Anyone Gone on the Safari?

[Jimbo]

We had a big family trip fall through recently, for various reasons. So we've got an unexpectedly large amount of points for our 2002 use year. We are thinking (well, I am) about the safari that's in the Adventurers Collection. According to the tour company''s website, the cash price for it is $3990 per person. DVC only wants 395 points per person, making it a pretty decent value. Better than DCL, for sure.

We travel a lot, but I don't know anything about Africa in general, or safaris in particular. I know it is a longshot, but has anyone taken the safari offered by DVC?

 

[DizkneeDenna]

Thought I would get this back on the first page in the hopes that someone can answer this question!

My dear hubby actually bought 100 more points for the specific reason of going on the AFRICAN SAFARI!

Anybody out there done this yet?
Here's hoping......

 

[Jimbo]

I think we're out of luck, DizkneeDenna. Have you seen the tour operator's web page on the particular safari offered in the Adventurer Collection? If not, it's here -> Serengeti Wildlife Safari. That's where I got the $3990 number.

By the way... Given the terrible "exchange rate" we get for our points on the cruise and for the Disney Collection resorts, it's encouraging to see that the safari gives us the full $10 per point, at least.

 

[DizkneeDenna]

Looks like we will have to go on the safari and tell everyone else about it! Thanks for the link - I'll show my husband!

I agree it is a good value for the points. If you decide that is how you are going to use those extra 2002 points please come back and tell us all about your wonderful trip!

 

[GrammieMame]

Boy, if you do this, please let us know all the details. Africa is one of my lifelong destinations, and I'm not getting any younger. I guess one of the big questions is the airfare.

 

[Scott H]

We just booked the Safari a week ago. We had been waiting for the points to be announced. The points have gone up to 450 pp. We will be going in Jan/Feb 2003. We are awaiting the info package from Thompson i.e. with packing list, medical info, waivers, etc.

Yes air fare can be scarry, make sure you have an ambulance standing by when you call for fares. But it can be done. Airfare from Jackson, WY to JRO (Killimangaro Int Airport) was listed at $4886.00 per person. By going on two different carriers to allow for a stop over at DLP I got the round trip down to about $1500 each. The only caveat is the airfae from CDG to JRO went up significantly the day after I purchased our tickets. (WOW I did something right) Now the airefare would be in the $ 4800 range or more.

The folks from Thpmpsons have been great. The MS person said sahe only knew of one other member who has done the Safari.

We will be doing a three day lay over at DLP on the way over and are awaiting the points to be announced for 2003 DLP. The on the return we will be doing a one day lay over in Paris. This is just to break up the 23 hours in a plane.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I too am interested in the safari.
Now all I have to do is convince my wife to fly...

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I'm interested in the raft trip down the Grand Canyon. Anyone tried that? It's a shorter plane flight.