From Ol Pejeta to Tsavo West (Kenya) (page 14 of 15)

Rwanda is twice as expensive, so since it costs an arm and a leg, we're focusing on Uganda.

Yeah, for sure—I only suggested that option because you mentioned you were mainly targeting primates for a short trip. 😊

Personally, it’s the Virungas I dream of going to 😉

Hello Bernard,

In accordance with VF’s policy, no advertising on this forum. I’ll share this info via PM to those who request it, with one restriction regarding the driver-guide, who will remain anonymous. The Kenyan retirement system isn’t the same as ours, and I’d hate to harm John and his family, especially since he’s nearing the end of his career.

A reaction that does you credit. I’m interested in the name of the tour operator and the local agency—please send via PM.

THANKS

BL

Personally, I dream of going to the Virungas 😉

Same here, but it’s still a bit complicated and not very safe 🏴‍☠️

Good evening, everyone!

I was in the Virunga Mountains (Rwanda/Uganda), and even back then—over 10 years ago—we were already accompanied by armed soldiers. I traveled with a Belgian agency—super well-organized, camping in tents with drivers. (6 people, 6 tents, 3 vehicles) 🙂 For the chimps and mountain gorillas, there are guides (and porters) on-site.

Hi Anne-Marie,

I see you know some beautiful spots 😛 😎.

Virunga National Park offers packages—I’d have liked to book directly so all the money goes to them. But their website has less info than it did a few years ago.

I’ll check out Belgium’s options 😉, even though it’s not urgent. The best-case scenario would be October 2020 (before that, it’s Botswana in February, then Botswana again in April, then Madagascar in August). And in October, it’s up against Japan, Polynesia, and... nothing 😏

Evening Bernard,

PM sent!

Cheers

Evening Jean-François

I’ll check out Belgium 😉, even though it’s not urgent. At best, it’d be in October 2010 (before that, it’s Botswana in February, then Botswana again in April, then Madagascar in August). And in October, it’s up against Japan, Polynesia, and... nothing else

So many great travel journals ahead

Oh, and I almost forgot the ranking: In terms of parks and their appeal:

1st Samburu, by a small margin: 2nd Tsavo 3rd Amboseli 4th Ol Pejeta 5th Meru

For the accommodations we chose:

1st Elsa Kopjes (Meru) 2nd Sweet Camp (Ol Pejeta) 3rd Ashnill (Samburu) 4th Ol Tukaï (Amboseli) 5th Rhino Valley Lodge (Tsavo West)

Finally, here are the names of the agencies:

-Main agency: Bel Africa (Paris) -Local agency: Nadhy Travels & Tours (Nairobi)

Thanks again, Éric, for this well-documented and well-illustrated travel journal. And I think you were absolutely right to make it even more comprehensive by adding the details of your service providers.

Have a great day and enjoy America!

BL

Hi there! I’m checking out your travel journal—it’s off to a great start (despite that little airport stress). I totally agree with you about the doubt over the Lichtenstein's Hartebeest or bubal—personally, I think it’s also the Damaliscus hunteri, commonly called Topi.

Is it over? Well, thanks for the travel journal and the beautiful slices of life. It’s true that traveling with a driver carries some risk, but you shouldn’t generalize—my trip and Sylvie’s went very smoothly. I’m planning a trip to Uganda, and having a driver is pretty much essential there.

Happy brainstorming for your next trip! 🙂

Hello! Choosing Uganda is an excellent decision. I spent 15 days there in 2014 with a guide who spoke decent French and knew his country inside out. FB page link: https://www.facebook.com/david.baluku Another option is Melting Pot Safari, top-notch with driver-guides who know the country well and take clients’ wishes into account. Plus, they’re great photographers who position the vehicles in the best spots. It’s run by photographer Tony Crocetta and his Kenyan partner Simon Chebond, and they organize Uganda-Masai Mara combo trips. You can contact this agency via their website: https://www.meltingpotsafaris.com/ I did the Simba safari with them in March 2019—everything was perfect. Best regards, Roland

Hi Roland,

Thanks for your feedback. Looking back, it was an informative trip, but honestly, if I were to do it again, I’d skip the agencies and the guide to start with—and I’d also avoid the high-end lodges 🙂 . I have to say, since I was looking for the company of animals rather than people, I spent quite a bit of time searching for remote bush camps in Kenya, preferably in the middle of nowhere—but with no luck. The few I found (and they weren’t bad options) were far from what I had in mind! Overcrowding, noise, feeling trapped. Only Elasa Kopjes and Sweet Camper lived up to my expectations.

Hi there,

I’m chiming in because there are quite a few specialists who frequent this amazing travel journal.😎

I’m heading to Botswana in two weeks—does it seem like a great time for birdwatching? What do you think? Any area you’d recommend? The Panhandle, for example?

Does anyone know or have info on whether it’s actually a top spot for birds?

Thanks in advance! Cheers,

Jean-François

Hi Max, I think it'd be best to ask the author of that travel journal directly 😉

I did find this, though: https://www.easyvoyage.com/botswana/oiseaux-3619 about the number of birds in Botswana—there must be others.

As for the Panhandle… it seems to be in the States 😛

I think it would be a good idea to ask the author of this travel journal directly

😊

Noon, the Panhandle is here. I was there in August, but different season, different animals. From my research, there are quite a few migratory birds, but I guess a firsthand account would’ve been helpful 😊 :P

Thanks for the link :)

Hi Jean-François,

January in Botswana is indeed a time when you can see Palearctic migrants. However, like Namibia (160 species photographed in October, Avibase lists 687 species, including 2 endemics), Botswana isn’t really a top birding destination—Avibase only notes 609 species (with no endemics). We went on a safari in Botswana in January 2013, covering Northern Kalahari, Linyanti, and Kwando. We photographed 181 bird species, including the Black-collared Barbet and Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Safari njema! Have a great trip!

BL

Black-collared Barbet, Lybius torquatus

Hi Régis,

I have two options—one with the agency I’ve already traveled with in Kenya, and a Ugandan agency that many people on VF have used.

Could you send me the names of those agencies in a PM?

Hi Bernard,

We went on a safari in Botswana in January 2013, Northern Kalahari, Linyanti, and Kwando. We photographed 181 bird species there, including the Pied Barbet and the Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Did you get an 800/5.6?

Hi Eric,

No, not really recovered from it—I wish I had! No, I bought it at full price (a real splurge) when it came out in 2009 to replace a 600 F/4 L IS v.I. It’s racked up 37,314 kept photos in our Lightroom catalog, though I’d guess at least 4/5 of those are shots I was way too lenient about and should probably still delete.

I can’t afford it now, but if I were to do it all over today, my splurge would be a 600 F/4 v. III—much lighter, more powerful, and easier to use.

But let’s not forget, in wildlife photography too, what matters most is what’s in front of the lens and behind the eyepiece.

Best,

BL