First Time on Safari to Africa Questions

In message .com
"Joel" wrote:


Day 8 - 4-5 nights in the Masa Marai area. I'd like to work the whole
triangle if possible. Perhaps 2 nights in two separate lodges.
doubtfulThat might be a good idea/doubtful, or else find out where the
migration is liable to be when you're there and stay at (one of the) the
lodge(s) in the centre of that area (that's what I'd do, unless I was
'passing through', like when we were coming down from Rusinga Island. The
areas where the migration isn't can be disappointingly empty, though there
are always birds, if you know where to look.)

Otherwise, if you're interested in birds, it might be worth staying for a
couple of nights at Little Governor's Camp (I think that's the right one:
it's one of the Governor's properties) which has its own 'swamp' which often
seems to turn up birds which aren't easily seen elsewhere.

When you get your quotation, be sure to use the magic words "driver/guide
and vehicle at our disposal". That means you chan choose when you go out on
drives. The usual 'brochure' safari has two drives, one before breakfast,
one late afternoon, but with 'driver and vehicle at your disposal' you can
set the pace: either have an extra morning drive after breakfast, or have an
early breakfast at your lodge/camp take a packed lunch from the camp (you
driver/guide can get one too) and stay out all day.
Or of course if you want to laze about in camp or go a bird walk or nature
walk with the lodge naturallist, then you can do that instead. (I try to
swim before lunch and catch up with cleaning my equipment, siesta etc just
after lunch.)

Otherwise, what is on your itinerary is (generally) what you get, without
negotiation (or at extra cost).

Don't imagine for a moment that this will be your only trip to Africa.
"Africa bites, and when she bites, she won't let go."
After our first safari, we arrived back in the early morning after an
overnight trip following a long delay, and I was phoning companies for
brochures and suggestions for the next year within half an hour of getting
home!

So many people posting to the group for 'first trips' have a very similar
experience.

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"

In message .com
wrote:

Made a mistake. I needed to add the return flight to Nairobi.
The figures come to $1075 local, compared with $1490 with the agent
2Africa.

It is still a substantial "surcharge" especially if you are a couple,
and very inconvenient since you spend two nights flying from the US
instead of one night if you flew KLM to Kilimanjaro. You pay more and
you waste 2 days!

Why do Americans do these crazy things?

OK -
Disclaimers first.
I'm not American and know nothing about the two companies in question.
My comments are *general*.

There can be advantages with paying more - two personal anecdotes will suffice:

I've read, more than once on this group, complaints about cheaper companies
with poorer vehicles and poor back-up service, so that if there's a problem
with a vehicle, the clients are just stuck hanging about, sometimes for
hours, while the problem is solved.

On one of our trips, our driver met us proudly with a brand new vehicle with
only delivery mileage on it. A few days into our trip, it developed a
problem. He diagnosed the problem but didn't want to deal with it in case it
invalidated his vehicle guarantee.

He dealt with the hordes of 'vultures', as he called them: the men who
surrounded us offering varous 'services': chose a reliable one to garage the
vehicle (how would we have known who to choose?), phoned his office to get a
new vehicle sent out, chartered a matatu, came with us to our next
destination (the matatu driver wasn't 100% sure where it was: he wasn't used
to ferrying wazungu!), went back, sorted out the situation then rejoined us
to carry on the safari. All seamless, we were only about an hour late to our
destination, and we didn't even have to pay for the matatu.

Another time we met a couple in Zanzibar.
They had travelled with a less expensive UK operator.
Apparently there had been a big fuel surcharge with internal flights since
they had booked, and they'd have to pay about 400ukp (can't remember the
amount now, but it wasn't insubstantial, and not the sort of money they were
carrying) before they could fly to Zanzibar. This had apparently caused them
massive inconvenience and a day of their trip, getting the money together.

The surcharge had also applied to us, but it was absorbed, and we weren't
inconvenienced: we woulnd't even have known about it had we not met that
couple.

I could go on with more examples, but you get the picture.


When I book with a UK tour operator, I benefit also by getting total ATOL
protection, which I wouldn't get by booking direct, and I get their bulk
discount on the flight as well.

Does it for me: YMMV.

You seldom get what you don't pay for, though you don't always get what you
pay for.
Caveat emptor!

(Reminds me of that other saying:
Wisdom comes with age. But sometimes age comes alone.)

Slainte

Liz
--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

In message .com
wrote:

Made a mistake. I needed to add the return flight to Nairobi.
The figures come to $1075 local, compared with $1490 with the agent
2Africa.

