I agree with Taga_Safaris:

I had a private vehicle for a first Safari.

I knew exactly what I wanted and all the places I wanted to see.

I did my home work well and saw even more places than I planned after I got there ,because with a private vehicle you can make adjustments along the way.

We( two of us)stopped anytime we wanted and took (or not took) as many pictures as we wanted.

Tom is correct your guide is the most important person on your Safari.

I could not phantom doing this trip without Robert (our guide).
At times he drove in and out of places that made me just shake my head.!!!!

Also we had Robert from Niarobi to Samburu to Lake Nakuru , Masai Mara... and we did NOT have to leave him behind when we entered Tanzania....

Robert had his passport stamped , along with us, and now we are in Tanzania.

Many times I said to Robert ,"Can we just turn off here because I want to see"...this or that.

I took a picture of a Toyota Landrover that had 8 people in it.
Five were standing up taking pictures and the other three were sitting down...waiting their turn to stand up.

Yes, like Mark says "Everyone to their own".

It is your Safari and your money.

( I booked with Stanley ( after high recommendations),who was in Arusha but now is out of Nairobi. I sent my Dentist to him last August and a friend in early January...and they were totally pleased.)

There are many good Safari Operators.

The more you know what you want , the better trip you will have because you will custom it to your wants !!

Hi Percy
Extremely well put. Hats off to you.

Yours on Safari
Mark

Wow.....maybe donate the money to a good cause or do a volunteer vacation so you aren't so bored looking at wildlife.

Thanks for the kind words Mark :)

@Taga_safaris;

That cheetah kill episode seems like a case of serious bad luck to me.

But what I don't get is this; you were in the jeep with two. So were they. Why did the guide not make them understand that a kill is very unique and not too be missed, and that they must wait a bit for those kudus?

Anyway, to each his on as anyone says. But I'm more with Tom. That's why I actually like a shared vehicles as well; every safari there's at least one couple that become life-long friends. We share pics and new safari plans etc. Kinda keeps my going during dark winter days, like now.

B.regs,

J.

Hi pixelpower
As I stated before they were paying guests and had the rule of the roost. I cannot remember exactly their reason but not everyone on safari wants to see a kill. For me and you and possibly many others on this board we love the action but there are some and for that matter many folks who just want to see the animals in their natural environment without the blood shed and tears.
We have to accept that.

Yours on Safari
Mark

Hi Percy
Its only my pleasure.

Yours on Safari
Mark

It's possible to have guests sharing your vehicle that are "difficult". But honestly, in my around 200 games drives over the last 7 years I remember only once or twice where the guests were not "reasonable". (And I'm not the easiest of going of old coots :) ). Again, and repeat, so much depends on your guide/ranger to find the game and to manage his guests.

regards - tom

<<<So now comes the general discussion of possibly doing South Africa in 2014 and I confess I'm concerned that our "Oh look another giraffe" would be an issue.>>>

After 14 days of course you were getting burned out! :) Do remember though that you're looking at a trip 3 years after that burn out. While on day 14 you may be bored with yet another ________, after 3 years you may be excited again.

You're not even remotely nuts to be wary of another trip. Instead of planning for 14 days on game drives this time, plan for 7 days, or 3-4 days, or even no days on game drives.

This is one of the lovely things about vacations... to each their own! :) I'm starting to plan a trip to Antarctica and many people think I'm absolutely nuts. We're all happy because I can do what I want and they can do whatever they want.

You didn't say that you thought anyone who enjoyed game drives was stupid, simply that after 14 days of it you were tired of it and wary of doing something similar in the future. I would really hope nobody would jump on you for that comment!

Hi Iowa_Redhead

Africa does get into some peoples blood but not all. I envy you on not getting the so called bite and exploring other places on our planet. Have a seriously Wonderful time and let us know how it was.

Mark