kenya, killimanjaro:help a safari novice please!!!
Dec 4th, 2007, 10:29 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
kenya, killimanjaro:help a safari novice please!!!
hi all,
i have tried to come up with the perfect plan for our honeymoon in august 2008 and would really love your advice!
we would love to do a safari(in kenya we think) ,then climb killimanjaro and then relax for a week (maybe zanzibar?)
we have up to 4 weeks if we need it, however our problem seems to be our budget!
we hope to fly from cork or dublin. would ye recommend a travel agent to book the lot or to book everything seperatly ourselves?
if anyone can help i would be eternally grateful!also would love any recommendations ye would have on safari agents etc.
thanks a million!
i have tried to come up with the perfect plan for our honeymoon in august 2008 and would really love your advice!
we would love to do a safari(in kenya we think) ,then climb killimanjaro and then relax for a week (maybe zanzibar?)
we have up to 4 weeks if we need it, however our problem seems to be our budget!
we hope to fly from cork or dublin. would ye recommend a travel agent to book the lot or to book everything seperatly ourselves?
if anyone can help i would be eternally grateful!also would love any recommendations ye would have on safari agents etc.
thanks a million!
Dec 4th, 2007, 03:36 PM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not the most qualified to answer this since I know nothing about climbing Kili. But here goes, since no one else has jumped in.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34763572
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34986988
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35006666
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34978960
Above are some threads on climbing Kili. I would use an Africa specialist as an agent. There are companies that do both climb and safari and will handle both Kenya and Tanzania. If that does not work out, you could use up to 3 outfitters: one for climb, one for Tanzania safari, Zanzibar should be fit with one of the Tanzania companies, then a Kenya safari company.
Because August is not that far away and beds are filling, so I'd tend to have one company handle it all and not delay.
I know Kiliwarriors and Good Earth could do your whole trip. I think for the mountain part Kiliwarriors has gotten slight better reviews. There are many other agents as well.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34763572
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34986988
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35006666
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34978960
Above are some threads on climbing Kili. I would use an Africa specialist as an agent. There are companies that do both climb and safari and will handle both Kenya and Tanzania. If that does not work out, you could use up to 3 outfitters: one for climb, one for Tanzania safari, Zanzibar should be fit with one of the Tanzania companies, then a Kenya safari company.
Because August is not that far away and beds are filling, so I'd tend to have one company handle it all and not delay.
I know Kiliwarriors and Good Earth could do your whole trip. I think for the mountain part Kiliwarriors has gotten slight better reviews. There are many other agents as well.
Dec 4th, 2007, 03:58 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you are taking the right approach: I climbed Kili and then did the safari in Tanzania and was so worn out and aching for the second half of the holiday. And bearing in mind the early starts on Safari you want to be awake for everything. Use the time in Zanzibar to recover.
A short report of my Kili climb and safari is somewhere here on Fodors, but for a real indepth look into the climb, you can read my lengthy journal here:
"A week climbing Kilimanjaro"
http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=38
Matt
A short report of my Kili climb and safari is somewhere here on Fodors, but for a real indepth look into the climb, you can read my lengthy journal here:
"A week climbing Kilimanjaro"
http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=38
Matt
Dec 5th, 2007, 06:55 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used an Africa based company to do my climbs and hikes in Africa so far I have done the Crater Highlands trek including Ol Doingo Lengi, MT. Kenya and Kilimanjaro.
The main two advantages of an african company-
1.Half the cost
2.You and you wife would have your own guide, porters and cook. All the american and other companies put people in larger groups.Why be limited by strangers pace etc.
I used http://www.zaratravel.com/
for the Kilimanjaro climb.
We used http://www.tropicaltrails.com/ for our safari trip, you could use them for the Kili climb as well. I was doing two mountains that is why I chose another company for Kili.
I recommend Nogorogoro crater, and Terangire (awesome tented camp) for safaris
The main two advantages of an african company-
1.Half the cost
2.You and you wife would have your own guide, porters and cook. All the american and other companies put people in larger groups.Why be limited by strangers pace etc.
I used http://www.zaratravel.com/
for the Kilimanjaro climb.
We used http://www.tropicaltrails.com/ for our safari trip, you could use them for the Kili climb as well. I was doing two mountains that is why I chose another company for Kili.
I recommend Nogorogoro crater, and Terangire (awesome tented camp) for safaris
Dec 5th, 2007, 10:42 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks everyone!all have your responses have been really helpful.
we were quoted 13,000 euro from an irish agent and that doesnt even include Kili! we just cant spend that kind of money on a 3 week trip so hopefully we will have better luck when researching the info ye gave us.
thanks a mill again!
we were quoted 13,000 euro from an irish agent and that doesnt even include Kili! we just cant spend that kind of money on a 3 week trip so hopefully we will have better luck when researching the info ye gave us.
thanks a mill again!
Dec 6th, 2007, 03:32 PM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Scatterbride,
13000 euro sounds alot(maybe they have given u expensive properties) and that to without kili, is this per person or for 2 people.... I recommend researching this forum, you will come up with reviews of plenty of excellent budget operators who have provided an excellent safari
Sonali
13000 euro sounds alot(maybe they have given u expensive properties) and that to without kili, is this per person or for 2 people.... I recommend researching this forum, you will come up with reviews of plenty of excellent budget operators who have provided an excellent safari
Sonali
Dec 6th, 2007, 03:48 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were happy with tropical trails listed above with the strength of the euro the price you werre quoted is outrageous again
www.tropicaltrails.com
www.tropicaltrails.com
Dec 7th, 2007, 07:20 PM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I climbed Kilimanjaro and a safari in Sept of 2007. Had a blast. We did our climb first -- I was glad we did so, as a.) I didn't have to worry about whether we'd make the climb, etc on the safari b.) We did hardly any exercise on safari -- much better shape when we arrived in Africa than when we left. Kili is really draining and takes a lot out of you, which is why I'd recommend doing it upfront.
I would recommend any of the african companies to do your booking. If you search online, you'll find several with good reviews who can provide a much better price. I used Good Earth Tours and can say they are a reputable company.
I would recommend any of the african companies to do your booking. If you search online, you'll find several with good reviews who can provide a much better price. I used Good Earth Tours and can say they are a reputable company.
