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African safari talk...recommendations?

Bobg657
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p.84 #1 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Thanks Robert, I wondered about the weather!

Jul 05, 2025 at 05:31 PM

rdcny
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p.84 #2 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Yes Botswana in November can be great (fewer people), but the potential for rain anytime...and in some locations it can be a lot of rain. We were there in 2023 or so - it depends upon where you want to go! We were birders so dropped down from the Caprivi Strip (Namibia) into Botswana. Had to stop to wait out the rains in a couple places...Anyway, it all depends on how you are traveling (self-drive? with a tour company doing the driving? staying at a lodge(s)?

Jul 05, 2025 at 07:55 PM

Methodical
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p.84 #3 · African safari talk...recommendations?

rdcny wrote:
For Tanzania - how about a Maasai guy (Isaac Kilusu) who is the best birder in Tanzania...who grew up helping herd cattle in Ngorongoro Crater (and chasing lions for fun - but not elephants). Isaac is primarily a birder - but knows mammals and how/where to find them throughout Tanzania. And he is a long-time bird photographer and scientist (bird recordings on Xeno-Canto). Yes he can get Safari vehicles and design a trip for you - as he has done for so many people...

We helped design his web site: https://www.villageweaverbirding.com/

This is how he describes himself: https://www.orniverse.com/author-profile/282/isaac-kilusu

And here is what Deborah and I have to say about him: "We highly (highly) recommend hiring Isaac as a guide in Tanzania. Why? He is a Maasai guy (speaks perfect English, Swahili and the Ma language), and grew up walking the Serengeti area before (and after) going to school. In other words, Isaac knows the ways of birds intimately...indeed as a boy he won a contest for protecting a bird's nest near his home - and thus began his lifelong love of birds. These days he makes recordings of bird calls/songs (check Xeno-Canto - many/most of the bird calls recorded in Tanzania are his contributions). He has been bird guiding for several years now and will make your life so much easier because (a) he knows all the parks and best places to find birds; (b) he knows the non-park areas throughout the country (and especially in the northern circuit including Zanzibar all the way west to Lake Victoria)...so instead of you and your group spending hours looking around, Isaac will take you to exact locations to find the species you want and the best birding areas; (c) Isaac will regale you with stories of encountering elephants, lions and everything else in the wild - as he did in his younger years (do you know how to tell a right handed elephant from a left handed elephant? Do you know how/why even young Maasai boys chase away lions? Isaac will tell you so many fun stories - having lived that life); (d) he will solve your logistical problems such as the best places to stay (for the least amount of money); how to get the best rental car deal (and he has associates who have safari vehicles and can drive if you ask - we recommend that option as well); and where to eat the best local food...restaurant food...and how to deal with the numerous roadside police who will stop you while driving. Overall he will save you money and time...as well as being the most fun/knowledgeable person you could have to be with you or your group. Did we mention that Isaac knows how to ID all the Tanzanian birds...the endemics...the special species...and he will use sound to bring them in for good looks (and photos)? We cannot recommend him highly enough - and if you have never experienced Maasai culture - Isaac is the man to show you just how special these people are. 100% positive experience - I have a PhD and have run bird tours for many years (and have done much international and USA research on birds with lots of publications). All I can say is that every country should have an Isaac Kilusu. There are lots of people in Tanzania who will claim to be bird guides and happily take your funds. Isaac is special: honest, smart, kind, curious - and so helpful. He just got married and his wife is about to have a baby - so any business you can provide him with benefits an entire family...and his tribe."

Deborah Allen and Robert DeCandido PhD...Show more →

The links don't work.

Jul 06, 2025 at 04:31 PM

rdcny
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p.84 #4 · African safari talk...recommendations?

They did work when I posted them! Isaac must be updating his web site. Do a google search for him if you want to track him down. He is wonderful. If worse comes to worse, send me a PM, and I will get you his contact info. Highly recommended! Right now I am in Peru so it might take me a day or so to respond...

Jul 06, 2025 at 04:46 PM

Amuchnick1
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p.84 #5 · African safari talk...recommendations?

For anyone who has flown through Wilson with AirKenya recently, how strict are they being on weighing and charging for overweight baggage? My wife and I are going at the end of August and are trying to figure out how much leeway we have.

I have a roller duffel that is coming in at ~11kg and my camera backpack, even with two of the bodies and a few of the lenses out of it, is about ~7kg. Against the 15kg allowance, I would hope at worst this would be a small-ish fee.

