July 2007: Botswana or Tanzania, 1st-Timers?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 05:14 PM
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July 2007: Botswana or Tanzania, 1st-Timers?
Hello! My husband and I are unable to decide whether to visit Botswana or Tanzania this July and we are seeking advice of veteran Africa travelers. Our previous trip of a lifetime was to Galapagos! I am now a cancer survivor and wish to see Africa.
1. Am I correct in thinking that advantages of Botswana in July include: dry season makes viewing game easier (come to water holes, vegetation drops leaves), less insect activity, open safari vehicles, lots of elephants, & intimate canoe experiences with local guides?
2. Am I correct in thinking that advantages of Tanzania include: more dramatic scenery & greater variety of wildlife?
3. I am not fond of flying; would a Botswana safari mean more ground transportation? (I'm also leaning away from a Tanzania trip that requires flying in or out of Nairobi for reasons discussed elsewhere.)
4. In July (our only time to go, I'm a teacher), what is the wildlife viewing in Tanzania like?
5. Has anyone had good experiences with either Wilderness Travel or Mt. Sobek Travel?
Thanks a million! I've become very excited about Africa just be visiting the Forum and reading your postings!!!
1. Am I correct in thinking that advantages of Botswana in July include: dry season makes viewing game easier (come to water holes, vegetation drops leaves), less insect activity, open safari vehicles, lots of elephants, & intimate canoe experiences with local guides?
2. Am I correct in thinking that advantages of Tanzania include: more dramatic scenery & greater variety of wildlife?
3. I am not fond of flying; would a Botswana safari mean more ground transportation? (I'm also leaning away from a Tanzania trip that requires flying in or out of Nairobi for reasons discussed elsewhere.)
4. In July (our only time to go, I'm a teacher), what is the wildlife viewing in Tanzania like?
5. Has anyone had good experiences with either Wilderness Travel or Mt. Sobek Travel?
Thanks a million! I've become very excited about Africa just be visiting the Forum and reading your postings!!!
Feb 22nd, 2007, 05:29 PM
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Botswana would include lots of flying...typically you fly from camp to camp....short flights in small cessnas.
If you want true Botswana dry season....try August to October....Although as you get into October will be getting hot.
Tanzania, the others will give you better answers than i can!
Hari
If you want true Botswana dry season....try August to October....Although as you get into October will be getting hot.
Tanzania, the others will give you better answers than i can!
Hari
Feb 22nd, 2007, 05:51 PM
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As a cancer survivor you deserve a trip of a lifetime to anywhere you want. Africa is a good choice. I agree that Galapagos qualifies as a trip of a lifetime and that Africa does too.
I’ve been to both Tanzania and Botswana in July.
1. Yes you are right. The boat is likely a mekoro or small motorboat, but that's semantics.
Those same things apply to Tanzania in July except open vehicles in most cases. You can canoe in Arusha and Lake Manyara, I believe. Tarangire is good for elephants in July.
2. Maybe more dramatic in Tanzania because of the Ngorongoro Crater. Otherwise they are both equally beautiful. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is unmatched. The vastness of the Serengeti is unique. Tarangire in Tanzania has those baobab trees, but you can see them in Botswana too. The Kalahari in Botswana is its own ecosystem. I don't think Tanzania has a greater variety of wildlife species but the huge migrating herds mean there are more animals. Mahale has chimps, not found in Botswana.
3. Not fond of flying means Tanzania. Flying is required for much of Botswana but not Tanzania. You can avoid Nairobi, but I would only make that decision because it cuts a travel day or because you can get better airfares, not because of safety. KLM flies to/from Tanzania.
4. July--I would opt for as early in July as you can for Tanzania. How about late June?
Here are some links that explain the migration.
http://www.ultimateafrica.com/Wildebeest_migration.html
http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/lodges/serengeti.html
You would want Western and/or Central Serengeti in July.
5. Both of those agents are established and respected. I recall a favorable Wilderness Fodors report a few years ago on Zambia. Using an African specialist is recommend by most of us, as opposed to a general travel provider like Wilderness or Sobek. I’ll look at the Botswana and Tanzania itineraries offered by these and make some comments in a future post.
Two other comments—The average Botswana itinerary is far more expensive than the average Tanzania itinerary. For this July, things are filling up in both places, but Botswana camps book sometimes a year in advance.
