African Safari Companies - Recs needed [Archive]

tashaw6

10-20-2005, 02:01 AM

Okay, I want to see animals...many, many animals :) . That is at the top of my list of priorities. I know that my mom would love to see Victoria Falls, and I would hate for her to go all the way to Africa and NOT see VF. Which would make a South African safari, with a VF extension more feasible, no? I've also heard that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with great wine country nearby. I am so torn. Help!!!

I've taken a couple of recommendations and have been in touch with Go2Africa and Graduate Tours about trips. One in Kenya, one in Tanzania. But I've certainly not ruled out South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe....how does one decide?!

It's so wonderful to have so many great suggestions!! But I must commit in the next few weeks so I can start getting visas, vaccinations, etc. in order.

Thank you and keep the ideas coming!

Okay, I have just emailed a good friend of mine (who by the by is a travel agent...lol...and deals mainly with SA and Zim! So we'll see what she comes up with!)

As for my advice...Vic Falls is divine and you shouldn't miss it!

http://www.zambezi.co.uk/webguide/images/c041as.jpg

A SA tour with a VF extension seems to be the most viable then! I'll get prices etc from her! You can do this great boat trip on the Zambezi...that is really cool! What is great is that your money is multiplied by 25 when you go to Zimbabwe and 6,5 when you go to South Africa so you will have money to do loads of stuff!

Okay, animals...I know when we went on honeymoon to Cape Town we went to a wine farm that had tons of animals on it! We got to touch cheetahs, there was a bird sanctuary there as well. And of course wine tasting, divine restaurants (real Africa feel to it as well!) Spier Wine Estate (http://www.spier.co.za/recreation.asp)

Kruger National is really good for animals but there are tons of other places that have animal sanctuaries as well (and cheaper!)! Like in Port Elizabeth there is Addo which has tons of elephants and have now got some lions in as well! There is also the Kragga Kamma game reserve in P.E...that one is quite cool cause it has Rhino, buffalo, zebra, giraffe etc! And its not so big so you definitely get to see the animals!

There is also Umfolozi in Durban. That place is cool and is also close to Zululand etc so fun stuff nearby. Also, in Durban there is this GREAT water feature place called UShaka Marine! UShaka Marine (http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/) I couldn't recommend this place more! It has a great aquarium, the have dolphin, seal, penguin and who knows what else shows! There are divine restuarants there (Most recommendable is CARGO HOLD! Has a shark aquarium in the restuarant! Brilliant! Go check it out! :Cargo Hold (http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-2607.html) And of course there is the wet and wild (for kids and adults a like!!)

I will try and upload my pics sometime (of honeymoon and UShaka and others) so that you can see!

I will think of some more stuff cause this is really stuff just off the top of my head! I will also let you know what my friend as to say! Will be back!

tlew12778

10-20-2005, 02:47 AM

How is Chobe Natl Park? Would we be likely to see the big 5 there? The reason I ask is bc I had asked Go2Africa about a VF extension from SA but they did not include it in my itinerary. I don't know if that is due to cost or due to the fact we will be on HM and VF seems like it's very conducive to adventure activities and perhaps not as intimate?

The itinerary they have proposed to me includes 4 days in Cape Town at the Welgelegen Guesthouse (http://www.go2africa.com/africa_accomm_temp.asp?ServiceNo=385) (B&B) then 4 days on safari at Kruger Natl Park at the Chitwa Chitwa Safari Lodge (http://www.go2africa.com/accomm_temp.asp?id=222) (full-board) then 4 days on the beaches of Mozambique at the Dugong Lodge (http://www.go2africa.com/africa_accomm_temp.asp?ServiceNo=3698) (full board). Total price is about 5000 euro plus 2000 euro in airfare (Italy to Capetown, Capetown to Kruger, Kruger to Mozambique, Mozambigue to Johannesburg back to Milan).

I'm kind of having a heart attack over the cost as we were originally planning on going to Thailand for HM and that was only $1500 per person plus airfare. I just keep telling myself that Africa is a once in a lifetime experience.

tashaw6

10-20-2005, 04:05 AM

Total price is about 5000 euro plus 2000 euro in airfare (Italy to Capetown, Capetown to Kruger, Kruger to Mozambique, Mozambigue to Johannesburg back to Milan).

I'm kind of having a heart attack over the cost as we were originally planning on going to Thailand for HM and that was only $1500 per person plus airfare. I just keep telling myself that Africa is a once in a lifetime experience.

I would also have a heart attack!!! €7000 equates to around R55k! Which is ridiculous! Granted we only had to take one flight when we went on honeymoon, and our whole honeymoon in Cape Town cost us not more than R5000 (€625) I just looked at the price of the B&B in Cape Town and that is way too high (B&B at R500 bucks...you can stay in a snazzy hotel for R800!...€38 more...and totally better...honeymoon material!)

As for flights...that all depends what time you go! I know during November to Feb is really busy! So may be expensive! I just recently flew home (in out of peak season) and I paid R12000 (R6000 for each of us) and we flew to Durban from P.E while we were there..and that cost R1336 for both (return) ...so the flight prices seem about right! It may also be that you are flying one way all the time and normally return is a bit cheaper!

I will let you know what my friend gets back with. Sorry I can't help much in the way of Chobe Natl Park as I have never been to Botswana but I have heard that it is a super place! :)

Tash

tlew12778

10-20-2005, 05:32 AM

I just looked at the price of the B&B in Cape Town and that is way too high (B&B at R500 bucks...you can stay in a snazzy hotel for R800!...€38 more...and totally better...honeymoon material!)

As for flights...that all depends what time you go! I know during November to Feb is really busy! So may be expensive! We're travelling late April 2006. The wedding is on Friday the 21st so we are thinking of leaving on Sunday the 23rd. I don't know if this is high season for SA. I had originally asked about Kenya and Tanzania but the Go2Africa agent shot that down fast by telling me that it was rainy season there and while that would not affect the safari, it would be a downer for beach time (we asked for safari + beach). I think the airfares are actually cheaper than current prices in that I put the same details into sidestep and got much higher fares (US$900 just to Capetown for the same flights, plus $300 one way to Kruger... that's already about 1k euro so I don't know how they fit in the r/t to Mozambique as well).
According to that B&B website (http://www.welgelegen.co.za/pages/rates.htm), the "superior room" is 1500 rand during April which is like 190 euro per night. I honestly don't even know if the proposed itinery is for the "superior" room... I just assumed so bc the total price is so high! Do you have a better place to suggest?

I also have the feeling that these companies really jack up the safari prices. I have a friend from Kenya who says the prices I am seeing are insane and that she pays like 30 euro for one day to go on safari when she is home :confused:.

tashaw6

10-24-2005, 05:49 AM

Hi Tiffany,

Yip, was checking out prices and it seems like you are definitely getting cheap prices re the airflights! April isn't really high season. That's autumn down there so getting 'colder' (which isn't cold at all ...lol)

But its the costs IN SA that are ridiculous! I will try check for prices for B&B's in Cape Town!

As for safari prices...this is true! When you go to Addo for instance they charge a South African cover and an overseas traveller cover! Its totally ridiculous!

My friend still hasn't gotten back to me re: prices! I will speak to my sisters travel agent...maybe she can get back to us! I'll let you know as soon as I do!

Tash

tlew12778

10-24-2005, 06:35 AM

Tash - you're awesome!

For everyone else, I have also been in touch with Afriway (http://www.afriway.com/) and Siyabona (http://www.siyabona.com). Siyabona seems very personal (similar to Go2Africa). I haven't yet received a full itinerary from them yet so I am not sure what the prices are like. However, they asked very detailed questions like what is our budget per day per person in ZAR and what type of accomodations we would like (very specifically). I was not at all impressed with Afriway as they did not pay any attention to my request and sent me an itinerary that involves sleeping in tents when I specifically said I do not want any tents. The price was also the same as Go2Africa (but for a lot less, quality wise IMO).

tlew12778

10-24-2005, 07:33 AM

daener

10-25-2005, 06:51 AM

Tashaw6 and Tiffany - thank you so much for the great information and recommendations!!!

I have still made no decisions, but am really leaning toward Kenya (I know, I know, that's no where near South Africa or Zimbabwe :D )...I've always wanted to go there and this may be my only chance. Any recommendations on parks in Kenya? I've always wanted to go to Tsavo, but it's not currently on the itinerary that has been proposed. Should I push for it?

How exciting that so many CCers are planning trips to Africa!!

Jad - I took a look at CCAfrica...unfortunately, it's out of my price range for this trip. But it made me very envious of the fantastic and unique honeymoon YOU got to have!!!! Wow, that IS a once in a lifetime trip! Thank you for the info!

tlew12778

10-25-2005, 07:25 AM

This (http://www.geographia.com/kenya/ken02.htm)article has a list of the best game parks in Kenya. Masai Mara is part of the Serengeti so it is supposed to be astounding. When I was looking at Kenya I was looking at Masai Mara.

This (http://www.kenya-travel.org/index.php)site is very down to earth, "truth about safari"-ish. It's only about Kenya so you should find lots of info there.

tlew12778

10-28-2005, 04:46 AM

They're certainly not cheap, but CCAfrica is *fantastic*. We actually booked them through a travel agent in South Africa, so it was a little cheaper. This "loophole" may have been filled, but it's worth checking into. You're not kidding! Holy smokes. I just got my quote from CC Africa:

ITINERARY ONE:
2 Nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
3 Nights Matetsi Water Lodge
3 Nights Muchenje Safari Lodge
2 Nights Savute Elephant Camp
2 Nights Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp
2 Nights Sandibe Safari Lodge
$5700 per person!

OR Capteown & S. Africa
INCLUDES
• Personalized Travel Journal
• One way road transfer –CIA to Cape Grace
• 2 x Overnights at Cape Grace
• 9 x days Car hire (Group C,Nissan Almera or similar, automatic, power steering, air conditioned, radio/tape, central locking, one way rental fee, super cover not 100%,contract fee and delivery fee within office hours)
• 1 x Overnight at The Marine
• 3 x Overnights at Plettenberg Park
• 1 x Overnights at Windermere
• 2 x Overnights at Kwandwe Main Camp
• One way Federal air shuttle – JIA to Londolozi
• 3 x Overnights at Londolozi bateleur chalets
ZAR 47k per person!

