arobeson

It's a bit last minute - but I'm considering a late November trip to Africa. I'm planning to purchase a package trip - as I'm going on my own and only have about 10-12 days off work to travel. Any tips on where to go, which company to use, or other information I might find helpful would be appreciated. I am looking for an introductory type trip - have never been before, but probably will again. Would like to keep the trip affordable.

Thanks!

Safari_Craig

hi there,

this sounds like a great idea. i have a couple of questions before dispensing more advice:

1. what is your total budget for the botswana safari exclusive of international flights? your definition of affordable may not be mine!
2. are you considering botswana only? that is the only way you tagged this post?
3. what do you mean by a packaged trip? almost every major safari operator in the US will package the entire trip together for you from door to door. our company, along with at least 20 others in the US, also have airline contracts with south african airways (SAA), delta, or both to get you there. it is symantics, but i call this a package.

traveling independently will be far cheaper than going on a trip run by a "brochure" tour operator IF you are considering a safari with the 6 or 7 lodge operators with multiple lodges (wilderness safaris, desert & delta, kwando, orient express, sanctuary, kerr downey, &beyond, etc.)

more advice awaits you upon your response!

craig beal

Safari_Craig

i do not recommend you go on any type of camping trip (sleep on the ground) during the rainy season in botswana. i assume your request is focused on the camps with permanent tents (i.e. lodges). let me know!

craig beal

ShayTay

If you're open to Tanzania, Overseas Adventure Travel has their "Safari Serengeti" trip. They are showing availability in November and I don't think they are charging a single supplement this year. To give you an idea of pricing, it's $4295 from New York (plus taxes, I think.) That includes the airfare.

Safari_Craig

one thing i have found about OAT with their botswana itinerary is the use of many "or similar" disclaimers on their lodging. i recommend you get them to confirm in writing where you will be staying as a condition of booking with them. i have not checked their tanzania itinerary to see if they do this there as well. where you stay makes a huge difference in the quality of your experience.

craig beal

Johnson101

OAT most often uses their own teneted camps established and set up by their ground handler, Kibo Guides. They also intersperse nights at Kibo properties as well. Not a bad value when everything is considered but not the kind of safari that would appeal to most Africa Veterans. I have visited the Kibo tented camps and they are pretty basic. To be honest they were not bad but if I rate these camps along with others I have visited I would not be able to give them more than 2 or 2.5 stars on a 5 point scale. They generally pack 6 + driver into the vehicles. If you are thinking of East Africa vs Botswana in late November, I would defintely vote for Botswana. Game viewing will be better and the experience more authentic. There is however, greater opportunity to visit local tribes in East Africa (Masai in Tanzania or Samburo in Kenya). If you can afford a Botswana safari you can go a single, fly into and between camps and go on game drives with others in the camp. At least that way you don't have to worry about getting stuck with incompatible vehicle or camp mates for your entire trip. Some good deals being offered now in Botswana and that would be my preference.
Good Luck-Jon

Johnson101

Samburu (sorry)

ShayTay

OAT/Kibo only take a max of 14 travelers on the Tanzania safaris, with three vehicles. The 6 are in a large, 7-passenger Land Cruiser, with 4 each in the shorter, 5-passenger Land Cruisers. You shift between vehicles during the safari. Kibo's mobile camps are nice, compared to some of the other mobile and even seasonal mobile camps I've seen. The camps and lodges that they use are Tanganyika Wilderness Camps properties, which is affiliated with Kibo. The "or similar" might mean Tloma Lodge in Karatu, versus Ngorongoro Farmhouse, or Lake Burunge Camp, versus Maramboi. From discussions I've had with travelers on this trip in the last year, the lodging they now list on the website is where they stayed. You asked about a packaged trip, affordable, and going as a single traveler... this ought to be on your list of safaris to check out.

For Botswana, you could check with "The Wild Source" for their safaris using Footsteps in Africa's camps. It would be "roughing it" more so than the Tanzania trip, but also affordable.

atravelynn

Since Botswana can be expensive, a general budget would be helpful.

Wilderness Safaris and AndBeyond offer Botswana mobile camping trips that are extremely comfortable where you are not sleeping on wet ground. They are usually less expensive than the permanent tented camps. I've done one mobile and loved it and hope to do more. But they have to fit with your dates.

You must buy Wilderness trips or camps through an agent, but AndBeyond trips or camps work either direct or through an agent. There is usually no cost advantage going direct, but you could check. I think the Footsteps products are through an agent.

The Botswana "package" is different than "packages" to many other places as Safari Craig states in Point #3. You can pick and choose and mix and match a variety of camps that can be "packaged" for you into a safari. Transport between camps is by charter plane that you share with others. The charter planes operate like buses or trains. Game viewing is in a vehicle that you share with others in each camp. Meals are served family style to whoever is in camp, maybe up to 16 people.

I see Tanzania mentioned regarding OAT. In Nov, the migration is in Tanzania, so you might want to consider it. Probably less expensive than Botswana.

Good luck and you'll love whatever part of Africa you end up in.

Since you don't have much time, I'd contact one of these companies (in no particular order), that have been used successfully by people on the forum and post what they suggest.

OAT
Good Earth -Tanzania (they have some group trips)
Go2Africa - South Africa (all of Africa)
Africa Adventure - Ft. Lauderdale (all of Africa)
Eyes on Africa - Chicago (Southern Africa-Botswana)

LAleslie

Start by looking at some Web sites to see what's on offer. I'm actually wondering if some tours that have space left that would be willing to cut the price to fill beds.
For starters:
premiertours.com
expertafrica.com
Go2africa.com
africa-adventure.com

atravelynn

Check this

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...r-174872-2.cfm

atravelynn

Arobeson,

Interesting that LALeslie and I posted at the same moment so we didn't see what the other was posting and we had some similarities in our suggestions. November is creeping up, I'd waste no time in contacting and posting what you get.