another fan of your trip report. thanks so much for finishing it up. and please let us know how the rest of your sister's trip went.

joyce

What an entertaining trip report! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I'm sorry it all wasn't perfect for you. The gorilla permit mixup is really inexcusable since you booked and paid early but at least you did get to see them. You have some great pictures, too. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for the report, Jen. You really know how to tell a story. I’m glad you understood the Mara and I’m sure the topis helped you in this. Guides have been getting commissions from curio sellers for centuries without telling their clients, so it’s really not such a big deal, or maybe it is. I don’t think your guide used any illegal drugs, at least not anything worse than taking antibiotics as a preventive measure. ;) I like the canvas top Gametrackers vehicle because you could both have a road safari and an open-sided vehicle. Could you look out well through the soft plastic windows when travelling between parks? I’m sorry about the lack of leopards, bur so jealous of your black rhino sighting.

well im glad everyone enjoyed my report! If it helps just one person to understand what it will REALLY be like on a camping safari, then i have done my job! :-) Oh and i will definitely make sure my sister posts a report here. Shes not a fodorite, but i think ill turn her into one.

Nyamera- yeah the vehicle worked out really nicely. They washed it every few days, so the plastic windows were fine. They were easy to unzip and roll up though if we wanted to do that between parks. Yeah i dont think its a big deal that the guides get commission. i mean, if we wanna buy the stuff anyways then i guess its a win win situation for all parties involved! :-D

Hope Jess enjoyed her time in Tanzania and looking forward to her report!

Just and FYI to some of those interested:

1. R&N has arranged a wire to us and has been extremely apologetic. They told me that this is the first time they have had any problems with any of their tours. They ended up firing our guide, Mobutu. They have done a good job, in my opinion, of trying to make this right for my sister and me, so i hope my one negative experience doesn't stop people from using this company. Their prices are the best i found on the internet and they really have had nothing but positive reviews here.

2. My sister just returned yesterday from Tanzania and said how amazing it was. She said their guide was so much fun and some of the tents they stayed in even had flushing toilets! So much for budget camping. Ill make sure she posts a report here soon!

glad your sister enjoyed her stay in Tanzania. maybe you could link her report to yours when she is ready to write it. it would make it easy to find her.
glad to hear that R&N has made things right for you.

joyce

Jen,

Another thanks for the report.
I am also glad I can keep recommending R&N

Thank you Jenbertoni for the followup comments on R & N. It helps put things into perspective.