How to go about planning my first African luxury safari?
Oct 13, 2017, 11:10 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,766
I just had an absolutely AMAZING stay at The Retreat Selous. We had our own butler, server, chef, driver, guide, vehicle, etc. and the price was very reasonable ($5K USD for 4 nights including flights from DAR, all food and booze and 2 activities a day which included driving or walking safari, boat safari, fishing, spa, etc). We did a drive in the morning and fished in the late afternoon. Was awesome.
Oct 14, 2017, 3:21 pm
#17
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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I told husband that for 1 we get nothing special so we need to go to $2000 a night. I thought he'd complain but he just shrugged his shoulders and said ok. It does add up as others say. Add in biz airfares from Australia and its a 30k trip.
To others who went. Was it everything and more you hoped for?
I'm just not sure after the safari there is enough for me to do that I'd like if I was spending this sort of money.
Oct 15, 2017, 1:40 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Here are some pictures
Oct 15, 2017, 6:50 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,068
I did not realise the cost. I assumed would be similar for other nice hotels ie $1000 a night. Jasper2009 showed me some for $2000 a night that were entry level 5 star suites. I did really like them. Im on my phone so will list the suggestion when I can.
I told husband that for 1 we get nothing special so we need to go to $2000 a night. I thought he'd complain but he just shrugged his shoulders and said ok. It does add up as others say. Add in biz airfares from Australia and its a 30k trip.
To others who went. Was it everything and more you hoped for?
I'm just not sure after the safari there is enough for me to do that I'd like if I was spending this sort of money.
I told husband that for 1 we get nothing special so we need to go to $2000 a night. I thought he'd complain but he just shrugged his shoulders and said ok. It does add up as others say. Add in biz airfares from Australia and its a 30k trip.
To others who went. Was it everything and more you hoped for?
I'm just not sure after the safari there is enough for me to do that I'd like if I was spending this sort of money.
Oct 17, 2017, 12:55 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Miles and More
Posts: 155
Botswana is the best place to go for Safaris. Private concessions ensure that you are almost alone in the wilderness. Camps are very small and do not have more than 8-10 rooms.
Wilderness Safaris is one of the Premium Safari Providers: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
I stayed in Chitabe Camp, Pelo Camps, Duba Expedition Camp, Duma Tau in September 2017 and I absolutely loved it.
Wilderness Safaris is one of the Premium Safari Providers: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
I stayed in Chitabe Camp, Pelo Camps, Duba Expedition Camp, Duma Tau in September 2017 and I absolutely loved it.
Oct 17, 2017, 1:22 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
Wilderness Safaris is one of the Premium Safari Providers: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
They always know which animals they want to see and chose where they stay accordingly. They are wild dog addicts and there are some lodges which specialise in sightings of those animals.
Oct 18, 2017, 3:06 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MEL
Programs: QFF, AA, LM, EY
Posts: 761
Botswana is the best place to go for Safaris. Private concessions ensure that you are almost alone in the wilderness. Camps are very small and do not have more than 8-10 rooms.
Wilderness Safaris is one of the Premium Safari Providers: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
I stayed in Chitabe Camp, Pelo Camps, Duba Expedition Camp, Duma Tau in September 2017 and I absolutely loved it.
Wilderness Safaris is one of the Premium Safari Providers: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/countries/botswana
I stayed in Chitabe Camp, Pelo Camps, Duba Expedition Camp, Duma Tau in September 2017 and I absolutely loved it.
Oct 18, 2017, 4:09 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Miles and More
Posts: 155
Oct 18, 2017, 1:59 pm
#25
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,221
A while back when I seriously was planning a safari trip I worked with Rhino Africa and they were superb. Responsive, expert, smart, able to to take into account certain constraints. Just flat out super. In the end, I made the very painful decision that Jim's dementia precluded the trip.
https://www.rhinoafrica.com/en
https://www.rhinoafrica.com/en
Last edited by KatW; Oct 18, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Oct 19, 2017, 5:05 pm
#26
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
Edit: Just read today that the Laikipia populations have been almost wiped out due to canine distemper
Last edited by SojournsOf; Oct 19, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Oct 19, 2017, 7:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
I think he said his best trip was to Botswana where I know they stayed at two lodges, Selinda and Vumbura Plains.
Oct 19, 2017, 7:59 pm
#28
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Which properties? Did they have any luck with dogs? I’m obsessed with wild dogs - actually would choose seeing these over any other animal. I missed them in South Africa. Have heard Selous, Kwando/Linyanti and north Laikipia have healthy populations and the best chance to spot them. We are thinking about a safari soon...
Edit: Just read today that the Laikipia populations have been almost wiped out due to canine distemper
Edit: Just read today that the Laikipia populations have been almost wiped out due to canine distemper
I do love the cats.
Oct 20, 2017, 3:41 am
#29
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 504
I've been to Selinda Explorers and we saw wild dogs on one of our drives. They were quite some distance from camp, but the guide seemed to be fairly confident that we'd find them, so I'm guessing they aren't overly transient (or at least they weren't at that time).
Oct 20, 2017, 6:26 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Turkey
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus
Posts: 184
Which properties? Did they have any luck with dogs? I’m obsessed with wild dogs - actually would choose seeing these over any other animal. I missed them in South Africa. Have heard Selous, Kwando/Linyanti and north Laikipia have healthy populations and the best chance to spot them. We are thinking about a safari soon...
Edit: Just read today that the Laikipia populations have been almost wiped out due to canine distemper
Edit: Just read today that the Laikipia populations have been almost wiped out due to canine distemper