tinydancer

I am just beginning to research going on an African Safari trip, but the diversity and variety in countries and seasons is so vast that I could use some guidance as to where and when and which countries to try to group together into one trip. We are flexible with our timing. We are also interested in seeing the Gorillas. If you have any good advice on where to consider first, or which company is the best, I'd appreciate your advice. We'd be likely in the mid-mid/upper $$ range. We'd probably like to avoid long, long days of driving, prefer comfortable camping or natural setting accommodations. We have already been to South Africa: Kruger Park.

aknards

hi,

you could start by reading the many wonderful responses to my similar plea for help: http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ng-my-trip.cfm

while i didn't consider the gorillas, many of your questions re: planning a first safari are probably/certainly addressed in this thread.

best of luck! you're in for the most extraordinary trip of a lifetime.

regards,
anita

sandi

Or pick up a copy of Fodor's Complete Safari Planning Guide.

And, iif you haven't yet, do take the time to read the reports in the NEW Trip Reports Index on this forum - who went, where, when, which outfitters used, etc. - some are one-country, others two-country, including the Migration periods in which country/when, also the Gorillas in either Rwanda or Uganada. Lots of useful info.

You certainly have time to plan for a 2010 safari.

Once you have a better comfort level, return here with questions. Remember, it's your safari!

aby

this is what Sandi meant
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm

aby

also a When & Where chart
http://www.africa-adventure.com/best_time_to_go

atravelynn

If you want to see the gorillas, then I'd focus on East Africa with your safari in Kenya and/or Tanzania.

I've only visited the gorillas in the dry season (June-Aug) so that's what I'd recommend, plus the timeframe combines nicely with the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara.

Please post again when you've digested all the suggested threads.

jenbertoni

how exciting! i was in the same place as you when planning. THe thing that set it off for me was wanting to see the gorillas. i knew there was no way for me to be able to do south africa and east africa in one trip. I decided on Rwanda beacuse i read that the gorilla sightings were almost guaranteed, while in uganda its not unheard of to miss them. Either way youre probably fine, but i just wanted to play it safe. Rwanda was beaufitul and the gorillas were amazing. The best thing i have ever gone, even thoough our hike ended up taking 5 hours. You will LOVE it. We also did kenya and tanzania which are close by. we had a great experience and it was easy to get from kenya to rwanda. it was an extra flight, but its short and worth it. Tanzania would be easy to get to as well. THe maasai mara was soooo beautiful, so i would definitely recommend that. You could spend lots of time there as its huge and there is plenty to see. It was different from all the other parks in kenya. The mara was bright green while the other areas, which were also beautiful, were more dry.

AfreakA

tinydancer

i agree: if gorillas is a must then Kenya or Tanzania or both are the safari destination

there's no "best company". many recommended companies are on the threads quoted up here

tinydancer

Thank you all sooooo much! I'll start researching right away!