Questions for those who have gone on safari

[wanderlustfoodie]

Assuming another uprising in the Congo that spills over into Rwanda like what happened last year doesn't happen, MH and I are off to Rwanda and Tanzania next year.

What do you know now after going on a safari that you wish you knew before you went?

What items did you purchase for the safari were awesome/useful? Any that were wastes of money/less useful?

I have a DSLR camera already and am going to use a telefoto lens with it and also plan to rent another DSLR camera to put a wide angle lens on it so that I don't have to waste time changing lenses.

Any other advice appreciated!

[PinkSquirrel]

I am of no use, but I'm going to Rwanda and Tanzania In June/July, so I'm really interested in hearing the answers as well

[GilliC]

If the situation in the DRC stabilizes a bit before you leave, go to Mt.Nyiragongo! What's the threat of death and militant violence when there's a lava lake!!! ...I'm kidding. Mostly. This is the top of my travel bucket list. I know most people to to Rwanda for the gorillas, but I love me some volcanoes. Damn Kivu conflict.

Most of the things we figured out along the way. Sun protection is nice, and while I had a hat, sometimes it sucked having the rest of my body exposed to the sun while we were waiting for wildlife to change positions. We made do by hanging clothing on the at to lock the direct sun, but a lightweight umbrella could have been handy to use as a parasol.

We packed fragrance-free everything - shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc. and we had zero mosquito problems even up laces where our friends were eaten alive. (This Watson top of the DEET of course)

The biggest surprise for me was that it was so easy to DIY. Our friends planned the whole thing, self-driving and self-catering. I had no idea you could do that.

[lahoagie]

We did Namibia and Rwanda a few years back. I agree with a lot of the things already said.

- Tuck your pants into your socks. I had a couple ants crawl up my leg in Rwanda and those bastards will bite you and not let go. I had to have my husband pull them off.

- Go to the zoo and practice taking pictures with your cameras.

- If you take a lot of pictures delete the bad ones along the way. We would spend about 20-30 minutes either every night or every other night downloading our pictures and deleting the ones we don't want. We probably took over 5,000 pictures on our trip but when we got home we had about 300 really good pictures to remind us of our trip.

- We have a travel clothes line that we bring with us, sink topper, and laundry detergent so that we can wash our clothes (we are cheap like that). Plus, get clothing that dries quickly.

- Avoid white clothing. That stuff gets DIRTY!!!

If you have any specific questions about Rwanda let me know.

And I LOVE the picture of the tapir that you have. We just got back from Peru and one of the places that I stayed had somewhat adopted a baby tapir whose parents were killed. She could open the doors into the dining area and she would give you tapir kisses.

[lahoagie]

Oct 25, 2013 14:03:09 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

lahoagie, do you mind me asking where in Namibia you went? I was going to axe it from our itinerary but I just added on a few days in Sossusvlei today because the thought of skipping it really upset me. Would love any advice you have if you've been there!

Here was my itinerary:

Sunday June 26 - arrive JNB on South African 0204 @ 8:35 AM
- depart JNB on South African 0074 @ 9:45
- arrive Windhoek on South African 0074 @10:45AM
- pick up 2 door car @ Thrifty, , total N$3,241.88 (US$487 )
- pick up any supplies, probably at central Cymot in Windhoek, and drive to Lake Oanab (85 km, 1:15)
- hiking at resort, or maybe 1 hour game drive, or whatever other activity we want ($N300 total - US$45)
- campsite at Lake Oanob Resort in Rehoboth ($N180.00 - US$27)

Monday June 27 - drive to Sesriem, probably early to have afternoon at Sossusvlei (230 km, 3:30)
- spend day in the park with the dunes, and maybe hike Sesriem Canyon?
- can check at Sossusvlei Lodge or the Entrance to the park, each offer guided tours that can be booked on arrival.
- spend night at Sesriem Camp site ($N250 - US$37.56)

Tuesday June 28 - drive 65 km (1:00) to Sossusvlei as soon as gate opens, take shuttle the final 4 km ($N300 RT - US$45)
- to Sossusvlei at sunrise spend morning inside park
- drive up to Swakopmund (400 km, 6:00 from Sossusvlei)
- stop at Dune 45 on way out for some photos
- spend night at Dunes Lodge (N$420 - US$63.10,)

Wednesday June 29 - full day Living desert tour with Tommy (N$2300 total - US$350)
- spend night at Dunes Lodge (N$420 - US$63.10, confirmed)

Thursday June 30 - kayaking in Walvis Bay with Eco Marine Kayak Tours departing at 7:45AM
($N1000 total - US$150, )
- Welwitchia drive or maybe hiking in Hamilton Hills
- spend night at Dunes Lodge (N$420 - $US63.10)

Friday July 1 - drive north up the coast and on to Palmwag (450 km 6:30 total drive)
- what to see along drive in Skeleton Coast?? Cape Cross seals? hike up one of the dry river beds? Maybe ask Tommy?
- camping at Palmwag (N$210 - US$32)

Saturday July 2 - guided walk to Two Palms ($??) or Ovahimba excursion (N$2660 total - US$400)
- camping at Palmwag (N$210 - US$32)

Sunday July 3 - Palmwag wildlife tour, hopefully see Rhinos ($N2110 total - US$320)
- camping at Palmwag (N$210 - US$32)

Monday July 4 - drive to Halali camp in Etosha (370 km 6:00 total drive)
- what to see/do along the way, or just rush to Etosha to see wildlife???
- evening game viewing at lit waterhole, or evening hiking around camp
- spend night at Halali campsite (N$400 camping+site fee US$60,)

Tuesday July 5 - game viewing in Etosha all day
- maybe evening game excursion, can be booked on arrival
- spend night at Halali campsite (N$400 camping+site fee US$60)

Wednesday July 6 - more game viewing in morning
- drive to Waterberg Plateau (350 km 5:00)
- Waterberg Wilderness Campsite (N$300 camping+site fee US$45,)

Thursday July 7 - self-guided hiking around the campsite
- half day 4x4 tour, which can be booked on arrival (~$150)
- Waterberg Wilderness Campsite (N$300 camping+site fee US$45)

Friday July 8 - drive to Chetah Conservation Fund early in morning (100 km, 1:40)
- admission to CCF is $N230 total (US$35)
- Cheetah feeding at 14:00 (free)
- 1 hour tour of female cheetahs ($N660 - US$100, do not need to book in advance)
- night at Out of Africa town lodge in Otjiwarongo - 45km (0:45) from CCF? (N$595 - US$90,)

Saturday July 9 - drive to Dusternbrook (250 km, 3:30)
- 1 hour leopard/cheetah drive at 14:30 (included in price)
- 2 hour game drive at 16:00 (included in price)
- camping at Dusternbrook (N$1596 - US$235,)

Sunday July 10 - 3-5 hour Rhino tracking at Dusternbrook ($N840 total - US$125, book on arrival)
- drive to Daan Viljoen Game Reserve for some hiking - N$60 (US$10) entry (50 km, 1:00)
- night at Chameleon Backpackers ($N450 US$70,)

[lahoagie]

Oct 25, 2013 14:03:09 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

lahoagie, do you mind me asking where in Namibia you went? I was going to axe it from our itinerary but I just added on a few days in Sossusvlei today because the thought of skipping it really upset me. Would love any advice you have if you've been there!

Sossusvlei was really stunning! I wish that we had more time there. The dunes at sunrise are MIND BLOWING! We camped right outside of the gates (at a campsite) and got up really early so that we would be in line to enter as soon as the gates opened. If you can afford to stay in one of the places inside the gates you can be at the dunes as the sun rises. It really is an interesting area.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Oct 25, 2013 13:49:50 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

We did Namibia and Rwanda a few years back. I agree with a lot of the things already said.

- Tuck your pants into your socks. I had a couple ants crawl up my leg in Rwanda and those bastards will bite you and not let go. I had to have my husband pull them off.

- Go to the zoo and practice taking pictures with your cameras.

- If you take a lot of pictures delete the bad ones along the way. We would spend about 20-30 minutes either every night or every other night downloading our pictures and deleting the ones we don't want. We probably took over 5,000 pictures on our trip but when we got home we had about 300 really good pictures to remind us of our trip.

