Chris

Hi.

I've got a few months off starting in october and plan to use the time
seeing some of eastern africa, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. I
plan to travel on my own (a combination of independence and the fact that
nobody I know has the means / inclination to come too). I'm a first timer,
and considering starting out with an overland tour, such as those organised
by Dragoman etc before doing the travel alone thing. Sooo, as a bunch of
folk who have done both, would you recommend this, or do you think it'll be
a better experience if I just get a few guidebooks, a plane ticket, a great
big pack and just go for it.

Any suggestions would be welcome. =)

Thanks,

Chris

Er Principe

    > [cut]
    > Sooo, as a bunch of
    > folk who have done both, would you recommend this, or do you think it'll
be
    > a better experience if I just get a few guidebooks, a plane ticket, a
great
    > big pack and just go for it.
    > [cut]

Dear Chris,
If I were you, I would do it on my own.
I think you're planning one of the best experiences of your life... and you
have the fantastic opportunity to make a trip of this kind on your own...
Of course, be prepared for anything before departure: vaccination, advice,
intellectual preparation (the journey itself is not easy at all...).
Consider that when I've been to Tanzania I've met a Finnish girl who was on
her own and who had a great time. Her trip was a six-months journey in
Tanzania (+ Zanzibar and Pemba), Malawi and Zambia... so very similar to
your trip. And she didn't have any problem backpacking in these
destinations.

Ciao and have a nice trip

Maurizio

Ferret

One thing to bear in mind is that to get into the National Parks you will
need transport and accomodation which can be very expensive, so you will
almost certainly have to book some sort of organised tour to get to the
parks. A combination of both doing your own thing and organised tours might
be the best thing. I can recommend Guerba as a good overland operator who
run short trips as well as longer ones .

Alan

"Chris" wrote in message
news:BA643B9D.C744%[email protected]...
    > Hi.
    > I've got a few months off starting in october and plan to use the time
    > seeing some of eastern africa, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.
I
    > plan to travel on my own (a combination of independence and the fact that
    > nobody I know has the means / inclination to come too). I'm a first timer,
    > and considering starting out with an overland tour, such as those
organised
    > by Dragoman etc before doing the travel alone thing. Sooo, as a bunch of
    > folk who have done both, would you recommend this, or do you think it'll
be
    > a better experience if I just get a few guidebooks, a plane ticket, a
great
    > big pack and just go for it.
    > Any suggestions would be welcome. =)
    > Thanks,
    > Chris

Belinda Horn

Hi There

Im a South African and also a Tour guide.
Have you ever been to Africa (South Africa)
If not I would recomment spent a week in South Africa. Get the feeling
of what the expect from Africa (you will never forget it).
If you have any queries
Please contact me

Belinda Horn
Q-Wani Tours
www.qwani.co.za
[email protected]
P>S> You are going to LOVE it...


"ferret" wrote in message news:...
    > One thing to bear in mind is that to get into the National Parks you will
    > need transport and accomodation which can be very expensive, so you will
    > almost certainly have to book some sort of organised tour to get to the
    > parks. A combination of both doing your own thing and organised tours might
    > be the best thing. I can recommend Guerba as a good overland operator who
    > run short trips as well as longer ones .
    >
    > Alan
    >
    > "Chris" wrote in message
    > news:BA643B9D.C744%[email protected]...
    > > Hi.
    > >
    > > I've got a few months off starting in october and plan to use the time
    > > seeing some of eastern africa, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.
    > I
    > > plan to travel on my own (a combination of independence and the fact that
    > > nobody I know has the means / inclination to come too). I'm a first timer,
    > > and considering starting out with an overland tour, such as those
    > organised
    > > by Dragoman etc before doing the travel alone thing. Sooo, as a bunch of
    > > folk who have done both, would you recommend this, or do you think it'll
    > be
    > > a better experience if I just get a few guidebooks, a plane ticket, a
    > great
    > > big pack and just go for it.
    > >
    > > Any suggestions would be welcome. =)
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > >
    > > Chris
    > >

Chris

Interesting point, and thanks everyone for the replies. I was planning on
organising the trips to the national parks etc when I was there, I was
imagining there were tour operators based in the country that could do any
safaris on an as-you come basis (OK may have to wait around a bit until
there's space on a group). Is this a completely idiotic idea?

Thanks again,

C


On 3/2/03 6:05 PM, in article [email protected],
"ferret" wrote:

    > One thing to bear in mind is that to get into the National Parks you will
    > need transport and accomodation which can be very expensive, so you will
    > almost certainly have to book some sort of organised tour to get to the
    > parks. A combination of both doing your own thing and organised tours might
    > be the best thing. I can recommend Guerba as a good overland operator who
    > run short trips as well as longer ones .
    >
    > Alan
    >
    > "Chris" wrote in message
    > news:BA643B9D.C744%[email protected]...
    >> Hi.
    >>
    >> I've got a few months off starting in october and plan to use the time
    >> seeing some of eastern africa, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.
    > I
    >> plan to travel on my own (a combination of independence and the fact that
    >> nobody I know has the means / inclination to come too). I'm a first timer,
    >> and considering starting out with an overland tour, such as those
    > organised
    >> by Dragoman etc before doing the travel alone thing. Sooo, as a bunch of
    >> folk who have done both, would you recommend this, or do you think it'll
    > be
    >> a better experience if I just get a few guidebooks, a plane ticket, a
    > great
    >> big pack and just go for it.
    >>
    >> Any suggestions would be welcome. =)
    >>
    >> Thanks,
    >>
    >> Chris
    >>
    >
    >

Er Principe

    > Is this a completely idiotic idea?

Absolutely not. This is, in my opinion, the best way to do it.
Ciao
Maurizio

Chris

Hey Uwe, (and everyone else who replied!) thanks for the message, I'm sorry
I lost your address, but I appreciate the advice.

Take it easy,

Chris