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Help! Anyone who's done Tanzania Safari before can you weigh in?

Help! Anyone who's done Tanzania Safari before can you weigh in?

Old Dec 20th, 2013, 06:41 AM
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Help! Anyone who's done Tanzania Safari before can you weigh in?

I got this sample itinerary from a travel agent a friend recommended to me. I asked for an itinerary that was 12 days and about $8k per person, including airfare from the States. Will this be a good experience? Is it totally off-market? I said we were flexible on date, I think this is for June of 2015.



Tanzania Honeymoon Experience
Day 01

You made it! Did you make sure to stay awake during the flight over and catch Mount Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak on your left during your ascent? No worries either way. KIli will be watching over you as you make your way to the Mount Meru Game Lodge and sanctuary, where you’ll get your first taste of Tanzania’s great wildlife. Settle into your hotel and take the rest of the night off- You earned it!
http://www.intimate-places.com/

Day 02

After an early morning breakfast, you'll set out for make our way to Lake Manyara National Park. Enjoy your first game drive. It’ll be a full day excursion, complete with a packed lunch to be enjoyed out by the magnificent lake. After a full day out in the park, you'll make it out to Kisima Ngeda, a marvelous tented camp nestled by Lake Eyasi.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ha_Region.html

Day 03

Following breakfast at camp, head out to the Lake and connect with the Hadzabe Tribe, one of the world's last remaining Hunter Gatherer tribes. You'll be taken in by the tribe for a view into their way of life, as part of the Hadzabe community-based project that helps sustain their unique way of life. Following lunch, you’ll connect with the Dagota, the sedentary relatives of the Hadzabe, and learn about the unique path their culture took, with a focus on agriculture and metal-work.. This evening you’ll make your way to the plantation lodge, whose certificate of excellence from the Trip Advisor community speaks for itself.

http://www.plantation-lodge.com/

Day 04

Today you are in for a real treat! After an early breakfast we'll make the short drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and descend into the Crater (nicknamed the world's biggest terrarium). Here you will have your best chance to see most, if not all, of the Big 5. Cap this wonderful morning with a picnic lunch near a Hippo Pool. Following an afternoon game drive, you’ll make your way back to Plantation Lodge for overnight.



Day 05

For a bit of a shift, today you’ll make it over to the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant paleoanthropological sites. Discover the site that has been crucial to the understanding of early human evolution. Next is a colorful journey to the majestic plains of the Serengeti, for lunch at your home for the next couple of nights, the stylish Asanja tented camp. After lunch, enjoy a game drive traversing the endless plains of the Serengeti. Dinner and overnight under countless stars at Asanja Camp.

http://www.asanjaafrica.com/

Day 06
Full day game viewing in the Serengeti, where you’ll be able to catch the great migration as it goes into full swing. You’ll be back in Asanja in time for dinner and another night’s rest.

Day 07
Today will be your final opportunity in this wonderful trip for game-viewing, so fingers crossed you’ll be able to ‘catch’ any of the remaining big five who’ve escaped you thus far. Tomorrow, Zanzibar!

Day 08-12

Following breakfast, you’ll set out for Seronera airstrip for you’re flight out to the Spice island. One of the great perks of driving through Tanzania is that even on a ‘regular transfer’ you’re bound to see some magnificent game along the way, so try not to fall asleep! It’ll be a short flight over to Zanzibar, but it will feel as if you’ve entered another world. Welcome to the ‘surf’ portion of your ‘surf & turf’ trip!
The next three nights will be enjoyed at the Seacliff Resort, a seductive hotel spa situated only 20 minutes away from the iconic Stone Town, yet feels as if cut off from the world. Whether you seek adventure sports, cultural excursions, or simply to lazy about by the beach, you’ll find that slice of paradise that is just right for you.

http://www.seacliffzanzibar.com/

Day 12
Alas, all good things must come to an end. Your driver will be waiting for you at the lobby for your transfer to the airport. Safe travels, and we look forward to getting your photos, feedback and stories!
juliegarry12 is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2013, 07:25 AM
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For June you probably want to be more North and West than Asanja to see the migration. Also considering you have less than 1 week on actual safari, I feel 8k is too much for that offer
FrankS is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2013, 10:36 AM
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Agree with FrankS, if for June, best to stay in the Western Corridor or in Central Serengeti. And reading some of the comments re SeaCliff, mention that there is 'no beach' but only a pool. Best to confirm that. From Lake Eyasi, it's not all that a short drive to Ngorongoro Crater and personally I'd stay on the rim of the Crater rather than at Plantation Lodge located in town of Karatu, as drive from here for crater tour isn't all that short and which tours are limited to 6/hrs only.