PLUS

Mozambique - 5 Nights at the Marlin Lodge
$1785 per person!

:eek: And none of these itinerary include the flights to actually get to Africa. :eek:

daener

10-30-2005, 03:35 PM

Thank you for those two sites! Very helpful!

I'm still torn....and I need to make some decisions VERY soon.

allison

10-30-2005, 06:20 PM

DH and I are going to South Africa very soon. I'm so excited! We're going with some friends from Canada who have been going to SA every year for 7 years. They have arranged everything for us so we didn't have to do much research.

We're staying and doing the safari's at Ulusaba www.ulusaba.com, Makweti www.makweti.com, and Jabulani http://kapama.krugerpark.co.za/Exclusive_Safari_Lodges-travel/camp-jabulani-kapama.html where we'll go on a safari on elephants!

After a week at those places we fly to Cape Town for some golfing, relaxing and wine tours.

tlew12778

11-17-2005, 03:28 AM

I just sent the confirmation for our HM. We're going with the original package I posted about. It ended up being the cheapest and I felt like Go2Africa was A LOT more attentive to the details than any other company. That said, I also got quotes from:

Afriway (www.afriway.com): S. Africa - Zimbabwe - Mozambique
Day 1 Blyde River Canyon Botanical Reserve, sight seeing and visiting
cultural centers
Day 2,3&4 Kruger National Park's Setara and Lower Sabie rest camps, game
viewing
Day 5&6 Inhambane
Day 7&8 Xai-Xai
Day 9 Crocodile River
Day 10 Johannesburg
Day 11 Victoria Falls
Day 12&13 Chobe River
Day 14 Johannesburg - tour ends
PRICE: 2545 EURO plus airfare
The package involved changing lodges 8 times and it was not luxury standard (which is what I asked for given that it's our HM).

Siyabona (http://www.siyabona.com/): Never got back to me after I sent the follow-up email answering her questions. That's odd... maybe I just deleted the e-mail and don't remember?

CC Africa (http://www.ccafrica.com/): Victoria Falls - Botswana - Mozambique
See itineraries and prices in previous post.
This package was way too expensive for us.

SA Places (http://www.saplaces.co.za): They did not personalise the trip AT ALL. In fact, they only sent me a price for an extension to Vic Falls/Chobe.
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel
2 night Chobe Chilwero
Price: $1280 per person
Oddly enough, part of the e-mail said this:
"28 April 2006 Departure
Your guests will be road transferred to Kasane Airport where they will
be met by a CC Africa representative and road transferred to Victoria
Falls Airport."

Go2Africa (http://www.go2africa.com/): In the end, I got two itineraries from them just to compare. The first is the one we are actually going with:

Capetown - Kruger - Mozambique
4 days in Captown at the Welgelegen Guesthouse
http://www.go2africa.com/images/accommodation/accomm_images/lrg/lrg_2_385.jpg
4 days at Kruger at the Chitwa Chitwa Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sands
http://sabi.krugerpark.co.za/images/chitwa%20safari%20bedrm.jpg
4 days in Mozambique at the Dugong Lodge
http://www.go2africa.com/images/accommodation/accomm_images/lrg/lrg_4_3698.jpg
Price: 922 euro per person for all filghts (Milan to Capetown, CT to Kruger, Kruger to Mozambique, Mozambique to Johanessburg, Johanessburg to Milan) plus ~5088 euro for two for everything else.

The second itinerary was for Tanzania and Mozambique:
1 night at MOUNTAIN VILLAGE in a standard room inclusive of breakfast
1 night at LAKE MANYARA SERENA LODGE in a standard room on a full board basis
2 nights at SERENGETI SOPA LODGE in a standard room on a full board basis
2 nights at NGORONGORO SOPA LODGE in a standard room on a full board basis
2 nights at TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE in a standard room on a full board basis
1 night in a standard room at the PEMBA BEACH HOTEL inclusive of breakfast
4 nights at MEDJUMBE ISLAND RESORT in a chalet inclusive of all breakfast, dinner and all non-motorised Water Activities
Price: $1150 per person for the flights (Milan-Kilamanjaro, Dar-Es-Salaam to Milan), plus $7174 for everything else.
In the end we thought this last package was too much driving and too many lodges. I had originally thought that since it was low-season in Tanzania, the package might be significantly cheaper, but it's not. Additionally, I thought the lodgings were nicer with the first package. However, I think that Tanzania might offer more lush safaris bc there is more variety in game parks as evidenced by these descriptions:

This is one of the most diverse of Tanzania’s national parks, a tiny (325km²) combination of Rift Valley lake, dense woodlands and steep mountainside. Made famous by elephant researcher, Dr Ian Douglas Hamilton in his book, "Among the Elephants", Manyara was established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. Manyara is also a birding paradise (more than 380 species), especially for waterfowl and migrants, and the forests are one of the best places around to see leopards.
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti, the park of legends and dreams. Officially, the park is 14 763km², but there are no fences and the actual range stretches way past the borders, into Kenya’s Masai Mara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maswa Game Reserve in the south-west, the Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas in the west and the Western Corridor, stretching almost to the shores of Lake Victoria. Simply put, at the right time of year, the Serengeti is Africa’s most spectacular wildlife experience. Anyone who has ever been there at the height of the migration will never forget it: day and night, it is an endless cacophony of grunting wildebeest, barking zebra, and the squeals of baby wildebeest being born and being hunted down by the ever-present predators.
Enjoy a half day game viewing on the crater floor. This is quite possibly the most famous of all Africa’s conservation areas, and is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. It is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, and some scientists maintain that before it erupted, it stood higher than Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. Covering a mere 260km², the 600m deep crater is home to a permanent population of more than 30 000 animals, and is one of the only places in Africa where you stand a very good chance of seeing the "big five" in the course of a morning or evening’s game drive. Unique to the crater is that the local Maasai graze their cattle on the floor, and it is not unusual to see Maasai cattle and buffalo grazing together, with a lion kill just a few hundred metres away.
At 2 600km², Tarangire is far from being the biggest of the Tanzanian parks, but its unrivalled landscape of open plains, dotted with thousands of baobabs, is unforgettable. Tarangire rivals the Serengeti for the size of the game herds that congregate here at peak season (June to November). This is when many of the animals crowd around the only source of permanent water in the park, the Tarangire river. This is also the best place in Tanzania to see really big herds of elephant - up to 300 at a time.

I really cannot say enough good things about Go2Africa. Janine's attention to detail is absolutely amazing. We had our chosen itinerary critiqued by a coworker of FH's who just got back from her own HM in S. Africa and when I asked Janine about the other hotels she suggested, one of Janine's responses involved the placement of the rooms in a particular hotel and how she would not recommend that for HM. I really felt like she chose hotels that would be intimate, luxurious, but excellently priced.

Cat

11-22-2005, 07:57 AM

Hey all. I just saw this thread and thought I might be able to add a bit. My husband and I went to Tanzania on our honeymoon in September of 2003. It was awesome. We were able to see all of the big 5 animals and so much more. We visited Arusha/Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro and then we flew on to stay on the island Zanzibar for a few days. It was a 12 day trip and cost us $7000 for the 2 of us. The cost included everything from our flights, every meal, all lodging, and all safari national park costs. It was an amazing trip - one that we will probably never do again - so definetely once in a lifetime. We used www.2afrika.com for our travel arrangements. We had a good experience with them.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Kristy

tlew12778

12-02-2005, 03:18 AM

One other thing to take into consideration is that some companies may require you to purchase additional travel insurance. I had no idea this was going to happen so this is an additional $400 for the trip.

daener

12-20-2005, 03:03 AM

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and ideas!! We finally made a choice and booked our trip. We are going with www.go2africa.com (we also have had an excellent experience with Janine!) for a 13 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Our itinerary includes:
Masai Mara National Reserve
Lake Nakuru National Park
Amboseli National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Serengeti
Olduvai Gorge and the Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park

Additionally, we are going to spend an extra day or two in Nairobi.

We can't wait!!!!

I'll be sure to share my review of this trip upon our return (May 2006).

Sonicstef

02-07-2006, 02:18 PM

Just bumping this up to see if there are any other comments.

(Getting pretty close to booking a trip to Cape Town & Kruger (Cape Grace & Londolozi thru www.go2africa.com )

Any thoughts on Jo'berg? We are busting the budget on the Cape Town and Kruger trip...so Im wondering if I should spend a day or two in Joberg adn spend the extra money.

tlew12778

02-07-2006, 03:00 PM

I heard J'burg was horrible (extremely high crime rate). We are passing through on our way to Kruger but that was not the original flight plan and we are not actually spending any time in the city.

Sonicstef

02-16-2006, 12:35 PM

Rosebud

02-16-2006, 01:12 PM

Just wanted to chime in that one of the girls over on The Knot's honeymoon boards used this company for her trip to Africa and was really happy with them:

http://www.safarimagic.com/

She did one of the surf & safari deals, spending part of her trip on safari and part in the Seychelles.

There have also been a bunch of positive reviews there for CCAfrica. You can find a couple of the trip reviews here: The Honeymoon Bio- Reviews (http://www.angelfire.com/oz/honeymoonbio/Other.html)

:)

allison

02-16-2006, 06:13 PM

We booked our trip :D

So excited. We leave in April and will make a short pitstop in London (1 day) and Jobug (1 day) before spending 3 nights a reserve and 4 nights in Cape Town.

Anyone who has been - I'd love to hear recommendations on what we should plan to do, best restaurants and shopping.

Woo-hoo!

We were in Cape Town for a few days during our recent trip to South Africa and we loved it (well, we loved everything about SA ;) ). We actually stayed in Paarl at a winery, which is just a short drive from CT.

We did some shopping down at the V&A Waterfront (Victoria & Albert) which was very nice but wasn't much different from other malls or shopping areas in the US, but it does have a beautiful view of Table Mountain. You can take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain and it's beautiful! We also visited the Canal Walk at Century City which was beautiful with lots to do outside of shopping. It has a wetlands area, golf, and a theme park and inside the mall it has these small alleys that have great souviners.

