Four of us want to spend 14-18 days in K and T. Does it make sense to choose the locations (camps) where we want to stay, and then book ourselves into the camps directly, plus book the flights? Do flights to the camps all go thru Nairobi, i.e. Nairobi/Camp A, Camp A/Nairobi, Nairobi/Camp B, Camp B/Nairobi, etc, or is it possible to fly between some camps? Veterans, share your expertise please! Is it that much more expensive to do fly ins rather than drive ins for four people plus 1 or two drivers/guides? Is it possible to drive between certain camps without a permanent driver/guide? We do not need luxury, just moderate lodgings (no budget lodgings)and a good experience. I understand that each camp includes guides who are expert in the game drives in their area.
I am proficient on the internet, and make all of our domestic and European travel arrangements ourselves, and willing to do this for Africa to save $$$.

Thanks to all!

Guides are so cheap (esp divided among 4 people) that it is well worth it to save hassle and frustration. Plus, they know the areas well and you get to look out the windows.

You may get frustrated dealing with several lodges and camps, and also making the flight bookings between all of them. An experienced travel agent can come up with a bespoke itinerary, and take the hassle away of all the bookings. Most camps will give you rack rates for bookings.

If you are flying between camps, you will need a vehicle on the ground, and each lodge/camp will supply you with a vehicle and driver/guide. So you will end up with a guide who will be extremley experienced, show you the best of that area, and most importantly keeo you safe.

It is more expensive to fly around then drive from camp to camp. An experienced agent will be able to show you the costs.

Why not tell us where you think you would like to visit (reserves/parks) and the camps/lodges at each, as well how many days. Also time of year, your projected budget, other information to help us assist you.

As above, between 4/pax, the cost of the vehicle/guide is quite reasonable, but flying is often recommended for long hauls on some nasty roads. Road travel also takes away from game viewing, often arriving at destination exhausted.

Generally, it's easier for an safari planner in your home country or an in-country outfitter to handle all arrangements, coordinating meet/greets, transfers, hotels, tours, flights, lodge/camp reservations, park fees, etc. etc.

But, do provide info as above so we can give substantive information.

If you are going only to the parks and reserves for game viewing, with four people it will be much cheaper to do a driving safari, especially if you are not being fussy about where you stay. No question. It's true that the guides based at the camp or lodge will know the area best of course, but if you are going to the popular parks and staying at the popular lodges your driver/guide should have been there dozens of times and know the areas quite well ... assuming you get a decent one of course. Plus you have a private vehicle guaranteed throughout and can go where and when you want - four people will usually get you that at the more expensive places, but often not at the mid-priced lodges.

You should certainly do your own research on the internet but for the kind of trip you are talking about I think you will find you gain nothing by doing the booking yourself.

If you are flying there is no harm in trying to book yourself - although it can be a bit frustrating - but you should also give your itinerary to a couple of local operators (or even home-based ones - no harm) to price since they will quite possibly be able to offer a better price plus throw in things like airport transfers, coordination of the border crossing if you go by road, and (importantly)suggestions or ideas.... and you can mix and match driving and flying depending on where you are going - some parks are very close together or not well served by scheduled flights and some drives are going to be very long. Driving between camps and parks using the lodge's own vehicles is possible but generally it is a relatively expensive way to go.... assuming you are not meaning self-drive,which is a whole other thing of which I have no experience in East Africa

Finally if you are not set on particular accommodation, staying at the same chain of lodges throughout your trip will save you some money - they should offer a significant discount.

There's a lot more but someone else can take over now.... many views are good.

You don't always have to fly back to Nairobi. Some parks have direct flights in between them. It depends on the specific location.

Schedules here:

www.airkenya.biz

www.safarilink.co.ke

www.tropicairkenya.com

You could also look into charters which when split between 4 people sometimes isn't that bad.

Forgot to include http://www.go-safari.com/safari_Tanzania.htm for route maps for internal Tanzania flights and links to schedules. The links I gave in the above post are for Kenya.

I am planning a trip for 3 weeks on my own, and would normally just book the hotel and flights over the Internet. However, I was quoted higher prices for the safari when I enquired directly with the camp! Don't ask me to explain that- I can't! I would say use a tour operator if only to save $.

I am still totally confused about which car I will be driving around in each day...the camp's vehicle or the safari tour opertor's? Which company's driver will I have? Where will my safari tour operator SLEEP if in fact he is to be the one driving us around all day for several days???

This is one of those things where I am just going to have to let go of my totally Type A personality traits and just go with the flow and hope things turn out. ;-)

carriev,
Are you flying or driving to each location? If driving, your tour operator provides the vehicle and guide for both your transportation between parks and your game drives and travels with you throughout. If flying, each lodge or camp provides a vehicle and guide and your game drives will be on a shared basis with other guests. There are variations and exceptions but that's generally what happens.

Most lodges and camps have driver/guide accomodations if you're arriving with your own guide. Camps usually quote rack rates if you contact them directly. Tour operators receive net rates and it's up to them how much of a discount (or not) to pass on to the client.

Hi Patty,

We booked a "safari" with a tour operator that picks us up from our hotel in Mombasa on the day we specified, we're staying at the specific camp we requested, and then we are being flown back to Mombasa. I am not sure if your tour operator just subcontracts out the pilots and someone to drive us from our hotel to the airstrip and then coordinated with the camp to have someone meet us on the other end, or if we can expect our operator to join us on the flight and bring us into camp, etc, etc. I'm not worried, I'm sure it will be an adventure. It just seems that compared to most travel I've done, the whole thing is rather opaque.

I'm really glad to hear that the camps have accomodations for drivers, that's a big relief. I would hate to think of these poor fellows sleeping in their cars while we eat and laugh the night away in some posh camp!

In that case, you'll be flying there on your own and someone from the camp will pick you up at the airstrip. The camp will also provide your game drives. The only part your tour operator will probably handle is the transfer from your hotel in Mombasa to the airport and vice versa. They won't be flying with you (that would get really expensive).

carriev, can you kindly share your itinerary and tour operator/company? this whole process is completely overwhelming, and i trust the folks on the boards more than the info in the press!