Africa or Asia Vacation Suggestions?

[npaden]

Well, I'm planning for a trip this June and would like to do something in Africa or Asia but nothing is really set in stone.

Just trolling for any good suggestions that some might have personal experiences with. Looking for something in the 7 - 10 day range for around $5k for the wife and I. Something with about 1/2 the time diving and 1/2 the time checking out cool and exotic places would be the ideal setting.

Thought about doing something in Kenya with some diving with a couple day photo safari or something thrown in. Southeast Asia has also been someplace that I would like to go.

We did Fiji in 2003 and Florida Keys in 2004 and really enjoyed both places but want to see new places.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[caymaniac]

Well, I'm planning for a trip this June and would like to do something in Africa or Asia but nothing is really set in stone.

Just trolling for any good suggestions that some might have personal experiences with. Looking for something in the 7 - 10 day range for around $5k for the wife and I. Something with about 1/2 the time diving and 1/2 the time checking out cool and exotic places would be the ideal setting.

Thought about doing something in Kenya with some diving with a couple day photo safari or something thrown in. Southeast Asia has also been someplace that I would like to go.

We did Fiji in 2003 and Florida Keys in 2004 and really enjoyed both places but want to see new places.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nathan

A couple of years ago, we spent about 4 weeks in Africa, 1 week with friends, 2 in Krugar Natl park, 1 week at Sodwanna diving ( it ended up being 4 days at Sodwanna)
Anyway, I highly recommend the game parks as they are full of wildlife that we had never heard of like civets, caracol, and bush babies. One day we were chased off the road by elephants, another we parked ten feet from a girrafe that 9 lions had just finished devouring. We saw Hippos and Crocs and so many different types of birds. We went out at night with lights and did some shining....that was really interesting.
The diving at Sodwanna was nothing like diving anywhere we had previously been in that the way you launch off the beach and take a zodiac through 6 ft. surf. The reefs were more flat and had allot of the tropicals that the Red Sea and the Pacific have like the Pototo Cod and Emperor Angels. They also have some very big sharks!
We arranged the trip ourselves with help from some of the friends we were visiting. I don't know of any tour agency that could help you with a trip to Africa to dive and spend time on safari.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

 

[pigletfish]

We did a great trip in August 2003 to Indonesia. We spent one week on Bali and one week on a scuba diving liveaboard that sailed to Komodo and surrounding islands. It included stops on Komodo and Rinca to see the dragons, which were very cool. Bali is beautiful with much to see and do -- monkeys, elephants, rafting, hiking, handicrafts, temples, theatre, etc. We organized the trip ourselves, which is very easy to do. I think you'd need to go for 2 weeks, though, travelling that far. Have fun planning!

 

[npaden]

Thanks for the quick replies. Of course one says Africa and one says Indonesia but sounds like either would be a great trip.

You're probably right on the 2 week deal, at least a couple days will be wasted getting there and back.

Am I dreaming on the $5k figure? I was able to work out 10 days at a really nice spot in Fiji for about that price including airfare and was hoping to do this for about that same price.

Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming!

 

[cdiver2]

Well, I'm planning for a trip this June and would like to do something in Africa or Asia but nothing is really set in stone.

Just trolling for any good suggestions that some might have personal experiences with. Looking for something in the 7 - 10 day range for around $5k for the wife and I. Something with about 1/2 the time diving and 1/2 the time checking out cool and exotic places would be the ideal setting.

Thought about doing something in Kenya with some diving with a couple day photo safari or something thrown in. Southeast Asia has also been someplace that I would like to go.

We did Fiji in 2003 and Florida Keys in 2004 and really enjoyed both places but want to see new places.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Nathan

For me did it a couple of years ago and loved it...having said that I have not done Africa....YET

 

[npaden]

For me did it a couple of years ago and loved it...having said that I have not done Africa....YET

Did what a couple of years ago? Bali?

Thanks, Nathan

 

[cdiver2]

Did what a couple of years ago? Bali?

Thanks, Nathan

Papua New Guinea. One of the top dive spots in the world.

 

[pigletfish]

Does your $5000 budget include airfare? Because often airfare alone (for 2 people) to Asia-Pacific destinations is ~$2000. Once you're there, if you stay land-based, in many places you can live quite cheaply, with diving probably being your biggest expense. But a week on a liveaboard for 2 people is also ~$5000, so a liveaboard might really blow your budget. I wouldn't say your budget is impossible, but you'll need to plan carefully.

There are many wonderful destinations out there -- I haven't been to Africa, but it's definitely high on my list for the future! (Next up, however, is a 2-week trip to Australia and the Coral Sea at the end of March ). Some of the places suggested here might get your interest up, but then you'll just need to research and see which one really "calls to you" (and your budget!).

Cheers!

 

[npaden]

Does your $5000 budget include airfare? Because often airfare alone (for 2 people) to Asia-Pacific destinations is ~$2000. Once you're there, if you stay land-based, in many places you can live quite cheaply, with diving probably being your biggest expense. But a week on a liveaboard for 2 people is also ~$5000, so a liveaboard might really blow your budget. I wouldn't say your budget is impossible, but you'll need to plan carefully.

The $5k budget does include airfare but it is a fairly flexible budget.

The wife isn't an avid diver so a liveaboard really isn't an option so that solves one of the expensive choices. We do best with morning or afternoon diving with the rest of the time spent lounging or exploring the sites.

Any specific recommendations on specific hotels, dive operators, etc. would be great.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[pigletfish]

Since you haven't gotten a heap of responses on this board (General Travel & Vacations Discussions), I suggest that you post on the region-specific boards (they are just below this one). Ask the Africa/Middle East board your questions about Africa and the Asia board your questions about Asia. (You might even want to start with a search of those boards). Posting on the local boards should get you several more opinions from those with diving experience in those specific regions. Good luck!