Discussion
Hi all,
Has anyone here been on a safari-type holiday before? Where would be the best place to go - I've heard conflicting reviews of SA and Kenya?
I've been advised that North Mombassa is a good place to base myself at, and I'm thinking of maybe trying a 14-night holiday, spending 6 of those nights doing the safari stuff. Is this long enough? Too long?
Are there any tips to bear in mind when going on one of these things, aside from the obvious (don't jump in front of an elephant, for example)?
Cheers.
Has anyone here been on a safari-type holiday before? Where would be the best place to go - I've heard conflicting reviews of SA and Kenya?
I've been advised that North Mombassa is a good place to base myself at, and I'm thinking of maybe trying a 14-night holiday, spending 6 of those nights doing the safari stuff. Is this long enough? Too long?
Are there any tips to bear in mind when going on one of these things, aside from the obvious (don't jump in front of an elephant, for example)?
Cheers.
ehyouwhat said:
Hi all,
Has anyone here been on a safari-type holiday before? Where would be the best place to go - I've heard conflicting reviews of SA and Kenya?
I've been advised that North Mombassa is a good place to base myself at, and I'm thinking of maybe trying a 14-night holiday, spending 6 of those nights doing the safari stuff. Is this long enough? Too long?
Are there any tips to bear in mind when going on one of these things, aside from the obvious (don't jump in front of an elephant, for example)?
Cheers.
Has anyone here been on a safari-type holiday before? Where would be the best place to go - I've heard conflicting reviews of SA and Kenya?
I've been advised that North Mombassa is a good place to base myself at, and I'm thinking of maybe trying a 14-night holiday, spending 6 of those nights doing the safari stuff. Is this long enough? Too long?
Are there any tips to bear in mind when going on one of these things, aside from the obvious (don't jump in front of an elephant, for example)?
Cheers.
I was in Kenya for a short break a couple of years ago....did a 3 day Safari and it was utterly superb.
I'll dig out a few piccys later if I get a chance!
Must haves - fleece for the morning - it can be freezing!
Decent camera.
And you're set!
I stayed at Leopard Hills Resort in Kruger NP back in July 2002. I can honestly say that the time I spent there were the most memorable of any holiday I have had, and I can thoroughly recommend it. We saw the big 5 on the first day alone, there were 2 drives per day plus walking safari to look at footprints, plants, termite mounds and dung!
Whereas we got extremely close to the animals but experienced them in smaller numbers, I think friends' experiences in Kenya reflect seeing giant herds of animal but from a distance, but there's always going to be different experiences.
Best piece of info - when the sun goes down, it is freezing cold, when it comes up, it's v warm. July time is their winter time, so there are fewer shrubs etc, so easier to see animals. In Jan/Feb, it'll be more lush.
You will have a great time whenever you go - just take plenty of film!!
If you wish to pursue Leopard Hills let me know, I'll contact the owner and he'll be pleased to help.
Whereas we got extremely close to the animals but experienced them in smaller numbers, I think friends' experiences in Kenya reflect seeing giant herds of animal but from a distance, but there's always going to be different experiences.
Best piece of info - when the sun goes down, it is freezing cold, when it comes up, it's v warm. July time is their winter time, so there are fewer shrubs etc, so easier to see animals. In Jan/Feb, it'll be more lush.
You will have a great time whenever you go - just take plenty of film!!
If you wish to pursue Leopard Hills let me know, I'll contact the owner and he'll be pleased to help.
Take warm clothes - it is bloody freezing when you get up at 05:00 to do the dawn run. Other tip from me is try and get a reasonable jeep - some operators use the most run down, knackered and noisy uncomfortable machines which can detract from the experience. Do your research into this first (well we did swap from a toyota hi-lux to a range rover vogue with a gin fridge, so maybe I'm being a bit extreme...)
nervous said:
ehyouwhat said:
sorry, i just really like the idea that your original post title was going to be 'are there spiders in africa?'
No, I'm very interested in making sure I go to the right place and do the right things for the right amount of time.
But I'm also concerned about creepy crawlies. Very concerned. Actually I'm fine with creepy crawlies, it's just spiders I hate.
