Sept 2007 trip plan
 

After reading Mistadobalina's question and responses, I've decided to put our planned itinerary up for comment. This will be the third safari for my husband and me (acutally my fifth). Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I guess I need to give details here:
Nairobi area 4 nights
Mara, Little Governors, 3 nights
Giraffe Manor, 1 night
Tsavo, Finch Hatton's Camp, 3 nights
Overnight Dar, Kempenski
Ruaha, Jongomero Camps, 2 nights
Seleus, Seleus Safari Camp, 4 nights
Overnight Lusaka
South Luangwa, Nsefu, 2 nights
Chonge River Camp, 3 nights

What are you going to do in Nairobi for 4 nights? I see you have Giraffe Manor another night. Are you sure you are not spending (wasting) a lot of time doing camp/country transfers? I like to spend 4 minimum nights in a camp. But this is your 5th safari so you must have a good idea about what you like. So, never mind :-)
regards - tom

Samcat,
Maybe you've made acquaintances on the previous safaris and you are catching up in Nairobi with them. I would be interested in how you are spending those 4 days in Nairobi, actually.

The day back in Nairobi should be fun at Giraffe Manor. So this transit day is not just a wasted day between destinations.

Great time for Southern Tanzania. I haven't heard of Jonomero Camps and will be interested in your report on that.

What prompted the 2-4 split between Ruaha and Selous? Just curious and will find your answer helpful for my own future travels.

While I love Zambia, and am sure you will too (unless this was a previous stop and then you already know you love it) but I think I'd spend those nights in Southern Tanzania or Kenya to reduce transit time. With this being your 3rd/5th safari, then odds are you'll be back and could do an all-Zambia trip some day.

But if the two solely transit days are ok with you or if you think this is your last shot at Africa, then you have a nice variety of locations and activities.

Have fun.

Tom & Lynn,
The 4 nights in Nairobi aren't totally accurate. We arrive late one night and spend the following full day in Nairobi -- largely to rest, based on previous experience! We do plan to visit the Sheldricks and the new Natural History museum. The next day we'll transfer by road (my choice) to Loldia House in the Great Rift Valley, where we'll spend the next full day before going on to the Mara. The Mara is the only repeat in this trip for us.

On our last trip, we stayed only two nights in each camp, which was OK, but we decided to increase to three this time, which will be better. We hope this won't be our last time in Africa!

Thank you for your comments.