We really enjoyed eating at Marimba Restaurant in Central Cape Town. If you like mussels, the chowder is very good. (If you go there :))

There's False Bay in Simon's Town where you can see the whales from June to November. The Castle of Good Hope where they have a dolphin pool among other things. You can also go to Foxy Beach where you can see the African penguins.

You're going to love it!

Which reserve are you going to?

Sonicstef

02-17-2006, 05:57 AM

We really enjoyed eating at Marimba Restaurant in Central Cape Town. If you like mussels, the chowder is very good.

These are my husbands favorite foods so thanks for the recommendation! We'll definitely have to find it.

Did you do a shark diving trip while you were there? If so, what did you think?

Did you do any day tours with an organized group? If so, which company and do you recommend them?

We are staying at Londolozi Bateleur Camp. So excited! Ive just read the entire Frommers Guide Book from cover to cover!

September2002

02-18-2006, 11:59 PM

Hi sonicstef : I remember you from the WC – I’m a fellow YC bride. We went to SA on our honeymoon and LOVED it. We started in Cape Town w/ a stay at the Cape Grace Hotel (amazing). There is a great restaurant there one.waterfront along with a beautiful bar Bascule. If you get the chance, head into town and find the Savoy Cabbage restaurant – excellent.
We did not do any organized tours. We just got in the car and drove w/ our Frommer’s. Cape Town is so beautiful and there is so much to see.

Table Mountain: We hiked down – do not do this unless you want your thighs to burn for days…
Simon’s Town & Boulder’s beach: Penguins
Cape of Good Hope: Watch of for the Baboon’s! Make sure you don’t have any food on you while walking around, they really do attack you.
Whale watching @ Hermanus. Cute little town where you could watch the whales for hours.

Johannesburg: We spent one night there on our way to our safari. We stayed at the Airport Sun InterContinental (walking distance from Airport). The Quills Restaurant (in the hotel) was very good.

We went to two reserves (Royal Malewane & Mkuze Falls) along w/ scuba diving at Sodwana Bay. We did see some sharks but the visibility was very bad b/c they just had a bad storm. Are you referring to the cage diving?

Have fun. SA is amazing - can't wait to go back.

Sonicstef

02-21-2006, 08:30 AM

Hi September2002, I remember you :)

Do you have any photos to share? I'd love to see!

We are staying at the Cape Grace as well so Im very excited about that. Did you do any spa treatments while there? What did you think of the spa?

Yes, im talking about cage diving (but I dont want to go in the cage so much). Im just wondering if its a worthwhile trip or not.

September2002

02-22-2006, 12:02 PM

Sonicstef: I just sent you an email.

Sonicstef

02-23-2006, 06:58 AM

Thanks Sept!

40 days til we leave. Yippee!

melissafromnc

02-25-2006, 11:12 PM

I just found this thread. I spent about 3 weeks in South Africa in January this year. We went to Madikwe Reserve on safari for 4 days. We chose this because it's one of the only malaria-free parks in SA and I didn't want to ake anti-malarials.

We were in Cape Town for the remainder of our trip and it was fabulous. Some of our favorite restaurants were:

ZeroNineThreeTwo (best mussels and frites anywhere)
Wakame-excellent sushi
Kalky's-in Kalk Bay on the way back from Cape of Good Hope--great fish and chips
lunch at the 12 Apostles-very nice

and our very fave meal for a splurge Savoy Cabbage. This is an incredible restaurant.

Also for anyone looking for cheap airfare to CPT I found a great travel agent with the best rates around: Reservations Africa (www.reservationsafrica.com)

Also a trip to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner is a must. It leaves from the V & A waterfront.

Sonicstef

02-27-2006, 06:48 AM

Sounds like a great trip. Any photos to share?

Did you take any organized tours to the winelands or cape penisula? If so, do you recommend the company you used? or did you drive it yourself? What about a shark diving tour? I'd love to hear all about it!

KRK

03-01-2006, 01:27 AM

My DH and I went on safari about 2 years ago in South Africa and had so much fun. We've turned into one of those people that can't stop raving about Africa. I'm so jealous that you ladies get to go.

If you go to Africa and love wildlife you absolutely MUST go on a safari! We were fortunate and got to experience two different private game reserves (Madikwe and Welgevonden). It’s just like watching Discovery Channel or National Geographic, only it’s so much more real when the animals are only 10 feet away.

Madikwe Private Game Reserve was very dry with lots of dry brush and acacia (thorny) trees. The game viewing was plentiful and very easy to see. We were so fortunate to see cheetahs, wild dogs, 2 types of hyenas, lion kill, leopard kill stuck in a tree, and a serval.

Welgevonden Private Game Reserve is located in the Waterberg. Even though we felt like we saw practically all the animals at the previous reserve the experience was different in Welgevonden. Water was much more abundant and weren’t man made dams. The vegetation was very lush and looked great in pictures, but it made it difficult to see the animals. The reserve is very restrictive in that they only allow rangers and staff to drive on the roads and off-roading is not permitted. However, the animals seem a lot more comfortable with the vehicles and allow us to view them closer. We finally managed to add more animals to our list (the illusive leopard and buffalos).

We LOVED the Shidzidzi Lodge in Waterberg. The service we received was beyond exceptional. We were the only guests for most of our stay so the staff really catered to us. It felt like we were living the life of the rich and famous with our own staff. I was also pregnant with really horrible morning sickness and they did even thing to make sure that I was taken care of. They would even make any food request that I had and would deliver it to our room. The cook was fabulous and it felt like we were in a 5-star restaurant. On our last night the staff decided that they wanted to do something special for us. While we were on safari they setup a dining table in our room, lit up our fireplace and candles. Every once in a while they’d knock on our door to deliver another course.

I loved Cape Town and it really is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It reminds me of San Francisco. I agree with all of September's recs. Take the cable car up Table Mountain. I actually hiked down and didn't think it was that bad. Drive the coastline and stop at Simon’s Town, Boulder’s beach to see the penguins, Cape of Good Hope and Misty Cliffs.

We didn't take any organized tours, because my morning sickness was horrible and I couldn't risk being stuck doing something with a group. We did drive to the winelands by ourselves and really enjoyed the ride. I wish we would have at least went on a tour to see more wineries, but oh well I couldn't drink anyways.

Sonicstef cage diving with the great white sharks is a must. It’s amazing to be so close to the sharks and see them in action. Yes, I was pregnant, but I HAD to do it. It was on my must do list before I die. Plus, it's not like we were actually diving. It was more like snorkeling, but without gear. The water is cold as hell, but you quickly forget about it once you see the sharks.
This is what the experience looks like. That's actually my DH in the cage.
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b4d926b3127cce98548d101bb000000027108AZsXDlq5cM-
Here's the view underwater. Yes, my DH really did take that picture.
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b4d926b3127cce98548d119a8100000017108AZsXDlq5cM-
We went with Eco-Adventures (http://www.ecoadventures.co.za/). If you're planning on doing it, you should definitely book your cage diving trip well in advance, because it books up really quickly.

One of our all time favorite hotels was the Western Cape Hotel and Spa (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/search/hotel_detail.html?city=&stateProvince=&country=&postalCode=&hotelLocationType=&pOI=&arrivalDate=&departureDate=&lengthOfStay=&numberOfRooms=&numberOfAdults=&amenityType1=&amenityType2=&amenityType3=&nState1=&nState2=&nCity1=&nCity2=&requestedChainCode=&requestedAffiliationCode=&propertyID=1371&returnURL=&promotionCode=&corporateAccountNumber=&rcdi=&iATANumber=&groupBlockID=&ratePlanName=&starwoodPreferredGuest=&fromSearch=&H=250&W=491) in Kleinmond/Hermanus. It was pure luxury and probably the most well equipped hotel that I’ve stayed in. If you want a tv over your tub, full body spa shower, walk-in closet, fireplace, huge balcony, and amazing views this is the hotel for you. Heck, the room even comes with fizz balls and a scale if you need it. The service was superior and can’t wait to go back.

You can view our South Africa photos here. (http://share.shutterfly.com/action/slideshow?a=67b0de21b31c87fbe4f5&auto=1&idx=-1&m=1&d=1141204869274) I have a bunch more, but I have to find time to scan them all.

Sonicstef

03-01-2006, 10:50 AM

Thanks KRK...sounds like an amazing trip.

Your shutterfly link didnt work - can you repost it? I want to see the photos :)

KRK

03-01-2006, 11:11 AM

try this South Africa Photos (http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAM2Lhy1cuGbLYg)

tlew12778

03-01-2006, 11:40 AM

What is everyone doing about local transport in Capetown? I am thinking I should look into car rentals. Thoughts?

Sonicstef

03-01-2006, 01:17 PM

Tlew - we are going thru the same decision now. Im wondering if I should take an organized tour, private tour or just rent a car and drive. Which way are you leaning?

Krk - Great photos! How did you like Spier? Did you do a tour or drive yourself to the winelands?

allison

03-01-2006, 01:21 PM

We rented a car in Jo-burg and drove to the various reserves and CT. It was very easy and we loved being on our own time. We could stop where we wanted to and took our time when we drove to the wineries that we went to.

KRK

03-01-2006, 01:22 PM

we rented a car and it was really easy to find our way around town. you just have to get used to the idea of driving on the left side of the road. Most cars in SA are manual. So unless you're comfortable shifting with your left, I'd recommend spending more to get an automatic. I forgot what company we used, but I think we booked it through our hotel.

There are so many great wineries that if you're only planning on spending a day there I would suggest booking a tour for that. If you have the luxury of time, then I'd probably do it on my own.

