Hi Everyone,

We are in the midst of pre-planning an African Safari and want to know who is interested!

It looks like the best time for this group trip would be between June and September for a 10-20 day safari.

But, firstly we need to design our trip around what you want!  It will be geared around a photographic safari

with professional photographer, Courtney Crow, on board to help with some photo technics, answer questions

about cameras and help you to get the best images during your trip.

What we need to know is

1. Who is interested?

2. Would you prefer a less expensive overland camping trip (setting up tents in the parks) or a more custom trip staying

in private camps and lodges (or a mix of both)?

3. What is your max budget your willing to spend on the safari?

This trip will be open to girls worldwide and costs will not include flights, but our rep can help with that if needed.

Let us know what ya think!!

Thanks,

ExplorerGirls.com

The Explorer Girls trip sounds amazing! I especially love the photography component & the opportunity it will provide for meeting & travelling with like-minded adventurers.

I have travelled to Africa twice before, including to Uganda in October 2007 & I really love camping as opposed to the luxury accommodation! It's always a big thrill to sleep in some of the game parks, especially somewhere like the Serengeti where you can hear the lions roaring during the night! That said, it's always nice to have the option of upgrading once in a while.

I would really love to be involved in the inaugural EG trip, but unfortunately it is a bit too soon for me financially... I hope it goes well & look forward to reading all the blogs!

Hi

The trip sounds great, I'd prefer to both camping and lodging in august, so count me in...Just need to know the budget for this and the cheapest way to get a flight from Perth, well at least a recommended airline. I do however have to be in the UK by 29th of August.

Hope to hear more soon 

My school had a Tanzania photo safari planned for Spring Break that I was invited to go on, but I wasn't able to go because the trip was too expensive--they picked the luxury accomodations the whole way. I'm the kind of girl who would much rather sleep under the stars than in a 5-star hotel. Unfortunately, I don't think my 'rents would be to keen on sending me off to Africa this summer with people I've and they've never met.

Sounds great, I've been there twice, but I was about 4 or 5 years so I don't remember a lot, only that I was facinated when I saw a giraffe... 

I'd rather prefer the camping part, I think you get to know a county best not by staing in hotely, but by camping or by caravan.

My problem will be to convince my legal guardian, but I can always manage =) 

Wow this sounds like an amazing idea!! *sniffles* no way I could save enough by then though (I'm already going to NZ in August) - if this one is succesful, I'd love to join in a 2009 adventure! =)

mmmm... Africa!

I would love to go!
I would go for the less expensive alternative, but unfortunately I can't go this time anyhow. I don't know what safaris usually cost, but I would be willing to pay maybe up to USD1500 (excluding plane tickets etc) if I knew about it a year or two ahead. 

Don't trust dirty old men who gives you candy!

Wow that sounds like it would be great! I probably couldn't make it this year because it's so soon, but I'm definately interested in future trips!!

As for the safari, I think staying in tents and other lodging would be best. Maybe staying in the place that suites the local saftey, weather, and wild animals. And I have no idea what I should say for my budget, because I don't know how much something like that should even cost. But I'd definately like to go as money saving as possible, but I'm not oppossed to splurging on 'must-do' or 'must-see' things.

Ya'll are great, Please plan more trips!!

Photography trips with professionals! Awesome! Keep me posted.

Sorry, can't make this one but I wish you all the best.

Happy Snapping!

Hi

Im very new to Explorer Girls. Like yesterday in fact. So hello to all.

If your all coming to visit me in Africa heres a couple of things to bear in mind.

1. Sept to March is winter here. It gets very cold at night. I mean in the minus's. Camping is going to need a lot of warm gear. But its great for game viewing as the grass is short (no rain for 6 months) 

2. The Rand is a great currency if your visiting from Europe U.S. etc, so its not as expensive to stay here if you have some inside help and you know where to go.

1 US Dollar is R8.

My local watering hole is within the "Cradle of Humankind" A world Heritage site. They charge R330pp sharing for a twin room including breakfast, thats about average for good accom. This is an African Lodge and you go to sleep listening to the Lions roaring. (in a park not roaming)

 I take game drives into the local parks. Cost is about R250pp for a sundowner, including a couple of beers and something to nibble on.

There are plenty of secure backpacker places all over Southern Africa cost is around R100pppn for a dorm and R165 for a single room.

As for travelling I used the Greyhound a few years ago to get to Zambia, the roads are excellent in Southern Africa, and because of the distances involved its really cheap to fly with the local airlines.

Stay safe, Mafuta.

That sounds cool. Yes, I'm interested and would love to take great photos. Would be good to have a mix of camping and hotel. As for the budget, I seriously have no clue as I have never been that part of the world, therefore pls advise.

 Cheers