u/Neither-Trip-4610

Hello! Looking at flight options for safari next year.

Was wondering if easier/more reliable to book a private car to take me from Arusha to Nairobi airport?

I understand it’s a 5-6 hour drive including border crossing. Although it’s only a 45 min flight, would have all the associated airport drama including worrying about Kenya Air reliability. Between security, immigration, baggage claim it would be hours as well.

Thoughts?

Hello! Going on safari honeymoon next May, need to book flights soon. Very torn on which airline to choose. Will be leaving from NYC and in business class. Both flights are relatively the same cost.

Kenya Air - Would only be one stop in Nairobi and then to JRO. So theoretically the fastest and least room for error. The business product looks OK, basic lie flat. Reviews online are mixed at best.

Qatar - Top of the line biz class product, however would be 2 stops to JRO. So more travel yet in more comfort with a more reliable airline.

Anyone have experience flying to Tanzania on either of these airlines?

Work in a brutal industry (advertising) with constant and increased layoffs and turmoil. We just went through another reorg (yay) and just received my third new boss in an about a year. I am getting the feeling that I survived but now under the microscope to perform.

Regarding FIRE, I am 48 and roughly a year away. Looking at my spreadsheets, I am entitled to ~$500k minimum in comp over the coming year as well. Between saving and market growth would love to stack another $400k. Will put me well above my target and in a very healthy cash position for early years of retirement. The cash component is extremely important to me. Have some personal expenses I would like to save for.

From a personal perspective, I am recently engaged and plan to join my future spouses’ healthcare plan. She will continue to work though.

Back to my original question, anyone laid off their final W2 year? How did it impact your FIRE plan and mental health? Did you find another stop gap career?

I am on the literal 10 yard line of my FIRE journey and was looking to finish the game strong not grinding for the corporate overlords riddled with daily layoff anxiety and fears of ageism.

Every other post on LinkedIn are industry execs posting pictures from Cannes and boasting how energized they are!

Between pay freezes, constant layoffs and increased stress levels it seems so out of touch and just plain cringe.

Yes, I get the business rational of why folks need to be in the South of France but for those back on the front lines please do better.

Update: For context, I am a SVP at a Holdco, have enjoyed plenty of corporate junkets and the associated perks with my position.

Looking through the lens of an entry level media planner making $50k a year and who won’t receive a raise this year but still dealing with increased inflation just seems gauche to me.

First off, booking a safari seems incredibly complicated. I reached out to a few highly rated safari agencies and what I received back was garbage. Rushed itineraries, and didn’t customize at all.

This is what I am thinking and wondering if possible.

Want to do a Tanzania safari starting and ending in Arusha and only staying at Melia properties.

Arrive in Arusha and stay a few days to relax post long flights

Take a hopper flight to Melia Serengeti and stay there 3 days

Drive to Ngorongoro for 2 nights then drive back to Arusha.

Looks like the Melia brand can take care of the drives/balloon rides, etc.

My question, can I hire a driver to take me between the properties?

Visited Peru about 8 years and did the classic Cusco + Sacred Valley itinerary. Fast forward to the present and my new partner always wanted to do this trip. Was hesitant, but wanted to make her happy :)

We have the trip booked, and it is basically the same trip (although I did book different hotels).

3 Nights in Cusco
4 Nights in Sacred Valley
2 Nights in Lima

Will visit the main highlights: Pisac, MP, Ollantaytambo.

Any under the radar spots or tours I can include to make the trip feel new to me?

Keeps popping up in the socials about closing 12th to 18th streets from 10pm to 2am on summer weekends including security checkpoints. Might be the most brilliant or insane idea ever.

If the city pulls this off, will be amazing PR.

Anyone have additional details?

Hi there, very proud father of 8th grade xcross/track runner. Middle school track season is wrapping up soon and then onto summer practice for high school xcross.

My son is solid runner, wins nearly all his section events quite handily but then at the big invites he really under performs. His invite times are well under his potential or even worse he looks for excuses to skip events (sick, minor injuries). Think he gets really intimidated competing against top competitors and then self-defeats himself.

Appreciate any kind words of wisdom, have been really trying to keep things in perspective and focus on being in a good head space before races.

Thanks!

About one year out from retirement and have been researching doing conversions in my low income years. Like to say I am a reasonably intelligent person however the tax complexity makes my head spin.

Bottom line, are they worth the effort?

Should I trade in extra trips to Europe (or whatever large expenses) to pay taxes now for potential tax savings 20+ years from now?

Appreciate any concrete figures. Lots of “it depends” in doing my research. For reference have about $1.3mm in my 401k.

Hi there, doing some prelim research for May or June 2027 safari to Tanzania. Trying to balance relaxing pace with seeing the sights. This will be a honeymoon type trip. Thinking of just doing Melia brand, great reviews.

Day 1 - Gran Melia - Land in Arusha, relax from Traveling

Day 2 - Gran Melia - Day trip to Arusha National Park

Day 3 through 6 - Melia Serengeti - Fly from Arusha, relax at hotel. Do a handful of half day game drives and ballon ride

Day 7 and 8 - Melia Ngorogoro - Drive from Serengeti, game drive

Day 9 - Drive back to Arusha

Hello! My partner and I are thinking about a 2027 elopement wedding to Tanzania (Northern Circuit).

Some of the itineraries just seem like really long days and draining, we definitely want to do some game drives but also would like to relax at the lodges just laying by the pool and enjoying the views.

Few questions:

* Has anyone done a “relaxing” safari trip? Like 2-3 days at a lodge then move to next park.

* any hotels that provide wedding services? The Fairmont seems to be only one online that i can find

Thanks!