It is still a substantial "surcharge" especially if you are a couple,
and very inconvenient since you spend two nights flying from the US
instead of one night if you flew KLM to Kilimanjaro. You pay more and
you waste 2 days!

Why do Americans do these crazy things?

OK -
Disclaimers first.
I'm not American and know nothing about the two companies in question.
My comments are *general*.

There can be advantages with paying more - two personal anecdotes will suffice:

I've read, more than once on this group, complaints about cheaper companies
with poorer vehicles and poor back-up service, so that if there's a problem
with a vehicle, the clients are just stuck hanging about, sometimes for
hours, while the problem is solved.

On one of our trips, our driver met us proudly with a brand new vehicle with
only delivery mileage on it. A few days into our trip, it developed a
problem. He diagnosed the problem but didn't want to deal with it in case it
invalidated his vehicle guarantee.

He dealt with the hordes of 'vultures', as he called them: the men who
surrounded us offering varous 'services': chose a reliable one to garage the
vehicle (how would we have known who to choose?), phoned his office to get a
new vehicle sent out, chartered a matatu, came with us to our next
destination (the matatu driver wasn't 100% sure where it was: he wasn't used
to ferrying wazungu!), went back, sorted out the situation then rejoined us
to carry on the safari. All seamless, we were only about an hour late to our
destination, and we didn't even have to pay for the matatu.

Another time we met a couple in Zanzibar.
They had travelled with a less expensive UK operator.
Apparently there had been a big fuel surcharge with internal flights since
they had booked, and they'd have to pay about 400ukp (can't remember the
amount now, but it wasn't insubstantial, and not the sort of money they were
carrying) before they could fly to Zanzibar. This had apparently caused them
massive inconvenience and a day of their trip, getting the money together.

The surcharge had also applied to us, but it was absorbed, and we weren't
inconvenienced: we woulnd't even have known about it had we not met that
couple.

I could go on with more examples, but you get the picture.


When I book with a UK tour operator, I benefit also by getting total ATOL
protection, which I wouldn't get by booking direct, and I get their bulk
discount on the flight as well.

Does it for me: YMMV.

You seldom get what you don't pay for, though you don't always get what you
pay for.
Caveat emptor!

(Reminds me of that other saying:
Wisdom comes with age. But sometimes age comes alone.)

Slainte

Liz
--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

Thanks for the tip about driver/guide vehicle at your disposal. I
assumed that on a private safari this is what you are paying for. For
the migration, How does one find that out? Do you rely on historical
patterns? I thought the timing was unpredictable and could only be
generalized.

Liz wrote:
In message .com
"Joel" wrote:


Day 8 - 4-5 nights in the Masa Marai area. I'd like to work the
whole
triangle if possible. Perhaps 2 nights in two separate lodges.
doubtfulThat might be a good idea/doubtful, or else find out
where the
migration is liable to be when you're there and stay at (one of the)
the
lodge(s) in the centre of that area (that's what I'd do, unless I was
'passing through', like when we were coming down from Rusinga Island.
The
areas where the migration isn't can be disappointingly empty, though
there
are always birds, if you know where to look.)

Otherwise, if you're interested in birds, it might be worth staying
for a
couple of nights at Little Governor's Camp (I think that's the right
one:
it's one of the Governor's properties) which has its own 'swamp'
which often
seems to turn up birds which aren't easily seen elsewhere.

When you get your quotation, be sure to use the magic words
"driver/guide
and vehicle at our disposal". That means you chan choose when you go
out on
drives. The usual 'brochure' safari has two drives, one before
breakfast,
one late afternoon, but with 'driver and vehicle at your disposal'
you can
set the pace: either have an extra morning drive after breakfast, or
have an
early breakfast at your lodge/camp take a packed lunch from the camp
(you
driver/guide can get one too) and stay out all day.
Or of course if you want to laze about in camp or go a bird walk or
nature
walk with the lodge naturallist, then you can do that instead. (I try
to
swim before lunch and catch up with cleaning my equipment, siesta etc
just
after lunch.)

Otherwise, what is on your itinerary is (generally) what you get,
without
negotiation (or at extra cost).

Don't imagine for a moment that this will be your only trip to
Africa.
"Africa bites, and when she bites, she won't let go."
After our first safari, we arrived back in the early morning after an
overnight trip following a long delay, and I was phoning companies
for
brochures and suggestions for the next year within half an hour of
getting
home!

So many people posting to the group for 'first trips' have a very
similar
experience.

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"

Thanks for the tip about driver/guide vehicle at your disposal. I
assumed that on a private safari this is what you are paying for. For
the migration, How does one find that out? Do you rely on historical
patterns? I thought the timing was unpredictable and could only be
generalized.

