Let's think this through.

     Ok, I know I was pretty deadset on Namibia last time I spoke, however now there's a possibility that I may have a travel partner. I usually walk alone on my travels, but the more I think about tackling Namibia, the more I get a little overwhelmed/scared of having to overcome some pretty big obstacles alone: driving on the left side while watching for animals and possibly breaking down in the middle of nowhere. I was sort of thrilled he wanted to come, but of course nothing is ever easy. He came with a counter trip idea of going to Tanzania. Now, at this point, I had my heart set on Namibia. Before I even got to Namibia, I researched a little into Tanzania and thought it might not be for me. It was for the same reason I threw out Vanuatu. It is a very conservative country. I'm not sure how much it matters when out on safari, but Zanzibar I hear is also very conservative outside of the beach resort. And I must admit it really didn't help when I heard about the two British girls and a priest getting attacked with acid a couple of years ago. I decided to entertain the idea again, however, and researched Tanzania and a few tour operators.

     Tanzania, I think, will definitely have more density and greater variety of animals. My friend really wants to see lions, which is the reason why he wants to go to Tanzania. Namibia also has lions, but I don't think they are as plentiful as they are in Tanzania. I also advised my friend that the wilderness is not a zoo and would he be disappointed if we didn't see one. His answer was, 'Yes'. He was only half-kidding. I finally wrote to a few tour operators for quotes. Only two have written back thus far. One for Namibia called Cardboard Box Travel and the other is Wayo Africa for Tanzania.
I am now facing a question of what kind of experience would I like to have and I don't know! They both sound great! Namibia has unique, beautiful scenery and the wildlife at Etosha Park sounds great!
The car, even though I have anxiety about it, will allow me some freedom to do my own thing if need be and I think breaks/stops will allow me to interact with locals. I will be staying at lodges and can either go on game drives myself or go on organized drives. Namibia just feels a bit more DIY even though it really won't be. There doesn't seem to be any hangups about not being covered from head to toe.

                                                                 

Sossusvlei, Namibia

      Tanzania on the other hand does have a hangup about clothing, which I suppose if it came down to it, I could handle because from what I've seen it's worth it. The wildlife there looks amazing and so does the Serengeti. And really, going to the Serengeti should be on everyone's bucket list. The safari tour with Wayo sounds very intriguing and really that is what's making my heart beat for Tanzania. It will be mostly camping/glamping right in the thick of things and a couple of walking safaris. Not to mention we wouldn't have to drive and we would have our own guide.  And then there are the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or Pemba Island. Being grotty during the safari and relaxing for 4 or  5 days at the end on a lovely beach sounds heavenly.

       Also it includes most things like food and 

game drives which Namibia does not. We would

Acacia Tree, Tanzania

have to pay for park fees, gas, and whatnot on our/my own. On the outset it seemed like Namibia would be the cheaper option, but when counting in those things, it comes out roughly the same as far as cost is concerned. So here I am, unable to decide and I guess it's not all up to me for the moment. I actually have to think of another person. People always ask me what it's like to travel alone, and now I feel like asking people what it's like to travel with someone.