What's the best safari vehicle ??
Jun 18th, 2006, 03:35 PM
#21
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Just to clarify, when I said "either", I meant either a van or Landcruiser with pop top, not the Vitara which has no openable roof.
Imelda,
Have you booked your accomodations already? You can also check what type of vehicles the lodge or camp where you're staying uses and possibly arrange to use theirs (although I don't recall seeing ANY open sided vehicles at Nakuru at all). I'd be very surprised if you can find an open sided vehicle to drive up to Nakuru in.
Imelda,
Have you booked your accomodations already? You can also check what type of vehicles the lodge or camp where you're staying uses and possibly arrange to use theirs (although I don't recall seeing ANY open sided vehicles at Nakuru at all). I'd be very surprised if you can find an open sided vehicle to drive up to Nakuru in.
Jun 18th, 2006, 03:58 PM
#22
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Hi All,
Not much I can add and photography aside (for once). After being in an open top and open sided vehicle having the thrill of lions walking by within reach, no way would I want to be in a van pop top for game drives. (Although admittedly I have not been in a van).
regards - tom
Not much I can add and photography aside (for once). After being in an open top and open sided vehicle having the thrill of lions walking by within reach, no way would I want to be in a van pop top for game drives. (Although admittedly I have not been in a van).
regards - tom
Jun 18th, 2006, 07:30 PM
#23
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Well I suppose we'll take Roccco's suggestion and see if we can reserve a Land Cruiser with a pop up top. I assume Tanzanian safari companies will reserve a particular type of vehicle if you ask well in advance ? I'm not at all familiar with this vehicle so can someone tell us what the seating configuration is ? Do all the windows open so that each passenger can have an opener ?
Jun 19th, 2006, 02:14 AM
#24
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In my humble opinion, pop top vehicles are the best for photography. Why? Because you have a natural rest for your camera and lens at or near the perfect height. I prefer extended Land Rover Defenders that has 4 rows of seating, including the driver/guide. These vehicles are longer than the 110, taller and wider. Great for tall people, as well as shorter folks. The rear seat usually has a slight rise in the floor, making it about 6 to 8 inches in difference.
I do like open vehicles as those in the south, but they are very difficult to photograph out of. They require shooting hand held, and that doesn't work very well with moderate or larger lenses.
Also, pop up top vehicles do a much better job protecting you from the dust. This can be an issue in wider open parks like the Serengeti or Masai Mara.
I do like open vehicles as those in the south, but they are very difficult to photograph out of. They require shooting hand held, and that doesn't work very well with moderate or larger lenses.
Also, pop up top vehicles do a much better job protecting you from the dust. This can be an issue in wider open parks like the Serengeti or Masai Mara.
Jun 19th, 2006, 06:27 AM
#27
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Land Cruiser - no doubt at all. I've had them all (Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols, Range Rovers) in over 50 years of bushlife in Zambia and, quite frankly, there's nothing to beat it!
Hope this helps!!
Hope this helps!!
Jun 19th, 2006, 07:06 AM
#28
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This will not be of any help for picking a vehicle in Tanz. but just for general interest.
Kwando uses a Namibian made vehicle known as a Uri. I believe it was designed for military applications and is basically custom made in Namibia with various over the counter parts. The result is a real off road beast that is easy to repair.
Kwando uses a Namibian made vehicle known as a Uri. I believe it was designed for military applications and is basically custom made in Namibia with various over the counter parts. The result is a real off road beast that is easy to repair.
Jun 19th, 2006, 07:24 AM
#30
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Hari: could be something new since it was my first time to Kwando but we were in a Uri at both Kwara and Lebala. My friend from Europe is real car guy so he took special interest in the Uri. One unique feature is the front doors actually angle out giving the drive a little extra space and providing a natural surface to lean on to look out at the ground and track spoor while driving. We thought it was a cool vehicle although we did have repair issues at both camps.