Jul 14, 2025 at 08:09 AM

Cduff406
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p.84 #6 · African safari talk...recommendations?

We went SafariLink, and I did see them weighing our bags at least some of the times. I just bit the bullet and bought a freight seat, then I didn't have to worry about it and felt free to bring what I wanted.

FWIW, they did seem to weigh all three of our bags together and just use the total.

Jul 14, 2025 at 09:18 PM

Jmadhavan
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p.84 #7 · African safari talk...recommendations?

They do weigh all the bags but it�s for the weight and balance requirement for the aircraft. I have flown through Wilson a few times and have never had a problem. A lot of times you may be the only ones on a flight! They maybe stricter if it�s a full flight but my experience has not been bad at all. I flew to Amboselli 3 weeks back and there were only 3 of us on the flight.

Jas

Jul 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Al Trujillo
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p.84 #8 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Wonderful images! Any thoughts on the Masai Mara as a destination?

Jul 18, 2025 at 07:20 AM

Jmadhavan
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p.84 #9 · African safari talk...recommendations?

The Masai Mara, at this time of the year, is where everything is happening! The Mara River crossing can be spectacular, especially if you are lucky. If finances allow go for a safari on the Mara Triangle side. Wildeye safaris are a great option. I've been with them a few times. On the Mara Conservancy side, the safaris are quite a bit less expensive but the crowds are there to prove just that. Not saying you'll have a bad experience, just that you have to be aware of the large number of vehicles at prominent sightings. The better safari companies book out a year or more in advance.
I hope this helps.

Jul 18, 2025 at 08:35 AM

Alan Kefauver
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p.84 #10 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Trying to book another 3 week safari to South Luangwa, Mana Pools and Tswula June/July 2026. However, the costs seem to have dramatically risen since 2024. Regional flites are way up, and the regional that goes to Tswula now has a HARD 20Kg weight limit and wants another full fair seat for a freight seat.

Jul 18, 2025 at 09:52 AM

artsupreme
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p.84 #11 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Jmadhavan wrote:
The Masai Mara, at this time of the year, is where everything is happening! The Mara River crossing can be spectacular, especially if you are lucky. If finances allow go for a safari on the Mara Triangle side. Wildeye safaris are a great option. I've been with them a few times. On the Mara Conservancy side, the safaris are quite a bit less expensive but the crowds are there to prove just that. Not saying you'll have a bad experience, just that you have to be aware of the large number of vehicles at prominent sightings. The better safari companies...Show more →

Did you mean to say in the National Park the rates are cheaper and it's more crowded? Because the Mara conservancies are not cheap and they're not crowded.

Jul 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Visually Oriented
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p.84 #12 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Jmadhavan wrote:
The Masai Mara, at this time of the year, is where everything is happening! The Mara River crossing can be spectacular, especially if you are lucky. If finances allow go for a safari on the Mara Triangle side. Wildeye safaris are a great option. I've been with them a few times. On the Mara Conservancy side, the safaris are quite a bit less expensive but the crowds are there to prove just that. Not saying you'll have a bad experience, just that you have to be aware of the large number of vehicles at prominent sightings. The better safari companies...Show more →

It's a bit confusing but so that no one gets wrong information-

The Mara Conservancy is the organization that operates the Mara Triangle. It's actually not a conservancy; it is technically part of the national reserve but is much better managed and has far fewer people. I agree with you that the Mara Triangle is great. I also recommend the Wild Eye camp. https://www.maratriangle.org/

When you refer to the area that is less expensive but has crowds at prominent sightings I'm sure you are referring to the main portion of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Among the best game viewing in the world but cat sightings, particularly leopard and cheetah are often crowded.

The actual conservancies such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi and Naboisho have much lower human/vehicle density than the main part of the national reserve or even the Mara Triangle. The camps in these conservancies are great but tend towards the high end of the price spectrum.

