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 East Africa Insider Tips from Local Expert, Everything you want to know about East African countries |
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| whereshegoes |
 Apr 19 2007, 05:55 PM
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Journeyer
Group: Members
Posts: 3458
Joined: 19-September 03
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Member No.: 5
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TravelPod Local Expert Jawaid Rulal was born in Kenya and spent 20 years living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. He has travelled 66 countries!  Jawaid says: In my opinion I would rank the following as the best five things to see in East Africa are: LAKE NAKURU & SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK in Kenya, NGORONGORO CRATER & MT. KILIMANJARO In Tanzania and LAKE VICTORIA in Uganda. Feel free to post questions to him here!
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| Jambo |
May 24 2007, 01:29 AM
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Voyager
Group: Members
Posts: 81
Joined: 14-September 05
From: Toronto
Member No.: 259
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[quote name='gplex' date='Apr 23 2007, 10:54 PM' post='25190'] [quote name='whereshegoes' post='24837' date='Apr 19 2007, 06:55 PM'] TravelPod Local Expert Jawaid Rulal was born in Kenya and spent 20 years living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Feel free to post questions to him here! [/quote] Given that the Local Expert has not responded to a question from April 23, I might be lucky, but I'll give it a go anyway.  Mr. Juwaid - can you recommend a very inexpensive safari company for a 4 day/3 night safari around Ngorongoro/Serengeti. So far it seems like Bobby Tours is the best bet, at US$550 per person. Do you know anyone cheaper but still reliable? Thanks!
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| lee-lee |
Jun 1 2007, 03:35 AM
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Newbie
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Posts: 2
Joined: 25-May 07
Member No.: 56764
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Hello!!
I leave for Uganda in about 1 week for a volunteer program...I was wondering if you have any suggestions of what to bring.....plus I've looked on many different sights on Uganda and I've read that june/july is the dry season and I've read that it's the rainy season. Which one is it?? Do you think I really need rain boots/rainjacket???
Thanks
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| jr44 |
Jun 7 2007, 04:45 PM
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Wanderer
Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 26-May 07
From: Glossop, United Kingdom
Member No.: 56806
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There are so many things to see in East Africa. I will expect one to have at least 3 weeks at their disposal to see these beautiful places in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
KENYA:
Nairobi, the vibrant capital city with museums & cultural riches to explore.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK ( Beautiful game park with MT.Kilimanjaro as a back drop )
LAKE NAIVASHA
LAKE NAKURU ( Soda lake with pretty pink flamingoes )
TSAVO NATIONAL PARK, EAST & WEST ( In early 19th century, when the British were laying a railway line, 2 lions started attacking railway workers during the night and eating them. A hunter was dispatched from Britain to hunt the lions down; as the workers stopped work on the line because of so many fatalities )
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK ( See the annual migration of wilderbeest )
TANZANIA:
DAR ES SALAAM, the capital city, explore town & watch dhows from water's edge.
NGORONGORO CRATER ( Large concentration of animals in a confined area with amazing views )
ARUSHA ( Explore Mt. Meru, hike up the volcano )
MOUNT KILIMANJARO ( Hike up the tallest peak in Africa )
LAKE VICTORIA ( Source of the Nile river )
ZANZIBAR ISLAND ( Explore stone town. There was a thriving slave market in Zanzibar, with Arab merchants selling the slaves to the Europeans who bought them to work in the Carribean and the new world )
UGANDA:
Kampala, the capital city.
LAKE VICTORIA ( Source of the Nile river )
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK ( Boat journey down Victoria & Nile river )
JINJA BUJAGALI FALLS ( Explore town of Jinja on Lake Victoria & raft down the Nile river )
BWINDI MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARKS ( Encounter with the Gorillas )
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Jawaid
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| Jambo |
Jun 8 2007, 03:34 AM
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Voyager
Group: Members
Posts: 81
Joined: 14-September 05
From: Toronto
Member No.: 259
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QUOTE I would look up www.zara.co.tz Tel: +441550721319, Fax: +44 1550720053. This outfit's 4 day safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro is $335 per person ( Camping or Walking ) If 2 persons booking, cost is $185 per person. Low season discount applies, April - June 15th is $50 per person.
Lodge and tented camp safari works out at $425 per person or if 2 persons booking, cost is $265 per person. Single supplements applicable, are per person/ night and apply to group size 2 - 4 where people like to have room tent for themselves. Thank you for that. I looked them up but unfortunately those prices you quoted are actually per day, not for the full safari! $185 per day is still a lot more than BobbyTours. If you know of any other inexpensive companies, please let me know. Otherwise, what I'm thinking we might do is just show up in Arusha and go to the Tanzania Tourist Board office and try to join an existing group at the last minute. It is risky but might be worthwhile. We are somewhat flexible in terms of when we leave. What do you think?