I've booked to go to Kenya in June 2007. I'm staying in Malindi for a week, flying over to Massai Mara NP for 3 days, then flying back to Malindi for a week. Hopefully it'll be the best damn holiday ever - and it'll be mine and the mrs' honeymoon!
<big-cheeeeesy-excited-grin>
So, I can say that I've heard really goood things, but been told to try to avoid Nairobi as it's perhaps not the friendliest place in the world, espescially at night. I'm in two minds about camera - part of me says enjoy the moment, the memories will last forever, the other tells me to take a camera and gig's of cards, but then I worry about losing (being nicked)/ breaking the camera...but then that's what insurance is for...
<big-cheeeeesy-excited-grin>
So, I can say that I've heard really goood things, but been told to try to avoid Nairobi as it's perhaps not the friendliest place in the world, espescially at night. I'm in two minds about camera - part of me says enjoy the moment, the memories will last forever, the other tells me to take a camera and gig's of cards, but then I worry about losing (being nicked)/ breaking the camera...but then that's what insurance is for...
For the ultimate safari experience i can recommend Tanzania. There is so much more to look at than in Kenya. Starting at Arusha travel to Lake Manyara National Park staying in a tent overlooking the lake at the top of the Rift valley. Then travel offroad to the Serengeti national park for for a couple of days (highlight of which was watching a Cheetah hunting. Sat quietly for over an hour before it struck, but the rush of seeing it acceletate towards an unsuspecting gazelle was incredible), before returning via Ngorogoro Crater (probably thr most breathtaking natural site ive ever seen). Think we travelled over 3000km in 5 days, and saw some incredible scenery and wildlife.
Ali
Ali
ehyouwhat said:
No, I'm very interested in making sure I go to the right place and do the right things for the right amount of time.
There isn't really a right or wrong. You tend to see more during the dry season because there's less greenery and the animals congregate around the water holes, but in the wet there are fewer people around to share your finds with.
Places like the Masai Mara/Serengeti can get very busy, but there is a reason for that - there's shed loads to see. Smaller parks like Nakuru (shedloads of rhino
) can be more peaceful. If you get a chance a walking safari is a fantastic experience. And here are some gratuitous pics
Serengeti
Ngorongoro
Nakuru
Thought I'd thrown by 2p into the ring.....
Had the pleasure of going to the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa a couple of years ago - simply stunning, and pretty spider-free from memory. We staying a lodge the comprised of about 12 of the most luxurious "tents" you can imagine - double bed (with electric blanket for the cold nights!), aircon for the day, full bath, shower and toilet facilities and a fully stocked free mini-bar. We got closer to some seriously big stuff, including full prides of lions, baby cheetah's etc, on had a rino rubbing it's horn on the front bumper of our landrover within 5 minutes of starting our first game drive. Our driver was a total nutter as well - high-speed stuff across rough terrain the minute he'd spotted anything, which proved to be rather amusing!
I'll second the tips regarding a fleece and plenty of film or memory cards for camera's...
Had the pleasure of going to the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa a couple of years ago - simply stunning, and pretty spider-free from memory. We staying a lodge the comprised of about 12 of the most luxurious "tents" you can imagine - double bed (with electric blanket for the cold nights!), aircon for the day, full bath, shower and toilet facilities and a fully stocked free mini-bar. We got closer to some seriously big stuff, including full prides of lions, baby cheetah's etc, on had a rino rubbing it's horn on the front bumper of our landrover within 5 minutes of starting our first game drive. Our driver was a total nutter as well - high-speed stuff across rough terrain the minute he'd spotted anything, which proved to be rather amusing!
I'll second the tips regarding a fleece and plenty of film or memory cards for camera's...
Been to Kenya a couple of times and can thoroughly recommend it - Nakuru is excellent but the best was 6 days in the Mara staying at 2 different lodges and then short internal flight to Mombassa and staying at the Nyali Beach resort for 6 more days.
Bloody fantastic.
Best person I know to ask about Africa is Mikes3 - he is out there at the mo' I'll ping him an email and say to take a peek at this thread
Paul
Bloody fantastic.
