P_M

Hello all, please give my your expert opinions.

I'm tossing around ideas for 2009 and one thought I've been entertaining is a safari combined with Vic Falls. I'm traveling alone so I want a group tour of some sort.

I've been looking at packages with Botswana and Vic Falls. I was hoping to find something for $2,000 or less (excluding airfare) but so far all of the tours I'm finding involve camping on some or all nights. I'm not a big fan of camping but I will do it for a few nights if that's the only way to see Africa without breaking the bank. But if possible I would like to avoid it.

I'm not stuck on the idea of Botswana, any place where I can see animals would be OK. I know there have been safety issues in Kenya lately so I haven't checked into that country. Vic Falls is a priority.

Please give me your insight as this part of Africa is new to me. I am open to all ideas you might have. And if I'm wrong about Kenya please tell me so.

Thanks.

napamatt_2

Search self drive in Kruger for great value options.

Patty

I was in Kenya in February shortly after the election riots. We traveled by road but not through any of the "trouble" spots, except Nairobi, and felt safe. Nairobi had heavier than usual police presence and we also felt safe there (you always should take certain precautions in Nairobi as in any large city). I posted "live" updates during our trip here http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35104040

And a report when we returned http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35112503

Many other poster here also traveled to Kenya during that time and throughout this year. You can search for their reports.

I would have no issues with returning to Kenya now and will probably be going back next year.

That said, a safari in Kenya is still not cheap especially since traveling alone means you have often single supplements to deal with. How long were you thinking of going? You can spend some time on safari and some non-safari time to keep the costs down. You can check Nyamera's thread (she travels solo) for some ideas http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35098519

Are you willing to self drive? If so, you could have a reasonably inexpensive self drive trip to Namibia especially given the current exchange (their currency is pegged to the South Africa rand). We did a self drive there last year and I broke down our costs toward the end of my report http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35072993

Hope this helps.

Patty

I missed the part about Vic Falls being a priority earlier. In that case, Kenya or elsewhere in East Africa, would not be as easy to combine as you'd have to fly from Nairobi to Johannesburg (about 4 hours), then onto Vic Falls/Livingstone. It may be easier to stay in Southern Africa for your safari.

sandi

If seeking a group for Southern Africa including Vic Falls, check out www.2afrika.com. South African owner based out of NYC. Some itineraries include intl air, but you can book "land only."

As Patty mentions, if Vic Falls is a must, then best to stay in the south, flying into JNB. But even getting to Vic Falls, requires 2/hr flights each way and unless you plan to spend a few days with activities in the, it's an expensive extension just to see the Falls; 3-4/days can cost $700+/person for double occupancy.

Whether to the southern countries (SA, Bots, Zim, Zam or Nam) or those in the east (Ken or Tanz) there are low-seasons (often the wet times), also mid- and hi-... something to consider.

While there are often "special deals" for low airfares to South Africa, you rarely find these to East Africa. But, if you have miles, seats can be found with patience to either area.

Even if visiting East Africa as Nyamera does solo and usually in mid-season, you have to consider your accommodations in Nairobi Kenya or Arusha Tanzania, transport to/from/between the various parks (fly or drive), lodge/camps per night (incl. 3/meals daily) costs, daily park fees (range from $35-$100/day). To keep within a $2,000 budget makes for a short trip, thus a long way to go for maybe 6/days on the ground.

While there are any number of tour operators listed in the East Africa Trip Report Index, you might do best to contact an in-country outfitter (Google for: KATO [Kenya Assoc of Tour Operators] or TATO [Tanzania Assoc of Tour Operators] for names, some of whom might do group departures. These itineraries are mostly for "lodge" vs "camp" stays.

You've got some research to do to keep at that budget, but be flexible in that it might cost more.

We're here to answer questions and do keep us posted on your progress.

CarlaM

Air included and there is a Vic Falls add on. I don't know anyone that has done this but the price is right:

http://www.smartours.com/sa.htm

P_M

I would like to thank everyone who replied, all input is appreciated.

I am a woman who would be traveling alone so I'm not very comfortable with self-drive. Besides, I enjoy the company of a group and it's a great way to make new friends.

I guess I'm in a state of sticker shock, as I just didn't expect a trip like this to be so expensive. I have always had luck with Frequent Flyer awards and if I do decide to visit Africa in 2009 I will book way ahead to make sure I can get an award ticket.

I will check out the links you all have posted, thank you for providing those. Once again this is just one of a few ideas I'm considering for 2009. A safari is high on my "list of things to do in life," and I will do it someday, whether it's 2009 or a bit later.

You guys are the best.

cybor

Is shaytay still doing OAT trips?

I think those are fairly inexpensive group trips that do go to Southern Africa. There seems to be pros and cons regarding this company.

