Palindrome

I am getting married in mid-June 2009 and we plan to go to Africa for 2-3 weeks afterwards.

We would like to do an interesting safari which is not very crowded or touristy and then head to an island.

We are thinking East Africa is likely best as we can then head to Zanzibar or the Seychelles.

I have been researching various locations and safaris but am extremely overwhelmed with all of the information and options.

We would like to do a luxury tour or at least have the luxury tents with bathing facilities.

We live in Toronto, Canada.

Can anyone please help us out with any suggestions?

Much appreciated!

atravelynn

Look at this. If it made Sandi's heart go thumpa-thumpa, then it was a good plan. The timing would be the same as this trip.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34930787

I'd go 3 weeks after the wedding if you can.

philoo

Once you go to Africa you have to come up with a plan,main destinations you want to cover and the budget.If I was the one being asked which country I would visit, I would prefer Kenya.Since there is so many tourist destinations( Lodges,Mountains)e.g Masai Mara,Lake Nakuru Lodge,Mount Kenya and to add on beaches at the coast.Just Google on tourism in Kenya and you will find all of this information.

Cheers

climbhighsleeplow

True, there are many options and everyone will have a different opinion based on where they have been!

I do not know what you mean by "interesting"! An interesting honeymoon in June could be:

1. Chimpanzees in Uganda or Mahale
2. Gorillas in Rwanda
3. 3-day walking safari in the Serengeti near Lobo combined with the migration in the west - just an incredible experience with stunning views (very few agents know that walking in the Serengeti is now available)
4. Ngorongoro
5. Mnemba Island or Bawe Island on Zanzibar

You also have to decide if you want a private vehicle at each destination or share. On honeymoon, I suggest to slow down and get a private vehicle so you can do your own thing.

Grasses are still high in many parks so if wildlife viewing is a priority I would be careful with park selections.

sandi

lynn -

Thanks for remembering that thumpa-thumpa itinerary And, though many of the properties shown are offering discounts for bookings made prior 31st March (June is also at mid-season pricing in Kenya), for June travel and if the migration is of interest, I'd consider visiting Tanzania only or in conjunction with others.

Of course, as CHSL suggests, and if budget allows, why not and with up to 3/weeks include Rwanda with Tanzania and then off to Zanzibar.

However, there are many choices and routings, but know:
- Kenya prices are at mid-season during June (hi-season as July); Tanzania prices will be at peak-season; Rwanda prices are what they are and then the cost of permits.

You can consider some time in Kenya, then off to Rwanda, then back to Tanzania and finally off to Zanzibar. OR
Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar

If you've been in contact with any tour operators, what have they suggested which would allow us to comment.

sdb1

I recommend Tanzania. It is easy to do some safari camps then head off to Zanzibar. CCAfrica (now andbeyond.com) has some great camps in and around the Serengeti and in Zanzibar. Good luck!

divine54

palin
i would go to one of the mozambique island resorts

http://www.raniresorts.com/

which is really off the beaten track and not to cpmpare to zansibar or seychelles.

that could be easily combined with botswana, zambia or south africa safari and cape town or just safari.

to have a clue in view to budget (without long-haul) would help a lot!

regarding sole use of car we are speaking of at least 300US$/day. if you visit a good quality camp/lodge they should guarantee "window seats" and in june would most probably not pack the car to the full so that 4 people would have to share a car. of course the latter isn't guaranteed.
furthermore if camps now they are honeymooners they always try to suit them ;-)


div

Palindrome

Thanks for the advice so far!

Budget is not a huge issue for us, and we're not really into 'roughing it', so we are more interested in the 'luxury camping' or resorts.

Private Game Viewing is a great idea thanks!

There is just so much information out there and I don't know where to start.

We would like to see as many different animals as possible and go to some places that are not as touristy and busy.

Any specific suggestions?

