Customer Reviews

Fodor's The Complete African Safari Planner, 1st Edition: With Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa & Tanzania (Full-color Travel Guide)

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For most people, an African safari is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation adventure. The kind of experience that a person saves carefully for, and plans even more carefully. Considering the amount of time and money that are at stake, choosing the wrong safari camp or tour operator can turn this experience into a costly disappointment. Travelers who are intent on maximizing their experience and funds can't do better than to invest in a copy of Fodor's Complete African Safari Planner.

This incredible book covers the most worthwhile safari experiences in Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Kenya and includes color photos throughout of parks, accommodations, and flora & fauna. Each listed country's most inviting national parks are described in full detail, along with the best camps and their costs and features. Maps are provided so that travelers can get an idea of the lay of the land. Also featured is a discussion of "green" tour operators in each country and points of cultural and historical interest. Fodor's has produced a book of outstanding value for people who plan on taking an African safari, and anyone who plans on taking a safari should invest in this book, both to familiarize themselves with their options and protect their vacation investment. It will help you plan and get you excited for the trip to come! Highly recommended!

The guidebook covers Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya. With colored photos and detailed descriptions of what each region and park has to offer, the guide covers safaris from luxury to shoestring. Among the many features are charts of seasonal access to parks by month and where to find specific animals; recommendations based on considerations, such as, if you like to bring the kids and animal encounter; and a safari planning timeline starting six months before your trip.

This is a good (not great) first book to give an idea what your trip to Africa might be like. Be forewarned, though, that it does not address some areas that many people might consider essential: especially there is no information on gorilla tracking in Uganda (nothing on the "pearl of Africa" at all) or Rwanda. It would be a serious mistake to not consider these areas, even if you are (like me) over 50.

We are planning a trip for summer '11, and we do use this book, but we rely much more heavily on country-specific books like Philip Briggs' book on Tanzania. I think Fodor's will generally lead you to the most well-known (if not popular) areas. A good start, but if your planning ends with this book, you'll miss alot.

Tanzania, 6th: with Zanzibar, Pemba & Mafia (Bradt Travel Guide Tanzania)

Arrived quickly, just as described....had reviewed the book previously and determined that this version would be just as helpful. I was not disappointed.

Lots of information and tips. It's really going to help me make my dream vacation come true!

I haven't opened the book, since my plans had changed. So, I am not in a position to review and rate it.