PM,
Bring up the 'new east Africa' and 'southern africa trip report' threads and find shaytay's reports. Regarding camping, one portion of my last trip was canoe mobile camping. It's very inexpensive compared to permanent tenting and not a hardship at all. You don't lift a finger. Heck, they even insist on putting your tea bag in for you.
If that's your cup o tea check out Wilderness Mana Pools trips and other mobiles. Trust me when I say, it's mostly not roughing it.

P_M

cybor, those camps do look nice. I wish they would publish thier prices but I will email for info, thanks.

Patty

P_M,
If a Mana Pools canoe trip interests you, you may also want to contact www.natureways.com. They have 2 levels of camping. One of the issues of traveling in Zim is the cost of transfers as there are not many scheduled transportation options so be sure to factor that into the overall cost.

Patty

Price of the Wilderness trip is available here http://www.eyesonafrica.net/safaris/...f/mana_can.htm

P_M

Thank you all once again. Before posting this thread I really didn't know where to start, but I knew you guys would come through for me. I can see now that my $2000 budget won't get me far, perhaps I will consider more flexibility.

sundowner

Be flexible on price, P_M, it's so worth it

LAleslie

We spent a lot in 2006 for South Africa and a bit of Chobe Natl Park Zambia and Vic Falls. Best money we ever spent. And we went back the next year, to Botswana. Worth saving for.

matnikstym

P_M~you have to go just so we can listen to your trip report intro! (If anyone has not heard her intros, check them out-classic!)

Agree $2000 is not going to get you much time on land but as Cybor suggested, check out OAT tours. Be careful of the tour companies that sound too good to be true-usually they are.

Have fun planning!

Nyamera

Hello PM,

You can easily get two weeks of group camping safari in Kenya for $2000 and it wouldn’t be of the most “budget” sort. If, like me, you “need” your own bathroom it’s not an option, but you wouldn’t have to cook or anything.

Good value for a very comfortable and beautiful camp is Bushbuck Camp http://www.bushbuckadventures.com/maracamp.html in the Maasai Mara area. Now it’s $740 for a 3-night road package and in 2007, when it was $600, extra nights were $165 if I remember correctly. There was no single supplement and road transport from Nairobi, full board, game drives and group ranch fees are all included.

A bus trip to Naivasha is 100 shillings (some $1.30 at the moment) with Jolly Coach. Then a matatu to Fisherman’s Camp is 200 shilling if you have a big bag. At Fisherman’s you can have your own en suite banda for 1000 shillings if you avoid Friday and Saturday night when it’s more expensive. You can walk on your own among plain’s game on Crescent Island where the fee is $25 and at the Crater Lake Sanctuary where the fee is 800 shillings. At Lake Oloidien there are lots of flamingos and hippos and normally some other animals, but only some zebras when I was there - and there is no fee at all.

Fill out this form with your budget and preferences on the website of the The Kenya Association of Tour Operators and you’ll get quotations. http://www.katokenya.org/safari_quotation.asp

Price “flexibility” sounds very nice as long as it doesn’t involve robbing a bank. Just don’t let the Fodorite zillionaires talk you into paying more than what’s necessary.

Leely2

I have yet to discover a safari location that isn't expensive! Someone call me when they find one.

But P_M, as others have said, an African safari is worth every penny and more. On the bright side, to get a spot where you want to be when you most want to be there sometimes requires planning over a year in advance, so saving for your trip can be built into the whole itinerary-building process.

I agree with Nyamera that hanging out on this board can lead to, um, overspending, but you won't find a friendlier, more supportive group of addicts/enablers.

luangwablondes

Problem lies in the fact you all talk about and go to the same places.

And camping is not like camping in the states. There are degrees of camping, from participatory to downright luxury. I've been camping in more luxurious fashion many times then some of the bush camps that charge a small fortune.

cary999

"talk about and go to the same places."

For me, the problem with trying unknown (safari) places is the effort and expense required. Do I want to risk that effort and expense somewhere that I've hardly heard of and know very little about? And do this on my once-a-year only opportunity? Like, it's one thing for me to drive over to some new "attraction" in the next state and quite another to fly 26 hours and spend mucho $$$$.

It would be great getting reports from African "locals" about their favorites, what is new, good and well worth the effort. But how many frequent this forum? Perhaps Africans participate here like Americans participate in the US forum? For example, do -I- ever look/contribute to the US forum, my home country for 65 years and have been to all 50 states? No.

Aaaha, a new Fodor's forum rule - for every question you ask in a "foreign" forum you must answer a question in your home location forum

There's sort of another problem also, there's an old saying - Live in a place all of your life and have and nothing to say about it. Visit a place for a day and you talk about the rest of your life.

regards - tom

sundowner

luangwablondes, can you tell us the names of some other mobile companies to try? Or email me at the address above? I am interested.

Cindy