Nikao

I know its not a straight comparison, but I ended up considering both Selous+Ruaha or Namibia self drive as my next safari/holiday.

I started with looking into a self drive (camping on the roof) through Namibia and perhaps a bit Botswana, with the main focus on wildlife. But unfortunately my girlfriend won't be able to join me on this trip, so I would be alone. I then started to looking into some group trips but but I don't really like them for safaris, since my main focus is photography. Besides that I've been to Tanzania 2 times before and im spoiled by experiencing a private vehicle + guide so I would hate to be stuck with (chatting) group in a minivan or safaritruck.

And that's how I ended up with Selous + Ruaha; I can just fly in to both and join the gamedrives of the camps themselves. (looking into 4 nights at Lake Manze camp and 4 nights in Mdonya Old river or Jongomero).

Getting back the prices I went back to the namibia option though, to check whether it would be suitable to do a self drive on my own. Several people confirmed that this would very well be possible, allthough the remote / rough parts in botswana might not be a good idea.

And so I came to debate between South Tanzania and Namibia. The thing that makes it very difficult for me is the fact that Im in love with the 'pure' experience, the remoteness and not encountering a lot of vehicles. But paying more than double the price of that seems a bit steep. Being on my own in my own car on a game drive has the advantage that I dont need to fear that were going for a sundownder when the light is at its best for photography, but I also am not experiencing the expertise of a guide.....
Choices choices choices!

So Im very curious to your opinions and experiences!

Nikao

no opinions?

atravelynn

Here's a thought for S. Tanz. I am looking into going with them for 2011. I've never been to S. Tanz and my priority for that region is Mahale for chimps.

Flycatchers
http://www.flycat.com/en/

raelond

A visit to Selous, Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale would be my dream trip! I also would include Mahale for the chimps. I did some research into such a trip and have an itinerary put together, but it is on hold as it is out of my budget. Maybe one day.

mcwomble

chalk and cheese.

Namibia offers self-drive; Ruaha and Selous don't. Ok. you might be able to, but not in a toyota picked up from the airport as in Windhoek.

Nikao

@mcwomble I wasn't planning on selfdriving Ruaha and Selous, thats the price difference part and makes the choice difficult

mcwomble

Difficult choice.

If you've never been to Namibia, I would go there. Plus you don;t always have to be on your own.

Most lodges and parks will offer guided drives and walks.

However, apart from in Etosha, the wildlife will be less easy to see than in Ruaha / Selous.

Both will be excellent for photography. What time of year are you thinking of? That might make a difference.

Nikao

Im quite flexible, but probably somewhere in july/august/september. For Selous/Ruaha im considering september

mcwomble

Good time. The later in the year, the drier and more sparse the vegetation, and the easier to see the animals.

canadian_robin

How about a self-drive with camping in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (if you want remoteness, this park will provide it) in South Africa, followed by a drive up to the dunes in Namibia, where you can also camp (Sesriem campsite) and then, depending on the length of the trip, you could end in Etosha? Kgalagadi is one of our favourite parks, and combines well with Namibia. You can overnight in Aus (this would be the one night you would have to stay in a lodge - a bit of luxury and a break from camping) between the two. I would be quite comfortable doing a self-drive alone along these routes, although I would carry a sat/cell phone in case the 4x4 gives you difficulty. You could start in Cape Town and end in Windhoek. Robin

Kgalagadi
http://www.sanparks.co.za/parks/kgalagadi/

Aus
http://www.namibhorses.com/accommodation.htm

Namib Dunes/Sesriem campsite
http://www.nwr.com.na/national_parks.html

TC

I posted to your other threads. See my trip report and photos for Selous and Ruaha. We loved it.

Nikao

Thx TC, will check your trip reports out in more detail. Already saw and loved your photo's

Nikao

finally my decision is made; I just booked my trip to southern Tanzania (5 days selous + 5 days ruaha)

Will save the selfdrive trip to namibia for a time when my girlfriend can join

raelond

What camps are you staying at?

Nikao

I'll be staying in Lake Manze tented camp and in Mdonya Old River.
http://www.adventurecamps.co.tz/lakemanze.htm
http://www.adventurecamps.co.tz/mdonyaoldrivercamp.htm

the others were a bit out of my budget ;-)