Forums39
Topics36,624
Posts292,111
Members26,355
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: CanadianSailor]
#12450
07/24/2010 07:28 PM
07/24/2010 07:28 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044
Central Florida!
|
Here is the link to the first section of our Africa trip report. The TR is in 8 sections, (I think??) so it is extremely long, but covers a lot of things. You could take a gander at it, and skim the stuff that doesn't interest you. Unfortunately that is the only AFrica trip we have taken so far, but it was FANTASTIC!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: CanadianSailor]
#12451
07/25/2010 09:35 AM
07/25/2010 09:35 AM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
We used Frikkie du Toit. We met Frikkie in Pennsylvania at an Eastern Sports and Outdoor show a few years ago. We had a chance to talk with him at length about touring SA. He also introduced us to another vendor (from CO) whose parents had used his services. They were kind enough to provide there parents phone number and we spoke with them at length about their trip. It was all positive, so we took the plunge. It was great. Note, this is not a group tour, but a private guide. He also does big game hunting, so if you find this offensive you probably should look elsewhere.
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: CanadianSailor]
#12452
07/25/2010 11:58 AM
07/25/2010 11:58 AM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
We were in South Africa and visited Londolozi in August 1999. August was good because it was their "winter" and while it was chilly in the mornings while viewing game, there was not a lot of brush so viewing the animals was easier. They provide blankets in the vehicles so you are not too cold.
Londolozi is hard to get to but once you do, it is so worth it. You have to fly into Kruger Park and then take a very small plane to Londolozi's private air strip. As we were leaving, someone had to get in a vehicle and chase the warthogs off of the runway! Our room at Londolozi has a view of the river, and elephants came up to drink and a large troop of noisy baboons came through, it was quite a show.
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
#12453
07/25/2010 03:11 PM
07/25/2010 03:11 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044
Central Florida!
|
We went to three game parks in Botswana and had to fly in on a Cessna to all of them. The animals were all around the camps. It's not a zoo where they are caged up and separate from you, that's for sure!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: CanadianSailor]
#12457
02/03/2011 07:33 PM
02/03/2011 07:33 PM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,429 Villa Euphoria Leverick Bay, P...
mdoyle9999
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,429
Villa Euphoria Leverick Bay, P...
|
We went in April - end of rainy season. The bad news is that the ground was quite damp in some locations. The good news - and it was very good news - we had the safari to ourselves - our own driver and guide. We went with Micato Safari and very highly recommend them. They are usually ranked number one in Travel & Leisure.
We went to Kenya and flew between three safari camps and drove to another three lodges. To call them camps is a misnomer. They are handsomely furnished tents with showers and running water. The lodges were also five star including the famous Mt Kenya Safari Club.
Given the strife in Kenya at the moment, we would opt to fly to South Africa and take a guided safari to Botswana.
It is the experience of a life time. It is on our list to go back.
Mike "The journey is the thing." Homer
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: mdoyle9999]
#12458
02/04/2011 10:34 AM
02/04/2011 10:34 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,044
Central Florida!
|
I would agree, at the moment, Botswana is the way to go. We were there in 2005. I would love to go back. It is a very expensive trip to do correctly, but a wonderful one.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: CanadianSailor]
#12459
02/07/2011 05:50 PM
02/07/2011 05:50 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3 Central Virginia
mario2
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Central Virginia
|
We will be visiting Africa for the 5th time in March. The rainy season can affect photography as well as your ability to see the wildlife. In addition, it also breeds mosquitoes and therefore the added element of malaria. All-in-all, we thought late June-early July were the best times in South Africa. Vic Falls is quite tremendous at that time of year as well.
All that said, we have been to Londolozi which is an excellent and varied destination and virtually guarantees quality game sightings. Likewise, we have had two very fine visits to Lion Sands where the staff made us feel like family! Both would be great choices. In my opinion, you want at least three full days to enjoy any of the lodges in South Africa. IMO, you don't need to visit more than one lodge unless you plan to be there for a week or more.
If you get north to Tanzania or Kenya, the biggest attraction is the great migration. In the fall (Sept-Oct) the animals are near the Mara River where National Geographic films the crocs feasting on them as they try to cross the water. In the early spring the herds are south near the NgoroNgoro crater for calving season. Personally, I would recommend visiting the crater where you have 30,00-45,000 animals in a small space surrounded by steep hills that make game viewing easy and plentiful. Also, the accommodations can be 5-star!
From personal experience, if you plan to fly via Cape Town and Jo-berg, limit your safari to South Africa and perhaps a 2 day excursion to Vic Falls from Jo-berg. Adding points in Botswana, Kenya or Tanzania will make your travel arrangements awkward and you'll spend a lot of time in transit that you'd wish you'd spent looking at wildlife.
Our favorite tour operator is &Beyond Safaris (ask for Ian Michler) Dry season means less foliage to hide the animals and they tend to congregate near water holes, making them easier to find.
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: OneEyedJack]
#12470
06/28/2011 12:55 PM
06/28/2011 12:55 PM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Lots of great suggestions here. I'd recommend you look on tripadvisor forums as the African ones are hopping. We recently returned from a repeat trip to Kenya and Tanzania, and I found the TA forums most helpful. We also booked through &beyond for our TZ safari; I can't speak highly enough of their service.
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: BarMer]
#12474
06/10/2012 06:11 PM
06/10/2012 06:11 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,063 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,063
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
|
That sounds wonderful Barry. You will have to write a trip report for us upon your return. You can't get a better tour guide than that for sure. Enjoy this special trip!
|
|
|
Re: Planning trip to Africa
[Re: islandgem]
#12477
06/21/2012 01:46 PM
06/21/2012 01:46 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 395 Perth Ontario Canada
BarMer
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 395
Perth Ontario Canada
|
islandgem said: That sounds wonderful Barry. You will have to write a trip report for us upon your return. You can't get a better tour guide than that for sure. Enjoy this special trip! Thanks Elizabeth...I'm really looking forward to it.
|
|
|
|