Kenya/Tanzania Safari
 

My family is planning a trip to Africa for a safari in August, 2007 for 12-14 days. There are so many choices and things to consider it is becoming overwhelming. Does anyone have any suggestions as to reliable tour companies, countries/regions/National Parks to visit, what to do/not to do? We were thinking of Kenya and/or Tanzania, but are open to suggestions.

Thank you,
Suzette

first of all; good plan to go on Safari to Tanzania and or Kenya!

Personally I have good experience going on Safari in Tanzania with Green Footprint Adventures. (www.greenfootprint.co.tz) Of course Im a little biased, since my sister in law is one of the owners of this company, but many fodorites are happy with this company.
The other owner is quite a famous guide: Jean du Plessis, who is even the host of a documentary on Animal Planet (Ultimate Africa)

as for parks; Last year I went to Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and gol mountains in Tanzania. I can recommend them all. In 3 weeks I will return to go to Tarangire, ngorongoro, serengeti (ndutu) and gol mountains.
You can read my trip report here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...een_name=Nikao

and see some photo's here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikao/sets/1627852/

In Kenya dont miss Masai Mara, Samburu and Lake Nakuru National park.

For Tanzania, I enjoyed the Ngorongoro Crater most! its very beautiful.

For a tour Operator; I travelled with The Eriksen Adventure, Its a small reliable Company with a personal touch.

Hi Suzette & Karibu (welcome)

best tip: SEARCH this forum & READ

to have an idea about Tours & Itineraries
<font color="red">NEW</font> EAST AFRICA Trip Report Index by LyndaS
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...Text=New+Index

For &quot;Tour companies&quot; search that or &quot;tour operators&quot; + country name
e.g.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ompanies+Kenya
Most Fodorites use same pool of companies like (compiled by atravelynn):
Africa Adventure
Africa Serendipty
ATR Africa Travel Resource
Eastern &amp; Southern Safaris
Gamewatchers
Good Earth
Roys
Southern Cross Safaris
Thomsons (just Tanzania)
a number of people have also reported Micato... &amp; i'm not adding any i know personally

There is a thread about &quot;Safari Consultants&quot; at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ompanies+Kenya

to have an idea about Tours &amp; Itineraries
<font color="red">NEW</font> EAST AFRICA Trip Report Index by LyndaS
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...Text=New+Index

for August - one advantage of Kenya is &quot;the migration&quot; ( @ Maasai Mara)
most will advise you to spend at least 3-4 nights in Mara (&amp; other parks excluding Nakuru for example)
You have to decide if you'd like to fly or drive (i'm a missionary of the latter)
the rules of the game is that u write what u like &amp; post your suggested itinerary... Then WE tell you what is best for YOU

Since it's your first Safari, u may think it's a &quot;once in a life time&quot; but beware it's <b>contagious</b> &amp; there are far too many carriers around here

good luck

aby

follow Aby's advice. i found this board about 10 months ago when i was planning our first trip to Kenya. I could not have done it without everyones help here, yes it is overwhelming. reading the trip reports and looking at pictures was a huge help to me. We just returned Dec 14 from 3 weeks in Kenya and had a wonderful trip. In th end you have to go with your gut feeling and decide where to go and how many places,as everyone has their own opinion about what places are the best.

For travel in August, you should spend time in Kenya, especially the Masai Mara where the wildebeest migration takes place.

However, you can combine Tanzania with Kenya - visiting in

Tanzania - Tarangire, Ngorongoro, (maybe Lk, Manyara), Central Serengeti (maybe, though you'll find cats here, much of the game has moved into Kenya)

Kenya - Masai Mara, Samburu

Your budget will determine where you lay your head - lodges, tented camps, mobile camps. Lodges the more reasonable, tents and mobiles increase your costs.

Read through LyndaS Trip Index for ideas. And would suggest, since much is already book, you move as quickly as possible.

Not what you wanted to hear, but both countries have had banner years, these past three, the 2007 will be too.

Return here on the same thread so we can follow your progress and answer questions as they come about.

Thank you all for the valuable information. I just had time to read it tonight as I just got in. I will follow-up on all advice asap. I received an email today from a company that I was corresponding with re: safaris and they said the US gov. is not recommending travel to Kenya right now. I don't have any idea why this is recommended. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,
Suzette

Besides the US warning against travel to Kenya which they reissue about every 6-months, currently there are problems in Ethiopia/Somalia with some spillover into northern Kenya.

That can be all I can curretly thing of.

However, you will not be anywhere near wherever or whatever is happening. Most visitors to Kenya are in the southern portion of the country.

Not knowing where you live, consider whether if there was a riot in a Los Angeles area, you would not visit Disneyland? or San Franciso?; or as when riots broke out in Harlem in NYC (many years ago), visitors continued to visit the City, south of that area.

These are large countries, and with the exception of a few minor incidents on the tourist circuit, crime is practically non-existent for travelers. Less incidents than you'd find in your hometown.

You should always be aware of travel warnings, but there are warnings to most places in the world. Has to be your decision.

Suzette,

I would not delay because August is such a good time of year for Kenya-Tanzania.

The recent Somalia &amp; Ethiopia problems have not produced any new or additional travel warnings to Kenya. I just checked. Well known reputable international travel companies (A&amp;K, Tauk, Globus, International Expeditions, Park East) have been going to Kenya for years during this warning. These are not careless, risky operators.

You could also check some of those companies' itineraries as one more source of ideas. For actual booking, I'd use an Africa specialist, though.

Some travel agents will have you sign a form indicating you are aware of the State Dept warning on Kenya. They'll also most likely have you sign a general release of liability form also.

Good Luck.

Check out www.tastanz.com for ideas

Hi - I need some feedback on dealings Green Footprint. Is there anyone that is willing to speak with me off-line? I can be contacted at [email protected]