Friendly Planet Kenya/Tanzania Wildlife Safari Itinerary Feedback?
Oct 23rd, 2010, 04:17 AM
#1
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Friendly Planet Kenya/Tanzania Wildlife Safari Itinerary Feedback?
We (50's + teenage son) are considering a late July 2011 Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari through Friendly Planet. Can anyone provide feedback about their itinerary (below) for this time of year? We cannot travel during another time of the year and cannot spend a longer period. I know that it is a less-than-leisurely itinerary, but we are limited in both time and $.
Day
1 Depart USA
2 Nairobi
3 Mt Kenya National Park
4 Samburu Game Reserve
5 Samburu Game Reserve
6 Lake Nakuru National Park
7 Masai Mara National Reserve
8 Masai Mara National Reserve
9 Masai Mara and Nairobi
10 Arusha & Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)
11 Lake Manyara National Park
12 Ngorongoro Conservancy
13 Ngorongoro Crater & Nairobi
14 Arrive USA
What is a first-timer must-see site in this area that we will be missing? What are we giving up for the good price?
Thanks in advance for comments about pros/cons of this itinerary, especially from anyone who has actually done something close to this in less than two weeks!
Day
1 Depart USA
2 Nairobi
3 Mt Kenya National Park
4 Samburu Game Reserve
5 Samburu Game Reserve
6 Lake Nakuru National Park
7 Masai Mara National Reserve
8 Masai Mara National Reserve
9 Masai Mara and Nairobi
10 Arusha & Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)
11 Lake Manyara National Park
12 Ngorongoro Conservancy
13 Ngorongoro Crater & Nairobi
14 Arrive USA
What is a first-timer must-see site in this area that we will be missing? What are we giving up for the good price?
Thanks in advance for comments about pros/cons of this itinerary, especially from anyone who has actually done something close to this in less than two weeks!
Oct 23rd, 2010, 01:08 PM
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You will likely get other advice, but here's a start...
IMHO: Too many places and way too much driving. If you must go in July, go to Kenya. Fly into and out of Nairobi, spend an extra day there if you want to do the Giraffe House, et al. Fly to Samburu, stay 3 days. Fly from there to the Masai Mara and stay as long as you can, four days is OK, 6 is better. Try two different places in the Mara. You are probably a shade early for the migration, but there is plenty to see.
Search on "operators kenya" and check out good advice on locally-based (Kenya) operators, vs. travel agents. Search on "east africa index" and check out the new index for reports from people who have traveled to Kenya and/or Tanzania, and you will learn everything you need to know.
Best advice? Go to Kenya in August (heavy on the Mara), or to Tanzania in early February (heavy on the Southern Serengeti). Use the index and get the info you need to work with a local operator to plan your own safari the keeps you looking at animals and amazing scenery, rather than breaking your back on endless travel between reserves/parks.
You don't have to use the itineraries they advertise. Work with an operator to build something that gives you the best experience. Ask for quotes for a private safari; for three, it shouldn't be much more than the group trips, and you have the vehicle and driver/guide to yourself! Jim.
IMHO: Too many places and way too much driving. If you must go in July, go to Kenya. Fly into and out of Nairobi, spend an extra day there if you want to do the Giraffe House, et al. Fly to Samburu, stay 3 days. Fly from there to the Masai Mara and stay as long as you can, four days is OK, 6 is better. Try two different places in the Mara. You are probably a shade early for the migration, but there is plenty to see.
Search on "operators kenya" and check out good advice on locally-based (Kenya) operators, vs. travel agents. Search on "east africa index" and check out the new index for reports from people who have traveled to Kenya and/or Tanzania, and you will learn everything you need to know.
Best advice? Go to Kenya in August (heavy on the Mara), or to Tanzania in early February (heavy on the Southern Serengeti). Use the index and get the info you need to work with a local operator to plan your own safari the keeps you looking at animals and amazing scenery, rather than breaking your back on endless travel between reserves/parks.
You don't have to use the itineraries they advertise. Work with an operator to build something that gives you the best experience. Ask for quotes for a private safari; for three, it shouldn't be much more than the group trips, and you have the vehicle and driver/guide to yourself! Jim.
Oct 24th, 2010, 06:34 AM
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As Otis stated: Far too many places!
I would either stick to 3 Kenyan destinations or 2 Kenyan and 1 TAZ destination.
Tanzania should include the Northern Serengeti in case you haven't witnessed the Wildebeest migration in the Mara already - kind of "back up". Or you do a totally different non-migration related destination in TAZ: Tarangire e.g. plus the crater.
AND - I would definitely do a fly-in in order to save time crossing borders.
My itinerary would be:
- Samburu - 3 N
- Massai Mata - 3 N
- Lake Nakuru - 1 N
- Tarangire 3 N
- Crater 1 N
or in case you miss the migration in the Mara:
- Northern Seregeti 3 N (July they are certainly there!)
plus the stop-overs in Nairobi and Arusha depending on flights/connections.
Any TO/TA needs your budget and interests in order to create a personal itinerary!
Happy planning!
I would either stick to 3 Kenyan destinations or 2 Kenyan and 1 TAZ destination.
Tanzania should include the Northern Serengeti in case you haven't witnessed the Wildebeest migration in the Mara already - kind of "back up". Or you do a totally different non-migration related destination in TAZ: Tarangire e.g. plus the crater.
AND - I would definitely do a fly-in in order to save time crossing borders.
My itinerary would be:
- Samburu - 3 N
- Massai Mata - 3 N
- Lake Nakuru - 1 N
- Tarangire 3 N
- Crater 1 N
or in case you miss the migration in the Mara:
- Northern Seregeti 3 N (July they are certainly there!)
plus the stop-overs in Nairobi and Arusha depending on flights/connections.