I’ve been to both Tanzania and Botswana in July.
1. Yes you are right. The boat is likely a mekoro or small motorboat, but that's semantics.
Those same things apply to Tanzania in July except open vehicles in most cases. You can canoe in Arusha and Lake Manyara, I believe. Tarangire is good for elephants in July.
2. Maybe more dramatic in Tanzania because of the Ngorongoro Crater. Otherwise they are both equally beautiful. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is unmatched. The vastness of the Serengeti is unique. Tarangire in Tanzania has those baobab trees, but you can see them in Botswana too. The Kalahari in Botswana is its own ecosystem. I don't think Tanzania has a greater variety of wildlife species but the huge migrating herds mean there are more animals. Mahale has chimps, not found in Botswana.
3. Not fond of flying means Tanzania. Flying is required for much of Botswana but not Tanzania. You can avoid Nairobi, but I would only make that decision because it cuts a travel day or because you can get better airfares, not because of safety. KLM flies to/from Tanzania.
4. July--I would opt for as early in July as you can for Tanzania. How about late June?
Here are some links that explain the migration.
http://www.ultimateafrica.com/Wildebeest_migration.html
http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/lodges/serengeti.html
You would want Western and/or Central Serengeti in July.
5. Both of those agents are established and respected. I recall a favorable Wilderness Fodors report a few years ago on Zambia. Using an African specialist is recommend by most of us, as opposed to a general travel provider like Wilderness or Sobek. I’ll look at the Botswana and Tanzania itineraries offered by these and make some comments in a future post.
Two other comments—The average Botswana itinerary is far more expensive than the average Tanzania itinerary. For this July, things are filling up in both places, but Botswana camps book sometimes a year in advance.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 06:39 PM
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Here are a few of my comments on the Tanzania itineraries. Both Sobek & Wilderness require flying in Botswana, as most Botswana itineries do, so I omitted them.
Mount Sobek~~~
TANZANIA: Allen Bechky's Serengeti Safari
Appeared to not go in July
Last of the Wild Places-Private
This is Southern Tanzania, not what is typically done on a first safari, though I’d love to see these remote parks. You fly between them.
TANZANIA: Ultimate Tanzania Safari
The June 28 departure would be good. The 4 nights in the mobile Serengeti camp are excellent. The rest is the standard northern circuit and includes the places you’d want to see. The price may be a little steep, but the mobiles are costly.
Wilderness~~~
Serengeti Wildlife Safari, The Ultimate Safari Experience—July 10 departure
The 4 days of walking is a unique aspect not offered in most itineraries whether group or private departures. If you want to include walking, this is a big advantage. Just be aware that while walking you generally observe less game because it is afraid of you. However, you can see many things up close that you miss in a vehicle, such as tracks, dung beetles and other insects, lion hair balls, skulls & bones, different species' feces, plants, small lizards, etc. Plus the game you do see has an added element of excitement. This itinerary also has the 4 nights private Serengeti camp, but I’d check to see if it is a mobile. If so, then it moves periodically with the migration. If not, then you may not be in the best spot for your departure date because the trips with this itinerary go all year round. If it’s not a mobile, then I don’t think I’d do this one for the cost.
Tanzania Private Journey—This offers you a private guide, which has many advantages to group travel. If you were considering this, then I’d definitely look into what an African specialist can offer you in the way of a private trip for two departing whenever you want.
If you go with the Wilderness “Ultimate” that walking portion is their exclusive. But if you want one of the other itineraries, I’d check what an African safari specialist can do with them. Either you get a better deal or you confirm that Sobek/Wilderness is the best deal for you. Info. can only help.
Here are a few you could contact that have been used successfully by Fodorites on past trips.
US contact
Thomson
Go2Africa
Africa Serendipty
Africa Dream Safaris
Africa Adventure
Tanzania contact
Green Footprints
Roy’s
There are many other good operators in addition to these.
Please post again as you narrow your choices. But don't take too long. In fact do you know Sobek & Wilderness have space?
Mount Sobek~~~
TANZANIA: Allen Bechky's Serengeti Safari
Appeared to not go in July
Last of the Wild Places-Private
This is Southern Tanzania, not what is typically done on a first safari, though I’d love to see these remote parks. You fly between them.