Thanks!

sdb2

I recommend Tanzania. It is easy to do some safari camps then head off to Zanzibar. CCAfrica (now http://andbeyond.com">andbeyond.com) has some great camps in and around the Serengeti (I especially enjoyed Grumeti) and in Zanzibar (people tell me they enjoyed Mnemba Island Lodge). Good luck!

amycyma

palindrome=( i love your screen name as mine is a palindrome!)|
i have just planned my first safari- and i found the fodors complete guide to african safari book-
to be VERY helpful.
but as i am a newbie, that is all the info i can offer, except that this sight is SO helpful, so take a look at trip reports for some of the destinations you are thinking of and see if they match what you might be looking for.
enjoy the planning
amy

connor02

Climbhighsleeplow,

How do I find out about a walking safari in Serengeti? I will be staying at Lobo Lodge and Sayari in July and would love to do some walking. I didn't think it was possible inside the parks except for Tarangire.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

tanzaniatouroperator

Palindrome,
For a great tented camp experience you in June you could look at one of the mobile camp outfits in the Serengeti (CCA, Nomads, Asilia). This will give you the benefit of seeing the Migration

If you want good permanent tented camp then you are probably better looking at the parks in the south of the country - Selous and Ruaha. the camps in the South - like Selous Safari Camp and Jongomero - are more generally more luxurious than those in the South and the South is also far less touristy than the North

For the beach, Zanzibar would be the easiest and has a range of accommodation from about $100 pp pn to about $1200 pp pn. But as an alternative you could look at Northern Mozambique - say Vamizi which is amazing. Or you could combine Tanzania with the Seychelles but this would involve a night in Nairobi and lots more flying time

Whatever you do you should find a good tour operator who can talk you through the possibilities and check all the options online – preferably by seeing video of all the possible locations so you know exactly what you are getting

Hope this helps

DonTopaz

<b>amycyma</b> -- Ooh-hoo, I can't believe I hadn't noticed that re: your screen name!!

<b>Palindrome</b> -- Shompole in Kenya would be everything that I could ever imagine for a honeymoon spot -- and more. It's an amazing camp where the accommodations are in luxury tree houses up on a hillside overlooking a lovely valley. It's just you and the birds. You don't have the density of wildlife as elsewhere -- but neither you you have anywhere <i>near</i> the density of tourists.

divine54

rozzuto
shompole is gorgeous acccommodation wise - but safari means wildlife ;-)

div

DonTopaz

Thank you for telling me what safari means, dovene.

Palindrome, despite the &quot;information&quot; from the much-discredited previous poster, there's a reasonable amount of fauna to be seen at Shompole. You also have the opportunity to take the short drive to Lake Natron, where you're likely to see gorgeous flocks of flamingoes.

While I would not choose Shompole if my only goal was to provide a number that listed the total number of animals seen, I would choose Shompole if I was looking for a spot to spend a few days appreciating the beauty of Africa and the beauty of an architecture that is woven perfectly (ok, almost perfectly) into its surroundings. on a 2-week sfari in eastern Africa, it can be an ideal 3- or 4-day stopover.

sandi

For many of my honeymooners, I offer Shompole as an option to the coast, and those who do have only raves about the place. The large open plan houses, oversized king-sized beds, individual plunge pools (besides Shompole's main infinity pool with great views), as much privacy as they could hope for, late night game drives. For a few couples we've planned traditional Masai weddings that they'll remember for many years to come.

Shompole might not offer the wealth of game vs the Mara, Samburu or other parks, but there are lions, leopard, wildies, zebra, lots of birdlife on Lk. Natron, but that's not the main reason most visit here... ideal for R&amp;R.

And, the word &quot;safari&quot; translates to &quot;journey&quot; so can mean whatever one chooses for their own purposes.

philoo

A couple friend of mine just came back from their h/moon in Africa.

They toured Kenya &amp; South Africa through !All Seasons Safaris &amp; Tours!.In Kenya, they had a balanced 7 days itinerary as follows.

Day 1)Drive to Lake Nakuru Lodge deluxe
Day 2)Drive to Sweet waters deluxe
Day 3)Drive to Samburu Serena deluxe
Day 4)Samburu Serena deluxe
Day 5)fly Masai Mara Serena Deluxe
Day 6)Masai Mara Serena Deluxe
Day 7)Thereafter they flew back to Nairobi and connected to their South African flight.

You do not have to go to south Africa. But you can fly to Zanzibar. The Palms is a wonderful choice. Its an exclusive all inclusive Beach Property.

They tell me that they got the right price after so many correspondences with many safari outfitters.

Just contact the Safari company that made it happen. Quote your budget and am sure they will give you a good deal.

In Africa though Kenya has the best to offer and is a cheaper destination.

Good Luck.

tanzaniatouroperator

Palindrome:
Did you manage to find a Tour Operator to talk you through the possibilities?
This is definitely the way to go if you are still overwhelmed by the options

atravelynn

Have them talk you through, then post their suggestions and you'll get a wonderful trip.