Planning to go on safari in 2017... any advice?

Avenged7Fold said:
Just to add to the malaria tablet advice... go get a jab. Do yourself a favour and avoid tablets. Apart from tasting awful and requiring to take them habitually, they come with an insane amount of side affects for a good fraction of people. Side affects can be from mild nausea/diarrhoea to severe enough to ruin a holiday. Considering the money you are putting forward, dont bother with tablets.
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I can safely say that cost is not in any way a factor when it comes to my health on such a trip. I would do a jab every time rather than than risk forgetting to take a tablet one day... stuff like this is crazy to skimp on!

do_ron_ron said:
I went with a regular company, First Choice iirc in July/August to Diani Beach and I chose 1 week on safari. Tsavo or Tsavo East Reserve with the lodge type dwellings... no tents these but log type dwellings with mod cons. Well Mod Cons meaning big bed, shower etc but no TV, Wifi but you can do without that for a week with so much to see.
On the Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa week I went on a reef snorkelling trip and saw whales which was a massive bonus. I even managed to get shots on my camcorder despite the boat rocking as everybody dived into bags etc to get cameras/camcorders.
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Mod cons sounds good... was there an epic mosquito problem? Also was it dry heat or humid heat... guessing dry?
 
I went to Kenya and stayed for 7 nights at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (a bit OTT posh TBH) in Nanyuki back in 2009 which was amazing initially and then just a bit weird after a while.

Once you get over that initial "wow" factor the fact that you're just basically driving around bugged me, it almost felt like a UK based "drive through safari" and there was no walking/hiking allowed so you couldn't take a guide and actually track animals or similar. I ended up doing a 3 day weekend with the Masai which was much more my idea of fun (camping, tracking, hunting & "old skool" survival skills rather than a drive through) although my military background probably made that much more fun for me :D

Nairobi Zoo was also excellent which we visited before we flew home and, for a fee, they allowed you to pet some of the animals whilst under supervision (I had a Cheetah cub).

I also took a pic from out Nairobi hotel of wild Giraffes about 400m from one of the main highways which was weird :D

Tips - Like a lot of people here have mentioned already:

Malaria/yellow fever jabs
Whatever clothes you take wear them for about a month before you go just to "break them in" a bit and I'd cover them in a repellent containing lots of Deet.
It gets bloody cold at night/early morning - take warm clothes too!
Get as many batteries/changers/solar chargers etc for all your cameras/phones etc as possible.
Even if your being driven everywhere I'd still wear comfortable hiking boots (fabric over the hotter leather for me) just in case.
The Kenyan local's begging can be a bit "in your face" at times but they are rarely trouble once you say No (less effective nearer the north).

There's a whole bunch of other bits/info etc you can find on a billion and 1 websites so I'll leave that for you to find.
 
Out of interest what is the Malaria injection actually called. I just decided to have a look as I've never heard of it before, but it appears neither has the NHS.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Malaria/Pages/Treatment.aspx



EDIT: Also for insect repellant, don't automatically go for Deet. It destroys stuff and is really not good for the environment.

Get this: https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/insect-repellents/natural-40-plus-spray for general use (basically eucalyptus oil so it doesn't do anywhere near as much damage as a deet based product)

And then this: https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/insect-repellents/expedition-100-plus-spray if the insects aren't swayed by the natural stuff. Just be warned it's in a small canister for a reason, use it sparingly, and WILL dissolve plastic if you aren't careful. If you are still having problems with bugs then you're ******. :p

I've used this combination all over the world and rarely have to use the 100+ stuff as the natural 40+ stuff is actually very good for the majority of situation. It's only really when it's very hot and humid and loads of bugs (basically tropical forests) that the latter is really needed. Both can be got from pretty much any outdoor store.
 
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Disappointed in the second post.
Everyone knows the only advice to someone going on safari, is to make sure you don't go viral after taking a selfie with a dead animal :D
 
Avenged7Fold said:
Just to add to the malaria tablet advice... go get a jab. Do yourself a favour and avoid tablets. Apart from tasting awful and requiring to take them habitually, they come with an insane amount of side affects for a good fraction of people. Side affects can be from mild nausea/diarrhoea to severe enough to ruin a holiday. Considering the money you are putting forward, dont bother with tablets.
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What malaria jab?
I am not entirely sure such a thing exists yet.
What product do you mean?
 
dpbadger said:
I have always gone out of Arusha, Tanzania, last one 5 years ago. I believe it is cheaper than the Kenya option. You can book a joint Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater safari. Then have a week relaxing and touring Zanzibar. Arusha can also be a start point to climb Kilimanjaro if you want.
I camped the whole holiday apart from in Zanzibar, on safari they put dome tents up for you. You can go for luxury camping depending on budget, you won't be spending much time in camp though as you will be up before sunrise and back late driving around looking for animals.
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Pretty much this. Ngorogoro Crater is amazing. Cannot be missed.

And yes, the days are very long. The whole experience is quite tiring TBH. If I ever go again I won't be going anywhere near Zanzibar though; awful place. Far too hot and we had problems at customs ('You have drugs in your suitcase. $50 and no drugs'). I can't remember exactly what else I hated about it, but it's definitely the worst place I have ever been to.

Avenged7Fold said:
Just to add to the malaria tablet advice... go get a jab. Do yourself a favour and avoid tablets. Apart from tasting awful and requiring to take them habitually, they come with an insane amount of side affects for a good fraction of people. Side affects can be from mild nausea/diarrhoea to severe enough to ruin a holiday. Considering the money you are putting forward, dont bother with tablets.
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Could not agree more (though I've never heard of a jab).

I had lucid dreams every night as a result of the tablets. Would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, drenched in sweat, all because I'd dreamt something was about to eat me :rolleyes:
 
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Richdog said:
Mod cons sounds good... was there an epic mosquito problem? Also was it dry heat or humid heat... guessing dry?
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Very little mossie problem. Bed in safari lodge had a net hung from the ceiling so no problem at night. Did get a couple during the two weeks but have had lots more during a stay in the Med. Heat was OK in the Reserve, drier than the week on the coast.
 
Ive been to Kenya and Tsavo East & West 3 times, fantastic holiday and doing a safari is one of the best things you can do. Seeing the animals in their stunning natural habitat brings a tear to your eyes :)
 
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