibertca AT yahoo DOT ca

Link to our blog with pics of him/his vehicle

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/a...ater-and-area/

sandi

I can't advise price, but do consider whomever it maybe, they have to be able to transit thru both countries. For transit on Kenyan/Tanzanian roads, vehicles have to be closed, but these don't necessarily have to be metal... can be with roll-down covers over windows (gotta protect from the dirt, dust, gravel that kicks up). Once in parks/reserves, the sides can be rolled up. So depends on type of vehicle such guide might have. Then you have to consider, besides their daily fee, there's the vehicle/petrol/insurance, room/board, park fees, etc.

Any particular reason you're seeking a private guide?

Believe your last post indicated you planned on only visiting in Kenya. If so, the individual camps/guides are well equipped to provide the services needed.

... it might really be better if you did keep all posts about this one trip in one thread. It's just easier for those of us following your progress and attempting to help to have all issues/questions in one place instead of jumping from thread-to-tread.

kimburu

If you really want to give it a go, if he's available here is one who can probably do or arrange what you want and will be fine with me posting a link here.... and I'm also unlikely to get into trouble for "recommending" him later as he's a lot more credible than me. Not sure on pricing, but he swore he's not as expensive as he looks. www... dot... chemoset-adventures... dot...com/Torsbio.html