Primus wrote:
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.
You are correct about Zambia, we went in 2013 and are going back later this year
Last time we stayed at Kafunta this time going to Flat dogs , both are close to each other
There is less variety of animals but it is a special place, difficult to describe why but probably helps that my favourite animal is the Leopard
Several of my all time favourite images are from that trip in 2013 not just Leopards but Lion and Elephants too
350lcpete wrote:
You are correct about Zambia, we went in 2013 and are going back later this year
Last time we stayed at Kafunta this time going to Flat dogs , both are close to each other
There is less variety of animals but it is a special place, difficult to describe why but probably helps that my favourite animal is the Leopard
Several of my all time favourite images are from that trip in 2013 not just Leopards but Lion and Elephants too
I had the same experience. I spent time in South Luangwa (Kaingo camp and Mfuwe Lodge) and while the overall density of animals was lower than other parts of Africa, it felt much more wild and remote, which I loved. I did have some of my best leopard and wild dog sightings there as well. I will definitely go back some day.
VKM2F wrote:
I had the same experience. I spent time in South Luangwa (Kaingo camp and Mfuwe Lodge) and while the overall density of animals was lower than other parts of Africa, it felt much more wild and remote, which I loved. I did have some of my best leopard and wild dog sightings there as well. I will definitely go back some day.
I was at Kaingo for one week, then Lower Zam at Old Mondoro and Anabezi. while I did see a leopard on every game drive, it was often the same animal, though overall I saw 7 different leopards in 14 days. However, my best leopard shots and encounter was in Naboisho conservancy in the Mara, at Kicheche Valley camp. There was just our car and we had almost an hour with a young male and its mother, the juvenile was chased by jackals and then treed by hyenas. Amazing action, it is all in my blog.
I do agree, Zambia is different from other places. But for me personally, it is too expensive just to go for leopards. I may try again to see the Carmine bee eaters and elephants, the cost however remains a major obstacle.
We were fortunate to be among the first group of paying passengers on the new Pangolin Voyager last month. A few photos of the living areas. Completely electric and silent, except for gas hot water and cooking.
I know this is an African Safari thread, but...
On another note:
Considering a trip to the Pantanal instead of Africa. Cost is about 2/3 less than the Africa trip I spec'd. 16 days for Jaguars.
Anybody ever use these folks. https://pantanalsafaristour.com/
Maybe I should start a Pantanal Safari thread.??
Alan Kefauver wrote:
I know this is an African Safari thread, but...
On another note:
Considering a trip to the Pantanal instead of Africa. Cost is about 2/3 less than the Africa trip I spec'd. 16 days for Jaguars.
Anybody ever use these folks. https://pantanalsafaristour.com/
Maybe I should start a Pantanal Safari thread.??
I have a friend who runs tours... I went with him and had a wonderful time.
I would like to visit a private game reserve in Kenya, but a basic one without all of the frills. I would rather stay longer than have luxury.
Are drivers/guides not employed by the reserve/lodge allowed in the reserve?
I have been to Etosha, Kruger, and a few others, but 35 years ago, when I lived in Africa and drove myself. So I have no idea what the parks/reserves are like today.
flash wrote:
We were fortunate to be among the first group of paying passengers on the new Pangolin Voyager last month. A few photos of the living areas. Completely electric and silent, except for gas hot water and cooking.
Gordon
Jeez, what an eye-sore - whatever happened to quietly punting around in a Makoro ?
Is this 'experiencing Africa' ?
Image the place when everyone is floating around in one of those ?
aryaah wrote:
Andy Biggs Photo Safaris
Excellent person to customize your journey.
Agreed. He's certainly not cheap - I consider him a friend and have traveled with him before - but also I know that he's certainly on the upper end of the price range. Think boutique.
Roadless wrote:
Can anyone recommend a safari planner. I am looking to book accommodation in a conservancy in Kenya and hire a Landrover and driver.
I'm not aware of any budget friendly camps in the conservancies but maybe someone else will chime in. Prices have gone up quite a bit and you are looking at spending approximately $1k per night per person at minimum at the nicer camps after fees, transfers, etc.. And that is for a shared vehicle...when you start adding your own private vehicle or you want to go in peak season the cost goes way up from there.
