African safari or Alaskan cruise in May? Because, weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Bering Sea lost half of its sea ice in a little over two weeks this year, so you never know. May could be very nice.

Lots of geographically challenged people in this board today. The Bering Sea is about 1,300 miles from Southeast Alaska (where the cruises are).

[Anonymous]

South Africa in May is the best bet for safaris because the winter is dry. Actually both May and June are ideal months for Kruger (but it will be cold at night). Further north (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania) May is still early and many camps may not be operating at all as they tend to open up in June. Best animal sightings are when it's dry so the animals come out of the bush for the watering holes and up north that's mostly from July to October, getting hotter towards September/October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:any tips for flights from IAD to South Africa?

South Africa is beautiful, but it is not the country for safari. At all. Kenya or Tanzania is where you need to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:South Africa in May is the best bet for safaris because the winter is dry. Actually both May and June are ideal months for Kruger (but it will be cold at night). Further north (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania) May is still early and many camps may not be operating at all as they tend to open up in June. Best animal sightings are when it's dry so the animals come out of the bush for the watering holes and up north that's mostly from July to October, getting hotter towards September/October.

Not true at all.

And best sightings are during the great migration, July-september. However Kenya and Tanzania are great for safari year round, especially Amboselli and Ol Pejeta. The Mara would be nice in May simply because prices will be better. I've done the Mara and Serengeti (basically those 2 are the same thing, one in kenya one tanzania) half a dozen times, dry wet, migration, you name it. I always saw lots and lots of animals. Year round camps are open.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are talking a massive peice delta...is this not a factor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Africa hands down. The prices aren't really comparable though. I've done Alaska and didn't find it too spectacular, but I hate being cold and ymmv. I was one of the only people on the cruise under 60. Even my parents felt young on our cruise.

About Africa, do you have suggestions for how to start looking for a safari? As a group we're not very creative or adventurous but always have an awesome time once we're there.

I used safaribookings.com. Put in length, budget, preferred accommodation, countries
I think you might avoid Capetown, due to drought may not be as many animals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are talking a massive peice delta...is this not a factor?

I don’t know what this means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:any tips for flights from IAD to South Africa?

South Africa is beautiful, but it is not the country for safari. At all. Kenya or Tanzania is where you need to go.

In May, sounds like South Africa is about the best you can do.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking at Safars in May consider Botswana and the Okavango delta region

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are talking a massive peice delta...is this not a factor?

I don’t know what this means.

I think the poster is saying there is a big price difference between Alaska and a safari

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:any tips for flights from IAD to South Africa?

South Africa is beautiful, but it is not the country for safari. At all. Kenya or Tanzania is where you need to go.

In May, sounds like South Africa is about the best you can do.

South Africa is about the worst place to safari in sub Sahara Africa-all times of the year. I say this as an Afrikaner and think SA has a lot to offer, but safari there is pretty bland compared to many other countries in Africa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May is far and away the most miserable month to be in Alaska. Period.

Just yesterday I heard the same thing about September.

You are both wrong, I grew up there. September is among the most beautiful months in Alaska. Most Alaskans will tell you that March is the worst month, bar none.

May will be chilly, but not terrible. Never been to Africa.

[Anonymous]

Africa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alaska can be beautiful in May, but you have to be the kind of person who can ignore the weather and enjoy yourself even if it's damp and chilly. I wouldn't do a cruise then, I'd want to have activities planned that could be adjusted last-minute OR could continue regardless of weather. If hikes are planned, for instance, I'd just layer on extra clothes and add full rain gear (including boots and rain pants) and go. I wouldn't relish sitting on a cruise ship in damp 50 degree weather.

You can look at historical weather patterns here (using Juneau as an example):
https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/PAJN/2017/5/1/MonthlyHistory.html?&reqdb.zip=&reqdb.magic=&reqdb.wmo=

Last year, Juneau had about 2.5 inches of rain over the month of May. But scroll down to the charts, and see how close the temp and dew point are? When they are close, that generally means it's damp with low clouds. When they meet, it's fog/mist/rain. So it was damp and misty nearly every morning last May, and about half the days that lasted all day.

For Africa, I've heard great things about safaris in Tanzania, self-guided trips through Kruger National Park in South Africa, or private game reserves in South Africa. I don't have any specific names, though.

This can be fairly boring. You spend 6+ hours a day driving around in your car hoping to see interesting animals. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. South Africa is absolutely worth a trip, no doubt. Personally I'd do a few days at a game reserve and spend the rest of the time touring the country. It's gourgeous, and very reasonable in terms of price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa in May is the best bet for safaris because the winter is dry. Actually both May and June are ideal months for Kruger (but it will be cold at night). Further north (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania) May is still early and many camps may not be operating at all as they tend to open up in June. Best animal sightings are when it's dry so the animals come out of the bush for the watering holes and up north that's mostly from July to October, getting hotter towards September/October.

Not true at all.

And best sightings are during the great migration, July-september. However Kenya and Tanzania are great for safari year round, especially Amboselli and Ol Pejeta. The Mara would be nice in May simply because prices will be better. I've done the Mara and Serengeti (basically those 2 are the same thing, one in kenya one tanzania) half a dozen times, dry wet, migration, you name it. I always saw lots and lots of animals. Year round camps are open.

May is part of the rainy season in Kenya. It doesn't mean it rains continually but there is a higher chance of downpours and the grass will be taller, reducing visibility somewhat. It still can be a great trip but options will be somewhat more restricted compared to going later in the dry season (which includes the wildbeest migration). In Zambia most of the camps at South Luangwe don't open till June. There are some but as with Kenya the options are reduced. It's worthwhile knowing this although I wouldn't prevent anyone from going. It'll still be a great experience.