Jay521 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:03 pm
Then she flies home and I go give Kili a shot. Thought briefly (VERY briefly) about doing in the other way around but no way she wants to go there on her own to meet me.
IMO, either way is more or less similar. The TO (Tour Operator) would take good care of her whether she arrives solo or departs solo. But she probably has reasons for her preference.
So - question is - for those of you who have done safaris, is there any consensus as to the optimal safari length? ..... thought it was fine or too short or whatever length with whatever thoughts.
The optimal length for a Northern Circuit safari would depend on which parks and areas you plan to visit (Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, ...), your inclinations and level of interest in what each has to offer. If you plan to visit the Serengeti, the time of the year would also determine which area would offer you the "best" experience. That would then affect the number of days required to accomplish it well/unhurriedly. The Serengeti is vast and one would typically not cover 50 kms in an hour on the unpaved roads even with just wheels turning and no time spent on game drives. Driving inside the NPs is restricted to the hours of 6am-6pm.
I know people who have gone once every 2-3 years in the last 15 years for 3+ weeks each trip, and who would go more frequently if possible. Some have gone 20+ times. Just for safari to East Africa. I also know people who go to Disney every year. There are clearly lots of people here who climb the same mountains every week/month/year
. So, can't comment on what's too this or too that for something that depends so much on our personal proclivities.
It will help to have realistic expectations of sightings during a safari. It's not like a visit to a zoo. Just because you're there doesn't mean the animal(s) will be there at the same location at the same time. A person expecting a Butchart Gardens kind of "filled" experience in a wildflower meadow may be disappointed. I've heard of such disappointment expressed. For me, it was emotionally uplifting and touching to observe wildlife living 'truly' free in that wilderness, unaffected by, oblivious to, .... human presence. A stark contrast to how I feel after reading about the tourons of Yellowstone, or the ways in which humans otherwise anthropomorphise animals, while (supposedly) intending no harm, etc. etc.
If you can, choose compatible safari companions. For example, birders have a different level of patience. If you're not like them and there are birders in your group, somebody may get on someone's nerves.
And again - if anyone has any "Don't do this!" comments, those would be appreciated.
Don't forget the malaria prophylaxis. It's not needed on Kili but should be used on the safari.
Don't go to the beach. For most people living in the US, there are excellent beaches available 'nearby' with one or two flight hops. If I'm going all the way to Tanzania from here, I'd spend my time and money experiencing what is unique to Tanzania and what can't be experienced here/nearby/elsewhere easily. That's assuming that you are not the kind to be looking for a McDonald's there.
Feel free to PM me. I (female) did solo Kili climb [1], followed by a 6-day solo safari [2] over a decade ago.
[1] - no friends/family, not really solo
[2] - just the guide and I
