Aknards,

I would second Sandi's positive comments on traveling alone in Africa. Very easy and solo travel, especially in an area of natural beauty and wildlife, has its advantages.

Here is ShayTay’s last report on East Africa, if you are leaning toward that part of the continent or thinking about joining ShayTay and her group. While East Africa does have more people than Botswana, it is not NYC! A good guide can avoid crowds.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35030033


Regarding mobiles in Botswana…

The only mobile I’ve done in Botswana was through Wilderness. It was an itinerary no longer offered, but here are current itineraries from Wilderness, along with their much more expensive permanent camps.

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com

The Wilderness mobiles are under Explorations.

Here is a report that included a Wilderness mobile.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35089092

Here are some more on a Wilderness mobiles.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821348

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34928477

This is from Linhelen who sent me an email on Capricorn. I think Wilderness Travel in California uses them (or used them) as their ground operator for mobile camping.
"...experienced travelers and I couldn't have wanted for better company. We were all in synch. ..."

http://capricornsafaris.com/index.html

" ...and they do a good job of stating their philosophy and what they do. The guide was excellent and the hardworking camp staff (6) were very nice as well. I was with only 3 other people, a fellow from Glasgow who had done this trip with the same company over 10(!) times and a couple (she was French and he was English..."

Masson safaris described
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34684546

Gametrails Botswana
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34701244

Uyaphi has a useful website. This mobile was discussed once. I don’t know if anyone has gone on it and reported back.

http://www.uyaphi.com/safaris/bots/authenticsafari.htm

I think ccAfrica does mobiles in Botswana too.

http://www.ccafrica.com/expeditions/bots.asp

General discussion of mobiles
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34866915

Thanks for providing that link, Lynn. My reports aren't as interesting as yours, but I'll keep trying! I know any of those ladies would be happy to talk to Aknards about our safari. Given that she said she was interested in traveling with a group, I thought I'd offer. I like nothing better than traveling through Africa with friends, old and new. My first safari was in Kenya and it's time to return.

Sharon
divedive99 at aol dot com

You will have a great time wherever you choose to go!

That said, I would like to throw in my two cents to consider Zambia. It is in southern Africa, next door to Botswana and is a less expensive than Botswana with a similar experience. The South Luangwa is a great park with several excellent camps. Additionally, there is the Lower Zambezi which has water activities because it is on the river.

Several people on this board have done mobile tented safaris in Botswana and they sound great. It is a way to see this country and keep the cost down as several of the camps are very expensive -- $700 and up a night per person during the season. I believe one company does not charge single supplements but I am not sure which one.

In Southern Africa there is a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season is less expensive. For a first timer, I would think the dry season is a better time to go. This would be July through October with the cooler temperatures in July and the hottest temperatures(100 or more during the day) in October -- but there is very low humidity which helps a bit -- I am not a heat person so I prefer August when the afternoons are 80's and mornings are 50-60's.

I have been twice -- to Botswana the first time and Zambia the second. Would go back to either in a heartbeat. I would also consider South Africa. For health reasons I will never go to Eastern Africa so I can't speak to that.

We have yet to see Rhino so the next trip will try to be somewhere where there is the chance of them. And as wonderful as lions are, the leopards have my heart!

Good luck with your planning. It really can be overwhelming. We have just planned a trip similar to the one you're interested in for this June. We will spend two nights in Victoria Falls, and two nights in each of three game parks in Botswanna with an optional three night extension to Capetown afterwards. I'd be glad to give you more details, if you're interested.

I have really enjoyed reading this post. It is exactly where I am in my dreams of going to Africa on a safari. I have so many questions !!

I would love for the original poster to contact me at my email [email protected]. I also live in Greensboro and would love to compare notes.

Just a brief update on my current situation. In one weeks time, I met numerous African veterans, all willing to graciously share their experiences and expertise. I also met three individuals all willing to include me in their safari plans. At this time, I am seriously considering the September Kenya safari being planned by shaytay. As a first timer, it's hard to resist Sharon's tight planning, efficiency and level of professionalism. It's very reassuring to know I'll be in good hands. My decision will be made by the first of the year. To be continued...

aknards,
I've enjoyed reading your thread. You have really gotten good advice. I've been to Africa five times, most recently Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia this September. This was a trip planned for my husband and me by our Africa specialist.

However, as a solo traveler, you might want to look at package trips put together by Zoos. I've been with Zoo Atlanta on two weeks in Kenya/Tanzania. Great trip in agroup of 16. Excellent guide and good value. I know that the North Carolina Zoo puts together two-week all-inclusive trips as well -- I think you said you live in NC. [So do I.] I've not taken the NC Zoo trips to Africa, but did go to Churchill with them to see polar bears -- that was a very well done and great trip.
I'll keep following your progress!
Samcat

Hello everyone and Happy New Years Eve! I just wanted to update all of you who were so incredibly helpful and generous with your time. I've decided to accept ShayTay/Sharon's offer to join her group to Kenya in September.

As many of you pointed out, in choosing where to go in Africa there are no wrong decisions. And, as a first timer, the benefits of Sharon's expertise, planning and friendship seemed invaluable. So, it's Kenya this first go-around...and Botswana, Zim, etc. for trips two, three, and four.

