Bogleheads

bluto · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Brazil

Despite many weeks of planning for a more local destination, my wife and I are looking again at Africa for our upcoming December/January holiday. We were thinking Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania? Some safari, some beach time, who knows what else? I figure we'd better go all out before kids.

Any bogleheads care to share their experiences/advice?

Thanks,
Blut

Kathleen Ryan · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: African Safari

Hi Blut,

I went on a photo safari for three weeks back in August 1988. It was wonderful and a life changing experience for me. It is different than anything I had ever experienced before or since and I recommend it highly and wholeheartedly. I got excellent slides of black maned lions, regular lions, lions mating, lion cubs, cheetahs, a cheetah cub, wild dogs-(extremely endangered), black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest-(gnus), hyenas, several species antelopes, and several species of birds.

While in Kenya, I went to Nairobi National Park,-stayed at the Norfolk Hotel-(as seen in "Out of Africa"), Amboseli-(The Amboseli Lodge), The Masai Mara(at The Mara River Camp), and in non-permanent tents while camped out in Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

The Crater has a very high concentration of wildlife and is a spectacular in every way.

I would have liked to have gone to the coast at Mombassa and to have swum in the Indian Ocean, but we didn't have enough time.

At the time I went with a group of photographers, so we only had three people to a van/land rover. It was great. I believe the man who led our safari has since retired, as he is quite old now. But if you like, you can email me privately and I will give you his name if you are interested. I believe his son now leads photo safaris. =-)

You will need your passport, and visas for each country you visit, I believe. Also have all your vaccinations up to date, and you will need Yellow Fever and Typhoid Fever vaccinations and anti-malaria pills. You take them a week before you go, then every week you are there and then one week after, if my memory serves me. If you spike a fever while there, you should have a special pill -(I forget the name of it) to take immediately to treat the malaria.

Wow, I see you are from Brazil! I'd like to get to Rio one day and see that grand sculpture of Jesus.
_________________
Best wishes,
Kathleen

Larry Johnson · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

For my money, the best adventure would be Tanzania because it is more primative. To go to the Selous Reserve, which is totally uninhabitated is a dream; also the Massai Step and the Serengetti are places to go, and don't miss Zanzibar. I was there on a hunting Safari. Beware of malaria and watch your step in the wilds. The tsetse fly will drive you mad.

ViperAttacks · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 41

Sounds great.

LongDistanceRunner · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 47

bluto · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Brazil

Many thanks for the advice thus far!

Kathleen, your trip sounds amazing - this is exactly what we hope to have from our Africa vacation...if we can get things together in time!

Larry, I am looking at Tanzania & Uganda, and if I'm very lucky, we'll fit in a few days in Rwanda to see gorillas, and some history.

LongDistanceRunner · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 47

bluto · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Brazil

I have received some itineraries and prices, but will look for another week before making any decisions. Prices are steep for sure, but I have a colleague who lived in Tanzania for 2 years and claims December/January there is no place in the world more fantastic due to the migrations.

Yet the prices are so HIGH, I've had sticker shock! This is a honeymoon... but how much can one reasonable spend on a honeymoon without being excessive??? I'm torn, do I go all out and jump at the opportunity, or spend less for a nice trip somewhere closer/less exotic?? Advice please Shocked

Kathleen Ryan · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: Hi Bluto

Hi Bluto,

I'm sorry but I can only give you my biased opinion.

I had wanted to go to e. Africa for awhile. After reading the book and seeing the movie, "Out of Africa," I knew it was something I had to do. A trip to Africa isn't for everyone. (My husband didn't go with me.) I believe it is something that you must really want to do.

When I find myself in a quandry, I ask myself this question: Which way would I have more regrets? If I took the trip to Africa or if I didn't take the trip to Africa?

I would guess you are in your twenties or thirties? Your eyes are the best they ever will be now to see and appreciate everything, you have no children yet to worry about leaving, and you have your finances in order, so this might be the best time for you.

As an added kicker, here is what my dad used to say to me when he knew I wanted to do something but had hesitations: "You can't do it from the grave." He died at age 66. Some people have the luxury of a long life, others don't. We obviously don't know which group we are in, so do what you feel is right for you and your bride.

I hope this helps.
_________________
Best wishes,
Kathleen

LongDistanceRunner · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 47

RootyToot · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Bluto-
My husband and I spent two weeks in Kenya (2006) during the Great Migration. In my opinion, the money spent ( a lot) was well worth it.
Go! You will have a lifetime of memories and not a moment's regret.

RootyToot

Kathleen Ryan

Hi Bluto,

Here is a suggestion which no one told me about. If you should go to Africa bring a tape recorder! You will not believe the night sounds of the lions, zebras, hyenas, hippos, tree hyraxes and other animals.

While at the Masai Mara River Camp, in Kenya, http://www.africanmeccasafaris....ercamp.asp

one night I was standing by the camp‘s permanent fire pit, drying my hair by the fire when all of a sudden I heard what sounded like a very loud, creaky door slowly opening, and then LOUD screaming. I of course jumped out of my skin then asked, “What was that?!” I was told very matter-of-factly by our leader, “That my dear, is a tree hyrax.” We were all laughing. You have to hear it to believe it! It was interesting to note that I was standing right under the tree when the hyrax started its, “singing,” so it sounded especially loud.

Another little story: While we were at the Amboseli Lodge in Kenya,
http://www.africanmeccasafaris....ilodge.asp

the night before we were to leave for the Crater in Tanzania, our leader told us this fun little bedtime story:

Back in the 1960’s three men went into a tent to sleep in the Crater. Being it was a hot summer night they left the flap unzipped and open. In the morning only two men came out of the tent. During the night one man had been taken by a large, male lion. They speculated what happened was this unfortunate fellow had been snoring VERY loudly, which was a sound very similar to lion ears as the “death rattle” of a dying animal. So the lion very quietly, so as not to wake the other two men, took this man sometime during the night. They found what was left of him not far from their campsite.

And then he punctuated the story with:
“We won’t be able to have campfires while in the Crater.” I of course asked, “What will keep the lions away? I mean our tents are only this thick", and I held my thumb and index finger about ¼ inch apart. He pushed them almost closed and said, “No, only about this thick.” I laughed nervously. (We couldn’t have fires because of the night patrol of the park rangers looking for poachers)-circa 1988.

So I was thinking about the lions that night as I tucked my mosquito netting around my bed hoping to hermetically seal it so no mosquitoes would bite me and I’d come down with malaria. I also sprayed the netting all around with a DEET insect repellent and hoped for the best.

We stayed just one night at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge atop the rim of the Crater on the last night of our stay in Tanzania.

http://www.ngorongoro-crater-lodge.com/

Link to Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya:

http://www.southtravels.com/af....index.html

We went to the Norfolk Hotel (as seen in “Out of Africa” where Karen Blixen walked into the bar) the first night we arrived in Kenya after game viewing at Nairobi National Park, and then on the night after we left Tanzania. The Norfolk was a little too luxurious for me, though I really appreciated it after “roughing it,“ as we had camped out in Ngorongoro Crater in non-permanent tents with no access to a shower for four days.

I told our leader he was like a "drill sergeant" and we were his recruits and I wouldn't have it any other way. He laughed at this. We got up early had breakfast and we took photos all day long stopping for a short lunch break, then resumed our photography until the light failed. We saw more in those three weeks than most people would most likely see in three months. No sipping drinks, relaxing by the pool or anything. The leader of our group made sure we got our money’s worth, and that every moment was filled. It was great.

And about the cost. It has always been and will continue to be expensive to go to Africa. That is a given. At the time I went it was expensive back in "1988 money". And it is expensive now in "2009 money." But it seems to transcend the money thing.

If you don't go, you will have more money to invest, and have more for your financial goals than if you do go to Africa. I guess it comes down to this:
Will you be happier with more money later, or will you say, "Gee, I wish I had gone to Africa when I had the opportunity." Only you can decide this for you. It enriched my life and I can't think of one thing I regret for having taken this trip.
_________________
Best wishes,
Kathleen

bluto · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Brazil

Kathleen - Thank you SO much for sharing your experiences and advice. You make good points and I'm trying very hard to balance my automated response to play it frugal with the other need to live life now. Your words are encouraging. And if I do go, you bet I cannot wait to camp in the bush!