Overall price seems high, though if including int'l air (from where), might not seem that much out of line, but.... You know that safari days (those accommodations indicated are considered in the mid- priced category) will be more expensive that those spent on ZNZ, where on the SeaCliff Resort they show about $150/ppnt AI (unless you choose to upgrade at this hotel that has 120/rooms... rather large property), where you might prefer a smaller resort, less likely to have children.

If you haven't done so yet, suggest you get a few other options/quotes before making a decision. If you go to Trip Advisor, www.tripadvisor.com/forums, select Africa, select Tanzania and note on first page the Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs, bullet #4, names of quite a number of reputable in-country outfitters. Select 5-6 of these, send individual emails to each with your details: when (month), # in party, how many total days in-country, kind of accomm (lodges/tented camps), estimated budget... await their replies and then compare with what is above.

Or you can contact the TATOTZ web sites for names of outfitters for consideration.

Good luck.
sandi is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2013, 01:40 PM
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I do not weigh in during the holidays, but will offer you one more viewpoint.

If arriving at night on Day 01, you may not need a fancy tented camp that first night of arrival. If you arrive earlier in the which is what the itinerary seems to indicate with the overnight flight comment, then it's a nice start because you'll have time to enjoy the place.

Your only 2 nts in the Serengeti in June should not be in the South Central region, which is where Asanja is, near Moru Kopjes.

$667 pp pn. Unless the Zanzibar part of the trip (which I don't know about) is very expensive and fancy per your wishes, the cost is too high.

This is not the itinerary you should book. If it had 2 nts in Central or Western Serengeti instead of South/Central and if it cost less and if you definitely want that many days in Zanzibar as opposed to on safari, then it could be a winner.

I see Frank and Sandi have said about the same thing.
atravelynn is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2013, 03:07 PM
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We have been communicating with several Tour Operators about a Northern Circuit safari for 4 people in July, 2014. Our tentative plan is 2 nights Arusha, 2 nights Tarangire, 2 nights Lake Manyara, 2 nights Ngorongoro Crater, 3 nights Central Serengeti, 3 nights Northern Serengeti, 3 nights Zanzibar.

The prices are coming in around $5500, not including airfare from/to the US, which we expect to be $2000+. We asked for mid-range accommodations, a mix of lodges & tented camps.

With less time, we'd skip Zanzibar completely.
abram is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2013, 08:45 PM
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Lake Manyara, along with Madikwe (South Africa), are at the bottom of my list of the 10 or so game reserves I've been to in Africa. As our guide at Manyara said - "Manyara is for birds and beginners". I had two game drives there, saw only one of the big five, elephant, and lots of birds and monkeys. The other problem I have with Manyara is that your game drive vehicle is NOT permitted off road. Elephants 400 yards away stay 400 yards away.

The biggest thing Manyara has going for it is that it's a convenient overnight stop on the way to Ngorongoro.

regards - tom
ps - Never been to Zanzibar, I go to Africa only for safari. Been on over 200 game drives. Loved most every one!!!!

regards - tom
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Old Dec 21st, 2013, 02:16 AM
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Overly priced in my opinion.Try the so-called small operators and you will be guaranteed of attention and value for money.
All the best and consider advices too from this forum.
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Old Dec 21st, 2013, 10:05 AM
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Bye the way - rates for 2015 will NOT be available before mid-'14 latest, so those above are estimates only.

For ZNZ you really only need 3/nts, and additional if your total days allow. And if in the US living on either coast - east, west or gulf, planning to travel from No. Hemisphere during summer months, you do have other choices, often great packages and more favorable rates.

You should also be dealing with an East African specialist whether from the States or in-country. And though those in-country tend to be less costly, there are still many in the States that are competitive. Whatever you do/choose, be sure you're comparing apples-to-apples.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 03:50 AM
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Will only voice an opinion on three points...Agree with Sandi that the drive from Lake Eyasi to the Crater is a long one. It's long and very, very bumpy with huge ditches. Our safari vehicle broke an axel and we had to wait for a replacement vehicle. We did have fun playing with local children during the wait but it was not without its frustrations. With that said, the experience of the Hadzabe and Dagota tribes was magnificent and the one and only lodge on Lake Eyasi was a gem because of the owners and the locals who swim on the shores of the lake. If you are going to Africa for game and a cultural experience, visting Lake Eyasi is worth the drive. In terms of the Serengeti, I agree that it is absolutely crucial to plan your lodges around the game calendar. As most here are telling you the Serengeti is rich and abundant with wildlife, but you have to be mindful of the cycle. We stayed in a camp totally off our initial radar and not our first choice based on the time of year we went and it was well worth it. Last point is, it takes time to book your final itinerary. Keep researching, asking questions and going back and forth with different operators. You will be happy you did from the standpoint of your wallet but also the richness of your final trip. Good luck. You have chosen a fantastic destination.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 05:03 AM
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The other problem I have with Manyara is that your game drive vehicle is NOT permitted off road. Elephants 400 yards away stay 400 yards away.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 01:47 PM
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Lake Manyara gets mixed reviews. The Brits love it, the Americans feel 'so-so' unless you're a 'birder.' Often it's s short visit to the hippo pool unless you plan to spend entire day and head deeper into the park.