Sonicstef I really liked Spier. It was a great place to picnic and of course being so up close and personal to the cheetahs was an even bigger plus. I can't comment on any of the wines, since I was PG and couldn't drink. However, my DH did purchase a couple of bottles so the wine must have been good.

shaqangel

03-02-2006, 08:47 AM

i'm from South Africa and its so cool to read that you guys enjoyed your trips to my home! i just took Dh home with me and we spent a mth in total bliss! we went for half of Dec and half of Jan - it was awesome. since it was his first time we did tons of touristy things.

i will upload pics to share but i highly recommend hiring a car and driving around instead of doing mostly organized tours. its so easy to get around and u have the freedom to do what u want. We used Avis for the longer trips and a local company in Cape Town - better rates.

we started of in joburg and pretoria and then headed to durban (where i am from) and then off to cape town for a week and we drove back to durban through the garden route (which is just awesome). there's beautiful little towns to visit and you can go to Oudtshoorn to visit the ostrich farms which DH loved - he's never ridden a horse but got to ride an ostrich which was quite a thrill for him! Cango Caves is also a nice place to visit. we stayed in B&B's and it was just great. after durban, we headed back to joburg and headed to Pilanesburg - we did a night drive that was really amazing.

i guess there are so many ways you can plan your trip...Dh still cant believe he hasnt seen everything and we covered so much in such a short time.

tlew12778

03-02-2006, 08:55 AM

I am leaning towards renting. The main reason is bc we are staying in B&B somewhere around Table Mountain and I don't really think that it's easy to get to a central location from there. I really have no clue... but it seems secluded. I am thinking of booking now bc I want an automatic. FH only knows how to drive manual but he has a horrific sense of direction and I can see him trying to drive on the right all the time (esp. making a turn into the wrong lane). I know here in Italy it is really, really hard to find an automatic to rent and you need to give at least 6 weeks notice to the rental company so I need to book soon. Anyway, we know another couple that went on HM to S. Africa and they insist we rent a car. They were like "but how will you see all the fantastic things OUTSIDE of CT without a car?" So I guess they have a point.

How much are shark dives? I looked on that site but it didn't say. This seems like something that would interest FH.

Sonicstef

03-03-2006, 10:38 AM

Ive been on self drives and organized tours and I usually think I learn and see more on a tour since those people know what they are doing and don't waste any time. But in exchange, you have to forfeit the privacy and experience of going it on your own. So its probably great either way.

The shark diving is about $200 per person! So its quite a pinch.

It looks like Cape Town is having a serious power problem. GAH!

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/article_1131349.php/Power_outages_at_the_Cape_cause_huge_losses_in_ret ail_and_tourism

tlew12778

03-14-2006, 11:45 AM

OK this is a stupid question, but what shoes does one need while on safari? I was shopping today and thinking about this. I still don't even know what clothes I am bringing with me. I think fall clothing for late April no?

I am going to try to be as skint as possible since we have a serious luggage weight limit. I don't want to bring more than 2 pairs of shoes with me if possible.

shaqangel

03-14-2006, 12:30 PM

i wore my running shoes....u can wear sandals too, my friend did and she was comfy! u're in a covered vehicle so it doesnt matter. and i had on jeans and a sweat shirt (we went on a night drive and it had rained so it was pretty cool).

Sonicstef

03-14-2006, 12:35 PM

Tlew- im in the same boat. No idea what to wear.

I think Im going to bring these:
http://i.shoebuy.com/pi/skech/skech148191_42956_lg.jpg
along with a pair of flip flops and a pair of sandals that can be dressed up & down.

Are you brining a hat? I have something like this but I feel like a huge dork wearing it
http://www1.talbots.com/images/687/F76687.jpg

tlew12778

03-14-2006, 02:38 PM

Actually, our vehicles are open-top.

Hat - I always travel with hats esp. bc we will be heading to Mozambique after S. Africa. So I will have at least one beach hat with me. When I am out and about doing more active stuff, I tend to wear a bandana on my head bc it stays on better. I don't wear hats in the city... only if it's over 40C/100F out and it won't be there.

Won't it be cool for sandals? You're going next month too right? It's fall there in April. This (http://www.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/CapeTownStats.jsp)site says avg temps are 23-12C in April.

allison

03-14-2006, 02:46 PM

I wore my Keene hiking shoes http://www.zappos.com/n/br/b/427.html

Very comfy and I can wear them with or without socks. DH has a pair of Merrill hiking shoes that he wore and loved them. We were there during the end of Spring and the weather was still a little cool. From what our friends and guides told us, winters there can get pretty cold. For us, the time we were there, we wore lightweight pants and longsleeved or shortsleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts for early morning and night drives. Definitely bring a hat....

Also, I would invest in a pair of yellow lens glasses to wear at night. I wish I had some! Bugs will fly at you from everywhere and DH got a bug leg in his eye. It would have made things much easier during night drives.

tlew12778

03-15-2006, 02:46 AM

Hm. Maybe I will just wear my hiking boots. Granted, they'll be hot in 23C weather but whatever. I can't imagine we will be out during the peak heat since I assume the animals are sleeping then anyway.

Yellow shades... FH has a pair somewhere. Another thing to add to the list.

God I really need to get a guidebook. I have like no idea what we will do in Capetown nor do I have any idea how our days are structed while on safari (other than getting up before the sunrises).

allison

03-15-2006, 06:40 AM

nor do I have any idea how our days are structed while on safari (other than getting up before the sunrises).

I'm not sure about all safari's, but the three places we were at we woke up around 5:30 am for a 6am drive. We would return to the lodge around 8-9am for breakfast. Then we had several choices of things to do. We could have a spa service, take a nap, go on a bushwalk... Most lodges are built on a riverbed or watering hole and you can sit nearby and watch some animals that come to drink. We did that a lot. Lunch was served between 12 and 2 and then another break. The next drive left around 5pm and would return around 8-9pm for dinner. Also, during the drives you stop for a break and have a snack and drinks (your choice) halfway through the drive. If you're like me and have a small bladder, don't drink anything before you go out on a drive. There are no bathrooms out there and it can be nervewracking to have to go behind a termite mound. Also, bring your own tissue as there might not be any for you, along with a ziplock baggy since there are no trashcans out there! :D

Sonicstef

03-15-2006, 11:23 AM

Won't it be cool for sandals? You're going next month too right? It's fall there in April. This site says avg temps are 23-12C in April.

Its hard for me to figure out the temps b/c it seems like every site indicates different temp ranges. Like the one you posted says that even in the height of their summer, its only 78 degrees. That doesnt seem right. Ive seen other sites where it says it can get up to 100 degrees in Sabi Sands. So I dont know what to believe.

tlew12778

03-15-2006, 02:00 PM

I think it's bc S. Africa is soooo big. I looked on the website of the lodge we are staying at and it says :

Summer months fall between September and April, with the weather at its hottest between November and February, often reaching temperatures of 35 - 40 degrees.

Then another site (http://www.sabisandslodges.co.za/Climate.asp)said:

AUTUMN ( March to May )

Minimum : 19 Degrees Celsius
Maximum : 28 Degrees Celsius

That sounds more probable even though it's still warmer than I would consider average for "fall".

I think I will just layer. I can wear jeans in 80 degree weather anyway so no big deal.

I think it hits 100F/40C probably more around November-December. This (http://cybercapetown.com/Ulusaba/climate.php)site has month by month averages for sabi sands.

Sonicstef

03-16-2006, 07:56 AM

Even on sites that compare the same locations (cape town to cape town, sabi sands to sabi sands), the ranges are still huge.

I guess I'll just have to layer - but layering means a lot of clothing! Argh.

indie_girl01

04-04-2006, 04:47 AM

subscribing

daener

04-06-2006, 05:25 PM

Dropping back in to say that we leave on our trip in just a few days and can't wait!!! We're going to Kenya and Tanzania for 13 days.

I think several of other posters in this thread also are heading to Africa this month, no?

tlew12778

04-07-2006, 02:01 AM

Yup. 2 weeks from Sunday :) But to S. Africa and Mozambique.

wander_woman

04-16-2006, 01:06 AM

Hi. I haven't been on here in a while because DH and I are on our 7-month round-the-worlld honeymoon. :) I just got on for the first time in months and saw this thread. I know it's a bit late for all the cc'ers heading to Africa this month, but I thought I'd post my recommendations in case others are planning Africa trips in the future.

We spent 2 months in Africa -- 1 months in S. Africa, 2 weeks in Zambia/Zimbabwe, and 3 weeks in Kenya/Tanzania/Rwanda. We were backpacking, so our accomodations probably weren't as nice as many people would want. But we had an absolutely fantastic time.

We did a safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. I highly recommend going there! The Ngorongoro Crater is the most beautiful place I have ever been. And the animal viewing in the Serengeti (especially during the wildebeast migration) cannot be beat. You can definitely do a safari for cheaper than you'd think. We did a 5-day private (just the 2 of us) camping safari for $150/person/day (MUCH cheaper than many of the safari options out there). I know a camping safari isn't for everyone, but it's really not so bad. They set up the tents for you, they give you comfy mattresses and sleeping bags, and they cook the same good food that you'd get on a luxury safari. Most of your time is spent watching animals, so the tent part didn't bug us. It was so much cheaper than staying at a lodge and we had a fantastic animal viewing experience. We saw all the animals you can think of, enjoyed the gorgeous scenery, and had so much fun with our guides. Our safari company in Tanzania was Duma Explorer: http://www.dumaexplorer.com/. They were awesome. Very professional and fun people. I highly recommend them.

Other things I loved in Africa:
- Seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This is a lifetime highlight for me. It's not cheap, but it was so worth it.

- Victoria Falls is a must see. We saw it from the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides and couldn't get enough of it. We rafted the Zambezi River and did a microlight flight over the falls. Our rafting company -- Safari Par Excellence -- was great.

- Lamu Island off the coast of Kenya. Great laid-back island, good beaches, good food, and friendly locals. Loved the Swahili atmosphere.

- Cape Town. The must do's have already been mentioned in this thread. We rented a car for one day to go to the Cape but otherwise we took public transportation everywhere. The minibus taxis are a great way to get around Cape Town. Outside of town, we took public busses everywhere. The busses are very nice and easy to arrage. There's a backpacker bus - the Baz Bus - that's pretty convenient but more expensive than public busses. We spent 9 days in Cape Town and didn't want to leave.

- South Africa's Wild Coast. We spent 3 weeks traveling up the Garden Route and Wild Coast. It was wonderful. Most people just do the Garden Route but the Wild Coast is so much better. It's gorgeous and we had some really meaningful experiences with the Xhosa people in the Transkei region. If you like hiking, surfing, and/or cultural immersion, it's fantastic. Favorite places were Cintsa, Hogsback, and Coffee Bay.

Have fun Africa travelers!

Sonicstef

04-23-2006, 02:38 PM

Just dropping to say that Im back from my trip and it was absolutely amazing. My only complaint is that I wish I could have stayed 2x as long because there is simply too much to do and see.

We chose a pretty upscale itinary and were totally pampered and treated like kings. We saw so many animals and enjoyed a few exhilerating days in the bush. We soaked up as much of metropolitan Cape Town as we could. It was such a wonderful trip, Id definitely recommend it to anyone interested.

I used www.go2africa.com and everything went off without a hitch.

KRK

04-23-2006, 04:23 PM

Got any pictures you want to share? I'm dying to go back to Africa and won't be going for a while. I need to live vicariously through you ladies.

Karen

September2002

04-26-2006, 10:27 AM

Glad to hear that you had a great trip. I would love to see your photos too!

Sonicstef

04-30-2006, 11:05 AM

If you dont mind looking at a lot of photos, here are my favorites
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZNG7Zs4aMmd6&notag=1

daener

04-30-2006, 05:38 PM

Your pictures are amazing!!! I just returned from my trip on Friday and have yet to take my film in (yes, I do still use film....).

The trip was so amazing. But exhausting. Two weeks on safari is just killer...no sleeping in, VERY busy days, lots of dust and driving. But sooo much wildlife to see. I still can't believe everything we saw - once in a lifetime, I'm sure.

I highly recommend go2africa.com (Janine) as a safari vacation planner - they did an awesome job and our trip was managed without a hitch from beginning to end. That included two different safari companies (Pollman's in Kenya and Rangers in Tanzania), both of which I can also praise. Excellent driver/guides, fabulous lodging (Sopa Lodges for the most part), wonderful food.

Can't wait to go back to Africa in the not-too-distant future!!

allison

05-01-2006, 08:08 AM

If you dont mind looking at a lot of photos, here are my favorites
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZNG7Zs4aMmd6&notag=1

Great pictures! DH and looked at them together and it brought back all of our memories from our trip. It only made us want to go back even more. We also stayed at Sabi Sands at Ulusaba. You took some amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing!!

tlew12778

05-08-2006, 02:44 AM

We're back from our HM which was absolutely amazing! I still have to upload all the pics and pick and choose which to put into an album for you all (as I cannot imagine you all want to look at like 700 photos :eek: ).

The Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge was wonderful, as were our ranger and our tracker. We ended up on private safari for a couple days as there was only one other couple at the lodge and 2 range rovers.

Cape Town was great as well despite the severe windstorm that blew in for about 36 hours. We went to Cape Point with winds gusting at like 70 kmh!

Mozambique was nice as well. We actually hated our lodge but that was bc of the manager who kept chasing after all the guests trying to get them to buy more excursions. I didn't meet one couple who didn't complain about this guy. I will be complaining to Go2Africa and telling them to not recommend this lodge to future clients or, in the very least, to go visit this lodge again for a more updated review of the place.

Anyway for those who have yet to depart, my one piece of advice is to bring clothing for all 4 seasons. I haphazardly packed the morning of departure bc with all the wedding stress, we didn't have time to do it before. We were FREEZING while on safari and I ended up buying a scarf! Good thing we grabbed fall coats on the way out of the door to the airport or we would have picked up pneumonia probably.

I cannot wait to get back to Africa for another safari!

daener

05-08-2006, 05:12 PM

tlew12778's advice reminded me of some of the things I ran into while we were in Africa recently and that I meant to share. We were in Kenya and Tanzania, so this may not apply to all countries:

There was absolutely no need to exchange money. All transactions could be made in US dollars (and many times the prices quoted were already in dollars). We met travellers from other parts of the world who had brought dollars with them, as well. Unfortunately, there was no savings or benefit to using local currency.

If you do plan to change money and you take cash, be sure your bills were minted in 2000 or later. The banks in Kenya and Tanzania will not accept older US dollar bills. This was quite a pain since we did not know ahead of time and we did change money (prior to finding out it was unnecessary to do so).

Do not rely on the availibility of ATMs to get money. We did not see a single ATM during our 18 days in Africa. We were told that the banks have them, but we never had an opportunity to go to an actual bank as 99 percent of our time was spent outside of cities.

Cashiers use calculators to add up charges, which makes you vulnerable to overcharging. I was nearly overcharged twice. Do not hesitate to question the total if you think it is incorrect. Both times the cashier had neglected to "Clear" the calculator prior to adding my purchases. I was told that this is a common ploy, although I'd like to think it was just a simple oversight.

Our cell phones (with international service activated) worked in and around Nairobi and just about everywhere in Tanzania. To call the US we had to dial 000 +1+ the area code +phone number.

As is to be expected at tourist lodges and hotels, everything is overpriced. Take more film than you think you'll need...I paid $11 for a single roll of 36-exposure 400 asa film because I ran out.

If you are staying at safari lodges and are not comfortable having a stranger knock on your door every morning as your "wake up call," then be sure to take an alarm clock with you. Most places we stayed did not have phones in the rooms and the wake up calls were in-person.

Most of all, be prepared for the friendliest service I've ever experienced!! We were greeted at each lodge with a hot towel and a glass of juice - a refreshing welcome after a long drive!! I hope this is helpful to someone ;) !

tlew12778

05-15-2006, 12:23 AM

Here are some preliminary photos (http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=1zop0pn.4av11t6v&Uy=15h9tp&Ux=1)from our trip. I accidentally deleted a day and a half of photos from my memory stick when I got home but fortunately DH had copied them all onto his mom's laptop before I did that. So next time I see her I will get them from her and add them.

shaqangel

05-15-2006, 07:43 AM

glad u ladies are enjoying your trips to the African continent :D

just wanted to respond to something really quick:

There was absolutely no need to exchange money. All transactions could be made in US dollars (and many times the prices quoted were already in dollars). We met travellers from other parts of the world who had brought dollars with them, as well. Unfortunately, there was no savings or benefit to using local currency.

pls note that this is not true for south africa - we have the RAND as our currency and all transactions are made using the rand. you can use your visa, mastercard and amex with no problems. but you do have to have local currency to complete cash transactions.

there are also ATMS located in all major shopping venues. most malls have a banking mall section. so the no ATMs rule DOES NOT apply to south africa.

HTH!

daener

05-15-2006, 04:51 PM

tlew12778 - Amazing pictures!!!! I need to hurry and get mine developed...I'm always a bit slow on that front. ;) Your lodging looked amazing - I may be able to use your photos to convince DH to go to South Africa WITH me on my next trip to Africa!! What a great second honeymoon that would be!! Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to see more!

shaqangel - I thought this would NOT be the case everywhere. It was odd to be so far from the U.S. and still have that be the primary currency. Just one more piece of information I can use to get DH to South Africa...he does not leave home without his credit card ;)! (Although credit cards were accepted at all of the hotels in which we stayed...it was just those darned ATMs I could not find!!!)

tlew12778

05-16-2006, 02:06 AM

Oh ywah we can't wait to go back. When we were choosing a HM I wanted a place that we coud go back to for a 10 year anniversary but now I want to go back before that! Although I think the next trip might be to the serengeti just bc I want to see the animals truly in their natural form. Kruger has a gate around it so it's sort of an enormous zoo in that respect. Although I would like to bring our future kids back there someday. There were families that returned to the Chitwa Chitwa and the staff actually remembered them and asked about their kids and everything. It was really nice. So maybe for our 10 year we'll go back and do the same itinerary (with a different lodge in Mozambique though!).

In Mozambique they take dollars. There is also a local currency but everyone will take USD. ATMs are nowhere to be found there, so it's also important to bring small bills for tips and smaller purchases.

tlew12778

05-18-2006, 01:47 AM

I uploaded some videos to photobucket:

Lions eating wildebeast:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=175-Tuesdaymorningsafari-lionpridew.flv

Leopard eating impala:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=090-Mondayeveningsafari-youngfemale.flv

Mother leopard cleaning young:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=080-tuesdayeveningsafari-motherleop.flv

Elephant breeding herd:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=241-thursdaymorningsafari-elephantb.flv

Young leopard just laying in grass:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=205-Tuesdaymorningsafari-youngleopa.flv

Impala:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=311--fridaymorningsafari-impalafigh.flv

Lion cubs:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=305-fridaymorningsafari-lioncubs.flv

Rhinos:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=153-wednesdaymorningsafari-rhinos.flv

Male dominant rhino (he stays behind the pack until the females let him get closer):
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=156-wednesdaymorningsafari-dominant.flv

Penguins at Boulder Beach:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=074-Sunday-BouldersBeach.flv

Singers at the V&A Waterfront:
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/Africa/?action=view&current=113-Monday-VAWaterfront.flv

Kanga

05-20-2006, 01:24 PM

All you ladies look like you had a wonderful vacation:) What kind of food do they have in Africa? I'm kinda a picky eater, don't like any kind of seafood and nothing remotely spicy.

allison

05-20-2006, 06:00 PM

We ate a lot of game. Kudu steaks, ostritch medallions, impala cooked osso bucco style (delish!), ox tails... At all three of the places we stayed each night they featured three dishes, one game, one poultry and one seafood along with an appetizer, salad/soup and a choice of 2 or 3 desserts. Breakfast wasn't different from what we eat here, usually a small buffet with eggs cooked to order. Lunch was usually light, soups, salads, light sandwhiches. We didn't have a bad meal while there and ate more than we should have on several occasions.

