The Accidental Safari – Rocco’s Tanzania Adventure - Trip Report
Mar 27th, 2006, 05:50 PM
#81
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laartista,
I always say to anyone wha has any desire to go to Africa, "Go, go, you will never regret it!!!"
And Rocco, okay, dinner's in the oven. I'm ready for the next installment. As someone who will be staying at Olduvai prior to Nomad, I'm hoping it's all clean sheets and great guiding from now on...
I always say to anyone wha has any desire to go to Africa, "Go, go, you will never regret it!!!"
And Rocco, okay, dinner's in the oven. I'm ready for the next installment. As someone who will be staying at Olduvai prior to Nomad, I'm hoping it's all clean sheets and great guiding from now on...
Mar 27th, 2006, 11:02 PM
#83
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Matt,
I am sorry that I missed my 4 - 6 hour deadline. I am all over the map tonight working on a few different things for my safarigoing clients.
I am only now getting started on my report for the Serengeti, so chances are that I will not finish it until this time tomorrow (It is Midnight local time for me).
Sorry for the delay.
I am sorry that I missed my 4 - 6 hour deadline. I am all over the map tonight working on a few different things for my safarigoing clients.
I am only now getting started on my report for the Serengeti, so chances are that I will not finish it until this time tomorrow (It is Midnight local time for me).
Sorry for the delay.
Mar 27th, 2006, 11:24 PM
#84
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Rocco - I would be interested to find out how your new venture is going: to save breaking any fodors rules give me an email when you get time.
[email protected]
Take care
Matt
[email protected]
Take care
Matt
Mar 28th, 2006, 01:24 AM
#85
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(just a little transitional piece...the Ndutu portion of the Serengeti with Nomad to follow hopefully in about 20 hours)
HANDOFF
Nearly immediately after leaving Olduvai, we were surrounded by the Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, as far as the eye could see. Baby wildebeest raced to keep up with mothers who were not going to win any parenting awards any time soon. Gazelles were twitching to keep the flies off, almost to the rhythm of music, looking as if they were marching in place. Zebras were no dummies…surely they knew that if they hung out with the wildebeest, they would be much safer, just waiting for the wildebeest to make fatal mistake after fatal mistake.
Every few minutes we would pass by a new carcass surrounded by vultures and Maribou Storks. Eventually, the wildebeests and others were so numerous that they may as well have been trees or shrubs. While fascinating to see the incredible numbers, it does lose its novelty after awhile.
After about a 1 hour drive from Olduvai, we were met at a dropoff point by our Nomad guide, Chedial, and the Nomad vehicle. We said our goodbyes to Alex, not blaming him for the shortcomings of MKSC. Overall we were satisfied with him as a guide, Alexsandra more so than I, but at least to me it was apparent that we were not getting 100% effort from him. His saving grace, however, was that he was so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and he enjoyed a very good rapport with Alexsandra.
It took until Day 11 of our itinerary, but we were finally ready for the Main Event. Everything prior to this was just filler…an opening act…foreplay…whatever you want to call it, it was not the reason for the season…that designation was reserved for the Serengeti.
HANDOFF
Nearly immediately after leaving Olduvai, we were surrounded by the Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, as far as the eye could see. Baby wildebeest raced to keep up with mothers who were not going to win any parenting awards any time soon. Gazelles were twitching to keep the flies off, almost to the rhythm of music, looking as if they were marching in place. Zebras were no dummies…surely they knew that if they hung out with the wildebeest, they would be much safer, just waiting for the wildebeest to make fatal mistake after fatal mistake.
Every few minutes we would pass by a new carcass surrounded by vultures and Maribou Storks. Eventually, the wildebeests and others were so numerous that they may as well have been trees or shrubs. While fascinating to see the incredible numbers, it does lose its novelty after awhile.
After about a 1 hour drive from Olduvai, we were met at a dropoff point by our Nomad guide, Chedial, and the Nomad vehicle. We said our goodbyes to Alex, not blaming him for the shortcomings of MKSC. Overall we were satisfied with him as a guide, Alexsandra more so than I, but at least to me it was apparent that we were not getting 100% effort from him. His saving grace, however, was that he was so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and he enjoyed a very good rapport with Alexsandra.
It took until Day 11 of our itinerary, but we were finally ready for the Main Event. Everything prior to this was just filler…an opening act…foreplay…whatever you want to call it, it was not the reason for the season…that designation was reserved for the Serengeti.
Mar 28th, 2006, 04:38 AM
#87
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laartista -
There is an index of East Africa safari trip reports, prepared by LyndaS (a remarkable understaking which we all appreciate).
Another index is underway (being prepared by another Africaphile) for Southern African trip reports.
Do a search here, pour a drink and be ready to sit and read and enjoy.
(Hey, I know, I know... I should post the link, but just haven't gotten the hang of doing so... still can't figure out the smileys; but I'm good for other things).
There is an index of East Africa safari trip reports, prepared by LyndaS (a remarkable understaking which we all appreciate).
Another index is underway (being prepared by another Africaphile) for Southern African trip reports.
Do a search here, pour a drink and be ready to sit and read and enjoy.
(Hey, I know, I know... I should post the link, but just haven't gotten the hang of doing so... still can't figure out the smileys; but I'm good for other things).
Mar 28th, 2006, 06:14 AM
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It is difficult to have patience--lookimg forward to reliving Ndutu.
laartista, here is the link to the index sandi mentioned.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ex+east+africa
BTW, I really enjoyed your report (sandi, thanks for the referral)
laartista, here is the link to the index sandi mentioned.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ex+east+africa
BTW, I really enjoyed your report (sandi, thanks for the referral)
Mar 28th, 2006, 04:28 PM
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Thanks for the continued interest.
