recommendations for first Africa safari?

Old Jul 19th, 2017, 12:53 PM
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recommendations for first Africa safari?

A friend and I would like to plan a trip to Africa with a small group tour company. Our priority is wildlife viewing. Because of vacation schedules, we'll have to travel in September or October 2018. We're torn between Tanzania/Kenya and Botswana. Tanzania gives us the option of a few days in Zanzibar, which sounds intriguing, but Botswana offers the opportunity of Victoria Falls. Can anyone offer any information that might help us choose?

We would like to travel with a small group tour company. I've done trips with Odysseys Unlimited (Turkey and Peru) and have had excellent experiences. My friend's sister has traveled with Gate1 to Africa and was pleased. I'd appreciate any information, including recommendations of and/or warnings against other companies.

We're in the 50-60 age range, not into the extreme roughing it backpacker-style travel (I've dug my own latrines in the past, and I'm over it), but also not inclined to whine if the accommodations don't have a spa and the cuisine isn't five-star.

Thanks much!

Emily
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 01:54 AM
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VF are not at their peak flow at that time of year. I've been in October and for one thing, the heat was almost unbearable at the Falls. (over 100F)

What kind of budget do you have?

Botswana is considered a very expensive safari destination, with even "classic" camps costing $US1,ooo per person per night in some areas.

What about South AFrica? That would be my pick. I've made four safari trips now and for my fifth will certainly be returning to the Kruger/SabiSands area of SA. Easy to combine with CapeTown.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 05:36 AM
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We had a wonderful safari in the Northern Circuit if Tanzania arranged by tour operator EASY TRAVEL.
I was surprised to learn that, with just 4 people, a private safari was less expensive than joining a group. If you can get 2 other people to go with you, a private safari is a wonderful option.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 07:44 AM
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Yes, absolutely consider a private safari.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 10:36 AM
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Thanks! Unfortunately, I don't think we can scrape up anyone else to go with us. Is a private safari out of the question with only two people?

In terms of budget -- the group trips we've been looking at run $8000-$10000 per person, airfare from east coast US included. (Wow, that's a lot of money, but we can manage it for a "bucket list" trip.)

Sorry to be so vague, but I'm in the very early stages of planning.

Thanks for the heads-up on Victoria Falls. Knowing that it's not at its best during our probable time frame will make me less regretful about not seeing it.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 11:31 AM
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Flamingfish, I just did two weeks (12 nights actually) in Kenya and Rwanda and didn't come close to $8000, and it was just me and my best friend on private safari. I'd give Kenya a look. It's affordable and quick to get to from the east coast (comparatively speaking). I've used Gamewatchers to book one of my safaris with the Porini camps and have also booked direct with Offbeat Safaris, which had a package for pay for 5 nights, stay for 6, including airfare to the Mara from Nairobi and transfers in Nairobi. I can't recommend the Offbeat camps highly enough. Especially in the Mara, they gave me the best of my 3 safaris in Kenya so far, everything was just perfect. The best thing about private safari is being able to do what YOU want and not what a group wants. I like to specialize in the big cats, don't care so much for birds or reptiles, so that's what I get to do by going the private route. You can also linger or not at a sighting as you wish, which is important if you're waiting for a chase/kill to happen or waiting for lions to wake up from a nap!
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 05:51 PM
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I think a private safari for 2 people will cost less than $10000 per person.
Before we found EASY TRAVEL, the group trip I liked best was by Road Scholar.
Contact some TOs to see what they can offer you.
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 02:36 AM
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Just contact a travel agent, or three, in the countries that interest you.

Private safari does not have to cost more than a group trip.

No South Africa and if not, why not?
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