Add'l note about "facilities" in Tanzania - I found that it was much more comfortable to squat behind a bush than use facilities, which involved squatting precariously over a very deep hole (I truthfully thought I was going to fall in at our Ngorongoro Nat'l Park stop). That said if you can't find Freshette, basic wipes or tissue will also work. Make sure to have a plastic/disposable bag handy right after you go - at one stop I saw several disposed tissues on the ground which is NOT the way to tour. After my DH or I went, the other was always waiting in the jeep with Purell at the ready.

As for operators, we used CCAfrica and loved the trip and service (flying/driving safari), though it was a few years ago now!

Another note about the rest stops in national parks on the northern circuit in Tanzania: quite a few of the women's rooms have stalls, some with holes and some with western-style toilets.

Learned this about halfway through my first safari. I was complaining about the holes to my traveling companion and she said, "What on earth are you talking about? I've used toilets everywhere we've been."

Second safari I always made it a point to find the "good" toilet.

Enjoy your trip lenlu.

Thanks for all the info everyone. It's all enlightening. I'll look into Good Earth and Born Free. I called Micato, they are telling me it's still ok to go to Kenya in mid-june. I don't know whether to go to Kenya or Tanzania now but mid-june is when we can go. Ugh. Micato is pricey $6000 for 12 days plus international air. The accomos are nice though. I'd like to customize it. Roys sent me info via email, the lodges all seem the same as everywhere...standard Serena and Sopa. The quesion now, is Kenya or Tanzania. Anyway, thanks all! I'll be posting again.

Lenlu,

Mid-June should be ok in Kenya but I'd prefer Tanzania at that time of year.

Lenlu, e-mail me at DIVEDIVE99 at aol dot com. I'll give you the details of the June Tanzania trip I've got planned through Kibo...no Serenas or Sopas, and includes a mobile tented camp. You can compare it to the other quotes you're getting. Kibo is locally owned and have their own properties, such as Ngorongoro Farmhouse and Maramboi Camp.

You will be out in the wilds - Let it
all out and drink what your body tells
you to, keep your fluids up.
Simply follow your guides advice, when
nature calls.
We booked with Kiliwarriors and they
were just great - used mostly Nomads
camps. We had no ISSUES ever, many thanks to Eben & Carol at Kiliwarriors
also to the Nomads people.

Have a wonderful African Safari - we did
and plan on returning very soon.

Strongly recommend women wear very baggy legged shorts (or skirt/shorts) so dropping drawers isn't necessary. Lived in Africa 4 years and wore long skirts when traveling distances with public transportation exactly for this reason - when the bus stops, men go on one side and women on the other. And yes, needless to say, you can't expect tissue to be provided.

I would suggest that you try to reach Africa Serendipity by email. I received a prompt response and have since booked with them for next year.

Miriam

thank you lenlu for asking this question.....I, too, was thinking about the same thing......does anyone know of any "funnel-like" products that would help with this issue?

spsand, you might want to check out the shops that sell supplies to pilots of small planes. For example, http://www.acespilotshop.com/pilot-s...ety/lady-j.htm

spsand,

www.magellans.com sells the funnels and other related products.

another device is http://freshette.com/

... or the infamous Melitta coffee filters - what I call La Funnelle! They are biodegradeable, most everyone has these in their pantry, if not they're inexpensive. You just need snip the corner and you're set. Have found that the 2-cup size works wonderfully.

What?
I leave for a week and come back to peeing thru funnels. Where are you people going that you'll need emergency pee supplies?

Sherry,
You crack me up!

I agree this is hilarious but who would have considered a coffee filter? Brilliant! And the pilot supplies, etc....Now this is the nitty gritty I'm talking about. A girl needs to know!

$4000 per person for 8 nights is outrageous! Don't book through the U.S. As someone said, you're just paying a middle man. We used Sunny Safaris - recommended in Lonely Planet Guide on Tanzania. I dealt with them purely via e-mail (with Shabbir). They were fantastic and our landcruiser was in good shape. They really worked with me on the itinerary we wanted for seven nights. We paid about $1600 per person for 7 nights at lodges - 2 nights Sopa Tarangire, 2 nights Sopa Serengeti, 2 nights Sopa Ngorongoro Crater and 1 night Serena Lake Manyara. It was just me and my husband and our awesome driver Abdul. We went in November - it was fantastic. I do think you will pay a bit more for June - it's supposed to be peak time in Tanzania but not $4000 per person. We loved it - bumpy roads and all. Sunny's trucks had the raised roof which is nice because you can stand and look out but you have some sun protection. With regards to toilets - our guide was very good about asking if we needed to go. We managed with the picnic spot toilets - I was way impressed with one of the toilets in Tarangire. The most gross ones were the ones in Ngorongoro crater. I travel with a little mini travel roll of toilet paper and we had little wipes with us every day for hand cleaning - although I am anti - antibacterial, so I tend to use an alcohol based wipe for hands.

I'm not so worried about peeing behind a bush or whatever. It's #2 that I worry about

OK....here's what we are doing with Roy Safari's in June, 2007. Cost is $4500.00 per person - no air.

They will provide new A/C cruiser/rover and will also provide either cell phone and/or sim cards for cell phone. Will advise later.

Here are the finals:

1 nt - Mt. Village Serena
1 nt - Manyara Serena
2 nt - Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
2 nt - Sergengeti Serena
3 nt - Kirawira
1 dayroom - Mt. Village Serena

Kennedy - AMS - JRO June 18, 2007
JRO - AMS - Kennedy - June 28, 2007

Business/First - KLM - 400,000 miles (AMEX).

Thanks to everyone for suggestions and web links for these products.........I am a "mature" ( older) traveler and it is my first trip to Africa. Now that i have "matured" ( gotten old) the problem is that once i squat, i can't get up.......( this is what you can look forward to) Happy Travels,