Hi Glock,

Wow – I see you are going to Madagascar. That will be an adventure. Kota from our office is our resident Lemur expert and the only one on staff that has been to the Island. I know the logistics are tough there.

From a price point perspective, there is a broad range of product in East Africa and there are several lodge chains that operate on both sides of the border. Keep in mind, when comparing prices, that the two tours you noted in the original post are arduous driving trips with much time wasted on bad roads with nothing to see. The tours also seem to be using relatively massive hotel style accommodations with no sense of place as opposed to intimate bush camps in the middle of the wildlife areas like the ones I mentioned.

Regarding the $20,000 trips, sadly, there are what I call “mark-up shops” on both sides of the ocean and prey on the once-in-a-lifetime crowd. These are unscrupulous companies that charge in excess of 50% mark-ups on their buying rate and simply seem to survive off brand reputation. The usually book larger properties on contracted allocations. Things are changing and there are many companies that can put you in the exact same camps on the same dates for much less (and not with a group of 20+).

So, if you are looking for good value and combining both Kenya and Tanzania perhaps consider Elewana Collection, which I previously mentioned or Asilia. Alex Walker would be another amazing option. All three companies operate camps in both countries. Asilia just opened a new property at the Crater on the north side away from most other properties and with a near exclusive access road. Asilia also owns Encounters Mara which I think is one of the best values in the entire greater Mara ecosystem. You could also mix and match several brands but if you are doing so to save money you should make sure to “max out” the long stay discounts from one brand before moving on. The problem with sticking with one brand is that each lodge will seem more similar to the one before when compared to a trip that pulls together 3-4 camps owned privately or by different entities. This factor is somewhat mitigated by the fact that many lodge chains in East Africa are created by mergers between previously independent chains. Asilia acquired Encounters Mara last year and Elewana took over Cheli and Peacock this year.

Yes – I would strongly encourage you to fly all routes that can’t be driven in 2 hours or less. It is quite convenient to cross the border from Tanzania to Kenya in the Serengeti/Mara without going back to the city and having a forced urban overnight. Rose from our company tested it out last year and it was seamless.

For Mrs. Glock, please do keep in mind that the Serengeti and Mara are essentially the same place. There is simply an imaginary political border that cuts through the middle. This is quite a generalization so let me be more specific lest some other safari “expert” challenges me on this statement. The Serengeti and the Mara are as similar, in my mind, as a visit to the Sabi Sands and Timbavati in South Africa. You would get more diversity by leaving the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem after 5 or 6 nights. For a short safari, most people are best served by just visiting one of the two places. Now, I do agree the Masai Mara and Crater are uniquely different as is the Serengeti and the Crater. But, if you want to visit the Crater and the Mara is makes logistical sense to stop in the northern Serengeti in-between (so I just contradicted myself).

Cheers,

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond