Jonathan Hanson
Supporting Sponsor
For a lot of us in North America, Africa is number one on the list of places we'd like to visit beyond our own beautiful continent. But the logistics and expenses are daunting given the obligatory trans-ocean jump. We can't just drive to the ferry in Spain or France and be in Africa the next day, as can our compatriots in England or Europe. And most of us would rather miss the crowded driven safaris.
One answer is self-drive, which involves nothing more complicated than picking up a set of keys to a fully equipped Land Rover or Land Cruiser and heading out - thataway.
Roseann and I have now utilized over a half-dozen different self-drive companies between us, from dodgy under-the-radar rentals to spanking new Hiluxes. That doesn't make us experts by any means, but we certainly have a feel for the concept and its advantages and disadvantages. We're planning to teach a class at the 2011 Overland Expo for anyone considering taking that route as an independent way to experience Africa.
We just had the opportunity to try out a new self-drive company in Arusha, Shaw Safaris. They run a small fleet of identically prepared Land Rover 110s with the 300Tdi engine. We put over 3,000 miles on one around western Tanzania and southern Kenya.
The Shaw Land Rovers are well-equipped with everything you need to travel on your own, down to bedding and a starter food kit (with a National Luna fridge). All you need to add is your personal gear. There's a comprehensive tool kit, even a satellite phone.
We started out at a comfortable tented camp owned by a Maasai friend of ours. It's called Whistling Thorn and is situated right outside Tarangire National Park, which boasts one of the highest elephant densities in East Africa.
From there we headed south over a very rough dirt road for two days, to Ruaha National Park, where we watched leopards and elephants, and spotted one of the biggest crocs I've seen. There were also some massive baobabs.
Then we drove a big circle around to Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. At night we grilled boerewors on the nifty brai that fits over the second, roof-mounted spare tire on the Shaw Land Rovers.
Finally we crossed into Kenya, picked up a duffel we'd left at a friend's in Nairobi, drove to the South Rift Valley, and delivered five Sierra Designs tents, six pairs of binoculars, and six Garmin GPS units to a group of Maasai game scouts we're helping to support through ConserVentures.
The scouts are on the front lines of wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts, but they're chronically underfunded. The tents were courtesy Sierra Designs, and the binoculars and GPS units courtesy of several generous cash donors.
It was a very successful trip, thanks in large measure to the excellent vehicle we were able to drive wherever we pleased. If you've always wanted to experience Africa but are leery of signing on to a big tour, the self-drive option is worth investigating. I can recommend Shaw without reservation:
Shaw Safaris
Next summer we're planning to lead two safaris across northern Tanzania; we'll transect a remote section of Maasai tribal lands, and stay three days in Serengeti. The proceeds will go toward community conservation projects.
One answer is self-drive, which involves nothing more complicated than picking up a set of keys to a fully equipped Land Rover or Land Cruiser and heading out - thataway.
Roseann and I have now utilized over a half-dozen different self-drive companies between us, from dodgy under-the-radar rentals to spanking new Hiluxes. That doesn't make us experts by any means, but we certainly have a feel for the concept and its advantages and disadvantages. We're planning to teach a class at the 2011 Overland Expo for anyone considering taking that route as an independent way to experience Africa.
We just had the opportunity to try out a new self-drive company in Arusha, Shaw Safaris. They run a small fleet of identically prepared Land Rover 110s with the 300Tdi engine. We put over 3,000 miles on one around western Tanzania and southern Kenya.
The Shaw Land Rovers are well-equipped with everything you need to travel on your own, down to bedding and a starter food kit (with a National Luna fridge). All you need to add is your personal gear. There's a comprehensive tool kit, even a satellite phone.
We started out at a comfortable tented camp owned by a Maasai friend of ours. It's called Whistling Thorn and is situated right outside Tarangire National Park, which boasts one of the highest elephant densities in East Africa.
From there we headed south over a very rough dirt road for two days, to Ruaha National Park, where we watched leopards and elephants, and spotted one of the biggest crocs I've seen. There were also some massive baobabs.
Then we drove a big circle around to Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. At night we grilled boerewors on the nifty brai that fits over the second, roof-mounted spare tire on the Shaw Land Rovers.
Finally we crossed into Kenya, picked up a duffel we'd left at a friend's in Nairobi, drove to the South Rift Valley, and delivered five Sierra Designs tents, six pairs of binoculars, and six Garmin GPS units to a group of Maasai game scouts we're helping to support through ConserVentures.
The scouts are on the front lines of wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts, but they're chronically underfunded. The tents were courtesy Sierra Designs, and the binoculars and GPS units courtesy of several generous cash donors.
It was a very successful trip, thanks in large measure to the excellent vehicle we were able to drive wherever we pleased. If you've always wanted to experience Africa but are leery of signing on to a big tour, the self-drive option is worth investigating. I can recommend Shaw without reservation:
Shaw Safaris
Next summer we're planning to lead two safaris across northern Tanzania; we'll transect a remote section of Maasai tribal lands, and stay three days in Serengeti. The proceeds will go toward community conservation projects.
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