Has anyone been to Africa on safari???

[fee]

I’ve been to The Gambia and really loved it, and would love to go on safari, but I wouldn’t like anything pretentious and having looked on net I’m a bit worried that it might be that way.

Also looking to do it as cheap and independent as poss!!

Any advice?
Cheers

 

[Kanda]

I've done the drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru then driven round the park itself.

You are actually better off with a proper guide bus. They'll know the times and places that you are most likely to see the animals.

I stayed in the Panafrique in Nairobi and done the tour as a day trip as I was actually over there for work and I had a day off. It's not that pretentious at all and can be done reasonably cheaply. Nairobi is a great city if you steer clear of the main tourist spots. Go to Carnivores though (if you eat meat).

 

[Fuzzy]

i did it in 1998. i think our 3 days cost something like 200 quid. we stayed in canvas tents outside the masai mara and then got taken in on a mini bus every monring and evening. very basic accommodation as it was just a camp bed under a tent and there was no hot water showers. food was filling but not amazing. needless to say it was fab sat around the table in the evening with all the sounds around but it was also a bit scary knowing that there was no big fences to protect you, only a night watchman.

edited to add, we were a with a company and we had guides/drivers take us around and who also did the cooking. cheap and probably as independant as you're going to get.