SA1

I am researching safari options for Tanzania in early March 2014 time frame. I want to go for about 2 weeks. I would like to see the major Northern parks: Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. A tour operator offered a preliminary suggestion that I stay 4-5 nights in Karatu Village as it is easy to visit the first three park from there. And, then not too far of a drive to the Ndutu region where it is possible the migration may be that time of year. Most of the tours I see overnight in each of the areas. I would be interested in any first hand experience or comments/feedback from others who have traveled in this area about this approach.

sandi

Get rid of that tour operator.

While the areas are rather close, between 2-3/hrs, it's best to overnight at each. Spend 2/nts Tarangire, 1/nt Manyara and 1-2/hrs Ngorongoro before heading to Ndutu/Serengeti from where at conclusion fly back to Arusha.*

Don't get me wrong, Karatu is lovely and a great area to 'chill', do walks, visit villages and/or schools/orphanages, but makes no sense to travel back/forth end every day to sleep here, where there are lovely accommodations at the others.

*Option could be to visit Tarangire, Ngo, Ndutu/Serengeti and on way back stop at Karatu before onto Manyara and final drive to Arusha.

Some tour operators do suggest Karatu instead of stay on the rim of the Crater, which most visitors consider the 'cherry on top' and thus would necessitate a 2.5/hr drive each way... makes no sense, though the TO think they're saving client some money... NOT! Petrol and your time both cost something.

The sun also sets early (bet. 6-6:15pm) on the Equator when by dusk you have to be off park lands, so means you then have to drive on not the best roads (where locals walk, bike riders, cattle move about, and possible drunk drivers) without lights. By dark you want to be at your lodge or camp in time for a shower, cocktails and dinner. You wouldn't get me on those roads after dark unless it was an emergency.

Curious? Where in Karatu is this TO suggesting you stay? Many here are as costly as staying on crater rim and/or lovely properties at the other areas.

All most strange, don't ever in all these years have seen something as this.

Elizabeth_S

We based in Karatu for 4 nights and from there visited Lake Manyara (one day) and the Crater (one day) and one day we visited local markets and went to local bars/restaurants which was fun. Lake Manyara would be about the farthest I would want to travel in one day.

We really liked the 4 nights in one place - we stayed at the Plantation Lodge and it was lovely. Early the 5th morning we left for Ndutu.

SA1

I only had an initial brief contact with TO so no details like hotels yet. Like Elizabeth, I think spending a few nights in one place is a good idea just maybe not karatu if the drives are long to the parks. I am thinking better to do that in ndutu then karatu.
any suggestions on a lodge closer to the crater? I don't have to stay on the rim.
Thanks all for the suggestions.

sandi

4/nts in one place is fine if it's Ndutu or the Serengeti, but I wouldn't at Karatu. While I believe a stop at Karatu is nice to have some 'out of vehicle' time and 'chill' - if as your TO indicating to visit Tarangire which is 2.5+/hrs in the opposite direction of where you'd be heading; Manyara is somewhat closer and depending on where at Karatu is at least a 1-2/hr drive also in opposite direction to where heading. And the Crater is about 2-2.5/hrs drive.

What many choose to do is:
Days 2 & 3 = Tarangire
Day 4 - Drive to Manyara; game drive; late in day to Karatu for - o/n
Day 5 - Karatu to enjoy highlands treks, visit elephant caves, bike riding, visit school/orphanage = o/n
Day 6 - Drive to Ngo (about 2=2.5/hrs); crater tour; then on departing a short 10/min drive for stay at Explorean's Lodge (it's new, well designed, lovely rooms, excellent food), and price is about same as would be the Serena on the rim. If not Explorean's, next closest outside NCA would be the Farmhhouse.


Next morning, from Exploreans (even if Farmhouse) you're already closer for heading to Ndutu/Serengeti.

SA1

Appreciate the feedback. I am looking at totally different schedule. I definately do not want to be based at of Karatu.

I found a new program which I think I line:
Day 1: leave U.S.
Day 2: Arrive in Africa (I hope) and Overnight in Arusha
Day 3: Drive to Tarangire and arrive in time to go into the park in the afternoon.
Day 4: full day in Tarangire park
Day 5 travel to Ngorongoro area and overnight in that area and break up the trip with a stop at Gibbs Fram.
Day 6 do a full day in the crater
Day 7 move on to the southern serengeti area. Break up drive with a stop at Olduvai. There is an afternoon wild life drive.
Day 8: a am and pm drive.
Day 9: move to central serengeti. The TO advises game is seen on the way but there is an afternoon game drive.
day 10: Full day game drive.
day 11: fly back to arusha.

The TO advertises no mileage limts. any comments / feedback, I would appreciate it. My basic concern is I have read early March is not a good time for Tarangire.

sandi

Crater tours are limited to 6/hrs only, legally. Doesn't necessarily mean someone will check and toss you out, but do ask if the TO has included in price for two (2) back-to-back visits? Each drive into the Crater is $200 per vehicle. Most feel 6/hrs is more than sufficient.

Routing is better, but what accommodations being offered in Southern Serengeti? As this time in March still when the 'calving' takes place, the Ndutu area is best.

SA1

Hi Sandi, unfortunately no. the previous day is all travel broken up by lunch at Gibbs. Day after park I move to Serengeti so one full day is one of the compromises iam making. The Serengeti lodging is supposed to be a semi permanent camp but I am still nailing down detailswith To.

sandi

Day 5 - shows drive to Ngo* with stop in Karatu for lunch at Gibb's, where after you can trek the highlands, visit elephant caves, bike riding ... and o/n in Karatu (as I now read correctly).

If overnighting Karatu Day 5, for Day 6, it'll be an early transfer about 2.5/hrs + paper work for entry at to Ngo before down to crater floor.

Why not head direct to Ngo for o/n Day 5 after lunch at Gibb's and some afternoon activity? you have time to arrive by 6pm when the Crater gate closes and can be down on crater floor 6am on Day 6 when it firsts opens... the best time with few visitors. You can rest in the afternoon or do a walk nearby with naturalist.

*the actual drive time from Tarangire to Ngo is about 3.5/hrs w/o stop at Karatu... from Tarangire to Gibbs @ Karatu is about 2/hrs

Day 7 You head out to the Serengeti

SA1

Hi Sandi, appreciate the comments on both of my threads. I worded that awkwardly. I actual do continue on to Ngo* after Gibbs farm so will overnight on the rim before a promised early morning start to the crater floor.

arthi9487

SA1, are you traveling alone? Also, what itinerary did you finally decide on? Your last itinerary looks similar to one I'm looking at as well.

SA1

Hello Arthi9487, yes. I am traveling solo. I opted to go with a group tour with Thomson Safari. My final itinerary is

2 days Tarangire National park. Then drive to Ngorongoro, breaking up the drive with lunch at Gibbs farm then overnight at rim.
1 full day drive at the crater. 1 more overnight on the rim again.
Next 3 days (2 nights) I will spend in the Serengeti near the ndutu region.
Next 3 days (2 nights) I will spend in Central Serengeti.
Fly back to Arusha and leave later that evening.

Basically I decided to spend more time in the Serengeti. So the trade-off was removing Lake Manyara and also doing only the one day game drive at the crater.

arthi9487

Have you already confirmed and booked? If you have not already, would you like to join forces? I am in my final stages as well.

SA1

Arthi9487, I have already confirmed and booked. It was the last space open on the tour. I see you have a thread asking for feedback on your itinerary. Maybe you could open a new thread about getting other traveler(s) together.