- We have a travel clothes line that we bring with us, sink topper, and laundry detergent so that we can wash our clothes (we are cheap like that). Plus, get clothing that dries quickly.

- Avoid white clothing. That stuff gets DIRTY!!!

If you have any specific questions about Rwanda let me know.

And I LOVE the picture of the tapir that you have. We just got back from Peru and one of the places that I stayed had somewhat adopted a baby tapir whose parents were killed. She could open the doors into the dining area and she would give you tapir kisses.

Thank you, everyone, for the tips.

I am sooooo envious of your tapir kisses. I got to hang out with and feed a tapir at the Belize Zoo but there were no kisses. Boo. None of the places where I stated in Peru had resident tapirs so I feel really cheated now!

[Deleted]

Can I piggy back a question off of this thread about a safari?

I'm 80% sure we're going to go to Namibia and Botswana next spring.

I'm completely inept when it comes to photography and I'm happiest with a point and shoot. H knows how to take pictures, but doesn't want to carry around a DSLR or worry about setting up shots and what not. I told him that I would carry the camera, but he's just not interested in taking pictures.

Are we doing ourselves a huge injustice if we only take 2 good point and shoots on safari?

[aurora]

Oct 25, 2013 15:41:14 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Can I piggy back a question off of this thread about a safari?

I'm 80% sure we're going to go to Namibia and Botswana next spring.

I'm completely inept when it comes to photography and I'm happiest with a point and shoot. H knows how to take pictures, but doesn't want to carry around a DSLR or worry about setting up shots and what not. I told him that I would carry the camera, but he's just not interested in taking pictures.

Are we doing ourselves a huge injustice if we only take 2 good point and shoots on safari?

Yes.  We have a ~30" photo zoomed in on a zebra's head on our wall that was taken with a very nice SLR (actually before digital cameras were big!) and it's my favorite photo from the trip.  We also have some fantastic photos of a lion chasing zebras that we couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot. 

Back to the OP - I'm obviously late to this thread so I won't repeat what everyone else said, but I'll add

(1) most of the western (e.g., REI) safari companies contract with local African companies to run your trip, so you're paying a lot of overhead for very similar service.  Going through a local company can save a ton.  (We used Zara in Tanzania and were very happy with them.)

(2) I wish I had paid more to take Malarone rather than doxycycline as my anti-malarial.  Doxy gave me an upset stomach and it was miserable to feel sick every morning for my trip and then four weeks after.

[aurora]

Oct 26, 2013 13:22:59 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Oct 26, 2013 13:10:31 GMT -5 aurora said:

Yes.  We have a ~30" photo zoomed in on a zebra's head on our wall that was taken with a very nice SLR (actually before digital cameras were big!) and it's my favorite photo from the trip.  We also have some fantastic photos of a lion chasing zebras that we couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot. 

Back to the OP - I'm obviously late to this thread so I won't repeat what everyone else said, but I'll add

(1) most of the western (e.g., REI) safari companies contract with local African companies to run your trip, so you're paying a lot of overhead for very similar service.  Going through a local company can save a ton.  (We used Zara in Tanzania and were very happy with them.)

(2) I wish I had paid more to take Malarone rather than doxycycline as my anti-malarial.  Doxy gave me an upset stomach and it was miserable to feel sick every morning for my trip and then four weeks after.

I didn't even realize they still issued Doxycycline as an anti-malarial.  wanderlustfoodie, take Malarone.  I've never had side effects with it, and it is also considered the most effective anti-malarial for Tanzania.  I didn't check on Rwanda, but I guess I'll look into that as well (I told you we're gorilla trekking next September, right?).

To be fair, it was 8 years ago, but I did check the CDC website to make sure I got the names right and it's still listed as an option there today.

DH took Malarone (different health insurers at that time) and was much better off.

[wanderlustfoodie]

We've taken malarone before when going to malaria locations so that's what we will take next summer.

[GilliC]

Oct 25, 2013 15:41:14 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Can I piggy back a question off of this thread about a safari?

