Surfmom you’re right, there aren’t many options for nonstop flights from US to Africa. Flying out of JFK makes things easier, with non-stop flights on South African, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian. But those are helpful only if you’re going to those countries. If you’re going to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, you need to connect. Connecting in Europe is more commonly done on KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa or Air France (though the latter is usually Kenya Airways from Paris). I have friends who’ve gone Qatar, Etihad, Emirates and Turkish. Turkish is quite cheap but arrives and departs middle of the night, which is awkward. It may not be possible and/or cost effective not to connect somewhere, either here or in Europe or Africa, Some destinations you just can’t get to directly.

Re: tipping...follow the guidance of your safari planner. Usually I tip the guide, driver and spotter (whoever I have with me) plus a group tip per day for camp/lodge staff. ALWAYS tip in local currency. It’s unfair to pass off the currency conversion cost to them and they don’t often get to big cities where they can convert the money themselves.

Thursdaysd— I’ve had a few different experiences. Not all camps charge a single supplement at all (Offbeat Mara does not, I’ve been there twice). Some camps do but my safari planner has managed to get it waived due to their relationship with the camps. And sometimes I just pay it. It varies from 1/4 to 1/2 of the per person per night cost. That doesn’t mean I get my own vehicle though. It’s just making up for the fact that I’m taking up a tent that they could be getting twice what I’m paying for it. There is a family of camps in Kenya and Tanzania, Serian, who give every party their own vehicle/guide but that’s reflected in their price.

So far though, when I’ve gone alone, most of the experiences of sharing with other guests have been fine. Most places I’ve been only put 4 in a vehicle, so I end up with another couple and that’s it. Once I ended up with a family with young boys, which was awesome, they were great kids. I’ve had maybe 10 game drives that were just me and my guides due to guests coming and going. On my last safari I was with a retired brother and sister duo who were amazing people. We bonded pretty quickly and were all a soggy mess when we said goodbye after 5 days; still close on Facebook and hoping to meet up sometime this year. Only once did it really stink and that was a young twenty-something and her parents. They were fine but she was very entitled and demanded to sleep in when we (her parents and I) wanted to do a pre-dawn ride. She demanded to be picked up at 8:30, which limited how far away from camp we could go before we had to turn around to go back for her. Her parents were embarrassed and didn’t want to go back for her, but the guide insisted to keep her happy. When I settle into a camp, I let the camp manager know what I’m interested in, and what I’m not, so they don’t pair me with a bunch of birders or reptile fans and will know I expect to be out before sunrise and back after dark. So far, that’s worked out fine for me in terms of interests.

All said, I wouldn’t let the single supplement or vehicle sharing stop you at all. You can find more affordable camps or work with a safari planner who knows how to work around them.

Thanks, amyb. That's encouraging.