All of the food was tasty, not spicy or bland. Loved it all!!

daener

05-20-2006, 09:35 PM

On our safari the food was excellent, sometimes outstanding. Meals were always multi-course: salad or soup, appetizer, entree and dessert. There were always several options - usually several meat dishes and always a vegetarian option. I don't eat a lot of meat and I found myself having excellent Indian or Italian choices everyday. Breakfast was usually cereal or bread (eggs cooked-to-order were always an option), tea/coffee, breakfast potatos, etc. Lunches were sandwiches, light pastas, etc. The food was one of my biggest worries and it turned out to be a delight every day.

tlew12778

05-22-2006, 03:45 AM

Like the others, our safari food was excellent. Breakfast was always eggs and some sort of meat (sausauge or bacon), plus fresh fruit, yogurts, cereals, fresh juices, toast, muffins, coffee/tea, etc. Lunch was always something light like pasta, some sort of meat option (like impala pot pie!), salad, fresh veggie sides, fruit salad for dessert, coffee, etc. Dinner was more elaborate in that the meat dishes were heavier (roasts and broils), but there was always the option of something gamey/local or something more traditional like pork or beef. I think the first night we were there the option was snouk (a local fish) or beef, the second night it was wildebeast or pork. Our lodge made a vegetarian option only if there were vegetarians present (DH is veg). The chef did not make foreign cuisines really... he stuck to S. African gourmet with hints of mediterranean. I really liked that actually. It made me want to buy a local cookbook.

Also, while on safari, you take a short break with more teas/coffees, and snacks. The snacks were the sort of thing you get during a cocktail hour at a reception.

Sonicstef

07-29-2006, 11:12 AM

Kanga - Dont worry about it. Im a very picky eater too and didn't have a problem.

Rosebud

07-29-2006, 11:33 AM

There was a good article in the L.A. Times travel section about safari options recently.

Cull the right journey for you from the herd of safari trips

Luxury lodges or spartan tents? Gorilla tracking or lion watching? Tailor yours to your interests.

FOR many travelers, an African wildlife safari is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Making it happen takes planning; like the leopard, you must stalk your prey. But look before you pounce; it's a jungle out there.

Choices abound. Nearly a dozen countries, with scores of parks and private reserves. Top-tier lodges, spartan tents and encampments that rival luxury hotels. Minibuses, four-wheel-drives, walking and canoeing.

Did I mention animals? Not just the so-called "big five" — elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos and Cape buffalo — but birds, cheetahs, gorillas and more.

Or so I'm told. I've never been to Africa, but I recently spent a few days prowling around the world of safari travel, talking to experts who book and organize the trips.

I came away convinced that arranging a safari is best left to professionals. But it all begins with you.

"What is your dream of Africa?" That's what planners at Abercrombie & Kent ask wanna-be adventurers, said Pamela Lassers, a spokeswoman for the luxury travel company in Oak Brook, Ill.

If the movie "Out of Africa," with its sweeping grasslands, big game and vistas of Mt. Kilimanjaro, feeds your fantasies, go to Kenya or Tanzania, Lassers said. If you envision a remote getaway, consider the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

"People have very different expectations," Lassers said.

For some travelers, it's not just about the animals.

"All of your senses are going to be opened in a brand-new way," said Anastasia Mann, president of the Corniche Group in West Hollywood.

Mann, who has been going to Africa for 26 years and recently opened an Africa travel division, spoke of "the grand scale of the bush. It's pure, pristine, natural."

But not if you're in a Jeep traffic jam at an over-touristed game park.

Expectations are vital because you'll be going far away, staying awhile (at least two weeks, several experts advised) and spending considerable cash (although not as much as you may fear).

Once you decide what you want, you can work with a travel agent or tour operator to home in on a place, time and travel style.

Some things to think about:

• Cost. Safaris aren't cheap. The best ones take groups of a dozen or fewer participants and are led by a trained naturalist; in remote areas; supplies may be flown in. Round-trip airfare between LAX and Nairobi, Kenya, can cost $2,000 or more.

But safaris needn't be outlandishly expensive.

Anne Bellamy, president of African Travel in Glendale, said she could put together a 12-day, low-season safari to South Africa for about $4,000 per person, including airfare.

Nonprofit groups such as the Earthwatch Institute, http://www.earthwatch.org , and the Sierra Club, http://www.sierraclub.org , offer well-priced trips that may include volunteer work.

• When to go. That's the first decision to make, says Bellamy, whose company has been sending people to Africa for 30 years.

The answer dictates what you see, she said. For instance, if you want to view thousands of migrating wildebeest on the move — and the lions that pursue them — go to Kenya starting around June and Tanzania around January, she suggested.

Weather is another consideration. Touring Africa is more pleasant when you're not contending with the havoc rain can cause. Eastern Africa tends to be drier in June through February and southern Africa in May through September.

• What to do. This may seem obvious. But it's not.

"Is it all about the game?" Bellamy asks clients. If so, she sends them to Botswana or East Africa.

Among the best places to spot the big five, experts said, are Botswana's Okavango Delta and areas in and around Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Each place has its specialty. Lion-watchers often head to the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania, and Masai Mara in Kenya; rhino fanciers to Namibia; leopard lovers to South Africa and Zambia; gorilla trekkers to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park; and so on.

If you want varied activities or are traveling with easily bored teens, consider South Africa, experts said. Besides game, it offers whale-watching, wine-tasting and just plain lounging at places such as Sun City Resort.

• Tent or lodge. Much depends on how close you want to get to nature.

"Out in the bush, those hippos are pushing against your tent," Mann said. A lion roaring a mile away may seem as though he's just outside, Bellamy added.

If that sounds thrilling, stay in a tent. If it sounds scary, consider a lodge.

Tent camps may be luxurious — or not. Abercrombie & Kent's tents, for instance, are furnished with double beds, Oriental rugs and flush toilets. Many lodges offer their own ranger programs, plus world-class amenities.

• Health and safety. Tracking gorillas can be strenuous, with long hikes at high altitudes. Other safari travel may be physical, such as getting in and out of canoes, Jeeps and small planes. What can you can handle?

Ask your doctor about health precautions; anti-malaria medication is often prescribed.

Crime and unrest may raise concerns too. As of July 11, the State Department had travel warnings in effect for Kenya, citing "safety and security concerns," and Zimbabwe, citing "political and economic turmoil."

• Whom to hire: In South Africa, which has relatively good infrastructure and many private lodges, you may be comfortable doing a safari without a private escort, Mann said. More typically, safari participants travel in a group with a guide and have worked with a travel agent or tour organizer.

The same issue featured big articles on specific sections of Africa, as well. I'm trying to find some of that online.

jki

07-29-2006, 07:38 PM

Kanga - Dont worry about it. Im a very picky eater too and didn't have a problem.

I agree, I was 4 months pregnant while in Africa and had no issues.

mpc863

02-28-2007, 08:45 PM

My DH and I are going to Africa the 1st 2 weeks of July. We already have a travel company (Mt. Sobek, bid on the trip at a charity auction) but we are torn b/w Tanzania and Botswana. I am leaning toward Botswana at this time but I would love to hear your thoughts if you've gone through this process.

TIA!

wander_woman

03-01-2007, 06:41 PM

I've been to Tanzania (Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater) and loved it. Haven't been to Botswana but I hear it's amazing. It's at the top of my list of places to go. It's really expensive, though; generally much more expensive than east African safaris. But it's supposed to be a much more intimate experience. If it's the same price for the 2 (which it sounds like it might be since you've already paid), then I would choose Botswana. Everyone I know who has been has raved about it. If you do go to Tanzania, try to see the wildebeest migration. Don't know where they will be in July (Kenya or Tanzania) but it's an amazing site to see.

mpc863

03-01-2007, 11:12 PM

Thanks wander_woman! We "won" the trip at a charity auction so the trip is essentially prepaid. The fact that Botswana is more expensive is actually a plus ;)

tlew12778

03-02-2007, 12:23 AM

When I was in Mozambique, there was a travel agents' review meeting when we were there (basically a bunch of travel agents who go around and test all the lodges they recommend). One guy said that Botswana is hands-down the most beautiful country in Africa and that he has been there like 5 times. The desert experience is supposed to be stunning and irreplicable. I wanted to go when we were there but the flights from S. Africa were prohibitively expensive. We did meet a couple who had just come from Botswana and Namibia who said they loved it. They did flying safaris and saw the Big 5 plus some.

If I had to choose, I would choose Botswana as it is more expensive. You can do a Tanzania safari pretty cheaply (relative to other safaris I mean). Also, bc it is not a gated park, there is no guarantee you will see the Big 5 as the animals are less territorial in the open space.

KRK

03-02-2007, 12:39 AM

mpc I agree w/all the previous posters. I did a bunch of research and so many people say that Botswana is the place to go on safari. I originally planned on going on a fly-in safari and had everything planned and paid for. However, a week before my trip I found out I was pregnant. I couldn't go because I could NOT take the required malaria pills. :( I still went on 2 safaris in South Africa and had a fabulous time, but I still wonder about Botswana. Guess, I need to book another trip to Africa, huh?

mpc863

03-05-2007, 07:23 AM

Thank you tlew12778 and KRK! I think we are going to book the trip to Botsawna today. We can't wait!

shaqangel

03-05-2007, 08:44 AM

I still went on 2 safaris in South Africa and had a fabulous time, but I still wonder about Botswana. Guess, I need to book another trip to Africa, huh?
i'm from south africa and i'd recommend it to anyone! but my parents went to botswana and they loved it - the photos are gorgeous. i cant wait to visit there the next time i go home.

thompso2

03-08-2007, 03:48 PM

We went on a two-week safari in Tanzania and had a fantastic time. We went with African Environments (http://africanenvironments.com/) (the owner is a friend of my FIL's), and we would definitely recommend them. We haven't put most of our pictures up, but there are a few here (http://www.jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/jess/tanzania-2007/).

Renrel

03-09-2007, 08:31 PM

We went to Tanzania for a wedding year trip we used this company

http://www.gwcats.com/

Which subcontracted out to a wonderful local agency, I will try to find the name and post it as well.

The trip we took was totally customized and very expensive. Definately once in a life time. We had our own guide, Emanual,for the first two weeks of the trip. He was amazingly knowlegable, it was obvious that the other guides we met looked up to him. He also spoke the kings English. We also had our own driver, though that was unsual. They are usually one and the same with this agency, but while Emanual was an amazing guide he apparently was also a scary bad driver, so they made special arrangements.

We started out in Arusha at a bed and breakfast called Rivertree. From there we headed to Nigoragora creater which is a must see if you want to see lots and lots of animals.

