Looking for some opinions from the board. Starting to plan a group trip to Africa. The trip will be limited to 2 weeks or so. There are a few reas that I am considering visiting -- knowing that I could not visit all given my time. I am considering S Africa because it has good variety - game parks, ocean, cities, and wineries. 1) I am considering Madagascar because of the wildlife and beaches. 2) I am considering Mozambique for the beaches; 3) I am considering Tanzania and Kenya because of the the game parks, Serengetti. I would consider a ballon ride in the Serengetti. 4) If it works out -- I would love to see Victoria Falls. My questions: could I fit in 2 of these -- and if so - what opinions does the board have about any or all of these places. Thanks!

IMO, they are atleast two seperate trips....

Tanzania and Kenya could be combined with the beaches of Zanzibar in Tanzania. Also, very nice.

Victoria falls, combines well with South Africa or Botswana or Zambia. All, top Wildlife viewing areas....

Madagascar, i know nothing about....so will not comment.

Mozambique probably combines well with SA, also.....

Hari

Yup, you're looking at two different areas. Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, and the countries of Southern Africa - South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia.

If you're looking for the most variety, I would suggest Southern Africa. As you noted, there are the winelands and cities. I haven't been to Nairobi, but Arusha in Tanzania doesn't have a lot of sights, and Dar es Salaam doesn't seem to be much better. As Hari noted, but East and Southern Africa have beach/ocean possibilities.

What kind of group is it that you're putting together? Older? Younger? If younger, South Africa has lots of opportunities for adventure sports. Are the group interests general, or is there a specific focus, like birdwatching? What time of year are you looking to go? What kind of budget do you have?

From the nature of your questions, it seems like the focus is more on activities outside of wildlife observation on safari - beaches, cities, wineries, balloons, Victoria Falls. In which case, Southern Africa sounds like the best bet.

Thanks for the quick responses! I realize I cannot combine all of this into one trip (I need to quit working so I have more time!) You are kind of echoing my thoughts that South Africa may be best. The group will be a group of friends in their 40's and early 50's. Everyone is of course interested in the wildlife -- but would also like to experience the culture. We have not decided on when -- my preliminary research tells me to go in the US summer. Morequestions - How do you get to the Falls from S Africa? Also -- someone I know told me he did a walking tour in a game park in S Africa -- he felt that was the way to go. Any thoughts?

I have been to all of those destinations, but in several trips.

Madagascar is like a small continent, with much to see, and is a trip in itself.

You could easily spend two weeks in (1) Kenya and Tanzania, OR (2) South Africa, with sidetrip to Victoria Falls (there are direct flights from Johannesburg into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and maybe into Livingstone, Zambia), and if you only spend a week in SA, you'd have time for visit to beach in Moz (I believe you can fly directly from JNB to the Moz coast).

To me, they are all good options, and it really depends on your personal preferences.

Pamo:

I did the Napi Wilderness Trail in Kruger Nat. Park (South Africa) in August 2005. These Wilderness Trails are walking safaris limited to 8 people (+2 armed guides) for 3 nights. This group has a small permanent camp all to themselves, and walking or combo driving/walking trips are done from the camp in mornings and afternoons. These drives and walks are located in areas where the rest of the public are not allowed to go, so you get off the beaten path. The camps can be a bit rustic--the Napi trail camp has ensuite bathrooms, but from what I've heard the other trail camps don't, just pit toilets. However, I was very comfortable.

This walking safari was THE highlight of my trip. I love hiking, and was not about to pass up the opportunity to trek through the bush. It was fun to learn about the trees, birds, grasses, and mammals that you see, and to have roaring lions wake you up every morning. We even got a chance to be a stone's throw from a mother & baby white rhino, on foot. That gets the adrenaline flowing a little!

One thing to note--you generally don't see as many big animals on foot as you would in a car. So, you may want to do some later game drives after a possible walking safari.

More info. on the Wilderness Trails can be found at www.sanparks.org. I think some of the private game reserves also operate walking safaris.