I'm 80% sure we're going to go to Namibia and Botswana next spring.

I'm completely inept when it comes to photography and I'm happiest with a point and shoot. H knows how to take pictures, but doesn't want to carry around a DSLR or worry about setting up shots and what not. I told him that I would carry the camera, but he's just not interested in taking pictures.

Are we doing ourselves a huge injustice if we only take 2 good point and shoots on safari?

I'll be the other opinion. If you're not planning to blow your photos up or sell them and really just want vacation photos, I think you can be fine with a good point-and-shoot. Especially if that's what you're more comfortable with. Just make sure you have a very good zoom (10x or more).

I can't be bothered to lug around a big camera when I travel, and people were shocked when I took my point-and-shoot to Antarctica. They were astonished that I could get such great photos with it. Sure I can't blow them up and use them as wallpaper, but they look fine as desktop wallpaper!

i will say that the slow shutter speed and response time of a point and shoot is a weakness when shooting wildlife. But overall, I don't really regret doing a safari with my trusty little camera.

[tigress]

Oct 26, 2013 13:22:59 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Oct 26, 2013 13:10:31 GMT -5 aurora said:

Yes.  We have a ~30" photo zoomed in on a zebra's head on our wall that was taken with a very nice SLR (actually before digital cameras were big!) and it's my favorite photo from the trip.  We also have some fantastic photos of a lion chasing zebras that we couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot. 

Back to the OP - I'm obviously late to this thread so I won't repeat what everyone else said, but I'll add

(1) most of the western (e.g., REI) safari companies contract with local African companies to run your trip, so you're paying a lot of overhead for very similar service.  Going through a local company can save a ton.  (We used Zara in Tanzania and were very happy with them.)

(2) I wish I had paid more to take Malarone rather than doxycycline as my anti-malarial.  Doxy gave me an upset stomach and it was miserable to feel sick every morning for my trip and then four weeks after.

I didn't even realize they still issued Doxycycline as an anti-malarial.  wanderlustfoodie, take Malarone.  I've never had side effects with it, and it is also considered the most effective anti-malarial for Tanzania.  I didn't check on Rwanda, but I guess I'll look into that as well (I told you we're gorilla trekking next September, right?).

I was just issued Doxycycline as my anti-malarial for Kenya next month. To the tune of $160+. Obnoxious. 

I wonder if Malarone is a better option. I've used mefloquine in the past but apparently they aren't prescribing that anymore??

[tigress]

Oct 29, 2013 13:06:48 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Oct 29, 2013 12:58:18 GMT -5 tigress said:

I was just issued Doxycycline as my anti-malarial for Kenya next month. To the tune of $160+. Obnoxious. 

I wonder if Malarone is a better option. I've used mefloquine in the past but apparently they aren't prescribing that anymore??

The CDC recommends both Doxycycline and Malarone.  I'm surprised your Doxycycline cost so much - I expected to shell out $$$ for Malarone but I paid $10 for me and $10 for H, and that was almost a month's supply.  I guess we had good insurance?

Honestly, I didn't even see a mosquito while in Kenya.  I'd take it anyway, obviously, because you want to protect yourself, but I kept forgetting to take my pill every night because mosquitoes just weren't an issue for us.  I also lugged along about a pound of insect repellent because I was like, "Oh my goodness I can't get this while out in safari and I don't want to get eaten alive!"  I ended up throwing most of it out because I never applied insect repellent. 

This will be my 3rd time in Kenya. I've never had a bite either. But I don't want to take chances either. My H's family is out in the middle of nowhere. I'd rather not get super sick without help. 

We have a high deductible health plan and we haven't met the deductible. So its all on us. Boo!

[klingklang77]

Oct 25, 2013 14:03:09 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

lahoagie, do you mind me asking where in Namibia you went? I was going to axe it from our itinerary but I just added on a few days in Sossusvlei today because the thought of skipping it really upset me. Would love any advice you have if you've been there!