Then we spent three days camped out in the Serengetti on Masia land, with 5-6 crew to care for us at camp and two Masia warrier escorting us ,our guide and when riding our driver, on tours of the land - both to make sure we behaved on their land and to fend off any lions with their spears. Every night we had drinks and hordorves (sp) by the camp fire before sitting down to dinner withour guide served by a butler. Very hoiti toiti and not what we are used to, but fun for a few nights. Our tent looked out over a plain where we saw Zebra and other herds of animals going past. We slept in twin cots and had a shower tent and tiolet tent behind our sleeping tent. Everynight our beds were turned down and a hot water bottle placed inside to warm it. Coffee and a biscuit awaited us on the "porch" of the tent when we awoke. We could have changed campe every day if we wanted, but we had a great spot and stayed put.

Then we spent I think 5 days in what they called a luzury camp. A semi permant camp of 5-6 two room tents( living room and bathroom). Each tent had a king size bed and a bathroom. The bathroom was a drop toiletand bucket shower but it was nicer than the stool over a hole in the private camp. We ate with the other visitors but we went out alone with our guild each day.

We made a point of avoiding other humans as much as we could while we were out looking for animals. Many of the other guilds seemed to look for other jeeps as a way to find animals. We always drove off in the other direction when we saw any.

Then we headed to Zanzibar for a few days and stayed in a wonderful hotel called Emerson and Green where we had a lovely two person stone bath we filled with cold water to cool off. There was a lovely open air resturant on the top of the hotel.

Then we sent to a resort on Pemba, but rainy season came early and we left early. Not much to do. We spent a few more days in Zanzibar instead.

We saw lots and lots and lots of animals. We had a wonderful early morning safari where we ate breakfast on a hill top at sunrise. We did a night safari where I got to try out my night vision video camara. We think we saw all 7 of the big animals but the Rino was so far in the distance I am not sure if I saw a Rino or a big white rock. The best video though was of a dung beetle, the lions sound exciting but most sleep all day, like big house cats. The beetle was very busy doing what dung beetles do and for a made much better subject matter. We got to do some walking tours which was really really nice. Sitting in a Land Rover for 3-6 hours a day gets tiresome. It was nice to stretch our legs, though you can get closer to the animals in a Rover than on foot.

Those are my top of the head memories. The trip was about 5 years ago. I don't remember the names of the parks we visited other than Sarengetti and Nagoragora. I could probably look them up somewhere if you really wanted to know.

I am sure you can have a wonderful time on a less expensive and customized trip, but I sure did enjoy having one trip in my life where I went in style, even if I was pooping into a hole in the ground.

eta - There was only one night in three weeks that we were able to sleep late. Something always made noice in the morning, be it a call to prayer, a street argument, a wake up call for an early tour or a herd of something rush by the tent. In Zanzibar it is good to get a room in a high floor to be above the moskitos (no moskito issue in the Serangetti by the way).

dnagirl

03-13-2007, 11:55 AM

We are thinking of going to Kenya and I've heard you need a Visa. Where did you obtain one (consulate or a passport agency) and how long did it take? I found one website saying that I had to send my passport to DC, but I feel uncomfortable about mailing my passport anywhere (I don't want it getting lost), I'd rather bring it into an office and get the visa.

Thanks!

daener

03-13-2007, 03:54 PM

Yes, U.S. Citizens do need a visa for Kenya. We sent our passports to the Kenyan Embassy (and then to the Tanzanian Embassy) in D.C., and the service was amazingly quick -- we enclosed a return FedEx envelope and label, and I think we had our passports back within a week.

If you're uncomfortable sending in your passport, I do believe you can purchase your visa at passport control in the Nairobi airport on your way into the country. There were two lines when we went -- one for people needing to buy a visa and one for people who already had their visa. Oddly, the line for people who already had visas moved much slower.

tlew12778

03-16-2007, 12:45 AM

For our friends who went to Tanzania and Zanzibar, they bought their visas beforehand, then the passport control at the border made them buy them *again* when they got there. They didn't really want to argue being in a foreign situation, with both parties speaking English as a second language.

When I went to Mozambique I called the Mozambique Embassy and they told me I could either get it before I went or get it there. So I would call and ask.

wander_woman

03-16-2007, 07:25 PM

U.S. citizens don't need to get a Kenyan visa in advance; you can get it at the airport when you arrive. It's very easy. Just have cash ready.

dnagirl

03-27-2007, 02:55 PM

We put down a deposit for our African Adventure...we're going to Egypt and Kenya. We ended up just sending our passports to the Kenyan embassy in DC with a self-addressed envelope. I hope it makes it back safely! (DH's cousin has had her passport lost in the mail two times.)

We are going with Foreign Independent Tours (for both Egypt and Kenya), but I'm not sure if they outsource the safari services to another company.

Does anyone have any travel advice for either country? Things to pack? Ways to keep safe? We will be traveling in June.

Thanks!

mpc863

03-29-2007, 08:53 PM

update:

botswana was booked so we ended up booking a tanzania trip. we plan on spending a few days in zanzibar beforehand (would love to go after but it doesn't work with dh's schedule). if anyone has been there, would you recommend your hotel?

Renrel

03-30-2007, 09:38 AM

We loved Emerson and Green (I think that was the name) but try to get an upper floor- the moskitoes can't fly that high so it is more pleasant. There was no glass or screens in the windows, if I remember correctly, just shutters. The views were nice from up high as well. There is a nice little resturant on the roof. Very small with everyone sitting around the edges of the roof while dancers entertained. I don't remember if the food was great, but the experience was good. It is a great place to watch sunset over the city. And be prepared for things to be noisy. We were woken up one morning by a verbal argument in the street and on other mornings by the calls to prayer. I think that is just Zanzibar, not this particular hotel. You may have a differnent experence in an outlying area.

I remember we took a day trip to some small island where there was a turtle sancutary or something and a nice little beach, which was nice. Though I was always abit uncomfortable bathing in Zanzibar given that it is a Muslim country I was not sure if my bathing suit was offensive just being a bathing suit. We also went on a spice plantation tour which fun.

And be prepared to be "assaulted" by people offering to find you a hotel, give you a tour, find you a nice restuant, ect. (in return for an expected tip) They are very persistant and have been known to tell you the hotel you asked to be taken to has closed so that they can take you to own where they get a kick back. It is good to know how to say "no thank you" firming in Swahili and to then say nothing else so they can't tell if you are a local who really knows the area and how to speak Swahili or a tourist ripe for the picking. It took me a day or two to get used to this forwardness.

Hope that helps a bit. It has been a few years.

dnagirl

04-11-2007, 07:50 PM

Does anyone have any message boards that they recommend for Africa (safari) trips?

I'm more worried about my stay in Nairobi, Kenya and how safe it is and what there is to do there than our safari.

Any general travel tips? TIA!

tlew12778

04-12-2007, 01:23 AM

I have a friend who lives in Nairobi. If you PM me I can give you her email address.

dnagirl

04-12-2007, 11:57 PM

Thanks tlew12778! I just pm'd you.

wander_woman

04-15-2007, 07:58 PM

Check out the message boards on lonelyplanet.com (the message board is called Thorn Tree) and at fodors.com. LonelyPlanet is generally more for budget backpacker travelers and Fodors is for more upscale travel, but both may have helpful info.

I didn't like Nairobi. It's a big, dusty, congested city. I would spend as little time there as possible. The touristy "things to do" are:
- Carnivore restaurant, just b/c it's famous, and the food is quite good.
- Elephant orphanage. This is really cute and worth a visit if you have time.
- Giraffe sanctuary. Also a cute thing to do (in the same part of town - the Karen neighborhood - as the elephant orphanage).
- If you have more time and want to get out of town, the Lake Naivasha area (a 1-2 hr drive) is quite nice.

All of the above are fun, and worth doing if you have the time/money, but I wouldn't say any of them is an absolute must do. The problem with Nairobi is that everything is really far apart. All of the above are pretty far from the center of town. Public transportation is a pain and renting a car is only for the very brave. So you're stuck with taxis, which can get expensive. We had friends there who drove us around, so we didn't have that issue, but I don't know if we would have spent the money to do much in Nairobi if we had to pay cab fares everywhere. If you want to do the above things, it might be cheaper to get a hotel in the Karen area instead of the center of town.

As far as safety, you have to be aware of your surroundings, and definitely don't wear jewelry or carry a purse/bag or lots of cash around the center of town. Try not to stand out too much, i.e. looking totally lost, walking really slowly, reading a map on a street corner. If you just look like you know what you're doing and stay aware of what's going on around you, you should be fine. We walked around by ourselves quite a bit, including in the center of town, and didn't have any problems.

dnagirl

04-30-2007, 08:40 PM

alisong

04-30-2007, 09:07 PM

Thanks wander_woman! I think it's going to be hard for us to not look like tourists though (apart from the fact that we're Asian) and we will probably have no idea as to where we are going. I could play it really safe and just stay in the hotel, but that seems awfully boring. Hopefully we can find some people in Nairobi who go to our church.Well, you won't look like locals, but I do agree with wander_woman about trying not to look like tourists. Most important is a sense of purpose - just don't wander aimlessly. Study maps before you venture out, and even if you think you're on the wrong track, don't pull out a map in the middle of the street. Duck into a store or just somewhere out of the way. I'd put a bookmark in my Lonely Planet guide so the map would be easily accessable. Don't dress like an American - no Teva-type sandals, no vests, dress up more than you usually would at home. Taxi drivers will probably be happy to wait for you (for minimal cost). When we were visiting Dar es Salaam, we basically contracted a taxi to hang around with us all day, and he helped get us out of at least one tricky situation.

Have fun!

wander_woman

05-02-2007, 10:12 PM

Definitely don't stay in your hotel all day! That would be such a waste. Nairobi is really not that bad. And if you're there more than half a day, it's worth getting out of your hotel and at least doing some exploring. If you feel uncomfortable taking public transportation, have your hotel call you a cab. Despite all the bad things you hear about Nairobi, I know a ton of people who have been (and who've lived there) and nobody has had any problems. As alisong said, you'll stand out as a foreigner, but you don't have to stand out as a clueless tourist. There are a ton of foreigners in Nairobi (there's a HUGE NGO expat population of people from all over the world) so it's not like it's unusual to see an Asian person. You just want to look confident and natural. I agree that it's probably best not to wear tourist attire, but we had no choice but to wear Tevas and zip-off pants (we were on a round-the-world trip and living out of one backpack each), and it was still perfectly fine. Honestly, I think the more you fear a place the more you stand out. Go, enjoy, have fun. And come back and show us your pictures afterwards. :)

tlew12778

05-06-2007, 06:21 AM

Did you ever write to my friend? She also gave me her cell number to give to you.

kd 9.21.02

05-07-2007, 02:55 PM

Hello. I'm just joining this thread. We're going to South Africa after Christmas for a friend's wedding. We're using Dragonfly (http://www.dragonfly.co.za/) as our travel agency. So far this is our itinerary...

