Advice for Africa Dry tour operation???

So thinking about going to Africa in Sept/Oct. So this time want to see cats and gorillas. Want operations that cater to small groups. Cater to photogs. Maybe go to some more off the beaten path spots. So anyone have a tour operator, leader, travel agency they like?

Understand they are two different regions. Last time we went by "winning" a trip at a charity auction, but now want to get away from the masses a little. It has been made very clear that any operation we use must not consider "the bushes a restroom" and "showers would be nice".

We did Tanzania a couple years ago with Thomson Safaris. Cats, but no gorillas. You can check out my photos. I posted some info about the trip.

We had restrooms and showers.

Thanks we will check them out.

I don't have much experience, but when I was there last year, we booked through Classic Africa and stayed at 2 camps adjacent to the Sabi Sabi in S. Africa. The first, Londolozi, was awesome! Super pricey, very high-end with a casual vibe. Great food. They're known for their leopards and we saw several, plus the local lion pride. Also went to Kings Camp - wildlife almost as good, resort not as chic, but still very nice. A little more formal "colonial" vibe.

I've also spent 2 nights at the Rucomechi (sp?) camp in far northern Zimbabwe. Comfortable, right on the river so LOTS of hippos and great birds. We had elephants in the camp both nights!

Have a great trip!

Phil

Namibia - Etosha park will blow your mind.

The Skeleton coast is awesome as is fish river canyon.

People are great - you can spend time in the bush with the bushmen if that is what you want.

We took a fly in tour there which was expensive but so memorable it was worth it.

You are safe and can drive yourself without a 4WD.

Paul C

PRC-

Can you elaborate a little on what was mind blowing about Etosha Park?

I am also considering doing a topside venture to Africa soon. Thanks.

PRC-

Can you elaborate a little on what was mind blowing about Etosha Park?

I am also considering doing a topside venture to Africa soon. Thanks.

Hi There,

I also second Etosha as an amazing place to go I was there for four nights and saw Lions every day (including some fight just out the window of my car), rhinos, elephants etc, I also saw a leopard, a cheetah, and an african wild cat. My trip through Nambia was a part of the 6 week trip through southern africa. Three weeks in South Africa driving from Cape Town along the coast to Durban, doing the Sardine Run and then hiring a 4wd from Johannesberg and then spent three weeks traveling through Botswana (side trip to Victoria Falls) and Nambia. The Skelton Coast, Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyons are also amazing.

All my travels were driving a car that I had hired by myself so where ever I wanted to go, thats where I ended up.

please find the links to to galleries of my trip below.

Matti

http://www.mattiovaska.com/layout/0001/gallery_view.cfm?g=83

http://www.mattiovaska.com/layout/0001/gallery_view.cfm?g=84

http://www.mattiovaska.com/layout/0001/gallery_view.cfm?g=82

http://www.mattiovaska.com/layout/0001/gallery_view.cfm?g=85

Just the sheer amount of animals.

As we drove through the outer gate there were 20+ elephants crossing the road and it just got better and better and better.

We have also been to Kruger Park and saw more in 20 minutes in Etosha than three days in Kruger.

You can stay in the park as the authorities have some accommodation - it is far from luxury but when I was there it was clean and OK believe it can be booked online.

As for Namibia in general I would send anyone there, the capital Windhoek is a bit of a hole and best left but other than that it can't be beaten.

We stayed in B&B farms - often crossing many km over rough roads to get to them and in every case found an oasis of hospitality and invariably great food & conversation.

Places to look up on the net :-

Dune 47

Zebra River Lodge

Etosha

http://www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com/ - fly in safari - expensive but I would go again in a shot.

http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging/private/tsumkwe.htm - we stayed here and spent time with the bushmen.

http://www.turnstone-tours.com/ - Bruno will take you on a dune tour that will blow your mind and alter your perception of what a 4WD can do.

As you can see I am enthusiastic about Namibia, I have been twice and that is very rare for me to re-visit any place - so rare and enthusiastic that I even took time to find those links with google.

I have no connection with any of the above or interest in them other than being happy with the service provided.

Paul C

Hi

Will 3 rd Etosha. I am Cape Town based and have spent a fair bit of time in African park over the last few years. For a self drive Namibia is perfect, good roads, easy access to parks, good rental vehicles. Although for a windhoek ethosha trip 4x4 is not a requirement. Also the national park camp sites are very well equipped with cabins if needed, swimming pools, restaurants and bar.

The other great place in Southern Africa would be Chobe River national parks in Botswana.

But if you want to do Gorillas and cats perhaps staying in East Africa would be a better bet. Gorillas can be seen in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, so cat side could be organized in Kenya or TZ.

Kenya has some very good parks and some of the smaller will virtually guarantee at the least lion sightings due to their small size eg Nakuru NP. For Cheetahs try Amboseli NR, also has heaps of Elephants. But for pureists this is not the same as seeing wildlife in huge reserves such as Ethosha.

Alternatively try a private safari where schedules can be tailored to your requirements. My friend run the South African arm of German Wigwam tour operators. He offers private safaris which are of very high quality so I am happy to provide you contact details if you want.

If your knowledge of African flora and fauna is not good, I would firmly recommend taking a good guide. As with most things the more you know the more interesting it becomes....for instance a herd of elephants is a herd of elephants but if your guide can explain the social interactions going on, the strategies they use to overcome drought heat etc, the whole experience becomes so much more rich.

Like most things it is dependent on how much time and money you would like to spend. How much your enjoyment is dependent on seeing specific wildlife etc

Happy tour hunting. Hope you have a great African trip

best Erol

Great info, thanks. While I like the idea of a "self drive" my better half barely trusts me driving around town, I think something guided would be best. Again catering to photogs and smaller groups. Seeing the Gorillas does complicate things.

Check out Basecamp explorer. their eco camps are great. Game walk on foot with the Mazai warriors is a great experience.

http://www.basecampexplorer.com/our_destinations/masai_mara

I did gorilla trekking in Uganda - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 12 years ago. a truly remarkable experience.

http://www.xasafaris.com/

http://vagabonding.com/travelogue/000099.html

Lasse