Kavey

Chinook, not all the posters here are American, though it's natural there's a majority as Fodors is an American brand and better known there than elsewhere.

I'm based in the UK as are others and there are a few around Europe too.

And there are MANY of us who are interested in budget options too. I've done some luxury, high-end safaris in the past but the next one is very likely to be a low budget affair - not extreme budget - I'm not into DIY/ participatory camping but as low as I can get without doing that.

Your english is absolutely fine - I'm sure better than most of us can speak in French (though actually French is my second language - it's what I studied at university and I adore the language and the country).

You are very welcome here. Please post more!

africany

hi Eleanor,
you are very welcome to kenya .the mara will blow your mind away.but all 11 at mara gets boring.you can contact me and i will give you a very intresting itinerary for 11 days.on you budget,personaly i think going as a group is more fun and cheaper ,but if you prefer travelling alone its very possible to get a private tour for $160 a day .the price all inclusive email me [email protected] check out trailfindersafrica.net they have very good prices .whatever you decide Eleonor i can guarantee that you will have fun.
cheers
Aficany

Chinook

Hi all

Thank's a lot to everybody to welcome me here , even with my level of english !
I did not want to say that american pay more than other clients ( but I suppose it's sometimes the case ! ) What I would like to say is that american are often ready to pay a lot more than europeans and when I read threads , I'm often surprised about price I read but , if somebody has enough money to spent so much for a safari, I find he has to do it , why not ? We always receive for what we pay ! But here, in Europe , is extremely rare ..;especially french people who are always looking for cheap trips . Another cultural difference is that french people would never speak about the price they paid, american daes it naturaly. And I really appreciate.

Patty, I think you are right to reserve with a local TO, it's a lot less expensive , I always do that and I never had any problem.

In fact, what I found especialy nice in the proposition my friend received was that he has not to respect a defined program ..;he can do what he want . With a fixed program, it would have been a little bit less expensive , if i remmeber something around 1950 usd in place of 2100 ..;but freedom has no price !

As everybody seems to understand my english, I will post a retro report about my private cesna safari in Kenya very soon and also a report when I'll come back from Uganda

All the best
Chinook

Ile

Eleanor,

I am going for my first safari in august and I arranged everything with the eriksen adventures, already recomended to you here. They were very helpfull, patient and nice; unfortunately I'll be able to let you know how everything went out only at the end of august.
But another suggestion that have just come into my mind, is to contact Marie-Louise from www.camping-safaris.com.
They also own Whistling Thorns – a very nice place in the countryside at the foot of the Ngong Hills, one hour drive from Nairobi. If I am right, Nyamera spend a few days there.
When I was trying to find a tour operator to help me with our safari, I talked to her a couple of times. They are doing camping safaris, so you'll have your driver/guide, cook and car only for you. Maybe you could spend some of the nights in lodges too.

Chinook,
bonjour et bienvenue!
You should definetly write a trip report! After some exercise here, your english will improve, don't worry!
And I must addmit I was a little surprised by the prices some of the tourist pay for their safaris.
But on one hand there is the fact that it depends on what you want to do or where you choose to spend your nights, and on the other hand Kenya is not a cheap destination. Searching for the park fees, accommodation prices and car hire prices (all available in guides or on the internet), I found out it's cheaper to book the safari with a local tour operator. And hopefuly, safer too!

Please don't forget to write the trip report!

jenn24

Eleanor,

I understand about not wanting a participatory camping safari. I didn't want to go on one of those either!

Keep us updated and let us know what you decide on.


Jenn

fuzzylogic

Hey - Eleanor - ever thought of travelling with a company based in Europe? They are quite good you know. Very REPUTABLE. Been doing it far longer, probably, than any of the North Americsn outfits. And if anyone can prove to the contrary please post here.

Why don't you check out:

Guerba amazing - top of the range.
Exodus (pretty good too)
Explore Worldwide.

And there's Phoenix, and Acacia and Kumuka and Encounter Overland, etc. etc.

You're 21? Have an adventurous spirit? Can handle camping in a warm climate?

Why on earth pay a single supplement? All the above offer organised tours where you share a tent/room with someone of the same sex.

You'll have a really good time and meet friends for life?

I've never travelled with an organised trip thru East Africa cos I'm older than you and if it's possible to do one's own thing then I prefer that.

But I have travelled with Guerba and Exodus and Phoenix thru places I felt I couldn't handle alone (Algeria/Zaire, Iran, Namibia, respectively) and can vouch for their professionalism, great organisation, and good vibes.

I commend them to you. Aa for your fellow pax - the majority under 30; topped up with 40's and 50's.
Nationalities will be predominantly British, Irish, Australian, NZ - topped up with Dutch, German, French, the occasional Japanese. Don't see too many Americans - why don't you change that?

Probably more singles than couples.

I can't say more except to wish you well with the volunteer work.

Chinook

Eleanor

Tell us if you do find something something .;because if you don't find I always could give you the email from the guy who will travel alone from 15 to 25 of september ..;free camping itinerary . I don't know if he would be interested to share or not ...

Chinook

eol201

Wow... has it been 3 months since I've posted this topic?

First, thanks to those who've been able to give their recommendations. It gave me some great ideas. And now I have a <i>real</i> itinerary!

*Sep 22-23: JFK - AMS (a little sightseeing here) - NBO

*Sep 24-25: Masai Mara 2 night fly-in Safari at Ilkeliani Tented Camp

*Sep 26: Back in Nairobi

*Sep 27: NBO - CPT (sightseeing in Cape Town)

*Sep 28: Meet up with other volunteers at orientation in Cape Town with i-to-i. Garden Route Meaningful Tour starts here........

*Sep 29: A wine tour w/ boat trip on the river. Overnight at the hostel in Swellendam or Mossel bay.

*Sep 30: Knysna (canoeing across lagoon, quad biking and abseiling down the Knysna heads)

*Sept 31: Morning, visit to the elephant or monkey sanctuaries, or a trip to the highest bungi jump in the world... we'll see. Afternoon, guided tour through the tree tops using a series of zip slides over rivers and waterfalls. Overnight in Storms river village.

*Oct 1: Transfer to Oudtshoorn

*Oct 2-12: Volunteer at Cango Wildlife Ranch

*Oct 12: (on my own again) Head towards Durban

*Oct 13-16: Phinda Walking Safari

*Oct 16: Phinda - Johannesburg - Amsterdam - NY

*Oct 17: Home!


Leaving tomorrow, and I'm INCREDIBLY excited!!

Leely

Sounds like a great trip! Have a wonderful time. Can't wait to read your trip report...

waynehazle

I am really anxious to hear how Ilkeliani turns out for you.

It was wonderful for me a year ago, and not so good for someone recently.

Lots of pictures please

atravelynn

When you post your report, we'll have the whole evolution of your Africa experience.

I noticed you had a Sept 31 activity. Sept has 30 days, so hopefully that was just a typo when posting to Fodors.

I will be especially interested in Phinda.

Patty

Have a great trip! Please post a report when you get back.

cybor

Happy travels. Can't wait to hear back;
Sherry