African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
In message 85HSb.3262$1O.1782@fed1read05
"Mark" wrote: We (two retired married couples) are in the process of arranging an African safari in June, 2004. The tour company we are considering is "Good Earth Tours", based in Austin, Texas (goodearthtours.com), and the itinerary we are considering is: Tanzania and Kenya: Explore Serengeti Mara - 14 days: [big snip of itinerary] We are also considering the additional options of staying at the Ngorongora Crater Lodge Were any advantages of this mentioned? It probably doesn't really matter much. and going on a Balloon Safari. Jury's out on this. See thread " Tanzania...got 4 weeks to play with". Your call, but it's expensive...and only c1 hr actually in the air. This tour company uses a Land Rover/Cruiser in Tanzania, and in Kenya, minibus is used equipped with pop-up roof. That's usual. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who can make knowledgeable recommendations concerning "Good Earth Tours", and also any comments concerning our proposed itinerary would be appreciated. The itinerary looks fairly standard for a brochure safari. Be aware that you'll be spending a lot of your time travelling about from place to place rather than watching game. Just look at the wording carefully. People don't usually realise this until they've had one safari! The main thing I'd question is the need to visit the Mara on this particular itinerary. The Masai Mara is contiguous with the Serengeti: the habitats are just about the same. In June, the migration may just hve reached the Mara (towards the end of the month) but you can't rely on it. Once we were in the Mara in the 2nd week of July and the migration hadn't arrived yet. However, it will be heading north in the Serengeti, and there will be masses of animals there. So you could find the Mara very disappointing by comparison. I note you're flying there, so it's adding a considerable cost onto your trip. In addition, I see you'd be staying at Mara Serena Lodge. I'm sure that this is a very good lodge, (we've stayed at other Serena properties) but it definitely isn't the place to be early in migration. The wildebeest don't build up there until August. Early in the migration (and remember, there may be no wildebeest at all in the Mara in June) the lodge to stay at is Keekorok, which is very near the Tanzanian border. A lot of the safari companies do itineraries like this because people think they're getting more 'bangs for bucks' with more parks visited on their tour. You'd be far better staying at fewer parks for longer at each. The companies don't seem to have latched onto this, and it's difficult to get an 'off the shelf' safari which does this. However, I see that there are four of you, so it would be very easy to arrange a tailor-made tour, maybe confining yourself to the Northern circuit of Tanzania. If you choose a good company, this won't necessarily be that much more expensive than a brochure safari (also see the four weeks in Tz thread). You'll be saving money on the extra visas for Kenya and on the flights to and from the Mara to put towards the tailor-made anyway. *You* can specify where you want to stay, how many nights in each, and very importantly, how much time you spend watching the game (specify "driver/guide at your disposal".) You will also be able to decide between you what you want to do (hopefully you can agree!) and tell the driver: for example if you want to see particular species, if you want to spend time in a particular area or with a group of elephants of whatever, or to specify that you want to stay away from crowds (very easy if you don't chase every single big cat which comes your way) or shops. In particular, stay longer in the Serengeti, and I'd recommend two full days in Ngorongoro. Sadly, I can't recommend any US companies for tailor-making (because I don't live in the States, not because there aren't any!), but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can..... Don't get me wrong: if you do this suggested trip, you'll enjoy it. It's just that there are ways of making it better. Safari njema -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
Thank you Liz for your detailed response.
Sadly, I can't recommend any US companies for tailor-making (because I don't live in the States, not because there aren't any!), but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can..... However, I see that there are four of you, so it would be very easy to arrange a tailor-made tour, maybe confining yourself to the Northern circuit of Tanzania. Hopefully, I will get some responses regarding US Tour Companies (including Good Earth Tours and others). Notwithstanding that, we also are considering a stop in Great Britain before and/or after our trip to Africa. In light of that, it may make sense to consider a european tour company for our tour/safari (either brochure or tailor-made) in Tanzania and Kenya. Should we consider other location(s) in lieu of either Tanzania or Kenya? Could you recommend a European tour company in the event that we are unable to find a US Tour company that is satisfactory to us? Keep in mind that although we want to get out in the wild, we are four seniors and prefer comfortable accomodations. Thank you, Mark |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
In message BrRSb.3321$1O.1579@fed1read05
"Mark" wrote: Thank you Liz for your detailed response. Sadly, I can't recommend any US companies for tailor-making (because I don't live in the States, not because there aren't any!), but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can..... However, I see that there are four of you, so it would be very easy to arrange a tailor-made tour, maybe confining yourself to the Northern circuit of Tanzania. Hopefully, I will get some responses regarding US Tour Companies (including Good Earth Tours and others). Notwithstanding that, we also are considering a stop in Great Britain before and/or after our trip to Africa. In light of that, it may make sense to consider a european tour company for our tour/safari (either brochure or tailor-made) in Tanzania and Kenya. Should we consider other location(s) in lieu of either Tanzania or Kenya? I really think in June your best bet is Tanzania. With two weeks you'd be best to confine your trip to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire (not necessarily in that order!) I understand Arusha National Park is also worth a visit.Stay at least two and preferably three nights in each of Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire and as long as you can in Serengeti. We stayed three nights in Seronera and three nights at Lobo. Make sure you get a slight detour into Olduvai Gorge: it's pretty well standards, just make sure it's actually written in to your itinerary: what you don't see is what you don't get on a safari itinerary. You can see pics of all of these places on my site, with lists of species we saw in each. Could you recommend a European tour company in the event that we are unable to find a US Tour company that is satisfactory to us? Keep in mind that although we want to get out in the