raelond

I am planning another trip in August 2010 and can't decide if we should visit just Kenya or Mahale to see the chimps, Katavi and perhaps Ruaha National Parks. I have read everything I can find about these parks, but am still wondering about the game viewing in Katavi and Ruaha. We were in the middle of the migration in March and visited the Crater, so we are looking for something a little different. Greystoke is out of our budget, but I'm wondering if Flycatcher camp would be too basic. We are looking at about 14 nights on safari.

LyndaS

Hey Raelond, just wanted to jump in and say hi to you - I haven't been in touch for a while!

So cool that you are going back to East Africa again! I haven't read your report yet from the last one, but I'm catching up slowly here - should be all caught up over Christmas the way I see it...

I'll be hosting another GTG in the backyard next summer so I will be sure not to do it in August - we'll probably do July - as I wouldn't want you to be away when it's planned.

Anyhow guess you have concluded I can't answer any of your questions as I haven't been to any of the places you mentioned, so I will leave that to the experts. I always thought though it would be neat to do an all Kenya safari one year, then go back the next year and do an all Tanzania.

atravelynn

This is weird that you would post today.

I had a dream last night that I was watching "the raelond" in its movement against the dollar and hoping for improvement. I don't know in what country "the raelond" was used.

Like Lynda's response, my comment is not much help for your question.

I might be in Kenya in Aug 2010--Samburu and the Mara. If you end up there, I'd love to meet you.

I think either of your options would be great. If I were you, I'd put together both itineraries and see which one best matched my budget for 2010. I have a feeling the TZ trip will be higher but you may prefer the more expensive trip now and save the other one for later.

The other thing I'd consider (and I have for myself) is if there is small group you'd like to join that does this itinerary. It might be more affordable then. If that group departure matches your schedule I might jump on the opportunity. I think Wilderness (the CA co.) does Mahale and some southern parks.

Good luck!

ShayTay

Some of us on the Board are exploring the possibility of going to Ruaha and Katavi next year. I'm thinking of early September to avoid the worst of the heat, but I think August would be good, too. So far, the reports I've read on the Board and e-mails I've exchanged with those folks that have been there indicate that the game-viewing is superb, especially towards the end of the dry season. "Jenack" was there in September/ October and said the game at Katavi was all down by the river, "shoulder to shoulder".

If we can put something together that isn't too expensive, this would be a great Fodorite trip for those who don't mind roughing it a bit. I'm currently working on getting quotes.

Eben ("climbhighsleeplow&quot has a report on the Flycatchers camp at Mahale here on the Board and it sounded like he had a good experience there, even though the camp was fairly basic. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35143436

PredatorBiologist

Mbali Mbali runs Kungwe Beach Lodge which is a step between Flycatchers and Mahale and they run packages that combine with their Katavi camp too, Katuma Bush Lodge.

raelond

Lynda we aren't going back to Africa until 2010, so I will be around next summer.

Lynn that was some dream! I think the trip I am looking at for Tanzania will be more expensive than if we just went to Kenya, as the flight to Mahale costs a lot. I have always wanted to visit the chimps and now that I have seen the migration and the crater perhaps it is time. I don't however want to go all that way just for chimps, so I'm hoping there will be great game viewing in Katavi and Ruaha.

atravelynn

I agree, Raelond, I'd do some camps in Southern Tanzania as well and not just the chimps.

africaarchipelago

the game viewing in both parks is optimal in August - the big problem is the flight cost.
however Safari Air link offer a flight from Ruaha to Mahale and back for about $500 pp

atravelynn

Is August better than Sept in Southern Tanzania or are those months about the same for Mahale, Katavi, Ruaha, Selous?

atravelynn

Flycatchers has caught my attention.


http://www.flycat.com/en/

Lillipets

Flycatchers is on my "favorites" list now too. I don't mind basic! I love basic! I always thought Mahale, Katavi etc was out of my reach $wise but I may get there yet!

ShayTay

For southern and western Tanzania, the drier, the better. In September, it's quite dry so the wildlife will be around the ever-shrinking water sources. It's warm, but not as hot as it would be in October. There are fewer travelers in September, compared to July and August and the airfare to East Africa drops as much as $600 for the "shoulder season".

atravelynn

Thanks, good things to consider on the timing ShayTay.

The Flycatchers itinerary of

3 N. Serengeti
4 Mahale w/3 chimp visits
3 Katavi
4 Ruaha

looked very appealing.

ShayTay

Yes, it does, atravelynn. Because you go into and out of Arusha with Flycatchers, you also have the option of adding west Kilimanjaro, Arusha NP, or even Tarangire. Arusha NP is a day trip from town and is always a nice way to begin your safari. I've always seen the black and white colobus monkeys there. Tarangire in September is fantastic... lots of wildlife around the waterholes and river.

raelond

I am now leaning towards Tanzania rather than Kenya, visiting Mahale, Katavi, Ruaha and adding a few nights in Tarangire at the end. I have found out the the beds at Flycatchers are twin only and not the most comfortable. We slept on rock hard beds at the Serena Crater Lodge, so I guess I can survive. Flycatcher has its own charter to their camps so the flights are cheaper than other flights. We would have a total of 10 nights at Flycatchers,therefore I want to find out all the details I can about what they offer.

atravelynn

Please share those details Raelond.

I'm having deja vu. We did this for Duba Plains and maybe for somewhere else. You beat me to the place and provided info.

Your itinerary would be wonderful.

raelond

I am bringing this post back as this trip has been pushed back to August 2011. My husband has always wanted to go to Egypt so we are doing that in March 2010. I teach so August works best for me. I am now thinking of the Mara staying at Rekero and Serian camps and then going to Ruaha in Tanzania. Should I forget the Mara and do Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale? I am concerned about the number of vehicles in the Mara in August. I also don't know if my husband who has a bad knee can do a trek to see the chimps. I love the idea of a few days mobile camping. We camp in the British Columbia wilderness, so we don't mind a basic, but comfortable camp. I would still like to find out more about Flycathers.

raelond

This should read Flycatchers.