Africa - Considering trip to Africa some general questions

We are thinking of going to Africa. Specifically Libya and perhaps one other place. In looking the options seem to be Libya plus one of the following: Tunisia, Morocco and Zambia. Probably about 7 days in each. Trip would be in December. Libya and Tunisa would focus on Roman ruins and Carthage as well as North edge of the desert. Zambia would be focused on wildlife. We have just sort of decided we want to go to Africa and are pretty interested in Libya, the rest is sort of deciding whether to add another week on and if so doing what. Any recent experiences in these countries or thoughts on this? Thanks for any comments. Other suggestions welcome as well.

I would be very interested in this discussion also

Thanks
tailfirst

I have recently (within he last 15 months) visited Libya, Tuniaia and Morocco, but not all in the one trip as the cost of air tickets between the various North African countries is somewhat pro-hibitive.

For my visit to Libya and Tunisia, I started in Egypt and then entered both Libya and Tunisia by road. I departed Tunis by air to Malta. My visit to Morocco was a separate trip CDG-CMN (land) RBA-CDG.

With the exception of Ghadames (an absolute MUST SEE about 700 km SW of Tripoli), most of the great sights (Sabrata, Cyrene, Lepis Magna, etc.) are on the coast and very easy to visit. Depending upon your interests, you may need more than 7 days to visit all of the "must sees" in Libya. Tunisia should take you no more than 4-6 days.

If you persist with your plans to visit Southern Africa, your big challenge will be transportation and I suggest that you carefully research your options/costs.

Libya is a great place to visit. The locals are friendly and helpful and the costs very reasonable. I suggest that you consider entering from Egypt and follow the coast and that youget in touch with a local travel agent and explore options.

Zambia would be focused on wildlife.Any specific reason why Zambia? There are plenty of other African countries that offer excellent wildlife viewing.

Johan

Any specific reason why Zambia? There are plenty of other African countries that offer excellent wildlife viewing.

Johan

I should have been more specific. We would use a tour company if we did this. We did a tour last year, not a group tour but just my wife and I, with a company called Cox and Kings who have been doing tours since 1758 (English company). They have group ones but for the private ones they provide you with guides, drivers and such and show you the area. We were very happy with that tour and would definately use them again. They have several wildlife tours but the one that most interested us at least initially was a "walking safari" in a national park in Zambia. You walk between stations where you stay. They also have enclosed vehicle tours at night to see noctornal animals. They said it is their tour where you are closest to the wildlife. But they have a number of others plus can customize things so I would certainly be interested in any suggestions. Thanks.

Okay, some new info and some new questions. It turns out that Libya has, at least for the moment, stopped issuing visas to US citizens. Since we are talking about late November- early December, it isnt going to change quickly enough so that is out. We are looking more at sub-Saharan Africa at this time as a result. They do stuff in most countries in the area. The ones we are most interested in would be:

Tanzania - Mt. Kilimanjaro, Olduvai Gorge, Serenghetti, Lake Victoria and vacinity

Zambia - 7 days of walking safaris in a national park, with driving as well, Victoria Falls and a side visit for a day or three to Cape Town.

Any thoughts or comments on these? Botswana and some other places are also possible but these intriqued us the most. I would REALLY like to see Olduvai Gorge (even if I probably cant spell or even pronounce it most of the time) but apparently in the Tanzania regions you arent as free to walk based on park rules as in Zambia. Any comments or suggestions on the countries, walking versus driving, the camps or whatever (they also said Tanzania would be considerably more crowded) would be appreciated. Thanks.

Since we are talking about late November- early DecemberI highly recommend walking safaris, but remember that the rainy season normally starts late November in Zambia. It will most likely be wet and very hot. That shouldn't preclude walking, but it will make it more strenuous than in the dry season. Personally, I limit my walks to the first few hours after daybreak in the austral summer.

Johan

We were in Livingstone for a couple of days mid Dec last year. It was pretty warm. The rains weren't bad. We had an occassional shower and it wasn't really a downpour.
We're thinking of heading to Tanzania in Feb 07.
I have some suggestions: try Zara/EWP for Kili climbs at http://www.ewpnet.com/Kili.htm
They seem to be professional and very economical.
Many had recommended Thompson Safaris for a US company that's been doing this for quite some time. They do safari add-ons too. However they only do the Umbwe and Western Breach route. The western breach however is closed until further notice because of an accident involving a landslide.
Other operators include Mountain Travel Sobek.

For the Safari, from what I've seen CCAfrica has the most luxurious properties. I think they're a great deal with their 2006 rates if you find availability. If you want to do the balloon safari over the Serengeti, you will have to stay at one of the Seronera area properties though (Serena Seronera or Mbuzi Mawe).