ABD Africa

[Zife]

My wife and I have long been interested in a trip to Africa, and we're huge Disney nuts, so when Disney sent me an ABD guide a year or two ago, and we found out they do Africa, we thought it sounded great.

Unfortunately, like any trip to Africa, it's very expensive, and we still haven't done it. Since I got the ABD guide, I've looked into a more 'a la carte' trip as well, doing it through an agent. The main pro of doing it this way is that we can go for a longer amount of time, and do a more 'tailor made' trip.

That said, I was wondering if anyone has actually done the ABD Africa trip and what they thought (or if anyone has done an a la carte trip, and what they thought). Our main purpose for going would be game drives, and I noticed that while ABD does a few, it doesn't seem to be the focus.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sayhello]

If you look at Page 2 and 3 of the ABD Trip Report Sticky at the top of the ABD Forum page, you can find a couple of excellent Trip Reports for the South Africa ABD that abbyjt and Forever a Princess did!

Sayhello

 

[Pakey]

My husband and I are in the same boat. We did an AbD to London/Paris and had a very good time. However, the African itinerary is not really what I want so I can't make up my mind either.

We had some very good friends who did Africa through African Travel Inc, offices are in Glendale, CA. This company has been a top contender in Travel & Leisure and they have many different itineraries. My friends did a custom, individual trip. They have done a lot of travel, a lot more than I have done and they said it was their best vacation. They literally went into the bush, not on dirt roads. I'm waiting on a brochure from them now.

 

[beachbunny]

I'm booked on an ABD African tour next year. This will be my second trip to Africa and this time, I wanted to visit South Africa.

If you're mainly interested in a safari trip, I would recommend east Africa - Kenya or Tanzania. The ABD trip, in my opinion, does not provide a sufficiently long safari experience - especially if going off roading in a jeep and seeing wild animals while sleeping in a tented cabin with hard wood floors that looks like a Ralph Lauren fantasy is your vision of Africa.

Also, I would book through a safari specialist. I used Hippo Creek Safaris (http://www.hippocreeksafaris.com/). They can create an itinerary for any type of trip and on any budget. The owner of the company visits every safari camp/lodge regularly to ensure they have not slipped. She contracts with a safari operator in Kenya/Tanzania and the owner of that company met up with us several times during the course of our safari to ensure that all of our needs were taken care of.

DH and I went to Tanzania for two weeks. We didn't do a tour. Instead, we had a private vehicle with driver for the entire trip, and visited five camps/lodges. We visited Manyara, Serengetti (2 locations), Ngorogoro Crater, and Tarangire. It was a trip of a lifetime. I wouldn't return to east Africa with any other operator, including ABD.

 

[Pakey]

I'm booked on an ABD African tour next year. This will be my second trip to Africa and this time, I wanted to visit South Africa.

If you're mainly interested in a safari trip, I would recommend east Africa - Kenya or Tanzania. The ABD trip, in my opinion, does not provide a sufficiently long safari experience - especially if going off roading in a jeep and seeing wild animals while sleeping in a tented cabin with hard wood floors that looks like a Ralph Lauren fantasy is your vision of Africa.

Also, I would book through a safari specialist. I used Hippo Creek Safaris (http://www.hippocreeksafaris.com/). They can create an itinerary for any type of trip and on any budget. The owner of the company visits every safari camp/lodge regularly to ensure they have not slipped. She contracts with a safari operator in Kenya/Tanzania and the owner of that company met up with us several times during the course of our safari to ensure that all of our needs were taken care of.

DH and I went to Tanzania for two weeks. We didn't do a tour. Instead, we had a private vehicle with driver for the entire trip, and visited five camps/lodges. We visited Manyara, Serengetti (2 locations), Ngorogoro Crater, and Tarangire. It was a trip of a lifetime. I wouldn't return to east Africa with any other operator, including ABD.

Thanks so much for this helpful information. Since your east Africa experience was so amazing, I would like to know why you made the decision to go with AbD for south Africa? Have you done other AbDs? I'm really torn because I enjoyed our European AbD but would prefer an experience more in line with your Tanzania adventure.

 

[beachbunny]

East and South Africa are two completly different places. And in East Africa, Tanzania and Kenya are different.

