Honeymoon - Best Destination - July ???

We are thinking of traveling to Africa for our honeymoon in July '07. I
have done a little research but have not been able to narrow down the
list of destinations, there is simply too much to choose from... Here's
a little info which should give you an idea as to what we are looking
for:

1. Luxury - We can rough it but given that it is our honeymoon I think
a luxury vacation is more appropriate. It should offer a good balance
between relaxation and adventure.

2. Wildlife - I am an amateur photographer so I would like to go
somewhere that will offer a great selection of wildlife of all kinds. I
have read that Kenya in July can be spectacular with the annual
migration. I have also looked into Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa.
Botswana appears to be a great destination as well, just wondering
whether I might regret not seeing the migration.

3. Must see destinations - As mentioned, the migration appears to be on
the "must-see" list. What about Victoria Falls?

4. Crowds - I would prefer a location which is less crowded, more
intimate.

5. Cost - We are flexible here, I would like to keep the total cost of
the Safari under $6000 per person.

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

Also, I should mention that we would like to spend a few days at a
beach location. It looks like The Seychelles and Zanzibar are the top
beach destinations. Any preferences?

> We are thinking of traveling to Africa for our honeymoon in July '07. I
> have done a little research but have not been able to narrow down the
> list of destinations, there is simply too much to choose from... Here's
> a little info which should give you an idea as to what we are looking
> for:
>
> 1. Luxury - We can rough it but given that it is our honeymoon I think
> a luxury vacation is more appropriate. It should offer a good balance
> between relaxation and adventure.
As Liz said - what do you mean by adventure?
Bear in mind distances and give yourself plenty of time at each place (many
'off the shelf' safaris stay only 2 nights in each lodge/camp; I think 3 is
a minimum to achieve any relaxation! )Also think about whether you want road
or air trips to lodges/camps. The roads can be long and dusty but you do get
to see life enroute. But the sights from the small planes can be amazing
too!
>
> 2. Wildlife - I am an amateur photographer so I would like to go
> somewhere that will offer a great selection of wildlife of all kinds. I
> have read that Kenya in July can be spectacular with the annual
> migration. I have also looked into Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa.
> Botswana appears to be a great destination as well, just wondering
> whether I might regret not seeing the migration.
I've not managed to see the migration proper - tried in Tanzania but we were
about a week too late. Did still see some large herds tho.
My vote would probably go to Botswana; small camps but can be as luxurious
as you want. (I wont stay anywhere without an en-suite WC but some places
can be over-the-top in luxury in my opinion; I still want to feel as tho I'm
in Africa!)
>
> 3. Must see destinations - As mentioned, the migration appears to be on
> the "must-see" list. What about Victoria Falls?
It would be on my list; its pretty spectacular even without a lot of water.
I think the first time we went was July and there was quite a lot of water,
but the second was in September when part of it was 'dry'.
Try to see it from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides; there are some
fantastic places to stay near the Falls (eg Tongabezi)
>
> 4. Crowds - I would prefer a location which is less crowded, more
> intimate.
Go for small camps/lodges
>
> 5. Cost - We are flexible here, I would like to keep the total cost of
> the Safari under $6000 per person.

>
> Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Remember that it will be cold at night (esp in Botswana) and on early
morning game drives. You'll need warm clothes! In Botswana (and Zambia) the
drives are in open vehicles; Kenya and Tanzania usually not so you dont get
so cold. In the game parks in K and T you cant do night drives, which you
can in Botswana.

--
Rita Daggett

Thanks for all of the information.

As far as adventure goes, we would probably like something which gave
us a good taste of Africa, both wildlife and culture. Admittedly a
safari probably is not the best cultural experience but I would think
there are ways to increase your exposure. We spent some time in Peru a
couple of years ago and had a great experience meeting the local
people. This may be less important as we will be on our honeymoon and
won't want an itinerary which is too extreme. The ten days in Peru were
exhausting.

I will have a 100-400mm IS lens (slow 5.6 at 400mm) with me but I would
like to get some close up shots as well. It sounds like the open air
vehicles in Botswana might be better for photography. I suppose we can
find a private safari in Kenya which would offer the same flexibility.

Do you have any recommendations on which tour group to use?

Thanks,
Alan

Thanks again for all the information.

Based on all of your feedback our current plan is to price out a trip
which will include:

1. An eight day safari which includes 1 night in Nairobi followed by 6
nights on safari. One package which interests us includes three nights
at Elsa's Kopje and three nights at Cottar's 1920 camp. The two three
night stays are based on recommendations received above. Any thoughts
on those two locations?

2. 3 nights in Zanzibar. Here we are thinking about staying at the
Palms or an equivalent hotel. The Palms is expensive but should be a
nice treat to cap off our honeymoon.

Thanks!
-Alan

In message <1145988473.174539.91530@g10g2000cwb.. com>,
alambe01@m writes
>Thanks again for all the information.
>
>Based on all of your feedback our current plan is to price out a trip
>which will include:
>
>1. An eight day safari which includes 1 night in Nairobi followed by 6
>nights on safari. One package which interests us includes three nights
>at Elsa's Kopje and three nights at Cottar's 1920 camp. The two three
>night stays are based on recommendations received above. Any thoughts
>on those two locations?
>
>2. 3 nights in Zanzibar. Here we are thinking about staying at the
>Palms or an equivalent hotel. The Palms is expensive but should be a
>nice treat to cap off our honeymoon.
>
>Thanks!
>-Alan
>
Alan,
If you can afford it your choices above sound perfect! I wish I was
going!
Elsa`s Kopje looks wonderful as does Cottar`s camp, another
alternative would be Finch Hatton`s, which is in the Tsavo reserve.
The Palms on Zanzibar looks luxurious and perfect for a honeymoon, I
would say you couldn`t improve on your choice of places to stay.
Pat.
--
Pat Anderson

In message <cf69cb1d4e.ri48000239@liz13.uklinux.net>, Liz
<invalid@v-liz.co.uk> writes
>In message <1145988473.174539.91530@g10g2000cwb.. com>
> alambe01@m wrote:
>
>> Thanks again for all the information.
>>
>> Based on all of your feedback our current plan is to price out a trip
>> which will include:
>>
>> 1. An eight day safari which includes 1 night in Nairobi followed by 6
>> nights on safari. One package which interests us includes three nights
>> at Elsa's Kopje and three nights at Cottar's 1920 camp. The two three
>> night stays are based on recommendations received above. Any thoughts
>> on those two locations?
>
>Elsa's Kopje looks to be *very* romantic, in fact they were offering
>weddings there a while back (becoming more common in various lodges,
>even the 'mainstream' Ol Tukai). I really fancied going there for our
>25th last year, but again couldn't persuade D. to go anywhere (so we
>spent our SW several thousand miles apart!) I wonder how much game
>there is in that area, though, or how habituated it is? The last I
>heard was that it's fantastic for scenery, not so good for close-up
>animals.
>Does anyone have recent experience?
>>
>> 2. 3 nights in Zanzibar. Here we are thinking about staying at the
>> Palms or an equivalent hotel. The Palms is expensive but should be a
>> nice treat to cap off our honeymoon.
>:-)
>
>Safari njema!
>
>Liz
>
>
Liz,
A. told me if I went to Elsa`s Kopje, which I understand is open to the
elements ( rooms), I`d be bitten by mozzies and worried about snakes
getting in! It really does look idyllic though!
Sorry you had to be apart for your SW, you will have to persuade D. to
go away with you this time.
Pat
--
Pat Anderson