I am very sorry to report that I just had my first "hunger pang" for Africa just moments ago, only 10 days after returning home!!!
My biggest struggle is whether or not I should visit Zimbabwe and Mozambique on my next safari. There are some fascinating options, but I do fear there will be limited interest from other travelers. Take a look at these websites and let me know what you all think:
www.raniresorts.com (Particularly look at the soon to open Lugenda safari lodge in Northern Mozambique. This area has possibly more wild dogs than anywhere else in Africa, as well as an elephant population around 10,000 strong)
www.africanbushcamps.com (although not yet pictured, their new camp in Hwange, Somalisa Camp, looks amazing...very 5-paw-ish in quality...plus, Vundu Camp must be great in Mana Pools)
I am very sorry to report that I just had my first "hunger pang" for Africa just moments ago, only 10 days after returning home!!!
My biggest struggle is whether or not I should visit Zimbabwe and Mozambique on my next safari. There are some fascinating options, but I do fear there will be limited interest from other travelers. Take a look at these websites and let me know what you all think:
www.raniresorts.com (Particularly look at the soon to open Lugenda safari lodge in Northern Mozambique. This area has possibly more wild dogs than anywhere else in Africa, as well as an elephant population around 10,000 strong)
www.africanbushcamps.com (although not yet pictured, their new camp in Hwange, Somalisa Camp, looks amazing...very 5-paw-ish in quality...plus, Vundu Camp must be great in Mana Pools)
Mar 28th, 2006, 07:19 PM
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Wow Rocco, it must be that you had 2 trips close together and have another already on the books because my 'pangs' kicked in when I left the airstrip at Kwando Lebala and still had a night coming in Joburg.
From your business perspective I think coastal Mozambique is going to grow a lot in popularity. A quality safari in Mozambique would combine well in the future but I think it will likely take a while before the wildlife becomes habituated and provides good sightings. I would love to take a look though. I communicated with some honey badger researchers a couple years ago that were working in one of the northern parks. They loved the seclusion but said wildlife was definitely skittish and secretive. As for Zimbabwe, its a shame but I think only hard core Africaphiles will be going there until the political climate changes.
From your business perspective I think coastal Mozambique is going to grow a lot in popularity. A quality safari in Mozambique would combine well in the future but I think it will likely take a while before the wildlife becomes habituated and provides good sightings. I would love to take a look though. I communicated with some honey badger researchers a couple years ago that were working in one of the northern parks. They loved the seclusion but said wildlife was definitely skittish and secretive. As for Zimbabwe, its a shame but I think only hard core Africaphiles will be going there until the political climate changes.
Mar 28th, 2006, 07:27 PM
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PB,
I think what I need is about a two month safari, and then I will just see everything I want in Southern Africa. Unfortunately, three weeks is about my max.
Shame...both areas look very intriguing but I agree with your opinion on each. If I were a real beach bum, however, I would definitely go up to Lugenda in N. Mozambique and then follow it up with some beach time at the amazing looking Medjumbe Island (Rani Resorts).
Zimbabwe, at least, is close enough to my other destinations to warrant a visit. Who knows, if nothing else, maybe I start out at Vundu in Mana Pools, and then steal a canoe and paddle to Chiawa in Lower Zambezi, head down to Kafue for a few nights and then finish up with Botswana!
I think what I need is about a two month safari, and then I will just see everything I want in Southern Africa. Unfortunately, three weeks is about my max.
Shame...both areas look very intriguing but I agree with your opinion on each. If I were a real beach bum, however, I would definitely go up to Lugenda in N. Mozambique and then follow it up with some beach time at the amazing looking Medjumbe Island (Rani Resorts).
Zimbabwe, at least, is close enough to my other destinations to warrant a visit. Who knows, if nothing else, maybe I start out at Vundu in Mana Pools, and then steal a canoe and paddle to Chiawa in Lower Zambezi, head down to Kafue for a few nights and then finish up with Botswana!
Mar 30th, 2006, 11:36 PM
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Sorry for the delay...with four nights in Ndutu, this was the longest stop of my safari and the best. It will likely be Saturday afternoon by the time I complete and post it.
Thanks for the continued interest.
Thanks for the continued interest.
Mar 31st, 2006, 05:08 AM
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Thanks for taking the time to provide us with such an interesting, detailed, and thoroughly entertaining account of your Tanzanian adventure.
I was in Tanzania in January on a safari booked through ATR and my impression of the company is very much like yours--a vehicle that looked as if it was welded together from spare parts including a passenger door that wouldn't stay closed, a guide that was more of a driver than a guide, and accommodation (Moivaro Coffee Lodge, Ronjo Fly Camp, etc.) that was heavily promoted by ATR.
Leann
I was in Tanzania in January on a safari booked through ATR and my impression of the company is very much like yours--a vehicle that looked as if it was welded together from spare parts including a passenger door that wouldn't stay closed, a guide that was more of a driver than a guide, and accommodation (Moivaro Coffee Lodge, Ronjo Fly Camp, etc.) that was heavily promoted by ATR.
Leann
Mar 31st, 2006, 06:40 AM
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safarilover,
Amazing what a nice website can do, isn't it?
Why bother spending hundreds of thousands of dollars upgrading vehicles, and insisting that MKSC spend to upgrade its camps when instead with a great website it is possible to get so many bookings without such improvements?
Thanks for sharing your own experience and, in doing so, confirming my own experience.
Amazing what a nice website can do, isn't it?
Why bother spending hundreds of thousands of dollars upgrading vehicles, and insisting that MKSC spend to upgrade its camps when instead with a great website it is possible to get so many bookings without such improvements?
Thanks for sharing your own experience and, in doing so, confirming my own experience.