wild, we are four seniors and prefer comfortable accomodations. We travel (five of our trips to Kenya (in July) and our trip to Tanzania) with a London-based company, Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions. Their 'brochure' safaris are pretty expensive, as they quote homestays and smaller camps, but if you are going tailor-made you can choose whatever accommodation you like. The tourist-grade lodges and camps are all very comfortable: more like what Americans call a 'resort' than for example your National Park lodges. (I'd no more 'rough it' than pull out my hair!) http://www.wildlifejourneys.co.uk/home.html Last year, I went to Namibia booking through Rainbow Tours and everything was dealt with very efficiently. I really don't recommend Namibia over East Africa for wildlife viewing (it has its own, different, attractions) but I notice that they have expensive-ish brochure safaris (private), but offer tailor-mades in East Africa too. http://www.rainbowtours.co.uk BTW, if you have the budget, you'd love the smaller camps and homestays! Slainte mhath Liz -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
Just want to say that I've really enjoyed the wisdom that Liz and others
have passed on. I have heard good things about Good Earth Tours...usually for a friend of a friend sort of thing...so I have no personal knowledge. One of the best pieces of advice that I've gotten and read is to not spend all your time traveling....travel less and see more critters. "Liz" wrote in message ... In message BrRSb.3321$1O.1579@fed1read05 "Mark" wrote: Thank you Liz for your detailed response. Sadly, I can't recommend any US companies for tailor-making (because I don't live in the States, not because there aren't any!), but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can..... However, I see that there are four of you, so it would be very easy to arrange a tailor-made tour, maybe confining yourself to the Northern circuit of Tanzania. Hopefully, I will get some responses regarding US Tour Companies (including Good Earth Tours and others). Notwithstanding that, we also are considering a stop in Great Britain before and/or after our trip to Africa. In light of that, it may make sense to consider a european tour company for our tour/safari (either brochure or tailor-made) in Tanzania and Kenya. Should we consider other location(s) in lieu of either Tanzania or Kenya? I really think in June your best bet is Tanzania. With two weeks you'd be best to confine your trip to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire (not necessarily in that order!) I understand Arusha National Park is also worth a visit.Stay at least two and preferably three nights in each of Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire and as long as you can in Serengeti. We stayed three nights in Seronera and three nights at Lobo. Make sure you get a slight detour into Olduvai Gorge: it's pretty well standards, just make sure it's actually written in to your itinerary: what you don't see is what you don't get on a safari itinerary. You can see pics of all of these places on my site, with lists of species we saw in each. Could you recommend a European tour company in the event that we are unable to find a US Tour company that is satisfactory to us? Keep in mind that although we want to get out in the wild, we are four seniors and prefer comfortable accomodations. We travel (five of our trips to Kenya (in July) and our trip to Tanzania) with a London-based company, Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions. Their 'brochure' safaris are pretty expensive, as they quote homestays and smaller camps, but if you are going tailor-made you can choose whatever accommodation you like. The tourist-grade lodges and camps are all very comfortable: more like what Americans call a 'resort' than for example your National Park lodges. (I'd no more 'rough it' than pull out my hair!) http://www.wildlifejourneys.co.uk/home.html Last year, I went to Namibia booking through Rainbow Tours and everything was dealt with very efficiently. I really don't recommend Namibia over East Africa for wildlife viewing (it has its own, different, attractions) but I notice that they have expensive-ish brochure safaris (private), but offer tailor-mades in East Africa too. http://www.rainbowtours.co.uk BTW, if you have the budget, you'd love the smaller camps and homestays! Slainte mhath Liz -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
In message
"BAC" wrote: Just want to say that I've really enjoyed the wisdom that Liz and others have passed on. I have heard good things about Good Earth Tours...usually for a friend of a friend sort of thing...so I have no personal knowledge. One of the best pieces of advice that I've gotten and read is to not spend all your time traveling....travel less and see more critters. I wan't making any comment against Good Earth Tours, of course (but you know that, I hope!) Not being american, I've never heard of them. Any idea who they work with in Tanzania? Just commenting that you could get a better itinerary for the same money than the one you'd suggested. Maybe Good Earth can do tailor-mades? For four, it could be worth their while, *if* they work with a flexible ground agent. Liz -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
Well I'm off to tanza nia today....Asante sana ...for all the posts
"Liz" wrote in message ... In message "BAC" wrote: Just want to say that I've really enjoyed the wisdom that Liz and others have passed on. I have heard good things about Good Earth Tours...usually for a friend of a friend sort of thing...so I have no personal knowledge. One of the best pieces of advice that I've gotten and read is to not spend all your time traveling....travel less and see more critters. I wan't making any comment against Good Earth Tours, of course (but you know that, I hope!) Not being american, I've never heard of them. Any idea who they work with in Tanzania? Just commenting that you could get a better itinerary for the same money than the one you'd suggested. Maybe Good Earth can do tailor-mades? For four, it could be worth their while, *if* they work with a flexible ground agent. Liz -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
African Safari - Good Earth Tours (Austin Texas)
In message
"BAC" wrote: Well I'm off to tanza nia today....Asante sana ...for all the posts Oh well, it's probably too late to wish you a great trip. Please post back and tell us how you got on, what was good/not so good etc. Liz (frantically hoping that the drop in the dollar compared to the £ will mean that safaris are cheaper for us, so that D. can come too. I'm still having no luck finding even a reasonable compromise for me alone. And Somak, who ignored two of my emails re their alleged photo safari last year, have ignored the email I sent a couple of weeks back too, re this year's alleged photo safaris. Strange: they *seem* to be a reliable company...) -- Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles; Namibia "I speak of Africa and golden joys" Coming soon: Duncan's Drawing on Africa site. |
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