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| jr44 |
Jun 18 2007, 08:33 AM
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Wanderer
Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 26-May 07
From: Glossop, United Kingdom
Member No.: 56806
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QUOTE(loveadventure @ Jun 14 2007, 08:44 PM)  Hey Carmie, So lovely to hear from you as well. I am feeling much better, thank you for asking. Neil told me you were going to come visit me in the hospital when you were in Calgary and I just want to thank you for thinking of doing that. You are so thoughtful and sweet. Anyways still in recovery BUT I am back to work and feeling wonderful. It's been 8 weeks since my surgery and every day gets better. Positive outlook sometimes is all it takes. (Although I wouldn't of said that had you seen me in the hospital) at one point I had 6 tubes coming out of my body. Not nice. Enough about me...back to the safari adventure. I am flexible when I go but was hoping September, October or November. There is another girl from my work coming with me so just the 2 of us for now. Anyone else is welcome of course. And I think 14 days is great. I will wait to hear from Jawaid as well and whoever else can offer me some help. How are things. x QUOTE(whereshegoes @ Jun 14 2007, 03:21 PM) QUOTE(loveadventure @ Jun 14 2007, 12:50 PM)
Hi Jawaid and Carmella,
I need HELP!!! I am planning a 14 day African Safari. I need to know the best place in Africa for a safari, the best time of year to go and an approx cost. Any and ALL information will be greatly appreciated.
PS Hi Carm, how are you sweetie?
Audrianna x
Great to hear from you Audrianna. I trust you are doing well. I am working hard but happy  As for your Safari question, I can only go off my experience. I went from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and it was amazing. When are you going? Are you going alone? Do you have flexibility because if so, I booked it there and imagine it is cheaper that way. There are so many companies that want your business. 14 days is ideal time duration to have both a sfari and to see some other places in East Africa. Most people either start their trip from Nairobi ( Kenya ) or Dar es salam ( Tanzania ) Once you have arrived and settled in your hotel; ask hotel reception to arrange for safari companies to contact you. Most will be too happy to send their representitives to see you in the comfort of your hotel. Check what is on offer and the cost. You will need to haggle a bit, but this way one can obtain an excellent deal. Serengeti National Park is the best in Kenya. Ngorongoro Crater with it's teeming wild life in Tanzania. 1-2 days on the island of Zanzibar can also be very relaxing. Fast catamarans operate between Dar es salam and Zanzibar. A small island visible from Zanzibar, called Chungu island can be visited by a boat to see the huge tortoises which are bred here. If the trip starts from Nairobi, 1-2 day exploring this vibrant city is a must. A day trip or 1-2 day safari can be also arranged for the Tsavo National Park East or West, just as the visit to Serengeti, from your hotel. Long rains are over in Kenya ( March - May ) Weather is ok both in Kenya and Tanzania in June and July. 22- 25 C in Kenya and around 25 - 30 C in Tanzania. In the latter, cool at night because of high plateau. Spring time in Tanzania lasts from June to November, whereas during the same period Kenya will be shifting into the winter season.
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Jawaid
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| jr44 |
Oct 15 2007, 05:38 AM
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Wanderer
Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: 26-May 07
From: Glossop, United Kingdom
Member No.: 56806
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QUOTE(Jessica_CDN @ Sep 26 2007, 05:21 PM) Jawaid , I'm going to the Sudan & / or Kenya in December for work - I'm supposed to be staying in Juba in the Sudan - what can I expect there? The last people I know who were there said there wasn't regular electricity..... Also, could you give me an idea of a few things I might be able to see in the area? I'm trying to extend my stay to get the most out of it, but I like to plan for the worst case scenarios  Hello Jessica, I have been away for 3 weeks holidaying in M.E. and Africa. Got back a few days ago. Just seen your post. Juba is the capital of Southern Sudan. There are several interesting nature and game reserves near Juba. BANDINGILO NATIONAL PARK BENGANGAI GAME RESERVE BOMA NATIONAL PARK JUBA GAME RESERVE NIMULE NATIONAL PARK NUMATINA GAME RESERVE SOUTHERN NATIONAL PARK Electricity should be alright at this time of the year. It is only during summer months that wide use of fans and airconditioners disrupt power supplies. The roads are not all in very good condition. You will have a good time in Juba, the port city in the south of Sudan located on the river Nile.
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Jawaid
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| lusibaaa |
Jul 18 2008, 07:58 AM
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Newbie
Group: Members
Posts: 1
Joined: 21-April 08
Member No.: 171092
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QUOTE(whereshegoes @ Apr 19 2007, 05:55 PM) TravelPod Local Expert Jawaid Rulal was born in Kenya and spent 20 years living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. He has travelled 66 countries! Jawaid says: In my opinion I would rank the following as the best five things to see in East Africa are: LAKE NAKURU & SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK in Kenya, NGORONGORO CRATER & MT. KILIMANJARO In Tanzania and LAKE VICTORIA in Uganda. Feel free to post questions to him here! hi Jawaid, Im travelling to Uganda in November 2008 for two weeks and im taking my boyfirend with me to show him my beautiful country. Im ugandan born and bred living in london now. I have been to most of the tourist spots in uganda but these were on school trips. Which tour operators can you recommend? I could get somebody to drive us around the parks but prefer to use reasonably priced operators for my boyfriend's assurance and prefer if he did the proper 'tourist thing'. Don't be alarmed I also want him to experience true ugandan culture where i will take him to visit my grand parents in the village (rubindi - mbarara). if you have been to Queen elizabeth national park then you defininately drove through mbarara. Almost forgot - how about accomodation? Somewhere in kampala would be great - still on a budget! look forward to your reply. i want to give my boyfriend a trip of a lifetime and im pretty sure it will be the same for me. have not been to uganda in a long time. Emily |
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| sun_rhymes |
Oct 24 2008, 04:21 AM
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Newbie
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Joined: 24-October 08
Member No.: 253221
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Hello,
Could you, please, help me with few information?
I have received an offer for a short mission in Sudan (26 working days, of which, approximately 4 will be spent in Khartoum, the remainder in Juba and the South).
Please, could you tell me details about these places, and if you encourage me going there?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Amalia
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