TANZANIA: Ultimate Tanzania Safari
The June 28 departure would be good. The 4 nights in the mobile Serengeti camp are excellent. The rest is the standard northern circuit and includes the places you’d want to see. The price may be a little steep, but the mobiles are costly.
Wilderness~~~
Serengeti Wildlife Safari, The Ultimate Safari Experience—July 10 departure
The 4 days of walking is a unique aspect not offered in most itineraries whether group or private departures. If you want to include walking, this is a big advantage. Just be aware that while walking you generally observe less game because it is afraid of you. However, you can see many things up close that you miss in a vehicle, such as tracks, dung beetles and other insects, lion hair balls, skulls & bones, different species' feces, plants, small lizards, etc. Plus the game you do see has an added element of excitement. This itinerary also has the 4 nights private Serengeti camp, but I’d check to see if it is a mobile. If so, then it moves periodically with the migration. If not, then you may not be in the best spot for your departure date because the trips with this itinerary go all year round. If it’s not a mobile, then I don’t think I’d do this one for the cost.
Tanzania Private Journey—This offers you a private guide, which has many advantages to group travel. If you were considering this, then I’d definitely look into what an African specialist can offer you in the way of a private trip for two departing whenever you want.
If you go with the Wilderness “Ultimate” that walking portion is their exclusive. But if you want one of the other itineraries, I’d check what an African safari specialist can do with them. Either you get a better deal or you confirm that Sobek/Wilderness is the best deal for you. Info. can only help.
Here are a few you could contact that have been used successfully by Fodorites on past trips.
US contact
Thomson
Go2Africa
Africa Serendipty
Africa Dream Safaris
Africa Adventure
Tanzania contact
Green Footprints
Roy’s
There are many other good operators in addition to these.
Please post again as you narrow your choices. But don't take too long. In fact do you know Sobek & Wilderness have space?
Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:42 PM
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Thank you, Hari, and thank you, Atravelynn! I'm much closer to making my decision, thanks to your feedback! And thank goodness for your suggestion to not take too much time! A few of Wilderness Travel's trips (like Serengeti Wildlife Safari) were sold out.
We've narrowed it down to
Sobek's Ultimate Tanzania Safari, leaving June 28
Sobek's Great Parks of East Africa (K & Tz), leaving June 30
Wilderness' Tanzania Private Journey, to which an extension to the Mara could be added (planned for early July)
June 28 is the day we get out of school (h.s. bio teacher!) so I'm worried about the timing for that Sobek trip. The trip leaving on the 30th would be better, date-wise, but in your view is it too ambitious?
The Wilderness Itinerary looks less frenetic, like it would give us more time in each spot. But, when we did go to Galapagos a few years back, we enjoyed the group dynamic that came with traveling with others and we aren't sure we want it to be just the two of us plus guide...
Atravelynn, am I missing something obvious? I am very grateful for your expertise and promise to post what our final decision is, and to report back about what our experience was! Your kindness is inspiring : D
Thanks SO much!
P.S. Not quite ready to take the plunge with an African specialist unless they were in Seattle where I could sit down with them, or unless you know of an impartial source that reviews them (like a Consumer Reports of tour agencies?)
We've narrowed it down to
Sobek's Ultimate Tanzania Safari, leaving June 28
Sobek's Great Parks of East Africa (K & Tz), leaving June 30
Wilderness' Tanzania Private Journey, to which an extension to the Mara could be added (planned for early July)
June 28 is the day we get out of school (h.s. bio teacher!) so I'm worried about the timing for that Sobek trip. The trip leaving on the 30th would be better, date-wise, but in your view is it too ambitious?
The Wilderness Itinerary looks less frenetic, like it would give us more time in each spot. But, when we did go to Galapagos a few years back, we enjoyed the group dynamic that came with traveling with others and we aren't sure we want it to be just the two of us plus guide...
Atravelynn, am I missing something obvious? I am very grateful for your expertise and promise to post what our final decision is, and to report back about what our experience was! Your kindness is inspiring : D
Thanks SO much!
P.S. Not quite ready to take the plunge with an African specialist unless they were in Seattle where I could sit down with them, or unless you know of an impartial source that reviews them (like a Consumer Reports of tour agencies?)
Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:58 PM
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There is a very good Africa Specialist in Seattle, Ultimate Africa.
I worked with them in 2003 on my first safari to Botswana and they were very knowledgeable with great recommendations and were always thorough with timely replies. I ended up going with someone in my own town because at the same price I thought I wanted someone in my city but to be honest Ultimate Africa was better and I should have gone with them (in hindsight).
One other thing to consider -- since you like ground and group travel there are some excellent mobile trips in Botswana. Most on this board seem to be looking to avoid groups and tend to fly to the camps but with your preferences that seems like another very good option to consider. There are lots of different levels of mobile and it is a great way to experience Botswana for less money than flying around. Your game viewing can be just as great but you can save considerably.
I worked with them in 2003 on my first safari to Botswana and they were very knowledgeable with great recommendations and were always thorough with timely replies. I ended up going with someone in my own town because at the same price I thought I wanted someone in my city but to be honest Ultimate Africa was better and I should have gone with them (in hindsight).
One other thing to consider -- since you like ground and group travel there are some excellent mobile trips in Botswana. Most on this board seem to be looking to avoid groups and tend to fly to the camps but with your preferences that seems like another very good option to consider. There are lots of different levels of mobile and it is a great way to experience Botswana for less money than flying around. Your game viewing can be just as great but you can save considerably.
Feb 23rd, 2007, 07:08 PM
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Sblack, I would not leave on the same day your school ends. That's cutting it too close.
If you do Sobek's Great Parks of East Africa, check where you are staying so it is in the correct part of the Serengeti for July.
The itineraries you suggest cover the major game areas.
If you do Sobek's Great Parks of East Africa, check where you are staying so it is in the correct part of the Serengeti for July.
The itineraries you suggest cover the major game areas.
Feb 24th, 2007, 07:07 AM
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Thanks Atravelynn! PredatorBiologist (great name!), I went to Google and there are two specialists of similar names here -- Ultimate Africa, which is in Issaquah (near Seattle), and Ultimate African, which gives a Seattle P.O. Box. So I'm just double-checking -- you liked U. Africa (no "n"
?
?
Feb 27th, 2007, 02:21 PM
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sblack: sorry for the delay I was out of town and missed your follow up.
The Ultimate Africa I was referring to is this one http://www.ultimateafrica.com
The owner who is very knowledgeable is Ian Proctor.
The Ultimate Africa I was referring to is this one http://www.ultimateafrica.com
The owner who is very knowledgeable is Ian Proctor.
Feb 28th, 2007, 04:47 AM
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Hello all - Predator Biologist, unfortunately Ultimate Africa is all booked for Tanzania in July -- so we have booked's Mt. Travel Sobek's Ultimate Tanzania safari departing June 28. Atravelynn, you liked their itinerary. I am SO excited!! We're a couple of biologists and we are going to go to East Africa!? I will be sure to submit a trip report when we get back in July! In the meantime, thanks all for your help! This forum is wonderful and I'll continue to visit between now and then. In closing - when we went to Galapagos, I found Barry Boyce's guide book handy. Is there a one guide book to Tanzania that folks would recommend over others?
Feb 28th, 2007, 07:07 AM
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sblack: congrats on booking your safari! I'm sure you will savor the experience. Are you both biology teachers or do you practice in the field?
The one must have book is The Safari Companion by Richard Estes. He gives summaries for each species with a focus on their behaviors often including drawings of body positions for different behaviors.
The one must have book is The Safari Companion by Richard Estes. He gives summaries for each species with a focus on their behaviors often including drawings of body positions for different behaviors.
Mar 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM
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Wilderness Travel are well known and I think they use a ground operator in Botswana called Capricorn Safaris (you could check with them). The latter are also reputable. If you do a mobile trip (which Capricorn does) you'll probably fly into Maun and then spend around 10 to 14 days driving to Livingstone/Vic Falls where you'll fly out. The best thing about this is that the distance covered as the crow flies is only 300km in 10/14 days! Plenty of gameviewing en route. You don't need to fly between camps. Tanzania has more dramatic scenery in the form of the Crater and Mount Kilamanjaro. Compared with the Okavango Delta and Vic Falls in Botswana. The choice is difficult from that aspect alone. Good luck. Africa is fantastic.
