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#131
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PLEASE IGNORE MY PREVIOUS POST (74) ! That was written a while ago and
popped up today - out of context. My apologies. I am raising the white flag. I grew up in Africa, I spent most of my time here, I have businesses in East and South Africa. I spend most of my time between East & Southern Africa. As a result I see many strange things on safari and even stranger advice on these boards and I wanted to get the following points across. I think I did and now will go away happily. 1. The private safari option is more affordable than most want to believe. In Arusha, Nairobi and other cities one can hire a very dependable vehicle (with driver/guide) for not much more than the prices you pay on minibus group tours. This is fact and not fiction. If you're a single traveler (like me), your driver/guide is great dinner company and you will have a lifelong friend for future visits. 2. It is easy nowadays to do business from overseas with East and Southern Africa safari companies. They do it all the time and you will be in good hands. 3. Compare shop, and do some research before hopping on a packaged tour. Most of these tours visit the wrong places at the wrong time while staying in the wrong places. I admire how Hans is doing it but I simply don't have that confidence! So I stick with a local driver/guide. Good luck, Joel. You are doing it the right way! |
#132
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Liz wrote: When you do your driving test, do you do it using manual gears? In the UK, if you do your test in an automatic car, you get a restricted licence only to drive automatic cars (or at least that was the case when I did my test). Most Americans drive automatic so there is no distinction between licenses. As a matter of fact I'd say that unless you buy a sports model or a 4WD, most passenger vehicles here are automatic. I can drive a stick shift in a pinch but it would probably be funny watching me pop the clutch after every stop. Even worse than that is the driving in Nairobi: it's absolutely crazy! Last time we were there ('02), we were told proudly that they were putting in roundabouts 'just like in the UK' - well, yes, but they didn't use themn like we do: everyone just barged in regardless. Even D. who'd been driving since he was 17 and drives on the 'wrong side of the road' in Europe and US, wouldn't dream of doing it - even though it's on the 'right' side! Have you ever driven in Boston :-) |
#133
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Liz wrote: When you do your driving test, do you do it using manual gears? In the UK, if you do your test in an automatic car, you get a restricted licence only to drive automatic cars (or at least that was the case when I did my test). Most Americans drive automatic so there is no distinction between licenses. As a matter of fact I'd say that unless you buy a sports model or a 4WD, most passenger vehicles here are automatic. I can drive a stick shift in a pinch but it would probably be funny watching me pop the clutch after every stop. Even worse than that is the driving in Nairobi: it's absolutely crazy! Last time we were there ('02), we were told proudly that they were putting in roundabouts 'just like in the UK' - well, yes, but they didn't use themn like we do: everyone just barged in regardless. Even D. who'd been driving since he was 17 and drives on the 'wrong side of the road' in Europe and US, wouldn't dream of doing it - even though it's on the 'right' side! Have you ever driven in Boston :-) |
#134
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Hans-Georg,
I do stand corrected on my assumptions. Incidentally the company I'm currently working with also suggested a June time frame for a combined Kenya/Tanzania trip. I wonder of the reduction in Kenya would offset the higher cost of Tanzania. Perhaps I will join you in 2006 as well in a convoy. I'd be interested to see how you do it plus I would not be alone which would take some of the anxiety out of it. Please post more information as you get closer, I'm still in 2005 mode myself. --Joel |
#135
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Hans-Georg,
I do stand corrected on my assumptions. Incidentally the company I'm currently working with also suggested a June time frame for a combined Kenya/Tanzania trip. I wonder of the reduction in Kenya would offset the higher cost of Tanzania. Perhaps I will join you in 2006 as well in a convoy. I'd be interested to see how you do it plus I would not be alone which would take some of the anxiety out of it. Please post more information as you get closer, I'm still in 2005 mode myself. --Joel |
#136
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On 17 Dec 2004 10:54:54 -0800, "Joel"
wrote: I do stand corrected on my assumptions. Incidentally the company I'm currently working with also suggested a June time frame for a combined Kenya/Tanzania trip. I wonder of the reduction in Kenya would offset the higher cost of Tanzania. Perhaps I will join you in 2006 as well in a convoy. I'd be interested to see how you do it plus I would not be alone which would take some of the anxiety out of it. Please post more information as you get closer, I'm still in 2005 mode myself. Joel, I'll try to. The core time will be the two weeks after the Pentecost weekend, I think those are the first two weeks in June 2006. There will probably be a one week extension for early comers who want to spend three weeks of time. The travel plan for the two weeks will be similar to http://www.michna.com/kenya.htm . The final go decision will probably be made around November-December 2005. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
#137
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Thanks Hans. Just post here and if I'm interested I'll contact you off
