Travelling in Kenya/Tanzania

[Jim DeLillo]

I am planning a trip to Africa in NOV-13 to view the eclipse and a couple of safaris.

I'm comfortable with the plans and the outfitter.

However, I am also planning a trip to climb Kilimanjaro - with a gap week in between the two adventures.

So my question is what to do during the gap week -

• Can you suggest a route between Kenya and Tanzania, mode of transportation (I'm planning by bus).
• Where to stop and what to see along the way - Objective:photography.
• How to best ensure a safe trip travelling as a 58 yr old man solo with camera equipment.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

=jim=

[Simon & Baker Travel Review]

Hi Jim,

Our focus is on luxury travel but there is a lot of information in our pages some of which may be helpful to you as you plan your trip. When we traveled to Tanzania we considered road transfers to avoid the challenges of the charter flights but were heavily discouraged by everyone we spoke with before and after we arrived. Here are links to destination profiles and related articles for Kenya (http://simonandbaker.com/kenya.html with links to 7 profiles and more on the way) and Tanzania (http://simonandbaker.com/tanzania.html with links to 14 property profiles), scroll to the bottom for dates.

Wishing you a wondrous journey!

Elena

[Jim DeLillo]

Thanks Elena. Luxury is an option. So I'll take a look at the websites. I appreciate the information.

=jim=

[Simon & Baker Travel Review]

Glad that was helpful. I noticed you are looking for local color photo ops. The team that traveled to Kenya most recently visited an area in the north that was off the well travelled tourist circuit. They were especially pleased. Happy and safe travels! E

[Dorothy Conlon]

Hi Jim, I went by public bus from Nairobi to Arusha. It was more like a bush taxi, took about 4 hours, very pleasant. Everyone goes to Arusha to see Ngorongoro, but I didn't have enough time for that, so instead spent a day at Arusha Park. Saw lots of wildlife, particularly giraffe and Cape buffalo, and virtually no other tourists. You could get out and walk around, not true of many game preserves. I was headed for Dar-es-Salaam, and at the end of a volunteer project in Pommern in the southern highlands, we had a half day drive through Mikumi Park en route back to the capital. Here again, no other tourists, but we saw several languid lions close up, among other wildlife. Also, I took a day trip by ferry to Zanzibar, which is quite a different scene, architecturally and agriculturally.

This was back quite a few years but I suspect those places are still possibilities for your open week. As you probably know, thievery is rampant. Good luck.

Dorothy (octogenarian world traveler)

[Jim DeLillo]

Dorothy,

Thanks! The description of the bus travel is what I expected. My Google of  Ngorongoro sounds interesting. I'll let you know if I need more info.

=jim=

[Thomson Family Adventures]

Oh my, absolutely fly from Nairobi to JRO. Then head to someplace like Gibbs Farm in Karatu for rest and play before doing your climb.

Having been to both countries and having a clear picture of the traffic, driving habits and the complete disregard fof any traffic civility or rules I would never consider taking a bus on this route. Partly because I don't think there is any value to spending your time on a land transfer. and partly because I do not feel it would be safe. I am adventurous but have my limits.

[Jim DeLillo]

Thank you.

It's such a short distance, it seems like flying is overkill. Plus I can't photograph local color from the air. I will probably still opt for some sort of land itinerary.

=jim=

[Annette Bulman]

Hi Jim as a52yr old woman who often travels this route & alone with camera equipment I can confirm that the shuttle buses from Nbi to Arusha are very safe & not a problem with camera gear Arusha you need to be very carefulwalking around with camera gear& may neded to think about a smaller happy snappy for walking around also people can get quite agro about you taking photos of them so you need to ask before snapping There are many vvenues in & out of Nairobi to see also considering you are going to be doing 2 wildlife safaris already What are your interests photography wise ?? cheers Annette

[Jim DeLillo]

Annette,

Thank you. Your reply is very useful. I appreciate the first-person knowledge. Fortunately, 'happy snappys' are of much better quality these days and it does make sense to use it in this situation. I am aware of the local's reluctance to be photographed and would be respectful of their comfort.  I am a photographer, not a tourist.

Aside from the animals, which I would have a ton photos, and the climb itself, I would like to capture the local culture and architecture. I am interested in bringing back photos 'where tourists don't go.'  What is unique and less popular?

=jim=

[Annette Bulman]

you could find out if any eunoto ceremonies are taking place this is the passage from warriorhood to junior elder for the Maasai there could be events like has just occured The Maasai Olympics in Amboseli

 

A visit to the kenyan slum area of Kibera

 

There is a tribe in northern TZ that you can visit & stay with

 

Could coincide with cultural festivals in either zanzibar or lamu

 

many options to explore

[Jim DeLillo]

Wonderful, Annette! I'll look into all of those and see what fits.

=jim=

[Claude Edmond]

Hello Jim

Our company is actually organizing this trip called the hybrid solar eclipse safari in Kenya. It will be on the November 3rd and not the November 13th. Kindly look at the safaris we are offering on this particular event by just following the links:

http://www.totalsolareclipsesafaris.com/eclipse_observation.html this will be a seven day safari
http://www.totalsolareclipsesafaris.com/astronomy_safaris.html and this will be 8 days safari.

Again we are also offering the Kilimanjaro climbing roots which i would request you to look at:
http://www.claudioustours.com/tanzania/mtkilimanjaroclimbing.htm

I hope the above information will help you a lot make your decision otherwise you are free to contact me on the following contact details:
Claudious Tours and Safaris
P.O Box 100310-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
Norwich Union House
Tel: [phone]
Cel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]/ [e-mail]