Any TO/TA needs your budget and interests in order to create a personal itinerary!
Happy planning!
Oct 24th, 2010, 08:19 AM
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Rapheakg,
I too considered Friendly Planet Safaris because of price but quickly dismissed them. I found I would get more time on Safari per dollar with other operators. I found FP had too many days or afternoons where we would be on our own, and when on Safari it wouldnt be on our schedule.
I really like spassvogels 2 options if you want to do both countries. However, you will find that mixing 2 countries with another operator will throw your budget off. I like Otis suggestion of all Kenya to stay in budget. Another option would be all Tanzania (3 nts Tarangire 2 nts Crater 4 nts N Serengeti)
I too considered Friendly Planet Safaris because of price but quickly dismissed them. I found I would get more time on Safari per dollar with other operators. I found FP had too many days or afternoons where we would be on our own, and when on Safari it wouldnt be on our schedule.
I really like spassvogels 2 options if you want to do both countries. However, you will find that mixing 2 countries with another operator will throw your budget off. I like Otis suggestion of all Kenya to stay in budget. Another option would be all Tanzania (3 nts Tarangire 2 nts Crater 4 nts N Serengeti)
Oct 24th, 2010, 01:35 PM
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As my reply on your TA thread, this is a traditional "group" itinerary with set dates, tour operator selected properties and trying to cover to much in too short a time.
I indicated the drive times you will have for some of those segments, but these negatives are what travelers have to deal with when time and budget are at issue.
However, you can design your own itinerary, selecting where you wish to travel, for how many days and the lodges/camps that suit. Often this doesn't have to be more expensive than a group tour.
Yes, you can do both countries in 14/days, but for late July I'd concentrate on Kenya where by this time the migration will have arrived in the Mara where the minimum stay should be 3/nts. As the routing on the FP actually only have you in the Mara 1-1/2-days by the time you arrive on the first and then departing after breakfast on the 3rd morning.
No doubt asking "we're so close why not visit Ngorongoro?" which you can if properly routed.
Maybe look at a private tour, arriving at Kilimanjaro/JRO Tanzania, to visit Tarangire (an elephant parks, as would be Samburu or Amboseli in Kenya) onto Ngorongoro and then head into Kenya for the Lakes experience and Masai Mara, as:
Day 1 - Arv. JRO - o/n
Day 2 - Drive (2/hrs) to Tarangire - o/n
Day 3 - Tarangire - o/n
Day 4 - Drive (3/hrs) to Ngorongoro; afternoon crater tour - o/n
Day 5 - Ngo - morning crater tour; afternoon at leisure or Olmoti Crater Trek or Crater Rim Walk - o/n
Day 6 - Drive (4/hrs) to Arusha for 2pm shuttle bus* (cheapest) to Nairobi - o/n
Day 7 - NBO; sightseeing in morning; drive (2.5/hrs) to Lake Nakuru - o/n
Day 8 - Nakuru in morning; drive (1/hr) to Lk. Naivasha and Crescent Island boat trip for walking safari - o/n
Day 9 - Drive (4/hrs) to Masai Mara - o/n
Day 10, 11 & 12- Masai Mara - o/n
Day 13 - Drive (5/hrs) (or fly 1/hr) to NBO, dayroom till transfer to airport for homebound
*there's also a flight to NBO
I indicated the drive times you will have for some of those segments, but these negatives are what travelers have to deal with when time and budget are at issue.
However, you can design your own itinerary, selecting where you wish to travel, for how many days and the lodges/camps that suit. Often this doesn't have to be more expensive than a group tour.
Yes, you can do both countries in 14/days, but for late July I'd concentrate on Kenya where by this time the migration will have arrived in the Mara where the minimum stay should be 3/nts. As the routing on the FP actually only have you in the Mara 1-1/2-days by the time you arrive on the first and then departing after breakfast on the 3rd morning.
No doubt asking "we're so close why not visit Ngorongoro?" which you can if properly routed.
Maybe look at a private tour, arriving at Kilimanjaro/JRO Tanzania, to visit Tarangire (an elephant parks, as would be Samburu or Amboseli in Kenya) onto Ngorongoro and then head into Kenya for the Lakes experience and Masai Mara, as:
Day 1 - Arv. JRO - o/n
Day 2 - Drive (2/hrs) to Tarangire - o/n
Day 3 - Tarangire - o/n
Day 4 - Drive (3/hrs) to Ngorongoro; afternoon crater tour - o/n
Day 5 - Ngo - morning crater tour; afternoon at leisure or Olmoti Crater Trek or Crater Rim Walk - o/n
Day 6 - Drive (4/hrs) to Arusha for 2pm shuttle bus* (cheapest) to Nairobi - o/n
Day 7 - NBO; sightseeing in morning; drive (2.5/hrs) to Lake Nakuru - o/n
Day 8 - Nakuru in morning; drive (1/hr) to Lk. Naivasha and Crescent Island boat trip for walking safari - o/n
Day 9 - Drive (4/hrs) to Masai Mara - o/n
Day 10, 11 & 12- Masai Mara - o/n
Day 13 - Drive (5/hrs) (or fly 1/hr) to NBO, dayroom till transfer to airport for homebound
*there's also a flight to NBO
Oct 24th, 2010, 02:20 PM
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Please call us to discuss your wishes on this trip. We have made every effort to create a wonderful African Safari experience at a price that makes it affordable for many. While there are some compromises regarding travel times because of the distances between parks, we have plenty of traveler feedback that confirms we have done a good job of putting together a wonderful program that gives our travelers a very good introduction to Kenya and the safari experience. We will gladly put you in touch with some of these travelers so you can get feedback from those who have experienced our program first hand. 800-555-5765 or [email protected]
) and wouldn't have changed a thing for our first trip.
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