Best person I know to ask about Africa is Mikes3 - he is out there at the mo' I'll ping him an email and say to take a peek at this thread
Paul
Cheers for all the replies, suggestions and photos so far - please keep 'em coming!
We'll be going in August of next year which is one of the cooler times I believe, which suits us just fine.
I'm actually going to keep it a suprise from the girlfriend until just a week or two before the trip itself; short-notice enough to make it a really excitig surprise for her, but giving her enough time to buy any new clothes or anything that she fancies. I don't think I dare keep it totally quiet from her until we go, although I am still giving that some consideration. I've also got it in my head that the trip would give me a decent opportunity to propose to my other half - apparently you can book stunning balloon rides over the landscape - but again I think I'll give that option greater consideration nearer the time.
I popped into a few travel agencies yesterday to try and get an idea of where to go and how much to pay. Neither I or my girlfriend have ever been on a trip like this before - the closest we've come is Cairo - so I really don't have a clue...and the travels agents didn't really help. Everybody told me something different, and it seemed like they hadn't sold enough to qualify the merits of one destination or package over another.
The one that appeals so far is Kikambala, North Mombassa. We'd go there for two weeks and spend six nights of it on a 'Majesty of the Savannah' Safari trip, spending time in Ngutuni, Tsavo West, Ambolesi, Ziwani and Mzima Springs. The remainder of the time would be at the 'Sun 'n' Sand' Beach Resort. All inclusive and fully-insured the holiday comes in at £3k for the pair of us, which seems good value.
But it's all double-dutch to me. Every brochure seems to say the same thing about different places, and I don't know anyone personally who's ever been on a safari holiday. So I'd much rather base my plans on the recommendations of PHers who are in the know.
Cheers all.
We'll be going in August of next year which is one of the cooler times I believe, which suits us just fine.
I'm actually going to keep it a suprise from the girlfriend until just a week or two before the trip itself; short-notice enough to make it a really excitig surprise for her, but giving her enough time to buy any new clothes or anything that she fancies. I don't think I dare keep it totally quiet from her until we go, although I am still giving that some consideration. I've also got it in my head that the trip would give me a decent opportunity to propose to my other half - apparently you can book stunning balloon rides over the landscape - but again I think I'll give that option greater consideration nearer the time.
I popped into a few travel agencies yesterday to try and get an idea of where to go and how much to pay. Neither I or my girlfriend have ever been on a trip like this before - the closest we've come is Cairo - so I really don't have a clue...and the travels agents didn't really help. Everybody told me something different, and it seemed like they hadn't sold enough to qualify the merits of one destination or package over another.
The one that appeals so far is Kikambala, North Mombassa. We'd go there for two weeks and spend six nights of it on a 'Majesty of the Savannah' Safari trip, spending time in Ngutuni, Tsavo West, Ambolesi, Ziwani and Mzima Springs. The remainder of the time would be at the 'Sun 'n' Sand' Beach Resort. All inclusive and fully-insured the holiday comes in at £3k for the pair of us, which seems good value.
But it's all double-dutch to me. Every brochure seems to say the same thing about different places, and I don't know anyone personally who's ever been on a safari holiday. So I'd much rather base my plans on the recommendations of PHers who are in the know.
Cheers all.
I've been to Nairobi National Park and to be honest a day is well more than enough. You see everything there is to be seen fairly handily and after that it all gets a bit samey. Through documentaries (which show all the highlights
) you become so familiar with the location, the animals and their behaviour that the actual buzz of being there wears off pretty quickly in my opinion. Unless you have kids with you
, are on honeymoon, or you simply need an excuse to go to Africa or need something to spend time doing once you get there, I think the 'safari' (i.e. driving through a big unbounded field in a 4x4) thing is a bit overrated.
) you become so familiar with the location, the animals and their behaviour that the actual buzz of being there wears off pretty quickly in my opinion. Unless you have kids with you , are on honeymoon, or you simply need an excuse to go to Africa or need something to spend time doing once you get there, I think the 'safari' (i.e. driving through a big unbounded field in a 4x4) thing is a bit overrated.
Edited by juniord on Tuesday 5th September 16:33
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