Question
My sister and I would like to do a tour of Tanzania and/or Kenya in January/February, taking in the Serengeti. Can you recommend reputable companies that run tours for budget travellers?
- L. Gotlieb, Maroubra.
Answer
A good starting point would be STA Travel (statravel.com.au), which works with reputable operators and has a good selection of trips.
Expect to pay upwards of $2000 for two weeks on a budget trip incorporating the Serengeti.
Kumuka (www.kumuka.com) has some of the cheapest trips incorporating the Serengeti, along with the well-known budget operator Acacia Africa, which is sold by Adventure World (adventureworld.com.au).
Gecko's Grassroots Adventures (geckosadventures.com), which is part of the Peregrine Adventures group, would definitely be worth a look.
They have a 15-day East Africa safari for about $2500 a person, including the Serengeti Plains, the Masai Mara and the Ngorongoro Crater, along with visits to a school and orphanage.
Gap Adventures (gapadventures.com) is another option, although only some of their trips include the Serengeti.
Depending on how much time you have, I would recommend including a gorilla trek in Uganda. There are many trips that combine gorillas with the Serengeti and other wildlife viewing in Kenya and Tanzania.
Something to note: nearly all Africa trips include a "local payment", which can be a large amount.
- Jane E. Fraser
If you have any travel questions, wed love to hear from you. Write to travelshd@fairfaxmedia .com.au. Personal correspondence cannot be entered into. Only questions appearing in print will be answered. If your question is published, you will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.
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