There are no real cities to see in Tanzania. So just having a private driver take you around the game reserves whenever you want and for as long as you want is perfect. (You can't drive around the game reserves by yourself - you must have a driver/guide). We either drove between the reserves or flew (in tiny planes the landed on dirt runways within the reserves), and when we flew our driver would drive to meet us in the evening. In the meantime, the camp/lodge would pick us up at the airstrip and get us settled in or take in a game drive. We did encounter tours in Tanzania - Abercrombie and Kent, Tauck, etc. - they were packed into safari vehicles and had to go on game drives only at certain times - they were having fun but everyone we encountered said they would want to do it our way if they returned to East Africa. I don't see any reason to pay for a tour when you're not getting any extra benefit versus going on your own.

Tanzania is a bit more pricey than Kenya. This is because of business decisions made by both countries. In general (there are exceptions), Kenya makes money from volume and Tanzania makes money from charging more for a better product. For example, Kenya has a bunch of camps/lodges in the Serengetti versus Tanzania which has much fewer camps/lodges that are nicer. This equates to quality time with the animals - if you see a lion in Kenya, chances are there will be 10 vehicles watching it too - so it's harder to get a good picture. In Tanzania, there will be only one and sometimes two vehicles with a lion.

South Africa has places other than game reserves worth seeing - like Capetown and the wineries. But you really can't rent a car and see the South African sights for yourself - no matter how much the South African government sugar coats it, safety is very much a concern. For example, I've heard that you when you park you have to pay someone in a special vest to "guard" your car and belonging. Also, many of the game reserves - like the one visited by ABD - are privately owned - unlike East Africa where they are owned by the government - so a tour company may be able to get a better deal. These are some of the reasons I decided to go with a tour for South Africa. I chose ABD because I went to the Galapagos with ABD last year and enjoyed it quite a bit.

 

[Pakey]

East and South Africa are two completly different places. And in East Africa, Tanzania and Kenya are different.

There are no real cities to see in Tanzania. So just having a private driver take you around the game reserves whenever you want and for as long as you want is perfect. (You can't drive around the game reserves by yourself - you must have a driver/guide). We either drove between the reserves or flew (in tiny planes the landed on dirt runways within the reserves), and when we flew our driver would drive to meet us in the evening. In the meantime, the camp/lodge would pick us up at the airstrip and get us settled in or take in a game drive. We did encounter tours in Tanzania - Abercrombie and Kent, Tauck, etc. - they were packed into safari vehicles and had to go on game drives only at certain times - they were having fun but everyone we encountered said they would want to do it our way if they returned to East Africa. I don't see any reason to pay for a tour when you're not getting any extra benefit versus going on your own.

Tanzania is a bit more pricey than Kenya. This is because of business decisions made by both countries. In general (there are exceptions), Kenya makes money from volume and Tanzania makes money from charging more for a better product. For example, Kenya has a bunch of camps/lodges in the Serengetti versus Tanzania which has much fewer camps/lodges that are nicer. This equates to quality time with the animals - if you see a lion in Kenya, chances are there will be 10 vehicles watching it too - so it's harder to get a good picture. In Tanzania, there will be only one and sometimes two vehicles with a lion.

South Africa has places other than game reserves worth seeing - like Capetown and the wineries. But you really can't rent a car and see the South African sights for yourself - no matter how much the South African government sugar coats it, safety is very much a concern. For example, I've heard that you when you park you have to pay someone in a special vest to "guard" your car and belonging. Also, many of the game reserves - like the one visited by ABD - are privately owned - unlike East Africa where they are owned by the government - so a tour company may be able to get a better deal. These are some of the reasons I decided to go with a tour for South Africa. I chose ABD because I went to the Galapagos with ABD last year and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Thank you so much. This is very informative and exactly what I was looking for. It doesn't help me make a decision, but at least I will be basing that decision on accurate information rather than just a gut feeling. (BTW, I came very very close to doing the Abercrombie & Kent safari this year, lol, and now I'm so glad I didn't).

 

[beachbunny]

One last thing since you mentioned A&K. I had actually made a down payment on an A&K safari before I booked with Hippo Creek. We either stayed at the same camps/lodges as Abercrombie & Kent or better. The reason for this is because I took A&B's itinerary and asked Hippo Creek to price the same or better safari for me. I got a more luxurious trip for a much better price.

 

[Zife]

Beachbunny - Mind if I ask what lodges you stayed at? I'm quickly leaning more towards w the a la carte trip, like what you did, and maybe tacking on the ABD trip to the beginning. I've done a decent amount of research on lodges I like the looks of, but it's always nice to have opinions of those who have actually been there

 

[beachbunny]

This is for Tazania only:
My favorite was the Ngorogoro Crater Lodge. Each "room" is a huge hut-like building with its own living room/fireplace and awesome view overlooking the crater. You get your own butler who draws your bath with rose petals, lights your fireplace, and brings your wine. There is a separate building with dining room and the chef there rocks! I believe off season is $500/night and high season is $1000/night.

