Safari info for Tanzania

Hi

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

If anyone can recommend any safari operators for us to talk to I'd be
very grateful (or if there are any operators reading this who can give
me an idea of prices for such a trip, again I'd be very grateful).

Also, I've read mixed reports regarding the amount of wildlife we'd
expect to see in Selous. Most seem to say that wildlife of all sorts
is abundant, but I've read a couple of reports suggesting it's better
for viewing landscapes, and that you won't see the large numbers of
animals you'd see in the Serengeti. Again, any advice from anyone
who's been there would be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Richard

wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

If anyone can recommend any safari operators for us to talk to I'd be
very grateful (or if there are any operators reading this who can give
me an idea of prices for such a trip, again I'd be very grateful).

Sunvil Africa (now called Expert Africa I think- see
http://africa-holidays.sunvil.co.uk/...p?source=menu2) arranged a
super trip for us to Zambia - they really know their stuff. In Tanzania they
concentrate on the 'lesser known' parks (incl Selous) - the Fox family run
several camps/lodges and they sound good - see
http://www.tanzaniasafaris.info/index.htm(I have a very vague connection in
that someone I worked with used to live in Tanzania and knows the Fox
family, but I havent actually been to any of their places). It wont be cheap
tho.
My advice (which will not be the same as everyone else's!) is NOT to have a
driver/guide for the whole trip but to fly the longer distances and stay in
smaller places where the local driver/guides have all the local knowledge.
If you cant afford (or dont want) a safari where the two of you travel
together but on your own (ifyou see what I mean) Kuoni does pretty good
'packages' but not sure if they do Selous.

In message , Rita Daggett
writes
wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

If anyone can recommend any safari operators for us to talk to I'd be
very grateful (or if there are any operators reading this who can give
me an idea of prices for such a trip, again I'd be very grateful).

Sunvil Africa (now called Expert Africa I think- see
http://africa-holidays.sunvil.co.uk/...p?source=menu2) arranged a
super trip for us to Zambia - they really know their stuff. In Tanzania they
concentrate on the 'lesser known' parks (incl Selous) - the Fox family run
several camps/lodges and they sound good - see
http://www.tanzaniasafaris.info/index.htm(I have a very vague connection in
that someone I worked with used to live in Tanzania and knows the Fox
family, but I havent actually been to any of their places). It wont be cheap
tho.
My advice (which will not be the same as everyone else's!) is NOT to have a
driver/guide for the whole trip but to fly the longer distances and stay in
smaller places where the local driver/guides have all the local knowledge.
If you cant afford (or dont want) a safari where the two of you travel
together but on your own (ifyou see what I mean) Kuoni does pretty good
'packages' but not sure if they do Selous.


We went to Serengeti and Selous in 2005. The Serengeti was infinitely
better for us and I am sure it is more suited for a first safari for
most people. We were however only in the Northern part of Selous and
did not visit the river area.

You can find a full report on my website if it helps

http://www.wildworldweb.co.uk/holidays/tanzania.htm

I would normally offer to answer further questions but you will have to
be quick: I'm off to Botswana on Saturday :-)

We were very happy with the company that took us as they offered a
custom trip at a budget price. I am sure a lot depends on the guide you
get.

Have a great time
--
John Macdonald

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:37:34 -0700,
wrote:

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

Richard,

let me make the obligatory remark on an itinerary like this:

Many people find the coast comparably boring after a wildlife
safari.

Depending on budget, my recommendation would be to

a) do Zanzibar first (if at all),

b) make the safari longer and the coast shorter.

Of course I can't guess your predilections. There are also some
people who like Zanzibar, or any coastal place, a lot.

Hans-Georg
--
No mail, please.

In message om
wrote:

Hi

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

If anyone can recommend any safari operators for us to talk to I'd be
very grateful (or if there are any operators reading this who can give
me an idea of prices for such a trip, again I'd be very grateful).

Also, I've read mixed reports regarding the amount of wildlife we'd
expect to see in Selous. Most seem to say that wildlife of all sorts
is abundant, but I've read a couple of reports suggesting it's better
for viewing landscapes, and that you won't see the large numbers of
animals you'd see in the Serengeti. Again, any advice from anyone
who's been there would be gratefully received!

You don't say where you're based, but there are several reliable UK
operators who can do any sort of tailor-made safaris.

I'd say that it's unusual, but not unheard of, to visit Selous on a
first safari. In fact, when we were there, there was a man and his two
grown-up sons on their first safari: Selous/Ruaha/Zanzibar.
There are lots of animals in Selous, *but* when we were there about 10
years ago, they weren't very habituated like in the Northern Circuit,
so we often just saw their tails disappearing into cover. (However, on
your first trip, you won't have anything better to compare this to.) I
met some people last week who had just come from Selous and the
situation doesn't seem to have changed much in the meantime, from what
they said.
If you're interested in birds, and stay on one of the riverside camps,
you'll have a great time. When we were there, the water levels were
very high because of El Nino, but still lots of birds to see.

To be honest, in July you'd be better going to the northern Serengeti
(in the early-middle month) or the southern Masai Mara (around
Keekorok) (mid-late month) to see lots of animals because that's where
the migration will be. But presumably you know this and have your own
reasons for visiting Selous.

I have some info about Selous starting at:
http://www.v-liz.com/safari/tanzania/selous/sel_a.htm

and on Zanzibar at:
http://www.v-liz.com/safari/tanzania...bar/zanhom.htm
(nothing to sell)

This info is quite old, but things don't change that fast in Africa.

Whatever you decide, safari njema

Slainte

Liz



--
http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos

In article om, says...


Hi

Myself and my girlfriend are looking to go on our first safari next
July (2008). We're pretty set on a trip to Selous (probably 3 to 4
days) followed by a a week in Zanzibar (possibly separated by a night
in Dar es Salaam). Basically around 14 days overall.

If anyone can recommend any safari operators for us to talk to I'd be
very grateful (or if there are any operators reading this who can give
me an idea of prices for such a trip, again I'd be very grateful).

Also, I've read mixed reports regarding the amount of wildlife we'd
expect to see in Selous. Most seem to say that wildlife of all sorts
is abundant, but I've read a couple of reports suggesting it's better
for viewing landscapes, and that you won't see the large numbers of
animals you'd see in the Serengeti. Again, any advice from anyone
who's been there would be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Richard


We organised our safari and Zanzibar stay (from the UK), with 'Tropical Trails', based in
Arusha. (http://www.tropicaltrails.com)
We started in Zanzibar then did the Serengeti safari, we decided to have a few more days in Zanzibar and TT sorted that for
us.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. If you want to know more get in touch.

Kevin