Machis

Hi,

I need help at a VERY early stage of planning my Africa trip. I'll have about 3 weeks in November and I was thinking about three countries - Kenya (flying to), Namibia, Zambia (flying out of). I know this is awfully short for all three so can someone help me out -- is this at all possible and how/where should I start planning this trip.

I realize how vague this is, but if you could point me out to the right direction, I'd really appreciate it!

Txs, M

Machis

SORRY - made a mistake - the three countries are Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia...

atravelynn

<b>Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia</b>

Why these 3 places or better yet, what do you want from your trip? When you state what you want out of your trip, maybe you don't need 3 countries.

Assuming you end up with these 3 countries, you'll want an Africa specialist in East and Southern Africa. Some that have been used by Fodorities are

Africa Adventure (USA)
Go2Africa (SA)

You could split between two agents, one for East, one for Southern. If that's what you prefer, more agent recommendations can be given.

Check this chart to see the best places to visit in November for wildlife viewing:

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

A suggestion for 16 days on the ground in Africa, allowing 5 days international travel if needed:

3 days: Masai Mara (November is not the best time for the rest of Kenya)

1 day: transit if needed, maybe spend day in Arusha visiting a village or Arusha Nat park, if time.

2 days: Ngorongoro Crater

4 days: Northern Serengeti

1 day: transit

5 days: Some walking in South Luangwa in the Mfuwe section. Also regular game drives and night drives. You could split your stay at two of many camp options there. You could also include a night at Kawaza Village, a village that accepts visitors as guests. I did and it was wonderful. Or you could do just a day visit.

Please post again as your trip develops.

dssxxxx

3 countries in 3 weeks is a lot of traveling.

Better yet, is 2 countries in 3 weeks and with the schedule you have posted, it's a tremendous amount of driving.

You are flying in and driving for approx. 3 weeks and flying out. I could see your itinerary working if you had about 4 or 5 more flights included, but it is still a lot to do, in such a short time.

Bwino

Hello, you really need to first decide what you want to experience during the three weeks, animals, people, culture, landscapes, beaches, bush, cities, villages, driving, walking and on and on the list could go. Once you know the what the where will be much easier. I am an Australian who is currently living and working in Zambia and I was married on Zanzibar off Tanzania so know a little about those countries - they are both wonderful, though different in many ways.

jasher

Hello,

Like the other people who have posted here, I think this is a pretty ambititous itinerary -- it's certainly possible, but I think you might enjoy yourself more if you decide on two countries.

In November, I'd recommend concentrating on Tanzania in East Africa rather than doing both Tanzania and Kenya if you want to see the Great Migration -- the big herds will most likely have moved over to the Serengeti by then. On my last trip at the end of October about half of the animals had started heading south (though the odd rain pattern did result in a lot of to and fro-ing...wildebeest are not the most decisive of creatures).

You would then have two countries, Tanzania and Zambia, which would make your trip more manageable and give you more time to experience both countries.

Assuming 21 days in Africa, you might look at doing something like this:

Fly into Arusha. Overnight Arusha x1.
Lake Manyara x2-3
Ngorongoro Crater x2
Fly to Northern Serengeti. Northern Serengeti x4
Return to Arusha and connect down to Joburg. Overnight either Arusha or Joburg x1
Fly from Joburg to Lusaka and South Luangwa. South Luangwa x5
Lower Zambezi x5
Fly out of either Joburg or Lusaka.

Cheers,
Julian

mkhonzo

I could be wrong, but recall seeing a KQ plane on the apron at Lusaka airport, which would make achieveing Kenya and Zambia possible.

From Zambia you could drive to Katima and fly from there to Windhoek and onward. Not sure what your exit plan would be from there, check out air Namibia to Europe.....or head to SA and take one of many from there.

Machis

Thanks so much for your replies! In the meantime I have decided to concentrate on Tanzania with possible trips to Zanzibar and Victoria Falls.

A few questions here:
- 3 weeks in Tanzania: too much? I don't want to simply go from a safari to another safari - would like to see as much diversity as possible.
- Flights: is it possible to buy plane tickets (for travel inside Tanzania) online? I saw there are 3 air companies, but can you tell me which is most reliable?
- Zanzibar: only pretty beaches or there's more to it? Is it possible to rent a car and drive around the island?

That's all for now. Again - thanks for all the help you offer!!!

Machis

atravelynn

I'll reply to only Question #1

Three weeks is not too much, especially if you include both the Northern Circuit (Arusha, Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, maybe visit Bushmen at Lake Eyasi) and the Southern Circuit (Mahale with chimps, Katavi, Ruaha, Selous). Not that you'd go to each one of these places.

There are some interesting activities at Lake Manyara like canoeing and walking that you could do also.

If you are heading to Victoria Falls, then Chobe in Botswana is very close, Hwange in Zimbabwe is close. If you are on the Zambian side, then you are a plane ride from the Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa.