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Summer Travel: How to plan an African safari {Gadling}
Apr 25th 2011 4:25PM Firestone - Thanks for sharing. Few points..
1. The "Great Wildebeest Migration" is a year round experience, and not specific to certain month of year i.e "June and August".
Visitors can experience the migration in the Serengeti ( http://www.serengetinationalpark.org ) historically around late November through July.
It is important also during the migration season to stay at strategic accommodation to maximize the wildlife experience .e.g not to stay in southern Serengeti during the months august through october when the migration is in the northern Serengeti headed on to Masai Mara ( http://www.masaimara.org )
Learn more about the ANNUAL wildebeest migration patterns on a research paper at http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/tanzania/safaris/parks/serengetiwildebeestmigration.asp
2. On your statement for "To be honest, if it's your first time on an African safari, you really can't choose a bad itinerary."
Oh yes, you can honestly choose a bad itinerary. Remember of 90% of guests do not return back to Africa for a safari so getting it right the first time is extremely imperative.
3. Some important factors are
- mass tourism vs non mass tourism experiences
- staying at strategic camps and lodges that maximize the wildlife experience i.e. avoiding to stay at location that have the least wildlife even though the accommodation boasts of its top standards. In the real estate, it is all "Location, Location & Location". Choose strategic accommodation - away from the mass tourism experience. If chosen correctly and planned correctly through an experience outfitter, the experiences will be life changing!
- Flying vs driving. Avoid driving long distances to get to the parks rather fly in. Some safari destination are 6-8 hours away from main hub cities e.g. Nairobi to Masai Mara, Arusha to Serengeti or Joburg to Kruger. Get to the destination by air in 45 minutes time so you can spend more time at the park rather than 8 hours of driving time so as to get to the park to see wildlife !
- Guides - the make it or break it! The top end camps attracts top guides... e.g. guiding standards at Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa are different from guiding standards at Norman Carr camps such as Nsolo, Kapani, Mchenja..Target markets are different..
4. Most safaris are guided on seat in basis including fly in safaris. Its important to stay at camps and lodges whose ratio per guest to vehicle seating is lower. Upmarket accommodation utilizes a seat in lower ratio around 4 guests per vehicle rather than 6-8 guests..
Cheers!
Altaf Visram
Sales & Reservations Director
AfricanMecca Safaris, Tours & Beach Vacations
Website: www.africanmeccasafaris.com
Twitter Contact: @AfricanTravel
On safari in Kruger National Park {Gadling}
Mar 22nd 2011 5:18AM Thanks for sharing your experience. A brief note - Serengeti "spreading across Kenya" is has a name: "Masai Mara" or is it Masai Mara spreading across Tanzania which is named as "Serengeti"?
As a native Kiswahili speaker, Serengeti is not a Swahili word rather than a word that has derived or verbalization from a Maasai word or correctly stated Maa language for "Siringitu" meaning “endless plain"
Serengeti and Kruger are two difference experiences. Serengeti offers authentically unstaged and wildlife experiences in millions due to the wildebeest migration. You can learn more about Serengeti at http://www.serengetinationalpark.org
Kruger on the other hand is diverse yet wildlife limiting when compared to East African parks such as the mighty Serengeti in Tanzania. The South African focus is on seeing the "big five" and sometimes the experiences seem zoo like if the wrong camp or lodge is chosen in the Kruger.
1. The lower / central Kruger area is like a circus - tarmac and saloon cars driving around with lodges or camps such as Skukuza having "A magnificent 9 hole (18-tee), Par 72 golf course". Are we at Golf Resort or a safari park?,
2. The western Kruger and greater Kruger reserves such as Sabi Sand is like a zoo - fenced where you cannot game drive beyond your lodge or camps designated land. Some great places to stay in Sabi Sand is Mala Mala.
3. Finally the north Kruger and Greater upper Kruger reserves offers true wilderness. Pafuri is recommended and so is Motswari and many others.
Learn more about Kruger and its greater reserves at http://www.southafricasafarishotelstravel.com/krugerpark.asp
I would recommend planning a Kruger trip correctly so you have it right the first time around rather than be disappointed while on the ground.
Altaf Visram
Sales & Reservations Director
AfricanMecca Safaris, Tours & Beach Vacations
Destination Planning Websites:
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com
Twitter Contact: @AfricanTravel
Facebook: Search "AfricanMeccaSafaris"
