Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[laxgoalie]

Hello fellow travellers,

I have been browsing some of these forums and looks it really seems like there are some real experts out there! I am leaving for East Africa at the end of this month (December 27th) and am not returning until May 10th! The first month I will be spending two weeks in Ethiopia and two weeks in Tanzania. Then I will spend two months volunteering perhaps in Kenya, not sure yet. But, I am open to all suggestions of places to go/ places not to go. If you have any information on Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and/or Uganda please share. I would like to focus my trip around the environment and culture which shouldnt be too hard! So any information you have about safety issues, getting around the countries, places to go, where to stay, etc. will be such a great help. I am a recent college graduate (this past May) and have been saving up my money since but do not have much to spend so any budget travelling advice you have please let me know. For example, when going to the national parks is it best to find a place to stay outside? Do you need to hire a guide at every national park? What are the cheapest but reliable safari tours?

Thank you for all your help and I am a Belizean Expert. I have spent about 5 months there so if anyone needs travel advice there please let me know!

PS- it says im an armchair adventurer, i dont know why but im definetly not! i love to get "off the beaten track", get a real feel for the culture, go on crazy adventures, hikes, whatever!

[starlagurl]

Hey, welcome to the forums!

I don't have any personal information unfortunately, but if you go through some of the blogs, they might be able to help you.

Otherwise, someone else will probably answer all your questions with personal recommendations soon!

I'll answer your other questions though:

Belizean Expert: Are you interested in becoming a TP Local Expert? If you've read the details, and think it might be fun, post up a starter kit in the Belize forum and then I'll get you started.

Armchair Adventurer: This is your member title until you have posted more. As the post count goes up, your title changes.

Here's more information about it:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4731

[kili-kelly]

I am here to help you with Tanzania. Tell me what your interests are and I can help you more. I will tell you that January is the hottest month here. You can get some relief in some of the higher elevations. Also, if you are considering between a safari in Kenya or one in Tanzania, I will tell you that Kenya is less expensive but in January, the wildebeest migration will be in the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the southeastern part of the Serengeti. You will find many more animals at time of the year in Tanzania compared to Maasai Mara in Kenya, I think. A long as you use common sense, Tanzania is safe. Post more details and I will respond quickly. If you decide to volunteer in Tanzania instead, I can help there, too.

Karibu Tanzania!

[laxgoalie]

Thanks for the help! I am interested in the environment, parks, wildlife, local culture, and getting "off the beaten path" as much as possible. I am considering a safari in Tanzania probably the northern circuit in Janauary or February for about 4-5 days. I will be with two friends and we are all on a budget. Can you suggest any tour operators? Also, what parks do you suggest? I am thinking about focusing on just the Serengeti and NCA. Since we will be travelling during the low season should we be able to get discounts on safaris and other accommodations? I have read about a lot of congestion in these northern parks, will there be a lot of visitors at this time? Is it worth going down to the southern parks and doing a safari there? Which southern parks can you walk around with a guide?

What other places/ things to do can you reccommend? Budget accommodations? Places that arent worth going (since we have such a long list!)?

Thanks for your help!

I am here to help you with Tanzania. Tell me what your interests are and I can help you more. I will tell you that January is the hottest month here. You can get some relief in some of the higher elevations. Also, if you are considering between a safari in Kenya or one in Tanzania, I will tell you that Kenya is less expensive but in January, the wildebeest migration will be in the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the southeastern part of the Serengeti. You will find many more animals at time of the year in Tanzania compared to Maasai Mara in Kenya, I think. A long as you use common sense, Tanzania is safe. Post more details and I will respond quickly. If you decide to volunteer in Tanzania instead, I can help there, too.

Karibu Tanzania!

[marongah]

Hallo i would like to briefly highlight some the travel concerns in kenya and tanzania.
Upon arrival in Nairobi ,jump into a taxi from the airport to down town for 800 kshs,choose hotel budget like African,Greton of Samagat all very clean and affordable.
Y ou can visit tourist information - Big time safaris to chat with the specialists and fix you in a group tour.
More information will be gathered in there .
You will join up with other budget Independent travelers,