Jul 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM

Al Trujillo
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p.84 #13 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Visually Oriented wrote:
It's a bit confusing but so that no one gets wrong information-

The Mara Conservancy is the organization that operates the Mara Triangle. It's actually not a conservancy; it is technically part of the national reserve but is much better managed and has far fewer people. I agree with you that the Mara Triangle is great. I also recommend the Wild Eye camp. https://www.maratriangle.org/

When you refer to the area that is less expensive but has crowds at prominent sightings I'm sure you are referring to the main portion of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Among the best game viewing in...Show more →

I have little (actually zero) experience with any of the companies that operate there but have kept Pangolin's website of a 'favorites' page. Their prices are a bit less during the off-migration season and except for that part (a big part though it is!) they still say the wildlife viewing will be good. Is it possible to see a lot, save a lot and visit the Masai tribe off-migration? I'm asking newbie questions because thats where I am. Never been to Africa and I suspect that if we can pull off a visit that it'll be a one-and-done adventure. I don't have the funds to return year after year.

Jul 18, 2025 at 02:08 PM

artsupreme
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p.84 #14 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Al Trujillo wrote:
I have little (actually zero) experience with any of the companies that operate there but have kept Pangolin's website of a 'favorites' page. Their prices are a bit less during the off-migration season and except for that part (a big part though it is!) they still say the wildlife viewing will be good. Is it possible to see a lot, save a lot and visit the Masai tribe off-migration? I'm asking newbie questions because thats where I am. Never been to Africa and I suspect that if we can pull off a visit that it'll be a one-and-done adventure....Show more →

Yes you can see everything you want in the off-migration season other than of course, the migration. It's less crowded too. If you are saving for one big Africa trip I would suggest trying to get yourself anywhere in one of the Mara conservancies and then also down to Amboseli for the big herds of elephants. You don't have to stay at the top expensive camps in the Mara, but once there you'll see just about everything, very close to your safari vehicle, with very light crowds. As for Amboseli, try to save up for Tortillis if you can. I would avoid the rainy season if possible for many reasons.

I should mention when I say everything that Rhino and Wild Dogs are rare in the Mara, but plenty of most everything else.

Jul 18, 2025 at 03:54 PM

Jmadhavan
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p.84 #15 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Visually Oriented wrote:
It's a bit confusing but so that no one gets wrong information-

The Mara Conservancy is the organization that operates the Mara Triangle. It's actually not a conservancy; it is technically part of the national reserve but is much better managed and has far fewer people. I agree with you that the Mara Triangle is great. I also recommend the Wild Eye camp. https://www.maratriangle.org/

When you refer to the area that is less expensive but has crowds at prominent sightings I'm sure you are referring to the main portion of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Among the best game viewing in...Show more →

This is correct. I miss quoted. Sorry. Always got those two confused.

Pangolin is a good company and this year (or is it the next?) they're teaming with Wildeye for the Migration or part of it.

Jas

Jul 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM

Primus
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p.84 #16 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Alan Kefauver wrote:
Trying to book another 3 week safari to South Luangwa, Mana Pools and Tswula June/July 2026. However, the costs seem to have dramatically risen since 2024. Regional flites are way up, and the regional that goes to Tswula now has a HARD 20Kg weight limit and wants another full fair seat for a freight seat.

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Zambia, spent one week each at South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. Long story, but I had a private vehicle for the first week with a well-known pro guide to accompany me and the same for the second week, but shared it with another couple who are good friends.

It was the most expensive safari trip I've ever done, and I've been to Londolozi, Mara conservancies and Amboseli, and Botswana. I always thought Zambia would be a cheap option but that is absolutely untrue. And this was not the high season - which begins July 1st.

I also realized that June/July is the wrong time to go there. Even though the high season starts July 1st, it is better to spend more money and go in September if possible. Reasons - There is a lot less greenery later on, so more dust which is what you want as the elephants kick it up; the Carmines come in late August/September; there is no water anywhere so all the animals are concentrated near the Luangwa river.

June could be a good time too, but this year there were unexpected late rains in May which meant lots of water everywhere.

In Lower Zam too, the winterthorn pods were not fully ripe and much of the foliage was low hanging so none of the eles had to stand on their hindlegs to get them - something that is unique to that part of the world. There was again, too much greenery and not enough dust.

Down side is, as the year goes on, it gets hotter and hotter and October is almost unbearable - so I am told. Thus, mid-September would be the best compromise.

Photography wise, it is great for leopards, we had sightings on every drive. Lots of elephants, very little lion action. We did see one small pack of wild dogs in SLNP on our last day there. There are no rhinos in Zambia and in these two parks no cheetahs either.

The winterthorn forests in Lower Zam are unique and a sight to see, esp as the elephants are crossing it.

For me, the best value for money remains East Africa, esp Kenya. Yes, the main reserve is terribly crowded, but if you can afford it, the conservancies are very good and very productive. The entire safari circuit is getting busier and busier with each passing year with less animals to see. But it is what it is.