-line. --Joel Hans-Georg Michna wrote: On 17 Dec 2004 10:54:54 -0800, "Joel" wrote: I do stand corrected on my assumptions. Incidentally the company I'm currently working with also suggested a June time frame for a combined Kenya/Tanzania trip. I wonder of the reduction in Kenya would offset the higher cost of Tanzania. Perhaps I will join you in 2006 as well in a convoy. I'd be interested to see how you do it plus I would not be alone which would take some of the anxiety out of it. Please post more information as you get closer, I'm still in 2005 mode myself. Joel, I'll try to. The core time will be the two weeks after the Pentecost weekend, I think those are the first two weeks in June 2006. There will probably be a one week extension for early comers who want to spend three weeks of time. The travel plan for the two weeks will be similar to http://www.michna.com/kenya.htm . The final go decision will probably be made around November-December 2005. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
#138
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Just an update on my research. As I mentioned in my last post, I have
been working with a private company (US based) to provide a quote for a private safari for two in Kenya based on an suggested itinerary that I put together and to which the company has provided their own input to. I'd like to post the itinerary for comment and to help guide future people making the same types of decisions and research. DAY 1 (9/13/05) - Leave US DAY 2 - AM arrival @ Heathrow, Evening arrival in Nairobi, transfer to Nairobi Serena. DAY 3 - Breakfast, then transfer to Wilson airport and fly to Samburu. Afternoon game drive, overnight @ Samburu Serena DAY 4 - AM & PM game drives in Buffalo Springs and Samburu game reserves. Samburu Serena DAY 5 - AM & PM game drives in Buffalo Springs and Samburu game reserves. Samburu Serena DAY 6 - Breakfast, then slow game drive to reserve gate. Drive south through Isiolo town to one of the following properties: Swee****ers tented camp, Mount Kenya Safari Club, the Ark. (Not yet chosen by me by I like Swee****ers) DAY 6 - Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at Lion Hill Lodge or Lake Nakuru Lodge. DAY 7 - Morning & afternoon game drives. Overnight. DAY 8 - Drive to Masai Mara game reserve. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at Mara Intrepids tented camp or Mara Sarova tented camp. (I'll probably go with the Mara Sarova to economize) DAY 9 - Morning & afternoon game drives. Overnight. DAY 10 - Breakfast, then game drive en route to Mara Serena. Afternoon game drive. Overnight @ Serena. DAY 11 - Morning and afternoon game drives. Mara Serena. DAY 12 (09/24)- Bush Breakfast by the Mara river. Fly to Wilson airport. (Fly to Kigali) Day 13 Gorilla Tracking Day 14 - Gorilla Tracking Day 15 - Early morning sightseeing. Transfer from Kigali to Nairobi Overnight Nairobi Day 16 Sight see Nairobi, Lunch or dinner Carnivore Restaurant Fly home on BA The Gorilla tracking part of the trip will be handled by Volcanoes Safaris at a price of $1519 per person which includes permits for both days. I have not yet gotten firm pricing for the first 11 days but an original 15 day trip which included an extra night in the Mara and another night at Samburu was around $5,000 per person so their portion should now be cheaper. According to the tour operator this private safari package, when priced, will include the international & the domestic flights in Kenya, all park fees, private services of your Guide/driver, bed & breakfast in Nairobi, all meals while on safari, all accommodations as selected after our discussions, the flying doctor service, tipping of the Guide & of the porters at the hotel and safari lodges/camps. Any additional expenses would be travel insurance, tipping of waiters, barmen, room stewards & maids, drinks (except on game drives). I'm curious to see what questions and/or comments people have on this. |
#139
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On 22 Dec 2004 09:21:12 -0800, "Joel"
wrote: Day 15 - Early morning sightseeing. Transfer from Kigali to Nairobi Overnight Nairobi Day 16 Sight see Nairobi, Lunch or dinner Carnivore Restaurant Fly home on BA Joel, a wonderful itinerary. I like it. The only detail I would try to make different is the one cited above. I would try to stay for a third day, then fly to Nairobi in the morning and continue to fly home on the same day. I personally don't like to spend my last day in Nairobi and move in and out of yet another hotel. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
#140
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In message . com
"Joel" wrote: The Gorilla tracking part of the trip will be handled by Volcanoes Safaris at a price of $1519 per person which includes permits for both days. I have not yet gotten firm pricing for the first 11 days but an original 15 day trip which included an extra night in the Mara and another night at Samburu was around $5,000 per person so their portion should now be cheaper. According to the tour operator this private safari package, when priced, will include the international & the domestic flights in Kenya, all park fees, private services of your Guide/driver, bed & breakfast in Nairobi, all meals while on safari, all accommodations as selected after our discussions, the flying doctor service, tipping of the Guide & of the porters at the hotel and safari lodges/camps. I heard at the w/e that the US dollar is currently 2 to the UKP, in which case that's a phenomenal price, considering it includes your flights and the guide's tip. The benefits of being able to travel off-season! Safari njema Liz -- Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
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