Hi! Hope you don't mind me answering you also! I went to Namibia for Xmas and New years last year. We spent two weeks total. Are you booking with a travel agent? I usually like to do everything myself, but in Namibia it's easier and not more money to get a travel agent. I used Gemma at Discover Namibia tours. Send a message if you want info. Our itinerary was:

1 Flew to Jo'burg then to Windhoek
Spent the night in Windhoek 
2 Picked up car and went to supermarket to stock up on food and water and gas. Drove to Africat foundation and stayed one night there (it was good, but too expensive).
3 drove to Etosha and stayed at Okaukuejo for two nights. I really liked this camp and the watering hole was awesome. The food wasn't the best here. Stayed for two nights.
4 drove across Etosha and stayed one night at Dolomite camp. Loved this camp! Wish we had stayed for two nights. 
5 drove the next day to Kamanjab and stayed one night at Oase Guest house. Worst place ever. Plus Kamanjab is super boring. We stayed there because we had a Himba visit the next day.
6 went to Himba visit by Kamanjab. I suggest not going to the Himba tribe. If you have time go up north to see another Himba tribe. 
7 drove to Damaraland and stayed at Grootberg Lodge for two nights. This place was OK. A few hiccups (no running water for 12 hours) and a big mouse in the roof (hide the sugar packets if you stay there!). But that's Africa for you. 
8 drove to Swakopmund via Skeleton Coast and stayed for two nights. We did a really good
Living Desert tour. It was really cool. Also eat at Kuckis if you can. Swakopmund is really good if you like action stuff. 

9 drove to Sossusvlei and stayed two nights at Desert Homestead. Nice place. I wouldn't skip Sossusvlei! 

10 drove back to Windhoek and stayed a night and then flew out the next day. 

Sorry OP for going off topic! To answer the question, I brought too much Deet and too many nice clothes for dinners. I also wish I had brought more hoodies. It was summertime when I went, so I only brought two or so. I definitely needed more for the game drives! Everything gets dusty! No white clothes. I also brought laundry powder. This helped because we just washed our stuff in the sink. We didn't have many water problems. 

Have fun! 

[klingklang77]

I'd go to a travel clinic for your shots and malaria meds. I think it would be cheaper, no? I went to my regular doctor, bu I'm in Europe, and I don't remember the price being high. I got Malarone. I would check with your doctor to find out what malaria meds you need b/ c it changes area to area depending on resistance.

[tigress]

Oct 30, 2013 6:45:25 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

I'd go to a travel clinic for your shots and malaria meds. I think it would be cheaper, no? I went to my regular doctor, bu I'm in Europe, and I don't remember the price being high. I got Malarone. I would check with your doctor to find out what malaria meds you need b/ c it changes area to area depending on resistance.

I went to the travel clinic. They wrote the prescription for doxycycline and then it was filled at the pharmacy. I'm not so sure it would be cheaper, since we paid $600 for 5 shots between me and my 2 girls and an oral yellow fever vaccine for myself. 

[klingklang77]

Oct 30, 2013 9:46:32 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Oct 30, 2013 9:21:22 GMT -5 @mx said:

In my experience in the US, travel clinics are as expensive or more expensive. Frequently they are considered out of network for insurance companies so I have to expense all of my vaccines as they aren't covered. I think my last visit was $800.

Most GPs in the US do not stock what are considered "travel" vaccines and do not have the expertise or information to advise travelers on the specific risks of a destination.

This, x1,000,000!  They charge a super high visit just to go (we paid $100 a piece even though H and I were going to the EXACT same places so they didn't have to do 2x the work), then paid OOP for the Yellow Fever vaccine.

My insurance did say that if we had gone to see an infectious disease specialist, that would have been covered under our plan, but I didn't find this out until it was too late to cancel the travel clinic visit.

I'm sorry. I hope I haven't given bad advice! Wow, I can't believe how much money it is! I got an update on all my shots (tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and hep something) for 10 Euro. The malarone was kind of expensive, I forget exactly how much, maybe 150 Euro for both of us. I didn't need yellow fever, but DH got one because he does a lot of business in Nigeria. It had to go to the travel clinic for that one. The rest of the stuff was done at our GP. She was knowledgeable about Namibia (seems to be a popular destination for Germans).

So sorry it was bad advice. It just seems like a travel clinic would be cheaper.  

