Hello,
We are planning a trip to Africa.
We don't have a set date but were thinking of going end of Dec/Jan to escape the winter in Canada. We want to start in Nairobi, with a safari in Masai Mara, then visit Uganda, then a beach stay in Zanzibar.
I have a few questions, if anyone can share suggestions.
1) Is January an ok time to go on safari? We don't care about seeing the migration - just want to see big game.
2) Where is the best place to see gorillas in Uganda?
3) Any recommendations for where to stay in Zanzibar? (mid-range)
Thanks!
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First, buy a guidebook so you know where you'll be visiting - Fodor's "Complete Safari Planning Guide" with details of all the safari countries.
Jan is fine for safari. It is 'summer' so expect warm to hot on the mainland, cooler nights; Zanzibar though is tropical and will be very hot (over 100-degrees often) and humid in the 80-90%... a/c is recommended.
You will be visiting three countries, needing three Visas and Yellow Fever inoculation with proof of same for entry to/from/between countries.
How many total days in-country.
Do some more research and then return with specific queries.
1) Yes, Jan in Mara is fine. Maybe some rain.
2) Buhoma Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
3) No info from me on this topic
Good luck. # days would indeed help.
Thanks. We are thinking 3+ weeks.
We are taking my mum (65 yrs, active but not very fit) with us. Would she be ok on the driving safari and the gorilla trek?
Does anyone know the least tiresome way to fly from Toronto to Nairobi?
Driving should be fine for your mother unless she has a back that is easily irritated.
On the other hand, the gorilla trek can be very demanding, could be 6 hours of walking in steep difficult terrain. Sometimes it's only 20 minutes. Problem is you never know until you are underway, and even then the gorillas can move, and you're stuck following further than anticipated.
Depending on how unfit "not very fit means" this could be a problem. No need to be a marathoner, rock climber, fitness freak. But if she could build up to walking 2-3 miles a day and walking several flights of stairs easily (to simulate the uphill climb) that would help.
It is common to have people in their 60s and 70s enjoy gorilla trekking. The porters really help too, for people of all ages.
Just a note: you can also see gorillas in Rwanda where picking the group the morning of departure is more typical and that allows you some control over getting a group that was closer to the mountain base the day before and therefore will be easier to see--at least in theory. Though there is never a guarantee of where the gorillas will be. A quick in and out of the country for only gorillas is easier in Rwanda than Uganda. But pricing in Rwanda may be higher now than Uganda in Jan. Do check on that. It can change.
Check kayak.com for a variety of flights. You may wish to spend a day recovering in Europe on the way there/back. My own preference is to fly straight through and get to Africa and if I think a rest day upon arrival is needed, I put in a down day.
21 days:
5 are international transport there/back with a day of rest/recovery enroute or upon arrival.
That's 16 days for trip.
6-7 safari in Mara
5-6 in Uganda, stopping at Queen Elizabeth Nat Park, which is great for eles and the Kazinga Channel cruise with nonstop bird/hippo action and other animals coming to drink. QE, especially with the Kazinga Channel, is different from what you'd see or do in the Mara.
If possible make 2 gorilla visits in case they evade you on 1 visit or the weather is too rainy to enjoy them or buffalo prevent you from getting to the gorillas, or who knows what. Missing the gorillas is a real rarity, but I'd still go 2x if the budget possibly allows, to avoid any disappointment, and because each visit is completely different depending on where you find them, what they are doing, the surrounding habitat, and your own reactions.
(If you did only gorillas, and visited 2x, then you could do about 4 days in Uganda and maybe need only 3 days in Rwanda.)
3-4 in Zanzibar