Elizabeth_S

Well - I've learned a lot in a week since starting to consider Africa for 2 months next Jan/Feb ......and I realize I might be starting too late for next year (in which case we'll do it in 2010).

But a lot doesn't amount to much given the vast array of options - here are a few of my many questions at this point.

I now think we might start in Tanzania/area about the 3rd week of January and spend about 2 weeks in various locations (migration path, Ngorongoro, Arusha - open to all other suggestions) then on to Capetown (Peninsula actually) for 3 weeks renting an apartment or villa, then.......open for suggestions - a drive down the Garden Route and possibly another safari in SA. Also considering some dive options, and other trips such as the Seychelles and Reunion Island
(we like islands).

I'm investigating various tour operators - but have a question - this year when we went to Egypt I booked using an Egyptian Travel Operator in Cairo - the cost was substantially less than a NA based TA for the same itinerary..............are there similar savings to be had booking with a locally based company in Africa?

At the outset I thought we'd be happy with a small safari but the more I look into it I think we're best with a private tour - for a couple of reasons. .... so I'm trying to juggle that and keeping the costs within some kind of reason.

Any suggestions/comments would be really appreciated.

ShayTay

Many of us book directly with safari outfitters in Tanzania. I use Kibo, but there are other outfitters that other travelers have used with great success. You can check out trip reports in LyndaS's East Africa Trip Report Index.

atravelynn

Some companies in East Africa that have been used with success, in no particular order.

Green Footprints-TZ
Kiliwarriors-TZ
Roys-TZ
Good Earth-TZ I see on their website that they now do Southern Africa as well. I think that's new.
Eastern & Southern Africa-Kenya

My fear of arriving and hoping to book a safari on the spot in Jan or Feb would be availablility in the areas where the migration is.

I don't know the difference in price if you contact them from your home country in advance or wait until you arrive.

In Southern Africa, this is a strategy I'd like to try sometime. Fly into Maun, Botswana with a hotel booked in advance and take a cab to the Wilderness and Kwando offices there. See what they have available last minute for a discount. If you were particular about wanting certain camps or experiences, this is not a good strategy. But if you are flexible, I think this can save from the near $1000/nt prices. I would not be concerned about availability because, especially with the many Wilderness properties, something should be open somewhere in Botswana. Also, I can't think of a Kwando or Wilderness property that I would not enjoy visiting so I would not fear getting stuck with a dud.

The standard procedure for Wilderness and Kwando is to book through an agent in advance. Wilderness and Kwando do not take direct bookings under normal circumstances. You can't contact those offices personally about booking a safari for the future, but I have known others to use them for last minute openings, as I've described above.

ShayTay

I'd love to try that option in Maun sometime, too, Lynn! I don't think I'd go in Jan/Feb, though...been there, done that. Lots of rain, lots of tall grass, most of the wildlife dispersed. Naturally, it was the wettest rainy season in 20 years! We still had fun, but not as much as we would have later in the year. If Elizabeth_S wanted to try that Botswana option at the end of her SA stay, that might work, though.

I'd definitely not wait until arrival if going to Tanzania in Jan/Feb. There's only one permanent lodge in the southern Serengeti, Ndutu, which books up well in advance that time of year. The alternative is shared tented camps, but you'd have to book that space in advance, as well. As an alternative, you could stay in the Seronera area and do a day trip to find the Migration. There is a lot of wildlife permanently located in Seronera year-round.

Elizabeth_S

Thanks ShayTay and atravelynn - maybe I will try that Botswana option at the end!

ShayTay - is it Kibo Safaris? Or Kibo Slope Safaris?

Another question - while I am really leaning towards private guided safaris we really don't need/want the ultra luxurious accommodation that seems to go with them - don't get me wrong I have nothing against luxury.....it's just so expensive! Can I do this for $350/night each on average (safari portion plus internal travel) for approx 14 nights?

Thanks once again.

ShayTay

It's Kibo Guides or Kibo Safaris. They have a website at www.kiboguides.com. You get some price breaks if you're with a group (or at least 4), but you should be able to put together something in your price range for a private safari in Tanzania for that amount. 12 days work well there, too.