For reference, here's the pricing for a couple of the nicer camps in the conservancies:
I would not recommend paying extra for a photo based safari unless your goal is to try and learn photography while on safari. It's all about the local guides and they will put you in the right spot every time. If you are comfortable with your photography skills there's no need to pay a "professional" photographer to ride along. All the local guides I've spent time there are amazing and some of them are pretty good photographers themselves. You just need to get yourself there and the magic will happen. Unfortunately it costs a fortune now but if you can afford it then book soon because a lot of the good locations are booking 1+ year out. I've booked my own safaris and it worked out very well as you get more for your money. It's actually very easy to book direct and schedule all your flights to/from Wilson airport. You don't need to stress about being late or missing flights as all the camps/airlines are tightly connected and all they coordinate all the guest transfers/flights within. I often describe Kenyan safaris being similar to Disneyland with the front gate being Wilson airport. Once you get to yourself through the front gate you are in the "park" there's not much to worry about and you can travel from camp to camp very comfortably and stress free. The only thing I find difficult while being on Safari is finding time to get some sleep. I always tell myself I'm going to nap during the heat of the day around lunch time but it never happens.
If you are looking to find someone to book with I would suggest going back and reading this thread as there's already been a ton of information posted here.
artsupreme wrote:
I'm not aware of any budget friendly camps in the conservancies but maybe someone else will chime in. Prices have gone up quite a bit and you are looking at spending approximately $1k per night per person at minimum at the nicer camps after fees, transfers, etc.. And that is for a shared vehicle...when you start adding your own private vehicle or you want to go in peak season the cost goes way up from there.
For reference, here's the pricing for a couple of the nicer camps in the conservancies:
I would not recommend paying extra for a photo based safari unless your goal is to try and learn photography while on safari. It's all about the local guides and they will put you in the right spot every time. If you are comfortable with your photography skills there's no need to pay a "professional" photographer to ride along. All the local guides I've spent time there are amazing and some of them are pretty good photographers themselves. You just need to get yourself there and the magic will happen. Unfortunately it costs a fortune now but if you can afford it then book soon because a lot of the good locations are booking 1+ year out. I've booked my own safaris and it worked out very well as you get more for your money. It's actually very easy to book direct and schedule all your flights to/from Wilson airport. You don't need to stress about being late or missing flights as all the camps/airlines are tightly connected and all they coordinate all the guest transfers/flights within. I often describe Kenyan safaris being similar to Disneyland with the front gate being Wilson airport. Once you get to yourself through the front gate you are in the "park" there's not much to worry about and you can travel from camp to camp very comfortably and stress free. The only thing I find difficult while being on Safari is finding time to get some sleep. I always tell myself I'm going to nap during the heat of the day around lunch time but it never happens.
If you are looking to find someone to book with I would suggest going back and reading this thread as there's already been a ton of information posted here. ...Show more →
Thanks very much. I totally agree with you about the need for a photographer. I am only looking for a driver.
As you say, 1k/day seems to be the minimum. Which I will pay if that is the best I can do. I am tempted to do what I did 35 years ago, rent a vehicle and head to Kruger and Etosha.
artsupreme wrote:
I'm not aware of any budget friendly camps in the conservancies but maybe someone else will chime in. Prices have gone up quite a bit and you are looking at spending approximately $1k per night per person at minimum at the nicer camps after fees, transfers, etc.. And that is for a shared vehicle...when you start adding your own private vehicle or you want to go in peak season the cost goes way up from there.
For reference, here's the pricing for a couple of the nicer camps in the conservancies:
I would not recommend paying extra for a photo based safari unless your goal is to try and learn photography while on safari. It's all about the local guides and they will put you in the right spot every time. If you are comfortable with your photography skills there's no need to pay a "professional" photographer to ride along. All the local guides I've spent time there are amazing and some of them are pretty good photographers themselves. You just need to get yourself there and the magic will happen. Unfortunately it costs a fortune now but if you can afford it then book soon because a lot of the good locations are booking 1+ year out. I've booked my own safaris and it worked out very well as you get more for your money. It's actually very easy to book direct and schedule all your flights to/from Wilson airport. You don't need to stress about being late or missing flights as all the camps/airlines are tightly connected and all they coordinate all the guest transfers/flights within. I often describe Kenyan safaris being similar to Disneyland with the front gate being Wilson airport. Once you get to yourself through the front gate you are in the "park" there's not much to worry about and you can travel from camp to camp very comfortably and stress free. The only thing I find difficult while being on Safari is finding time to get some sleep. I always tell myself I'm going to nap during the heat of the day around lunch time but it never happens.