More updates in the new year. A happy, healthy, peaceful one to you all!

Sounds like a great idea. Have a wonderful trip!

I'm looking forward to traveling with a fellow Fodorite! It's always interesting to see that the bulk of the travelers I see in Africa are women. Is it just me, or do the rest of you notice that, as well?

Acknards, Shaytay,

Have a wonderful time. This Forum worked out great for both of you.

First time posting, first safari trip....
Author: Ve
Date;1/12/08, 10:54 pm

Just read aknards post and I was amazed at the similarities over our trips, personal info, etc. and, upon further reading, glad she joined Shay Tay.

I've been on this Forum for weeks and weeks and it has helped me at least to figure out where I want to go and for how long, what my budget will be and what I want to do. I've even started getting my shots before I've even booked, that's how dedicated I am in taking this trip.

I would like to go in Sept. 08 to Tanzania with Zanzibar after the safaris for approx. 14 days total and hope my international airfare can be included in all of it. My budget's about $7,000 and I'm also traveling solo. Want to get in on a ton of safari's so I can photograph the wildlife, would prefer a mixture of lodges and tent camping, just as long as any tent I stay in has bathroom facilities,and I'm in good health and don't mind some short hikes, plus I can run fast if need be.

My biggest dilemma right now is what tour company to choose (betcha you've heard this before). I'm in touch with 4 now and not that crazy about most of their itineraries, some being not so informative.

Going through some brochures and surfing the Internet, I've noticed that some companies include international airfares in their price quotes, say perhaps on a 14 day trip. That means that at least 2 out of those 14 days are spent in the air.....am I right? Then there are other companies that just provide the tour, not including international airfair so you don't lose any of your trip time flying...am I right again?

I'm sort of leaning towards trying some companies again with a better explanation of what I'd like to do and work on my own airfare. Some have offered to come up with an airfare just about equal to Expedia or one of those types of companies. Do they get good airfares for you also?

After being on Fodor's Forum so much I noticed how much Shay Tay, atravelynn, Sandi, Kavey, hguy47, plus many more, are always helping out newbies like myself.

I've traveled a lot all over Europe by myself, but trying to plan a safari is totally different and a lot more difficult than I'd planned on, especially choosing what tour company to go with. Would like to finalize choosing a company before January ends but I guess I'm just not sure how to express myself to the tour companies in what I'd like to do once I get to Tanzania. As for Zanzibar, I don't think I'll have difficulty in finding things to do. After all, how hard is it to lay on the beach, snorkel and beach comb ? Just finding it hard to express what I want to do, don't know locations/names of lodges and/or camps I'd like because there are soooo many to choose from.

Any help for you regulars will be great. Signing off for now...Ve

Ve -

Can I suggest you start a new thread for your trip, with own title, using the above post to introduce your situation. This way you and aknards won't be competing for space in what will become a very long thread.

You'll then be able to monitor your own with our replies and your continuing questions and progress.

I agree with Sandi; start your own thread and we'll help you out. September is usually better in Kenya for the Migration. All of us going to Kenya are watching the situation there, but I'm hopeful that the situation there will be resolved soon.

One question you'll want to consider is if you want to travel alone, or with a group. I enjoy having friends, old and new, along with which to share the experience.

bookmarking

Bookmarking

Now Aknards is back and can advice instead of seek it.

aknards
I was in a similar quandry it seems not a month ago.
the first thing i did was go to the bookstore. here i found fodors the complete african safari planner. it was very helpful.
next i set up a budget.
my choices for destinations were either Tanzania or Botswana after reading the book. Then i did the internet search, looking at the different tour operators and seeing what they offered in terms of itineraries. what types of accomodations they were in, etc.
i still had a hard time deciding between East and southern africa.

that helped me narrow down my search alot.

I am doing this trip with my son for his college graduation- a trip we have dreamt of since he was 5 (so i am not going alone) but hey, its my son, not exactly the only one i want to spend my time with. (and i got him to make the Tanzania/Botswana decision. which he did by deciding on Victoria Falls (so therefore Botswana)

This site is WONDERFUL ask a million questions as everyone is so helpful.

But i do think that there is no wrong destination. you just need to organize some of your priorities.

i would defintely take a look at the State dept website, to check out areas you will feel safe in (that is different for everyone)

anyway what happened with me is that in sending out a few email queries to companies i had a various people setting up sample trips for me.
after looking at them, and speaking to a few operators, asking the million questions i did here, and consulting with some friends,i eventually decided on my dream trip.

And yes it was totally overwhelming at first, but coming to this site is a great first step.

and enjoy the process, learning ALL about afirca is going to be fun.

to recap
1. plan a budget
2. decide what are the most important things for you
3. read various trip reports here of places you think you might be interested in going
4. ask more questions as you go along
5. consider purchasing the safari planner book- it was much simpler to start with then a huge book on each country.

good luck, relax, enjoy, and i look forward to hearing of your progress
amy

ok so I AM AN IDIOT
i will no longer just read the first couple of posts, but go to the bottom,
so this site was just being marked, aha. i didn't read the top date all that closely, i just thought, hey maybe my recent expeiences could Help someone, rather than being the one always asking the questions

We're all idiots, amy, in one way or another... But your advice is nonetheless pertinent and relevant.