* Fly into J'burg and spend one night at The Westcliff (http://www.westcliff.co.za/web/ojnb/ojnb_a2a_home.jsp)

* Fly down to Port Elizabeth and spend one night at The Windermere (http://www.safarinow.com/go/thewindermere/)

* Meet up with the wedding party and guests for three nights at Lalibela Game Reserve (http://www.safarinow.com/go/thewindermere/) - just north of Port Elizabeth

* Drive the Garden Route with one night at each: Puzula (http://www.pezula.com/)in Knysna and Rosenhof Country House (http://www.rosenhof.co.za/) in Oudtshoorn

* Four nights in Cape Town at Table Bay (http://www.lhw.com/property.aspx?&propertyid=192&ext=Gtblby&gclid=CIGur7yE_YsCFRMFPgodGCcrbw)

* Three nights in Kruger at Tinga Private Game Lodge (http://www.tinga.co.za/)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Of course, after we were almost settled on our plans, my husband received so many great recommendations for reserves in/near Kruger. Here's the list of other options. Any advice/recommendations? Tinga looks so over-the-top and fantastic, I'm wondering if we should just stick with our travel agent's recommendation.

Singita (http://www.singita.com/)
Royal Malewane (http://www.royalmalewane.com/Royalmalewane/pages/intro.php)
Londolozi (http://www.londolozi.co.za/accommodation/granite_suites.html)
Ulusaba (http://www.ulusaba.com/) (Sir Richard Branson's place)

allison

05-07-2007, 03:43 PM

We stayed at Ulusaba!!!!! We also wend in December and it was the second of three places we stayed at. We were at the Safari Lodge and our room was Elephant 1 (http://www.ulusaba.com/safarilodge;jsessionid=58859677282785B401ACF1A8818 8E658). We saw so many great things while there! The elephant rooms are built on stilts and one afternoon (after lunch) we were resting in our room when it started to shake! We thought earthquake, but DH ran out on our balcony and I went after him just as an elephant was running out from underneath our room. Our guides told us they like to rub their tusks on the stilts. The elephant ran out to the riverbed where a herd of Impala were and he started chasing them, "yelling" at them. It was really funny. We also woke up to monkeys playing on our balcony. They would throw the patio furniture cushions over the railing. You have to remember to lock your windows and doors at all times, apparently they have learned how to open doors (including the sliding glass doors) and have been known to go into the rooms. Our first morning, after we left our room and went to have breakfast before our morning drive, the monkey's came and would climb all over the bridges and railings, climbing up and sliding down the roof of the wine cellar (it's cone shaped).

One of our days there we went up to the Rock Lodge for lunch and watched a storm roll in. Beautiful! The views from there are amazing as well. You can spot several animals from up there. DH and I both indulged in massages after our morning rides (wonderful since the rides can be very bouncy and hard on your back).

The food was wonderful! Lots of variety and very tasty. Evenings at the bar sharing stories with new friends, trying new wines (we love SA wine), and everything else there are memories we will always remember.

Tinga looks amazing! I just showed DH. He immediately said we have to go back now! We're always talking about our time in SA and are constantly looking at various lodges. :p Might I also suggest our favorite place, Camp Jabulani (http://www.campjabulani.com/)?!?!?!?! :D

If you have any questions about Ulusaba, feel free to ask!!!

kd 9.21.02

05-08-2007, 07:24 AM

Thanks, Allison! It seems like each of the reserves that have been recommended look FANTASTIC -- way beyond what I would ever dream of. So this only makes the decision harder. I've emailed all the other recommendations to our travel agent at Dragonfly to see if she can do a comparison and offer more insight and advice. I don't want to just do what they tell us to do right off the bat (although their recommendations have been top notch so far). I'm psyched!

shaqangel

05-08-2007, 08:43 AM

kd you're going to love driving the garden route. knysa is beautiful. and there's other little towns in between to stop by and visit. its a very scenic area for sure. when you're in oudtshoorn, make sure you visit Safari Ostrich Farm. and a trip to the Cango Caves is a must!

kd 9.21.02

05-08-2007, 12:27 PM

tlew12778

05-08-2007, 12:32 PM

In Cape Town, have dinner at Africa Cafe. It's a fantastic experience.

dnagirl

05-10-2007, 10:53 PM

Tiffany: No, I haven't emailed your friend yet. School was just crazy busy with midterms that I've barely had any time to think about our trip. I need to gather my thoughts and email your friend. Thanks again!!!

wander_woman: Thanks for reassuring me. I was planning on wearing my Tevas just b/c they're super comfortable and I hate wearing closed toed shoes. A round-the-world trip...that is amazing!

allison

05-21-2007, 07:11 AM

DH just sent me a link to a video on YouTube. It's of an attempted kill of a water buffalo by a few lions. It's not graphic at all, it's actually pretty amazing what happens. It's about 7 minutes long and was taken in Krueger National Park. If you watch it, watch it until the end. You won't be expecting what happens!!!!
Krueger Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM)

Jer

03-11-2008, 07:18 PM

My wife and I did a safari in Tanzania. My father sets up an annual tour with his friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, and we tagged along last year. He uses African Environments (http://www.africanenvironments.com/), and we were very happy with them. Tell them that Joe Blatz's son referred you, the owner knows my father personally. My dad has been going to Tanzania for years, so he's quite knowledgeable and sets the program himself. We had a mix of luxury tented camps and small hotels, which was quite nice. (Though some people got a little sick of the tents -- the decade long drought broke when we were there.) Our guides, Shange and Exaud, were fantastic. Both were knowledgeable, friendly, and exceptional at spotting game.

You can see our pictures from the trip here: http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/, of note to safari-company shoppers:
Lunch time (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day2/?pg=24_Picnic_in_Tarangire_N_P). Our guides prepared picnic lunches for us every day we were in the bush
The mess tent (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day2/?pg=29_Mess_Hall_Tarangire_N_P) where we took breakfast and dinner
Land Cruisers (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day3/?pg=34_Our_Landcruisers) African Environments uses specially-customized Toyota Land Cruisers. They're very well done and they get better every year as they get feedback. Be wary of anyplace that wants to drive you around in anything else (Land Rover, Suzuki Samurai, etc.).
One of our tents (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day3/?pg=45_Our_Tent_Tarangire_N_P) These were great, except in the rain, when they're still better than any other tent you've slept in. There's a bathroom and a shower in the back. Our camp staff would bring us hot water for the shower. You only get a couple minutes, but it's enough. You're in the bush, after all.
Jess washing her hair (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day4/51_Washing_Up) after a few days, a shower might seem a bit excessive. Our camp staff brought pails of hot water before breakfast and dinner.
Fording a river (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day8/?pg=119_Fording_the_Stream_to_Camp_Serengeti). Did I mention that the drought broke? We had lots of water-based difficulties, not of which we could not eventually overcome.
Testing the waters (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day9/?pg=133_Exaud_Braves_the_Flood_Serengeti). Next day, same washed out road. Exaud tests to see if we can cross. One car's worth (the wusses) bailed at this point and stayed in the shockingly-expensive hotel. The more intrepid of us braved the waters and spend a soggy night in camp. Being in a tent in a Serengeti rainstorm, while not particularly restful nor comfortable, is awesome!
Land Rovers suck (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day10/?pg=139_Because_Off_Road_There_is_No_Roadside_Assi stance_Serengeti). This was a park truck that had gotten stuck in this same stream, and then got their engine flooded. We hauled them out, but they had to wait for like a day before their engine dried out and they could start their car again.

twainny

03-12-2008, 02:48 AM

Jer - Ohhhhh I am soooooo jealous! Your picture are AWESOME!! I love the one of the three elephants (mom and two babies) and the awesome one of the lion! WOW!!! I really want to go to Tanzania next year. Is Feb. the best time to go? I went to a local travel agent, and they claim "anytime is good, there are always animals" Do you have any suggestions!!

Looks like you guys had an awesome time!! I can't wait to go myself!!!

Jer

03-12-2008, 07:39 AM

twainny I went to TZ 14(?) years ago in Feb, and it was great. Last year, it was wet. Camping in the rain is never good (though in this case totally worth it). Traditionally, there are the short rains in Nov/Dec, then a dry period, then the long rains in April to May. You always want to avoid the long rains, and you probably want to avoid the short rains.

From what I know, the style of safari should be different depending on when you go. Between the short rains and the long rains is a great time to see the Great Migration (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day7/index.html?pg=89_The_Great_Migration_Serengeti&day=7l), which is pretty awesome. You can move around a lot and there are animals everywhere. Also, baby zebras (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day5/index.html?pg=71_Zebra_Foal_Ngorongoro&day=5).

Between the long rains and the short rains is the main dry period. Especially towards then end, you basically want to set up shop by a source of water, `cause that's where the animals will be. I imagine it could be a little grim; everything is brown and all the animals are starving. That said, it doesn't rain as much, and if you're into the great circle of life and death, it will be right in front of you. I hear the southern parts of TZ are better at this time of year.

One thing to not miss is the Ngorongoro crater. The big advantage of TZ is that the parks are like parks, not like zoos. We saw giraffes walking through peoples' corn fields. The animals are just out there and are free to roam wherever. That said, it's nice to have a good chance of seeing rare animals, and the crater is the place for that. Since it's sheltered and easy to patrol, the animals are safe and have food year around. It's pretty much your only chance to see rhino (http://jeremiahblatz.com/personal/pics/Jess_and_Jer_s_Trip_to_Tanzania_January_February_2 007/day5/index.html?pg=73_Rhinos_Ngorongoro&day=5) in TZ.