If you are looking to find someone to book with I would suggest going back and reading this thread as there's already been a ton of information posted here. ...Show more →
Damn the prices have skyrocketed in the past 36 months. A bit crazy to me.
Roadless wrote:
Thanks very much. I totally agree with you about the need for a photographer. I am only looking for a driver.
As you say, 1k/day seems to be the minimum. Which I will pay if that is the best I can do. I am tempted to do what I did 35 years ago, rent a vehicle and head to Kruger and Etosha.
So here is my Feb 2025 Kenya story - maybe you can replicate my success.
I wanted to do a budget - drive myself with family with me on a fairly short trip.
Went on google maps and mapped out my trip from Naoribi and back. Identified the parks I wanted to go to and found what lodges are in each park. Went to the individual lodge websites and made bookings, paid for the entry passes to the parks myself online. All of the lodges were high quality - larger than most of the private places but inside the park so give us the most hours of drive time within the gates.
They were all setup by the British for hunting trips 100 years ago or so and had character and pools.
Below is a link to a brand that has many in Kenya, Taszania and elsewhere. https://www.serenahotels.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq1_4f2I3kP8fLZ-Prrt5vePH1vo3MBosjX5iD9sV3nmz8PNVHE
For the landcruiser I was planning on renting my own and self driving BUT out of shear dumb luck I contacted https://www.explorerkenya.com/
for a quote from then on the rental as the equipped vehicle quote I had was about $200 a day plus my expenses, gas, etc... I was just shopping around at the time.
Robert shockingly told me to email him my itinerary and he would send a quote with driver and all vehicle expenses included.
He emailed me back a price that was less than it would have been for my self drive once I added vehicle park fees and gas but his quote included a private driver the entire time and all vehicle expenses.
The times and stops were exactly what I requested.
He also explained that for each of the lodges I had booked the driver can stay and eat for free in their own quarters
It was a no-brainer and one of my best ever travel decisions.
I never disclosed I was a photographer.
Driver was prompt picking us up first day where I requested and dropped us back at the airport at the end.
Every day had 2 private game drives out as early as allowed and returned always as late as allowed and he was an amazing driver that had been driving/guiding all his life, knew local Masai to call about sightings outside of the parks, communicated on the radio with other drivers about in park sightings, etc....
I got very lucky to get the driver I did - Joseph is their driver they use for photography trips and had the most equipped truck for photography even though I booked a lower class.
Of course you need to give a good tip in the end for your driver if they do a great job.
Tips, meals and everything I paid a fraction of that $1K per night per person rate.
I highly recommend you reach out to Explorer Kenya.
Maybe exactly what I did might not be possible in peak months cost wise but think they can offer you something far cheaper than any photography tours I have seen.
Drivers are so much cheaper from Naoribi so the key is to drive everywhere - not fly!!! Once you fly to those remote airstrips you are limited to the expensive drivers plus of course the added cost for those flights.
artsupreme wrote:
I've booked my own safaris and it worked out very well as you get more for your money. It's actually very easy to book direct and schedule all your flights to/from Wilson airport. You don't need to stress about being late or missing flights as all the camps/airlines are tightly connected and all they coordinate all the guest transfers/flights within. I often describe Kenyan safaris being similar to Disneyland with the front gate being Wilson airport. Once you get to yourself through the front gate you are in the "park" there's not much to worry about and you can travel from camp to camp very comfortably and stress free. ...Show more →
Totally agree with you what is needed is a driver/guide not a photography lesson.
Personally I found if you really want to cut costs it is better to not take any flights from Wilson but to drive everywhere. Once you fly you are in a remote area and stuck paying he overpriced rates for limited number of drivers/vehicles available- especially if you want a private vehicle. Of course if you stay at a super luxury place all of that is included but you pay for it.
Drivers can be hired much cheaper if you start and end in Nairobi.