Liz wrote:
In message .com
"Joel" wrote:


Day 8 - 4-5 nights in the Masa Marai area. I'd like to work the
whole
triangle if possible. Perhaps 2 nights in two separate lodges.
doubtfulThat might be a good idea/doubtful, or else find out
where the
migration is liable to be when you're there and stay at (one of the)
the
lodge(s) in the centre of that area (that's what I'd do, unless I was
'passing through', like when we were coming down from Rusinga Island.
The
areas where the migration isn't can be disappointingly empty, though
there
are always birds, if you know where to look.)

Otherwise, if you're interested in birds, it might be worth staying
for a
couple of nights at Little Governor's Camp (I think that's the right
one:
it's one of the Governor's properties) which has its own 'swamp'
which often
seems to turn up birds which aren't easily seen elsewhere.

When you get your quotation, be sure to use the magic words
"driver/guide
and vehicle at our disposal". That means you chan choose when you go
out on
drives. The usual 'brochure' safari has two drives, one before
breakfast,
one late afternoon, but with 'driver and vehicle at your disposal'
you can
set the pace: either have an extra morning drive after breakfast, or
have an
early breakfast at your lodge/camp take a packed lunch from the camp
(you
driver/guide can get one too) and stay out all day.
Or of course if you want to laze about in camp or go a bird walk or
nature
walk with the lodge naturallist, then you can do that instead. (I try
to
swim before lunch and catch up with cleaning my equipment, siesta etc
just
after lunch.)

Otherwise, what is on your itinerary is (generally) what you get,
without
negotiation (or at extra cost).

Don't imagine for a moment that this will be your only trip to
Africa.
"Africa bites, and when she bites, she won't let go."
After our first safari, we arrived back in the early morning after an
overnight trip following a long delay, and I was phoning companies
for
brochures and suggestions for the next year within half an hour of
getting
home!

So many people posting to the group for 'first trips' have a very
similar
experience.

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"

Ok Joel, are you ready?

1. Let's start with the Mara and work backwards since this will be the
focus of your safari. Do your bookings here first, then fit everything
else to complete your stay.

In early September the migration herds should be in the central and
western part of the Mara. Draw a line from the Sand River Gate going
north to Sekenani gate. Stay west of this line.

You need to splurge here. If you need to save money, do it EARLIER on
the trip! Stay at Little Governors Camp
http://www.governorscamp.com/little%...ors%20camp.htm. It is best
to fly in since you should use their game driver/guides and vehicles.
You will fly to Musiara Airstrip (just tell your agent to get you
tickets to Governors Camps). Others options exist (such as Governors
and Ill Moran) and the choice is yours. I like the marsh at Little Govs
and the little boat ride across the Mara!

They don't put more than 4 people in a landcruiser and this is normally
OK - this is an upscale camp and their guests are mostly very pleasant
and serious about wildlife. These are not your usual early morning and
late afternoon drives. At Governors they mostly stay out all day with
picnic lunches. Most clients don't want to return to the camp for
lunch. I stay there all the time and never had the need to pay extra
for a private vehicle. I always found other people who shared my
interests and we joined up. You can, however, book a private vehicle to
be sure.

After 3 nights there, you may want to move outside the park for a night
or two. Olonana http://www.sanctuarylodges.com/olonana.aspx is very
romantic and their sundowners on the high hill are great - you will see
across the whole Mara into the Serengeti! Night game drives and Maasai
walks will give you a different perspective. Kichwa Tembo
http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-11 is another great choice with
similar activities. Other options exist at all price ranges but don't
venture too far away from the park gate.

These 4 nights or so won't be cheap but you will have the experience of
a lifetime. Worth saving money for - for sure.

2. Getting to/from the Mara. Fly. From Nairobi or from Samburu are your
best choices when considering the rest of your trip. Then return to
Nairobi after the Mara.

3. Samburu is your stop before the Mara because of the convenience of
scheduled flights between Samburu and the Mara. An hour long flight
that departs 9:15am and arrives 10:45am. I will not recommend places to
stay here because your budget will dictate thingsat this point! At
Samburu I will say goodbye to the safari driver/guide when he takes you
to the airstrip.

4. Drive to Samburu from Lake Nakuru. The road is not bad and you see
interesting areas including Mount Kenya.

5. At the start of your trip, meet your driver/guide in Nairobi and
drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru.

I recommend flying to the Mara since you don't need a driver/guide
there. Also the road from Nakuru to the Mara is bad. I remember some
really bad patches near Narok but since I always fly, I don't have the
latest info. Hans should know.

