I've signed up for a 10 day Kili trek with Thomson Safaris in Sept 2013 and could use some help with the rest of my intinerary. I have about four weeks all together and want to visit the mountain gorillas and Victoria Falls (with a couple of days at Chobe.) Since it seems like most flights to Vic Falls originate in Johannesburg, thought I'd try to visit Capetown as well. Any suggestions on which order to do those in? I'll be flying in from Florida. Thanks!!

Unless you're really really keen on CPT and Vic Falls, why not consider an all East African safari? With the Kili climb and the mountain gorillas, your timing is perfect to try and catch the wildebeest migration. 10 days trek, 4 days gorillas, and 10 days on an EA wildlife safari and then a few days of R & R on the shores of Lake Tanganyika with the chimps? Of course, I am talking to you like there is no budget, but I think you can still do something reasonable with something like this.

Happy planning!

That would simplify things, but I did safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro a few years ago so was hoping to visit Vic Falls this time around, just didn't realize the difficulty getting there until recently. I'll certainly keep your suggestion in mind! Planning is nearly as much fun as going! Any recommendations on booking the gorilla trip? That's a must, I'm pretty flexible on the rest. Thanks!

We recently returned from a visit with the gorillas in June with Classic Africa Safaris in Rwanda accompanied by our excellent guide, Robert. We stayed the first night at the Kigali Serena, the next two nights at Gorilla Mt. View Lodge and then back to the Kigali Serena. We were greeted in Kigali by Stella Wadulo, the general manager based in Kigali. We could not have been more pleased--it was a wonderful experience.

classicuganda.com

I will be happy to answer any questions.
Have fun planning.

4 weeks of which almost 2 are spent on the kili. You need a few days for the gorillas a well, which is cool: Rwanda is often combined with Tanzania. But with less than two weeks left; why travel so far for more safari. The Vic Falls are not that special imho.

If I were you, I'd throw in more nice things that can be done in east-Africa. Like see the chimps in Mahale, see the Serengeti + Ngorongoro, and do a walking safari in Empakai crater.

Ciao,

J.

I end to agree that combining Vic Falls isn't going to make sense- I'd stay in East Africa.

If you've done Serengeti + Crater before, how about checking out the Southern Circuit?

You could fly to Zanzibar for a few days rest after your Kili climb, then on to Selous (you can fly direct from ZNZ) and Ruaha, and maybe Mahale and Kataivi (these last 2 will be expensive) then back to Dar for a return flight home.

Thanks so much all, I'm convinced that staying in East Africa is the way to go. You've thrown out some intriguing names - time to start researching and reading trip reports! Fodorites are the best; always so helpful!
Irene

Irene - looks like you've already decided, but I agree about staying in E. AFrica. I visited Vic Falls last year, but that was because I was going to Botswana, so easy to do. The falls are beautiful, but personally I don't think worth a trip from Kili just to see them. Have fun!

Thanks Cateyes555! I'll just have to plan another trip to Africa in a few more years and see them then! There are so many amazing places in the world to visit - and never enough time (or money) for traveling!
Irene