 each of my safaris, making sure I know who I’m getting and if I don’t know someone who’s been with them, I talk to references of other clients. That is the one intangible that either makes or breaks your safari. I could sleep in a refrigerator box on safari but if I have an excellent guide, that is going to have a more significant impact on the quality of my safari than where I lay my head.
I met a couple at Ping’s camp in Kenya who had done the first 10 days of their Wild Source safari in Tanzania. I’m happy to put you in touch with them if you want, PM me and I’ll make a connection. Their guide in TZ is very well known in the safari circles I follow and has an outstanding reputation, as do all the Wild Source guides.
Also, in my experience, your dollar goes farther in Kenya. Everything for me there, including international flights, internal flights and camps, has just been more affordable, so if you’re looking to get more for your money, switching countries might be an option.
Thanks, amyb - I agree with you as far as the guides. I have been in touch with Wild Source, and they seem great. Part of my dilemma is that I have had to change my start date to a week later, and they aren't sure right now they can get me a guide - and they need to recheck the accommodations. They'll be back in touch after today's holiday, so hopefully it will work out.
I wish there were some way to find an independent review for this other company - I was referred to them by https://www.safaribookings.com/tanzania and Benson Safaris has been very responsive to my request for information. The itinerary is similar, as are the level of accommodation.
I wish I could help more! Safaritalk is read-only until Jan 4th. I can ask there for you when it opens up again after the holiday. Personally I wouldn't book any trip (safari or not) with a company I can't find background on, reviews or other people who've used them, but I am super uptight about that too. It's all what you are comfortable with.
There is a very positive review of Benson on a tripadvisor forum. Read past the first few replies. (There may be other relevant posts on tripadvisor but I didnt keep searchng).
re: the Safaribooking site. I hadn't heard of before, but it looks like a good resource. Philip Briggs (who wrote the "tourist Bible" for Uganda, and writes on other East African countries) is a contributor, and describes the TZ circuits-- a plus imho for the site's reputability in general.
Maybe try that, if you havent already?? People may be even more honest in personal correspondence than in a published review. Note too that there is wide range of safari experience in those reviewers, from first time safari to multiple safaris. Good also that not only are there over a hundred reviews, but they are very current.
Whomever you choose...have great time!!!
AmyB, I just found the website as well as reviews on tripadvisor for your TZ guide's recently formed company. Wow!! Very interesting team, with a great story and goal.
If i were gong to TZ, I would certainly check them out. Thank you for adding to the list of possibilities for SCDreamer and others of us.
amyb- we have decided to go ahead with Wild Source. I did hear back from Benson, and I think it sounds like a good outfitter. The price was tempting, less than half that of Wild Source for a very similar itinerary, and if this weren’t my first foray into safari-ing, I might have a better instinct for this.
This is is the first safari for my sister and me, and although we are both widely traveled and independent travelers, me more than she, I was hesitant to take any chances on this trip. Everyone I have spoken with or posted with has said the guide is the key to the best experience.
Now that we have the big decision made, we are thinking about the basic stuff. Wondering if the malaria medication is really necessary in Tanzania in the “dry” season (early Sept). I will visit my travel doc and check with him - already have way more than the required inoculations. Trying to figure out the most efficient way to pack. Etc. etc.
Any info on a good place/site to pick the brains of those with experience is welcomed.
Again, thanks for your help, amyb!
Yay, good for you scdreamer! This is exciting!
I always rely on my travel clinic doctor, although I know there are others who don't think they're worthwhile. I have good insurance and everything is covered so I don't mind going or being advised by professionals. I've been in February and November and have always been advised to take anti-malarial.
As an FYI, the trip insurance link that Wild Source provided me got me far more extensive coverage for the same price as what the usual "standard" plan cost me on my own. If you do get trip insurance, I'd compare what their discount gets you to whatever you normally would buy.
I started a packing list thread somewhere on here. Here you go..
Stayed at Benson Hotel in Portland Oregon?&gt;  And there was this one "add a little bit of salt".  What is a short time.   But salt and heat to taste are just that.    If not, don't.  Salt is a little tricker for a newbie, but in general err on the side of what feels like a lot to you.  Salt is important in cooking, you're used to a lot of it from processed foods, and if you're cooking from ingredients you need to add it all manually.  A few shakes of a shaker does nothing."The Seafood Diet"
The act of seeing food and eating it.
"I'm on a seafood diet. Every time I see food, I eat it."
Is to bring you home-style cooked food away from home. Many of our customers are hard working people away from their families for months at a time. Giving a place for them to eat comfort food and to treat them as a family. To have a place where they can call home.
After Hurricane Katrina, we lost everything. Our home in New Orleans East was devastated. My mom lost her job due to the business relocating. With no options, she decided to buy a restaurant with no knowledge of how to operate one. With only one thing on her mind was to support her family after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Years later the restaurant you see now is still thriving. With the mindset to bring customers home-style meals away from home. Family owned and operated spreading the love to our customers.
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