Pradeep

www.pradeepbansal.com

Jul 28, 2025 at 04:47 PM

Alan Kefauver
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p.84 #17 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Primus wrote:
I just got back from a 2 week trip to Zambia, spent one week each at South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. Long story, but I had a private vehicle for the first week with a well-known pro guide to accompany me and the same for the second week, but shared it with another couple who are good friends.

It was the most expensive safari trip I've ever done, and I've been to Londolozi, Mara conservancies and Amboseli, and Botswana. I always thought Zambia would be a cheap option but that is absolutely untrue. And this was not the high season...Show more →

Thanks for the info.
I have been to Amboseli, The Mara, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorengoro, Chobe, Dinaka, The Delta, upper Kalahari, Madikwe, Timbavati, Lewa, Samburu, and Shompole.
Was looking forward to some new areas to visit.
At this point I have put the next trip on hold. The expense is too great. From 2019 to 2026, it seems the prices have at least doubled or more. Just can't justify spending enough to buy a nice car in lieu of a 3 week trip back to Africa. Sigh.

Oh well, may go back and re-edit the stuff from 2019 given the improved NR, masking, etc that wasn't available when I edited them then. Almost like a new trip.....

Jul 29, 2025 at 09:35 AM

Primus
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p.84 #18 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Alan Kefauver wrote:
Thanks for the info.
I have been to Amboseli, The Mara, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorengoro, Chobe, Dinaka, The Delta, upper Kalahari, Madikwe, Timbavati, Lewa, Samburu, and Shompole.
Was looking forward to some new areas to visit.
At this point I have put the next trip on hold. The expense is too great. From 2019 to 2026, it seems the prices have at least doubled or more. Just can't justify spending enough to buy a nice car in lieu of a 3 week trip back to Africa. Sigh.

Oh well, may go back and re-edit the stuff from 2019 given the improved NR, masking,...Show more →

Alan, that was precisely the reason I decided to go there, since I've been to all the other major destinations you mention, to different camps though. I am off to Kenya again this October.

Zambia is underrated for sure, and the camps are nice, My tent in Anabezi was the best (most glamorous) I've ever stayed in, that includes Londolozi. The forests are classic - tall, majestic trees with a full canopy and the light filtering through, very much how I recall the jungle back from India and quite different from anywhere else I've been.

However, the animal diversity is less than what I expected. Lots of leopards, sure, but then I had my best leopard encounter in the Mara Naboisho conservancy, although it was excellent viewing here too. Elephants are plenty but they are very aggressive, esp as you drive past them, it is not Amboseli at all. There are hippos everywhere - the highest density perhaps in Africa and of course the crocs. Very few if any giraffes, no rhinos at all and no cheetahs in the two parks we were. No wildebeests, small number of zebras in SLNP and for me particularly disappointing was very limited lion presence. I was hoping for lion cubs but there were none in either park - well, in Lower Zam there was a small pride with older cubs, not what I was looking for. I am not a birder but there was a noticeable paucity of birds at this time of the year.

All in all, a great place definitely, but at the current pricing, too expensive for what you get. Having said that, almost all the people we met were repeat visitors, mostly from the US. One lady turned out to be living in my neighboring town here and it was her 12th visit to the same camp!

All the camps in Africa are increasing their prices by at least 7-10% every year, they reckon make hay while the sun shines, even then they are booked out a year in advance.

I get your point about redoing images from previous trips - esp if you upsize them with Topaz, it is quite remarkable how much you can get out of them.

Pradeep

www.pradeepbansal.com

Jul 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM

pyro_
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p.84 #19 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Just booked myself a flight to Johannesburg for mid September. Had been looking at Sabi sands but have been offered to go to Balule instead by the booking company. Anyone have any feedback for there?

Aug 05, 2025 at 06:31 PM

robert_in_ca
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p.84 #20 · African safari talk...recommendations?

pyro_ wrote:
Just booked myself a flight to Johannesburg for mid September. Had been looking at Sabi sands but have been offered to go to Balule instead by the booking company. Anyone have any feedback for there?

Balule is more budget friendly and off the beaten path (less commercial) whereas Sabi Sands will have overall more/better animal sightings - especially leopard. However that's not to say Balule is not as good as SS - it's just different.

Aug 06, 2025 at 06:55 PM

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