Criscfer
Humorist
My wife’s dream vacation has long been to go on an African safari. I’m fortunate that to her this only entails a 4-wheel drive, guide, and a canvas tent. Minimal luggage, a pack below 25 pounds that fits in a bush plane, and a willingness to use a bucket shower.
Wow, this was beyond our best expectations!
After much research/discussion on countries and tour companies we decided on Tanzania. We found a travel consultant that was partially US owned which meant we could pay with a CC, rather that wiring cash. Air miles and insurance were a big bonus for the big ticket. We also liked that they contribute to educational nonprofit work in rural Tanzania to ensure children have access to a quality education. One of the drivers that provided us transfer to Kilimanjaro was even a graduate from their program. Our primary guide Fulgence has been with the company 15 years, and was the best part of our trek. He worked to find and educate us on every animal, and had an anticipation of their behavior that was primal.
We planned one year in advance and found this to be beneficial for all the immunizations and vaccines required. These were a much bigger cost than I had expected, also debatable as to what is needed or not. Tips in country were also a considerable cost.
TIP #1. Pay the extra for a private guide rather than joining a group. We set our own agenda and schedule, and had the entire vehicle to ourselves.
We opted to obtain/pay a VISA on entry which was a much faster process than the 90% of the people who pre-paid electronically and had to wait for immigration to find their records. We exchanged cash using only 2013 or newer bills in good condition as advised, but received stern eyebrows over the hard center creases from my money belt. Really could have paid US cash nearly everywhere.
English is very common, Swahili is appreciated.
Landed at the foot of Kilimanjaro and spend 2 hours driving to Arusha, an unmodern city of 2 million people. Welcomed the secure hotel, good food, and tried to sleep. Malaria meds are not sleep friendly, and we soon stopped them after not having found mosquitos to be a problem in the areas we expected them. We had treated our clothes prior with an expensive toxin that may or not have been necessary. The rainy season has just finished, and we had dry overcast weather ahead thankfully, because it was hot when the sun was out.
Custom Land Cruisers have replaced Rovers for comfort. Huge rear spring packs drag in the ruts on easy/mod roads as do the dual fuel tanks, but capably get you through the elephant mud baths and other unexpected turns. We stopped to repair an electrical issue (surprise) on a Rover, and traded wheels with another Cruiser whose spare did not fit over the replacement hubs. Guides rely on each other to make sure no one becomes food for the hyenas.
Wow, this was beyond our best expectations!
After much research/discussion on countries and tour companies we decided on Tanzania. We found a travel consultant that was partially US owned which meant we could pay with a CC, rather that wiring cash. Air miles and insurance were a big bonus for the big ticket. We also liked that they contribute to educational nonprofit work in rural Tanzania to ensure children have access to a quality education. One of the drivers that provided us transfer to Kilimanjaro was even a graduate from their program. Our primary guide Fulgence has been with the company 15 years, and was the best part of our trek. He worked to find and educate us on every animal, and had an anticipation of their behavior that was primal.
We planned one year in advance and found this to be beneficial for all the immunizations and vaccines required. These were a much bigger cost than I had expected, also debatable as to what is needed or not. Tips in country were also a considerable cost.
TIP #1. Pay the extra for a private guide rather than joining a group. We set our own agenda and schedule, and had the entire vehicle to ourselves.
We opted to obtain/pay a VISA on entry which was a much faster process than the 90% of the people who pre-paid electronically and had to wait for immigration to find their records. We exchanged cash using only 2013 or newer bills in good condition as advised, but received stern eyebrows over the hard center creases from my money belt. Really could have paid US cash nearly everywhere.
English is very common, Swahili is appreciated.
Landed at the foot of Kilimanjaro and spend 2 hours driving to Arusha, an unmodern city of 2 million people. Welcomed the secure hotel, good food, and tried to sleep. Malaria meds are not sleep friendly, and we soon stopped them after not having found mosquitos to be a problem in the areas we expected them. We had treated our clothes prior with an expensive toxin that may or not have been necessary. The rainy season has just finished, and we had dry overcast weather ahead thankfully, because it was hot when the sun was out.
Custom Land Cruisers have replaced Rovers for comfort. Huge rear spring packs drag in the ruts on easy/mod roads as do the dual fuel tanks, but capably get you through the elephant mud baths and other unexpected turns. We stopped to repair an electrical issue (surprise) on a Rover, and traded wheels with another Cruiser whose spare did not fit over the replacement hubs. Guides rely on each other to make sure no one becomes food for the hyenas.
