wlbox

I am considering traveling with OAT on their tented safari to Tanzania. We visit Arusha, Tarangirer, Ngorongoro, Sernegeti.

When is the best time of the year to visit for good wildlife viewing and weather?

This will be my first safari and I want to make the smartest choice when it comes to picking my travel dates.

Thanks for your help.

atravelynn

OAT's most expensive travel dates will be the best wildlife viewing, although Christmas trips are usually a premium no matter what.

I've gone in late July to Tanzania to try to maximize wildlife viewing in the parks you mention.

Here is a chart showing the best wildlife viewing throughout Africa month by month, including the TZ parks you are going to. It includes temps as well. With less predictable weather, this chart, or any chart, becomes less useful.
http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

Some more on weather
http://www.classicescapes.com/ta-weather.html

For the Ngorongoro Crater, which is colder than other places--scroll to bottom for weather
http://www.safarilands.org/np_ngorongoro.php


For Serengeti--scroll to bottom for weather. This also has an animated map of where the migration will be throughout the year.
http://www.safarilands.org/np_serengeti.php

That's the other big thing to consider in planning this trip--where is the wildebeest and zebra migration going to be? It moves between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Except for about late Sept through early Nov, when usually the bulk of the migration is in Kenya, it moves throughout the Serengeti. You want to be sure your Serengeti lodging is in the area where the migration is likely to be. There are no guarantees with nature, but you should stay where the charts show the migration should be. You'll be able to drive a good distance to find it as well.


Migration sites and comments and maps

http://www.thesafaricompany.co.za/Map_Masai_Mara.htm

http://www.kiliwarriors.com/safari_w..._migration.htm

http://www.thesafaricompany.co.za/Map_Masai_Mara.htm

http://safari.go2africa.com/africa-f...y-november.asp

http://safari.go2africa.com/africa-f...april-june.asp

http://safari.go2africa.com/africa-f...mber-march.asp

http://www.ultimateafrica.com/Wildebeest_migration.html

Migration in progress, though some entries lag:
http://www.atta.co.uk/heritage/index.html

http://www.wildwatch.com/great_migration

http://www.ndutu.com/pages/whatshappening.html

http://www.intotanzania.com/

Here are some OAT threads:

Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34897294

Pics
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/publi...?u=ajennerjahn

OAT and timing the migration
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35120290

The "smartest choice" if you have the funds and an adequate level of fitness would be to add the gorilla tracking extension offered. Then I'd avoid late Oct-Dec and March-Apr dates due to potential heavy rains while tracking the gorillas.

Good luck.

ShayTay

In February, the Migration is usually in the southern Serengeti, but it can be hot. The weather is more pleasant in early June and you'd have an opportunity to see the Migration in the central Serengeti. The mobile camps in the Serengeti are usually set up near where the Migration is expected, but nothing is guaranteed. I've been in the same mobile campsite in the central Serengeti in late June (Rongai 2) twice... the first time the Migration had moved too far away to find, the second time the herds were surrounding our camp.

atravelynn

A good way to increase migration odds is to expand your locations. Usually the central Serengeti is a reasonable location to include, in part due to its permanent source of water that attracts animals year round. Then a second location can be added to coincide with where the herds are likely to be.

The way the OAT itinerary is worded (copied below), it may have 2 camps, otherwise I think the dates would read 8-10 and list a private camp. Check to see if there are 2 camps and where those camps will be at the times you wish to travel.


8
Explore Serengeti National Park : OAT Private Tented Camp
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

9-10 Explore Serengeti National Park : OAT Private Tented Camp
Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

ShayTay

I think they just split it up to lengthen the itinerary. We were just in one camp, located in the general area of where the Migration would be for that time of year. There are four nights in the Serengeti camp (Day 7 to Day 10). Comparing the 2010 itinerary to the one I had in 2004, I note that they've removed a couple of days of game viewing, which is a shame... no Arusha NP, no Lake Manyara NP. Instead, they have village visits near Arusha and Karatu. I guess that's to keep their prices low, but it's certainly not the trip I experienced. wlbox, you might want to compare doing a safari through a local Tanzanian outfitter; it will cost more because of the airfare, but you'd get more "safari".

atravelynn

Wlbox, are you going alone or with someone?

atravelynn

As an example, check out Good Earth in comparison to OAT

http://www.goodearthtours.com/Tanzan...on_Safari.html

SandraJoy

We just got back from Tanzania on Nov 2. Had a great experience with a private safari and the price compared with OAT even with airfare!Check out www.warriortrails.com They were our provider... owned and operated by very good people

SDtravelers

We did OAT trip last Sept chose that time just for the migration. Their camp was in the Central Serengeti and saw not much of the migration. We even did 3 days on our own in the Mara and still didn't see much of the migration. You never know about nature! I see now on their brochures OAT now have a camp in the north Serengeti.

SD

wlbox

I will be traveling alone (hubby not interested). In my early 50s and very active. I have never been on safari and really need to keep the cost in check. Trying to get the best wildlife viewing possibilities and a good mix of parks. It does not have to be with OAT. I read their traveler reviews and they all sound great. I can travel any time of the year.

sandys

We'll be traveling with OAT to South Africa in around two weeks. We've traveled with them several times before and have found their tour directors to be uniformly excellent. OAT tours have always been a great value - and we love the small groups. They often have excellent prices for singles also.

I'll try to report on our tour when we return in late December.

atravelynn

Wlbox, if you can be more specific about keeping costs in check, then other options can be given. For one person, OAT seems to be a very good option for costs. Did I read they were waiving the SS?

You mention costs and best wildlife viewing, and that makes me think maybe Kenya would be something to consider too.

wlbox

Still working full time and not allowed to take off more then two weeks. I would like to keep the price to $4000.
I do not require comfort and am well traveled with no health problems. Would love to experience a safari that would offer the best wildlife viewing in a few different locations. Thinking the shoulder season may help to reduce the cost, but wonder if I would miss out on something special. I had originally thought of Kenya. Then changed to Tanzania after reading the OAT reviews.
Maybe I should consider another tour company. With time and financial constraints do not think both counties would work.
Would love to hear any suggestions.

atravelynn

Either Tanzania or Kenya would give you a great safari. If you list a couple of itineraries and costs here, more info can be given.

Most people who do a first trip in the shoulder season return with great things to say. Maybe they could have seen more, but usually their expectations are met and exceeded.

The Good Earth link, above, has scheduled trips to both Kenya and Tanzania. Though I've never traveled with them, I've talked with Narry in Tampa or an associate and they were helpful. You could see what they say to your request. Talk to OAT too about what you want. Another company, 2Afrika has a motto of "keeping Africa affordable" or soemthing like that. There are many good options, including the OAT trip.

NattySilver

I just returned from Tanzania with Good Earth and had an amazing time. Very affordable too. You should check out their packages. They are also willing to customize if you'd like to upgrade or change lodges.