Many depart Tarangire, do short game drive at Manyara, have lunch in the area; afternoon stop at village of Mto-wa-Mbu, with diverse ethnic tribes for a walk-about on their own with guide and a scheduled tour.

Then continue to Ngorongoro (before gate closes at 6pm) for dinner/overnight. Next morning visitors do the crater tour (limited to 6/hrs which is sufficient for most) before afternoon at leisure, Crater Walk or Olmoti Crater Trek... of if in a rush, head on to Oldupai and/or Serengeti.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 02:41 PM
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Agree, no offroad in the Serengeti, or N Crater. The Serengeti IMHO because of no offroad not worth it. The N Crater although no offroad is worth it because it is so unique/special. Get there in morning when the gates open 6AM, Sopa lodge is best location to do this. The Ndutu area does permit offroad and offroad is critical for photography.

LM when there in Feb 2011 the lake was 200-300 back from the road. We could not drive offroad to it. Unless we were on the wrong road??

regards - tom
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 03:21 PM
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If I read you right cary999 you are saying the Serengeti is not worth a safari due to the no-offroad. I would certainly disagree as for one thing I don't want to see lots of vehicles going willy-nilly over the landscape spoiling what could be great vistas not to mention impact on soft areas. Have been in the Serengeti several times now and don't think I ever wished we could drive off-road. Seen plenty of leopard, lions and the like right from the road (yes, had to share but that is okay), had crowds of wildebeest sometimes forcing us to pullover as they were using the road where certain valleys neck down, etc. And, am really, really glad the no off-road rules apply to the Crater.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 03:57 PM
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rsnyder - I understand your points. My problem is that when no offroad, I can't be in the photographic position I'd like. But that's just me whining and my photography problem. Serengeti, here is a photo of game vehicles lined up on a road where a leopard is. If "we" were allowed to go offroad the poor leopard would have been surrounded in. Saw this happen in Ndutu.
http://tinyurl.com/lg59n46
This is photo of that leopard. Sssh, don't tell, we were first to find her and went offroad to get photos of her "front side". We then called the sighting in and within an hour the road was packed waiting for the leopard to come down. (We were back on road).
http://tinyurl.com/laeofxw

More photos, 45, of my safari in TZ.
http://tinyurl.com/bwze4ww
And while I'm at it, here is the link to my Fodor's trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-tanzania-.cfm

regards - tom
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 06:04 PM
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I agree that no off road needs getting used to, especially if you have chased game flying through the bush in South Africa. However, if you plan the Serengeti correctly, you will never see such an amazing abundance of wildlife. The herds, the kills, the beauty...it's really utterly unbelievable, yet it's real!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2013, 09:58 PM
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lola - you got that right about chasing game, or just 4 wheeling across streams, or crashing thru brush because baboons were giving their alarm cry. In a totally open Land Rover, hang on!!!

regards - tom
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Old Dec 23rd, 2013, 05:52 AM
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I recall a poster (forget who) recounting that she knew she was in for an exciting chase whenever her guide turned to her and instructed, "Hang on, madam."
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Old Dec 23rd, 2013, 12:16 PM
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Think that might have been me Lynn! Those 3 words are music to my ears and don't always have to be associated with off roading.

Heard it in the Maasai Mara when a leopard was spotted just before the park was closing and we were 15 minutes away. One hand holding down your hat, the other white knuckled and grasping the bar as you tumble and hurtle down the road, the adrenaline pumping in your veins!
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Old Dec 24th, 2013, 08:06 AM
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Oh yes, Kath "Hang on Madam" BC.

Good advice regardless of the vehicle type!
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Old Dec 24th, 2013, 09:09 AM
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Yes, even if you're wearing thigh high waders, right ATL ??

regards -tom and Merry Christmas
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