2015 Family Safari Tanzania Questions
 

Finally the grandkids are old enough to accompany us to Africa and we are looking at a multi-generational safari. The kids will be 8, 9, and 10 and are experienced travelers. We are leaning toward the Family Tanzania Safari offered by Abercrombie and Kent and wonder if anyone has any experience with them. Accommodations for this safari are all Serena - which, if memory serves me, are a step above Sopa.

I would love to hear thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations. Thanks!!

Even if using Serena Lodges, A&K is way overpriced for their offerings. And you should definitely have some tented camps at which to stay and which are very safe. For what you'd be paying A&K (of late not getting very good reviews), you can do better on the routing and type of accommodations. You'd do better using a local in-country outfitter to handle arrangements for your safari than overpaying for a very ordinary safari.

On the Trip Advisor site, www.tripadvisor.com/forums - select Africa, select Tanzania. At the FAQs on the TNZ page, bullet #4 to the right is a list of reputable in-country outfitters you might wish to contact for bids.

I agree with Sandi that you can do better than A&K's packaged safari in lodges. Tented camps are much better for safaris. The Wild Source in Colorado now has their own outfitting company in Tanzania and I'd highly recommend them (used them for 4 safaris so far.) Contact Bill Given there for a proposal. His partner and lead guide Deo is great with kids and Deo's son is also one of their guides.

We had a wonderful safari arranged by Easy Travel. They were a pleasure to work with from start to finish. We were able to tailor an itinerary to our wishes, interests, and lodging preferences. I can't recommend them highly enough. If you get Emmilian as a guide, you'll be very lucky/.

There's a long threat on Trip Advisor telling how disappointed many have been with A&K tours. Noticed someone added to that thread today (or yesterday) with another negative report. Suggest you read thru.

And, know that are many US based and/or in-country outfitters who can provide a better product with great savings probably about 1/3rd or more less.

Thanks, sandi, ShayTay, and abram. I've looked at Trip Advisor, but will go back and look at the latest thread on A&K. We'll also take a look at The Wild Source and Easy Travel. We want an experience that will be amazing for the kids and enjoyable for the parents and grandparents. My husband and I went on an amazing safari to Tanzania. When our grandson was 2 he loved to look at our photos and asked us if we'd take him to Africa someday - and the time has come.

I'll keep researching. I really appreciate your input. Thank you all!

Nevermind, I have built many safaris for families to travel in Southern and Eastern Africa and I represent a very reputable local outfitter based there. I agree with all above. Your itinerary should be customized to your interests and style of travel and be fitted to the ages of those traveling. "Canned" itineraries really aren't the way to go. We also have some private specialist guides who can really raise the bar for your safari experience regardless of where you stay if that's of interest. There is nothing like experiencing the African Bush through the eyes of children. It adds to an already very moving experience. If you'd like some specific suggestions, please contact me. My email is in my profile. Enjoy and happy planning! Dianne, Africa Direct USA.

Thanks, Dianne. I've given your info to my daughter, who has taken over the planning process. We are all excited and looking forward to Africa 2015!

Also contact our very own sandi - http://www.africaserendipity.com/

regards - tom

Thank you, Tom. I've given the info to my daughter. She's busily investigating Africa options.

Serena is a chain of big-sized lodges throughout East Africa which cater for mid-marcket package holidays. Their concept recalls a conventional hotel in the middle of the bush. I would not say they are bad, I just say you can find smaller and more intimate properties with more of a safari feeling. I would not say Serena stands above Sopa: Rooms at Sopa Lodges are much bigger than at Serena, then it depends on each specific hotel. Ngorongoro Sopa is much better than Ngorongoro Serena, while Serengeti Serena may be better than Serengti Sopa, you can't generalize. As per the Serengeti I suggest to try one of the small luxury tented camps for an unforgettable bush experience. A&K sells its brand, they are overpriced and you can get far better value for money from smaller safari companies. My family and I (4 of us, including 2 kids of 6 and 10) had a fantastic safari during migration season in Southern Serengeti last January with www.safaricrewtanzania.com . check out with them.
Cheers,
Oliver