Another favorite was Migration Camp in the Serengetti. This is the place that looks like the Ralph Lauren fantasy. Each "tent" has hardwood floor and overlooks a river with hippos on the other side. I've got a great picture of me with a warthog right outside my "tent."

My third favorite was Treetops Lodge in Tarangire.

The other two were Serena brand lodges. They're nice but no Crater Lodge. From my research and personal experience the Serenas are nicer than the Sopa brand lodges - these are the two chains of lodges in/near the parks. Some of the so-called top of the line tour companies use only Sopa lodges and charge more than I paid for my entire trip.

 

[Zife]

That's awesome. The three places you named were all places I was looking at. Fell much better about looking at the now

 

[goofy2008]

does anyone know if they offer a hunting safari??

 

[sayhello]

does anyone know if they offer a hunting safari??

Not as a part of the ABD. Strictly viewing & photography.

Sayhello

 

[kjd469]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but Micato Safaris looks absolutely outstanding. I have been researching options for a 25th anniversary for my DH and myself, and was looking for a higher end company, but one that is also socially responsible...Micato does an excellent job of "giving back" and they offer a diverse selection of itineraries. So far they seem to be winning out for me, over companies like Austin-Lehman, A & K, Tauck, etc. We would have loved to go with ABD, but their itinerary is not really what we are looking for - wish they offered more of a "total safari".

 

[csharpwv]

The South Africa ABD is one of the many on our list!

I attended one of the cultural presentations at Animal Kingdom last December and while I wanted to see Africa before - seeing the presentation made my the CM from South Africa was absolutely incredible - and made me that much more interested in the ABD!

I'm really surprised they don't have an ABD representative on hand at AKL - I'm pretty sure I would have booked that night! HAHA

 

[mimmi]

My husband grew up in Africa and worked for a while in South Africa (I've been there, too).
Right now we are planning a trip to Namibia for next year. We'll rent two cars and make our own itinerary.
My husband has been to Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania and said that he saw many more animals in namibia than anywhere else. It's safer than South Africa and doesn't have the hygiene issues Kenya has.
Here in Austria (where it's just a few hours flight to east Africa) Kenya has developped the reputation of being a cheap mass tourism country, especially with there being a lot of charter flights to Mombasa...

 

[sayhello]

My husband grew up in Africa and worked for a while in South Africa (I've been there, too).
Right now we are planning a trip to Namibia for next year. We'll rent two cars and make our own itinerary.
My husband has been to Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania and said that he saw many more animals in namibia than anywhere else. It's safer than South Africa and doesn't have the hygiene issues Kenya has.
Here in Austria (where it's just a few hours flight to east Africa) Kenya has developped the reputation of being a cheap mass tourism country, especially with there being a lot of charter flights to Mombasa...

Thanks, mimmi! That's some great information.

Sayhello

 

[V a n e s s a]

East and South Africa are two completly different places. And in East Africa, Tanzania and Kenya are different.

But you really can't rent a car and see the South African sights for yourself - no matter how much the South African government sugar coats it, safety is very much a concern. For example, I've heard that you when you park you have to pay someone in a special vest to "guard" your car and belonging.

In fact, the majority of tourists coming to South Africa do not come in tour groups but do rent cars and see the sights for themselves - particularly around the Cape Town and Garden Route areas.

We have lived in South Africa for 10 years, and have done a lot of traveling around the country in our own car, with absolutely no fear or any safety problem. The infrastructure is great, roadsigns very clear, etc. The only place I would recommend touring with an organized group is Soweto or other townships - there are many tour operators doing day tours.

There is certainly no necessity to pay anyone to guard your car and your belongings: these "guards" mentioned above are just poor chaps who have found a "job" for themselves "guarding" your car, carrying your shopping bags from the shop to your car, or "finding you a parking spot". Some do wear a "vest" so that their "job" looks official, some don't...

This is prevalent not only in South Africa, but in many 3rd World countries: we have seen this in the Congo, in Kenya, in Egypt... In the Congo they even offer to help you with an umbrella from the shop to the car if it rains!

Here most people do give them a couple of Rand (40 or 50 US cents) as a tip for the "service" because they feel sorry for them: it is certainly not an obligation and I don't know how much they really "guard" your car

But I do know that nothing ever happened to our car or our belongings while it was parked, whether it was "guarded" or not!

I would not recommend leaving cameras, wallets, laptops etc in full view in your car; wherever you are in the world!