Advice on choosing a Safari Operator

[ekovisions]

My mom, a couple of her friends, and I are looking into doing a Safari in the next year or two. I'm looking

for operator recommendations, that will allow good opportunities for photography (for me) and lots of

creature comforts and a not-too-strenuous schedule for my mom and friends. Suggestions? My mom

would like "several days in the bush" for the safari, as well as an add-on to Victoria Falls--but we could

always do that separately.

[huntrbll]

I returned in September from South Africa on a combination hunting/photo safari. During the photo safari part of the trip my wife and I stayed at a lodge called Zulu Nyala, which you can find using Google. There are photos from that trip posted here on photo.net. If you would like more details, email me.....Bill.

[Spearhead]

Try the <a href="http://fodors.com/forums/">Fodor's forums,</a> I find them very useful for knowledgeable opinions on travel. People will understand the multi-purpose needs.

[yoni_perlmutter]

Safari is a big topic and Africa is a big place.

 

The problem I encountered when I started my research was the glut, the sea of information (or "information") about safaris and venues.

It's necessary to understand in some detail what you want to see, how you want to see it, when and under what circumstances (level of comfort, season, with anti-malarials or without and etc.).

The abundance of information (good and less good) is overwhelming.

 

I recall Shun has a good piece on PN, some fella wrote a good piece

(thorough and detailed) on Luminous Landscape's site and there are other useful pieces (travelogue style) which are available.

 

After doing some basic research (hair-splittin' & nit-pickin') I decided on Tanzania and mid-March and a particular safari guide.

I chose this guide because he came highly recommended to me from

2 people I trust; they are both photographers

(one is a professional nature photographer) and

their threshold of discomfort is similar to mine.

 

My trip is 12 days in the bush in both tented camps and lodges, of

which two days are on foot, safari guide/driver, Toyota 4X4 with raised roof, 2 photographers with the vehicle to ourselves. We go out both early morning and early evening for game drives. This costs $2700 per person.

 

This does not include return air fare to Tel Aviv-Arusha ($970),

our first night in a hotel($90), a couple of meals, tips, odd&ends,

and the 10 yro Bushmills SM (yet another anti-malarial).

That's $225 per day on the ground for "bush" day only -

quite inexpensive. I did not choose this particular safari because it was inexpensive. I chose it because it suited me. It gave us the best

balance of opportunity for safari photography.

 

I had actually budgeted 2wice for safari expenses but after

analysing my needs I determined there was no need to spend more money.

 

Your safari needs are likely going to be very different. If you think

really hard about what you really need the answers become more clear the more you read.

[kaiyen]

Check this site out:

 

http://www.african-safari-journals.com/

 

Lots of great info, and they will recommend operators. I am going to go with their suggested self-guided South Africa Kruger Park tour...someday :-)

 

allan

[neill_farmer2]

You have made a good start by doing research early. I would first ask yourselves what do you want to see and experience? Each area has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, some places are good for elephants, others leopards, migration? lions? etc. Fodors (already mentioned) is a good place to browse through. When you come to book your holiday there are 3 ways. You can do it yourself over the internet directly with each camp or lodge, this means you will need to arrange transfers with them and double check everything. Or you can use a local outfitter contacting then by email, these people should arrange everything and meet you at the airports and see that you get safely where you're meant to be. Finally you can find a travel agent in your own city or country that speciallises in Africa. This third method introduces more middle men but for a first time trip the advice of a good Africa Safari Agent can make the difference between a never forgotten trip and one thats best forgotten. I have used Kerr & Downey in Botswanna and Origins in Kenya and both were very good and they were arranged for us by local specialist travel agents (method 3). If you are especially interested in photography you have to make this known, and make sure that your camp will accommodate your needs, eg 4WD rather than minibus, flexible game drive hours (early starts, late finishes). You are after a camp that lets you chose the days activities rather than have them manage you. The smaller camps are better at giving this individual attention.

In the meantime trawl the local travel agents, grab as many brochures as possible and purchase some of the magazines about Africa. There is a big range of daily tariffs offered, you don't have to chose the most expensive to have a great time and sussing the better value camps takes a bit of reading.

African safaris are not cheap holidays, but they're worth every penny spent.

[gungajim]

Check out Mark Nolting's book: Top African Wildlife Countries

 

Starting from scratch, Africa's Top Wildlife Countries answers such questions as: What safari options are available? What countries offer the kind of experience I am seeking? When is the best time to go? Covering Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Mauritius, and the Seychelles Islands, this is a complete guide for anyone planning a trip to Africa. Its user-friendly format makes planning a safari easy by highlighting and comparing wildlife reserves, depicting and describing types of accommodations and other major attractions. Jam-packed with information essential for the successful safari, this edition has been completely revised, and includes over 50 maps detailing countries and major wildlife reserves (including a new two-page Eco-Map depicting the primary vegetation zones, country, and park locations), 32 pages of color photographs, more than 125 black and white photos, 11 charts, and numerous illustrations. "A must for all safari goers traveling in any part of Africa." -- R. Michael Wright, President, African Wildlife Foundation

 

Lonely Planet website forums are also a good source of info.

 

You'll save a bunch of money by booking directly over the web with a company in the country you are going to. But you need to have good research skills to make sure you identify reliable companies who understand photographers' needs.

[caterina_lenards]

Hi there!

 

you can get more information on the african safari at http://www.pulseafrica.com/.

 

happy trip!

[naturegirl99]

I can highly recommend an excellent locally-based tour guide company (out of Nairobi, Kenya). Back in '94, I travelled with Winnipeg-based pro photog Robert Taylor as our trip leader, but the people at Woni Safaris (http://wonisafaris.com) made all the safari arrangements. This was a specifically photography-based trip for people with an interest in wildlife, but not to worry; your Mom and her friends will NOT be bored. You can custom design your own safari, in fact. I created the itinerary with the Nairobi agent (after dropping Bob's name) when I was planning on returning last year (didn't happen, but I'll get there!).

The specific agent I worked with has finished his contract there and has moved to Dakina Safaris (their site is currently being updated). His name is Philip Kinyili and his contact is pkinyili@dakinasafaris.com . The guides/drivers were incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife, their habits and behaviour; they were excellent birders; and they were sensitive about the environment and the animals as well. Everything a photographer could ask for!