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Best African safari destination – in addition to Masai Mara Conservancy?

Best African safari destination – in addition to Masai Mara Conservancy?

Old Apr 20th, 2015, 01:21 AM
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Best African safari destination – in addition to Masai Mara Conservancy?

I am travelling to Africa for four months and had intended on taking a safari in Tanzania at the end of July for 7 days:

2 days Central Serengeti (Kati Kati Tented Camp);
2 days Northern Serengeti (Tingitana North Serengeti Tented Camp)
1 day Tarangire
1 day Ngorongoro Crater
1 day Lake Eyasi.

I got an offer on the Mahali Mzuri Motorogi Conservancy Masai Mara at end of June, which looks really nice so booked in there for 3 nights (28 June to 1 July). I am now unsure as to whether to continue with my Serengeti safari, or to add on a couple of days safari in the Masai Mara on 1 and 2 July, and a couple of days in one of my other locations (Zambia/Zimbabwe/SA/Namibia/Botswana). I will be visiting the Okavango Delta either way. I would be hitting the Serengeti mid – late July, which seems like the ideal time for the migration. If I do the Tanzania safari, I may climb Mount Meru and visit Zanzibar also vs. not – I will spend longer in my other destinations, and will probably do the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda (I plan to visit Rwanda either way).

Essentially, I want to leave Africa after four months, having really experienced the safari experience and optimized my chances at the best wildlife viewing. The safari in Tanzania is working out at €2,500 so will take a chunk of my limited budget, which is fine……if it is worth it!

I would be grateful for any advice.

Many thanks
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 03:55 AM
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That time of year the animal population in the Serengeti will be at a low point. If seeing animals (which I think is the main point of a safari) is important you should consider heading up into the Maasai Mara after time in Tarangire and Ng. Also, consider travel time, which can suck up the better part of a day.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2015, 12:29 AM
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Please first note that in July most of wild animals will be in Seregeti and in August they start to move frequently to Maasai Mara . So i'm considered that you should stay in Maasai Mar for short time as there will not be full with Wildebeests if your interest is to see them . Then you can head to Tanzania and add more days in Serengeti if your main target is wildebeest's migration at grumet river , and remember to stay at North east at that time for that migration and you can read more itineraries from this local agency i used there in Tanzania here its http://swaptours.webs.com/safaris . And for Zanzibar you may keep it on you itinerary if you're beach lover , and there are many places where you can have a peace of mind along the indian ocean , and for the nicer one beach i propose to stay at Nungwi Beach or Matemwe Beach in North side of Island . I think my info will be feasible to your plans ! .

Ciao ,
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Old Apr 22nd, 2015, 12:37 AM
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And if you think your budget is not extremely big , please use to do safari by join with others , i mean sharing safari like from these itineraries here http://swaptoursgroups.webs.com/ , this will cut off some of unnecessary costs and it will give you a chance to share them with other , and save your pocket .
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Old Apr 22nd, 2015, 12:26 PM
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Considering that Mahali Mzuri is pure luxe and way over the top compared to the others you indicate in Tanzania, but I have to wonder what they are offering when it comes to per nt price, if you don't mind sharing, though I do know they are offering a 'special.'

While MM is a lovely new camp, when I visited last year I was a bit disappointed that the tents were too close to one another (lack of privacy) and it appeared that when they built the camp, lots of trees that would provide shade were cut down... better have your SPF handy.
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 08:10 AM
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Hi MMML,

I wanted to make sure that you knew about our Safari Travel Guide - I hope that it will help you with your itinerary.

http://www.fodors.com/world/africa-a...frica/safaris/

Best,
Emily
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Old Apr 29th, 2015, 01:30 PM
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Thank you all so much for the great information.

Sandi - secret escapes did a 30 per cent discount on Mahali Mzuri.

I think I will drop the Tanzania safari for the end of July from my itinerary and do two more days in Maria in July. Just wanted to ensure I will not be missing out!!!

Thanks again
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Old Apr 30th, 2015, 11:21 AM
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That 30% discount is good... very good indeed.
If you do decide to forego the TNZ segment in the Serengeti and select 3/nts at Mahali Mazuri, ask further about their 'stay 3/nts, pay 2/nts'... you might save even more. But do know that if you do get 1/free nt. you still have to pay for the Park Fee for that free nt. Good luck!
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Old May 9th, 2015, 10:22 PM
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I've been on safari in - Zambi, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa. My favorite is South Africa. The Kruger area, Kruger National Park, and private reserves/camps that border Kruger. Reserve Sabi Sand, camp MalaMala. Reserve Tmbavati, camp Kings Camp. I'm serious about photography and these camps work best for me.

Having said all that, if I had to pick one and only one place to safari it would be Ngorongoro Crater. Even though photography is very very difficult there. Stay near Crater, go in when gates open 6am and you will beat the crowd that arrives around 9am for rest of the day.

regards tom
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Old May 10th, 2015, 11:04 AM
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tom -

What a surprise that it's Ngorongoro and good for you finding that first in morning is best time, that I always advise visitors to consider.

What I find interesting is that comments re the Crater are both positive and negative. So one never knows.
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Old May 10th, 2015, 06:25 PM
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Hi sandi-
Yeah, well, I would -not- go back to NC 3-4-5 times. UNLESS I could get a pass to go off road for photography. BUT IF I could do only one safari in my life, it would be NC.

NC, positive and negative, my 2 cents. If you are looking for safari solitude and no other humans around, NC is certainly not the place for you!! But having been on safaris for 8 years, over 120 days in camps, over 200 game drives, I found NC unique, special, magic, like none other.

As you may remember I have sworn off of flying. Hate it soooo much!! I have not been on safari since 2012. I envy those in Europe who can take one flight down with no jet lag. From California it takes me 30 hours from my door to first hotel in Africa. And 9 hours of jet lag. However if I ever go back will likely be in Kenya - Tanzania. And if so, certainly will be in touch with you and Africa Serendipity!

regards tom
ps - after 8 hours in a airplane I'm afraid I'm going to die. After 10 hours I wish I would!!
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Old May 12th, 2015, 09:41 AM
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Tom -
The travel time is the kicker. But as I've said before, after 8/hrs one feels no pain... just numb. My last trip started at Southern Tanzania/DAR and happened to have been a FF ticket, via SA from JFK/JNB (16hrs), connecting to flight to DAR (4.5/hrs). I have no words, but free is free and I went for it and the Selous was worth it and later a few days at Singita (Sasakawa and Sabora) before into KEN. Thankfully I can sleep during flights, but doubt there will be a repeat of that adventure.

In fact, I recall nothing of DAR, not even the lovely hotel. The only benefit was that I arrived 2pm, and off to Zzzzz till next morning. You've gotta listen to your body.

Needless to say I understand even more so when traveling from the West Coast. Well, you know where I am if you need me.
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