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Italiano (Italian)
Not that I have done many, but as a group trip I think it turned out to be quite anomalous. I like to observe and understand the dynamics within groups, and in that sense a group trip is great.
During college among the exams that interested me most were those in social psychology. I remember well the studies of Kurt Lewin who is considered the father of group psychology.
The composition of the group trip
The mood was quite playful and I soon carved out the role of the one joking and making jokes. We were all aware of what would befall us, especially the inevitable inconveniences for which no one batted an eyelid. Even those who were on their first experience of that kind or even on their first tent camping experience.
Several claimed that they had no friends or acquaintances who would have made such an experience, far from the standards of the average Italian. Perhaps it was also the composition of the group that made it more peaceful.
In fact, rather unusually, there were as many as 5 couples among the 16 participants, including as many as 2 lesbians. And of the remainder, 4 were in more or less defined relationships with someone back home. The only genuine singles were myself and what was a very good roommate/tent. This avoided heavy situations of the kind of one always on the prowl hitting on someone for 2 weeks, conditioning everything for this
Another sign of generic compatibility was that unlike so often, I was not considered strange because I had a book with me. In fact, I was not the only one! Many had had travel experiences similar to mine, and most of the talk revolved around comparisons of past and future trips.
CONNECTION ARTICLE FELLOW TRAVELERS: THE SELFIE GROUP
CONNECTION ARTICLE FELLOW TRAVELERS: THE GROUP OF MARKETS THAT PASSION
Dynamics in a group trip
An organized trip involves a whole set of dynamics, both relational and organizational.
At the end of a week where pace and timing were perforce dictated by the general organization (during the safari you could not even get out of the jeeps to pee), and where everything ran smoothly, in the second part of the trip the problems began.
In Zanzibar there was much more room to have a say. Since everything had gone well in the first week there came trying to stay together. But discussions came up for example about who wanted to eat Italian or who wanted to eat local. Between who wanted to walk and who wanted to be in the sun.
I am an adaptable person, and though a little annoyed, I put up with it. A grilled fish always got it back. I felt less compatible with those who ordered carbonara, though.
Matters of principle or pocket change?
Far more difficult was to swallow certain issues that were labeled as principled, while for me they are something else.
I had happened to observe how among the Tanzanians, among the unfortunate people who do not live off tourism, there are extremely poor people. Beyond saying poor people, I think we rich Westerners, when we are in certain places, have the opportunity to do something good. Not so much to give candy to children (who then get cavities and don’t have dentists). As much as to contribute to the economy in some way, thus not giving handouts.
A great discussion came up when we had to decide the amount of gratuity to give our drivers and staff who had fed us and set up our tents during the safari. For some, the tip had to be minimal because, for example, there had been certain carelessness.
For example, a backpack cover to limit dust-which we were overflowing with anyway. According to these, not tipping expectedly would have been a lesson for next time that would have facilitated another group. I point out that the amount would have been 3-4 euros per person.
On my own initiative, without even telling the others in my jeep, I gave 20 euros to our driver. Before making certain trips one should know better about the cost of living of the country one is going to visit, beyond what we tourists pay. In this regard I find this site very interesting.
Why choose an organized trip
The choice to have this experience with an organized trip, albeit with an ‘agency that travels more adventurously, despite not being in my comfort zone, was mainly because of money matters.
While it was by no means an inexpensive trip, doing it solo, but even as a couple, would have been much more expensive given that admission to the parks is charged per car and we had a shared cook. There is no cooking service in the campgrounds.
It would also theoretically have been possible to manage for food independently. But the whole activity, including setting up and taking down the tents (to be done with flashlights) would have taken a lot of time away from the actual safari. I also met a couple who had rented a vehicle and were touring on their own.
But without considering the possible mishaps and dangerous situations, having professionals driving who knew the environment and, more importantly, connected with each other by the dozens, guarantees the possibility of spotting far more animals. We saw a lot of them. Perhaps we were particularly lucky, but driving around inexperienced in those endless spaces can also lead you to not seeing a living soul for miles and miles.
Home trip Photo safari in Tanzania, that is my first
Next stop Animals in Tanzania, until the millionth gazelle….
Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent
Countries visited in my travel stories
Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives
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