[klingklang77]

Oct 30, 2013 9:48:47 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

klingklang77, thanks for your post! I'd like to virtually introduce you to @uwhuskygirl, who may be planning a self-drive safari through Namibia in 2014. I'm sure she would love your advice. UW, see Klingklang's post above.

We would not have time to do all of Namibia, so Sossusvlei is my priority. It would pretty much be a fly in, spend a few days, fly out thing - it is part of a 3-week, 5-country trip I'm planning next September. I was going to cut Namibia from the itinerary because it seemed like a PITA, but we were able to make it work and I just inexplicably really, really want to go there. Glad to hear Sossusvlei was worth it! What did you do there? Hike Dune #45? Go to the canyon nearby? How were the stars?

The stars were great! If I had one place to go to and I already had a safari on my itinerary, I would choose Sossusvlei. It was really scenic. I remember our drive to Sossusvlei took a really long time from Swakopmund (7 hours I think?) so we kind of lost most of the day. It was New Year's Eve and we had a sunset drive booked around our accommodation. We did a nature drive and then had drinks and watched the sunset. Returned back to our camp and had dinner and wine. The next day our tour left in the afternoon (I would suggest that you do an early morning tour instead-- better lighting for Deadvlei). We opted for the afternoon/evening tour because we were tired and wanted to sleep late. We had a guide and he took us through parts of Sossusvlei. We saw Deadvlei and various dunes. We didn't climb up Dune 45. It was so hot, and there wasn't time (I forget why). I didn't really want to anyway. I was more into getting a nice photo of it. The whole area is great for photography. We then had drinks and a snack for the sunset. 

I suggest going there. It's so beautiful and reminds me of a windows screensaver, lol. 

[Deleted]

klingklang77, did you do a self drive for the entire trip? I'm just worried that we're going to be "wasting" our time driving, but h is wanting to drive at least part of the time to see the scenery and for the experience.

The companies that we've looked into will provide a satellite phone and things, but I'm a little nervous at the possibility of it being remote. Also, I don't know how to drive a stick and h will have to drive the entire time.

[klingklang77]

Oct 31, 2013 3:46:46 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

klingklang77, did you do a self drive for the entire trip? I'm just worried that we're going to be "wasting" our time driving, but h is wanting to drive at least part of the time to see the scenery and for the experience.

The companies that we've looked into will provide a satellite phone and things, but I'm a little nervous at the possibility of it being remote. Also, I don't know how to drive a stick and h will have to drive the entire time.

Yes we self drove the whole time. We got an automatic because DH can't drive stick. I can drive stick but it was the other side of the road, so I didnt want to spend my vacation worrying about driving stick in reverse, KWIM? 

Out travel agent (I would suggest this. Also check out trip advisor forum) booked car hire through savanah rental. They were really good. We got a 4WD because we went during rainy season and I was worried about river crossings. 

The roads were pretty good in Namibia. We had one bad road and that slowed us down. That was the only day we got annoyed with driving. My DH, who hates driving and being in cars for long times, wasn't annoyed at the driving at all. He said the scenery was beautiful and it was fun driving through Etosha looking at all the animals. We didn't mind the driving! 

We didn't get a sat phone. We just used DH's work cell for anything. Looking back I probably would have gotten a sat phone, for the right price, because there was no service in Etosha and I had this crazy fear of getting chased by elephants. What time of year do you plan on going?

Edit: you won't be wasting time driving if you do it in the afternoon. Most game drives are at 5am or at 7pm. There isn't a whole lot to do during mid day. I'd save full day tours for days you aren't driving. 

[lahoagie]

Oct 31, 2013 3:46:46 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

klingklang77, did you do a self drive for the entire trip? I'm just worried that we're going to be "wasting" our time driving, but h is wanting to drive at least part of the time to see the scenery and for the experience.

The companies that we've looked into will provide a satellite phone and things, but I'm a little nervous at the possibility of it being remote. Also, I don't know how to drive a stick and h will have to drive the entire time.

We self drove the entire trip. It was pretty easy. We did not get a 4 wheel drive car. We had to cross a couple rivers because they just had major floods about two weeks before we got there, but we did fine.