Anyway, there are many ways to tune this itinerary after your Mara part
is completed.

Good luck, Eben

Ok Joel, are you ready?

1. Let's start with the Mara and work backwards since this will be the
focus of your safari. Do your bookings here first, then fit everything
else to complete your stay.

In early September the migration herds should be in the central and
western part of the Mara. Draw a line from the Sand River Gate going
north to Sekenani gate. Stay west of this line.

You need to splurge here. If you need to save money, do it EARLIER on
the trip! Stay at Little Governors Camp
http://www.governorscamp.com/little%...ors%20camp.htm. It is best
to fly in since you should use their game driver/guides and vehicles.
You will fly to Musiara Airstrip (just tell your agent to get you
tickets to Governors Camps). Others options exist (such as Governors
and Ill Moran) and the choice is yours. I like the marsh at Little Govs
and the little boat ride across the Mara!

They don't put more than 4 people in a landcruiser and this is normally
OK - this is an upscale camp and their guests are mostly very pleasant
and serious about wildlife. These are not your usual early morning and
late afternoon drives. At Governors they mostly stay out all day with
picnic lunches. Most clients don't want to return to the camp for
lunch. I stay there all the time and never had the need to pay extra
for a private vehicle. I always found other people who shared my
interests and we joined up. You can, however, book a private vehicle to
be sure.

After 3 nights there, you may want to move outside the park for a night
or two. Olonana http://www.sanctuarylodges.com/olonana.aspx is very
romantic and their sundowners on the high hill are great - you will see
across the whole Mara into the Serengeti! Night game drives and Maasai
walks will give you a different perspective. Kichwa Tembo
http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-11 is another great choice with
similar activities. Other options exist at all price ranges but don't
venture too far away from the park gate.

These 4 nights or so won't be cheap but you will have the experience of
a lifetime. Worth saving money for - for sure.

2. Getting to/from the Mara. Fly. From Nairobi or from Samburu are your
best choices when considering the rest of your trip. Then return to
Nairobi after the Mara.

3. Samburu is your stop before the Mara because of the convenience of
scheduled flights between Samburu and the Mara. An hour long flight
that departs 9:15am and arrives 10:45am. I will not recommend places to
stay here because your budget will dictate thingsat this point! At
Samburu I will say goodbye to the safari driver/guide when he takes you
to the airstrip.

4. Drive to Samburu from Lake Nakuru. The road is not bad and you see
interesting areas including Mount Kenya.

5. At the start of your trip, meet your driver/guide in Nairobi and
drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru.

I recommend flying to the Mara since you don't need a driver/guide
there. Also the road from Nakuru to the Mara is bad. I remember some
really bad patches near Narok but since I always fly, I don't have the
latest info. Hans should know.

Anyway, there are many ways to tune this itinerary after your Mara part
is completed.

Good luck, Eben

Joel, migration patterns is my hobby. My sources are game reports from
lodges and camps in the Mara and Serengeti. I also talk to pilots who
fly in and out of the parks, as well as driver/guides. I am working on
something that I cannot reveal here but I do know that most info on the
internet is plain wrong when it comes to the migration. For example,
very few people are aware that there are two migrations from different
directions in and out of the Mara!

Since you are going in September, you have no worries. The migration
should be well set in the Mara, with a few stragglers coming in if the
rainy season last longer in the Serengeti.

Joel, migration patterns is my hobby. My sources are game reports from
lodges and camps in the Mara and Serengeti. I also talk to pilots who
fly in and out of the parks, as well as driver/guides. I am working on
something that I cannot reveal here but I do know that most info on the
internet is plain wrong when it comes to the migration. For example,
very few people are aware that there are two migrations from different
directions in and out of the Mara!

Since you are going in September, you have no worries. The migration
should be well set in the Mara, with a few stragglers coming in if the
rainy season last longer in the Serengeti.

In message .com
"Joel" wrote:

Thanks for the tip about driver/guide vehicle at your disposal. I
assumed that on a private safari this is what you are paying for.
It's best to get it specified, and this is the standard phraseology.
You are really paying for 'private', i.e. vehicle to yourself.
Even with 'driver and vehicle at your disposal', you still won't be able to
do big 'detours'.


For the migration, How does one find that out? Do you rely on historical
patterns? I thought the timing was unpredictable and could only be
generalized.
I have a chart somewhere, I'll try to find it.
It can vary by about 2 weeks, but it pretty consistent.
In July, you want to be at Keekorok lodge, in August, Serena.
I'm not sure about September ATM.

Slainte

Liz


--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"