hlphillips2

topping for cpeicott re: first trip...


And a couple other sites or links with information of best times to travel to certain parts of the continent:

http://safari.go2africa.com/africa-t...-to-travel.asp
http://www.mysafari.com/canyasafari/sa_info/when_go.asp
http://www.awf.org/safari/faq.php
http://www.ultimateafrica.com/safari_questions.html

And for South Africa specifically:
www.southafrica.net

Kavey

Topping for new readers and trip planners....

Any new ones to share?

John_Berry

A touch biased...
http://www.zambezi.co.uk/safari_primer/index.html

NoFlyZone

An unusual one:

http://www.surf-safari.com/

ArthurSA

Just an update on Sun Air. They went out of business last night. Details at http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fS...ticleId=363504

Roccco

This was a direct email to me from www.onsafari.com. Although I could not find it on their website there are dozens of other safari itineraries to just about every South African and East African place.

This is for a very nice priced Botswanan 8 night safari at some very nice looking lodges, all run by Kwando:



THE SECRET SEASON SAFARI

Experienced Safari Travelers Know that this is the Season to ESCAPE THE COLD OF WINTER TO AFRICA'S SUMMER WARMTH ........ (and discover some of her best kept secrets)!

Enjoy 6 nights on safari in two of Botswana's premier safari camps as well as a visit to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zambia. This tour offers the perfect balance of wildlife, culture and adventure, allowing you to experience an extraordinary range of places, people and activities. Experienced and friendly staff will be there to guide and assist you every step of the way, from the moment you step off your international flight, to the sad day we bid you farewell. (But you'll have to hurry not to miss the winter season specials. We are currently booking these special trips for December through March)

Throughout your journey, there is one thing we can guarantee. The spirit of Africa and its people will touch you. It might be a herd of elephant against a blood red sunset, the cooling spray thrown up by the thundering waters of Victoria Falls or a simple handshake and a smile from a village elder. Somewhere along the way, you will experience something uniquely African, leaving an indelible print on your memory.

Here are a few of the best kept secrets of this season ...

It's one of the best times to view Victoria Falls; they'll be at their peak volume and more spectacular than any other time of the year. When visiting at this time of year, you'll know exactly why these are truly one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
It's summer in the southern hemisphere so your days are warm and sunny with high temperatures in the 80s. Afternoons are sometimes punctuated by dramatic, tropical thunderstorms resulting in balmy long, summer nights.
It is the only time you can observe the adolescent behavior of the resident game. The bush comes alive day and night with excellent wild flowers, brilliant green foliage, and constant sounds day and night from wildlife, insects and birds.
You will see broadleaf, fern and many other flowering species, all at the peak of their growth, along with tens of varieties of butterflies.
It's peak season for bird watching with all the colorful, migratory birds inhabiting the region during this breeding season.
The contrasts of the predators natural winter camouflage, with the summer colours makes for dramatic photos.
The drama of the hunt is the most spectacular because the predators are more easily spotted by their prey species, the predators have to work hard while the prey have a time of plenty.
Tour Highlights:

Two nights Songwe Village - Victoria Falls, Zambia
Three nights Kwando Lebala/Lagoon Camp - private wilderness area (Linyanti Wetlands)
Three nights Kwara Camp - Okavango Delta/Moremi Game Reserve
Inclusive of all charters flights from Kasane to Maun; airport transfers, meals (and beverages on safari), cultural tours, travel insurance and all safari activities including day and night game drives, wilderness walks, boat cruises, fishing - and more!

Estimated total price of tour: $2275 per person, sharing

sandi

Roccco -

So I guess the company in Old Greenwich, Ct. with median home prices of $2.5 million, can come thru with competititve itineraries. So it's not always a good idea to juge a book by its' cover (the real estate where they're located)!

This itinerary covers the "Green Season" and many tour operators do have special offers at this time. And as a previous post indicated, there has been quite a lot of rain this year.
It's Green Season for a reason.

Roccco

Sandi,

While www.onsafari.com has very good packaged itineraries, unfortunately they are not nearly as competitive on custom itineraries.

I believe that I was the first one to sing the praises of www.onsafari.com, but became disillusioned when their prices on custom packages came in 30+% higher than local Tanzanian operators:

>>>Author: Roccco
Date: 11/26/2003, 08:43 pm
Message: While I know of some great operators to Southern Africa, offering very good prices, such as www.attractiveafrica, www.safarinow, www.tagasafaris.com, I don't have the first clue about quality operators to East Africa.

The only good looking travel operator that I have yet to come across is this one:

www.onsafari.com

The prices appear to be very reasonable on this site, judging from the rates on their pre-arranged tours. I have yet to have this company price out a customized itinerary, but that is my next move.

Steve007NY

TTT

Favor

Not directly travel related, but if you want another perspective on what's happening in Zimbabwe this is a good site.

http://www.zwnews.com/index.cfm

phil16

here's some I have come across -

http://www.wildwatch.com/

http://www.responsibletravel.com/Home.htm

http://www.hottraveltips.com/safari/index.shtml

http://www.kenyalogy.com/

http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/ti...o.html#Climate

this next was the easiest and most detailed map I could find of Kenya and Tanzania -

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/afric...a_pol_2003.jpg

Kenya Visa info and download -
http://www.kenyahighcommission.com/I...sport-visa.htm

Tanzania Visa info and download -
http://www.tanzania-online.gov.uk/visa/visa.html

As for trip operators - I am using Roy Safaris in Jan 05 and will let you know how I found them.

Roccco

Here are a few to add to the list:

www.botswanasafari.info (A compilation of most of the top Botswanan game lodges)

www.game-reserve.com (a very comprehensive list of every major game reserve and national park in Southern, Eastern and Central Africa, including links to most of the leading game lodges)

www.zambiatourism.com (very similar to www.game-reserve.com but obviously featuring only Zambia)

http://tagasafaris.mywowbb.com/ (a new forum with the ability for instant messaging, private messaging and even allows the pasting of pictures on the discussion board, really bringing it to life, rather than it just being in black and white)

www.google.com (this would seem obvious to some, but the real treasure is in typing in the name and then selecting "images" and you will be amazed at how many images of a game lodge or a game reserve/national park pop up for your review)