modeb

Hi,
We're a family with 2 children and planning a 9 day trip to Tanzania.
We have thought of an itinerary with 6 days of the Northern Circuit ( Moshi, Ngorogoro ,Serengeti) followed by 3 days in Zanzibar. Needed a few inputs on the overall itinerary:
1. Would any of you know or recommend any of these travel agencies - Duma EXplorers,Galloping Safaris or Bookings Multichoice?
2. Would any of you have stayed or recommend these properties: Ndarkawai Ranch Camp at Moshi & Anna of Zanzibar in Zanzibar?
3. What would you recommend as fun/interesting things for children in Zanzibar? Dont want to do the usual Stone Town tour of spice plantation/prison/architecture with them as they might get too bored. Any recommendations of good beaches & other activities?

Thanks!

mkhonzo

Compass.. maybe you can give me some insights to which trips you have taken with your agent, what in particular did you like about their service? Have you travelled with anyone else in Tanzania to offer me a comparison to assist in choosing either way?
Thanks, I'll look out for your reply.

Elizabeth_S

Hi - we were in the Serengeti in January with Nomad Tanzania and highly recommend them - by the way how old are your children? We saw several kids on our travels (under 12) and they looked horribly bored. We asked our guide about that and he said parents are sometimes disappointed with their kids response to a safari (after the first rush of seeing animals wears off). I would highly recommend a private vehicle/guide for the 4 of you - that way you can control the length of the game drives to match everyone's interest level.

Here's a link to our blog which shows the Nomad Serengeti properties

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/a...ater-and-area/

(more Tanzania links on the right hand margin)

larryOle

Hi, we had our Tanzania safari same time last year, I have posted my review on Trip advisor

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserRe...al_Reserve.htm

larryOle

I think I forgot to point out that we travelled with Neo Destinations, a local safari company.

Leely2

<i>2. Would any of you have stayed or recommend these properties: Ndarkawai Ranch Camp at Moshi & Anna of Zanzibar in Zanzibar? </i>

If you do a search I am pretty sure someone on this board (maybe Patty?) has stayed at Ndarkawai. Sorry, I haven't heard of Anna of Zanzibar. If you're worried about your kids getting bored, you might consider spending just 1 day/night in Stonetown and two nights on the beach somewhere.

Have a great trip!

atravelynn

Here's Patty's account, pix, and another report.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ngorongoro.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...zania-trip.cfm

Here are my photos from our riding safari on Ndarakwai. It'll give you some idea of what the area looks like http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-dle0fg

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If you wished to use a lodge instead of tented accommodations to save some money, I think Sopa would be ideal in the Serengeti in May. I know of one person who agreed and is there about now for some time. What do the rest of you think? And wouldn't the prices all over Tanzania be better in May? Is there a deal if you combine the Ngorongoro Sopa and Serengeti Sopa? I'm talking myself into getting on a Tanzania-bound plane before the month ends!

Patty

<i>I'm talking myself into getting on a Tanzania-bound plane before the month ends!</i>

Can you hang around til mid-June and come see us in Kenya?

Yes we did camp on Ndarakwai but didn't stay at the tented camp (I posted briefly on the OP's other thread). Thanks for linking my report and pics!

sandi

Anna on Zanzibar is a very small (only 4/villas) in the lux category (and relatively new) Rates in the range of $500+/nt for a couple. Probably ideal for honeymooners, but might be limiting for those with children who often need "activities." You might want to look at a somewhat larger property (30-70/rooms/cottages) that offers more services.

modeb

Thanks everybody for your trip reports (Patty's & larryOle's reviews were very insightful - thanks!) and feedback.Hi,

LarryOle I think you mentioned taking the Hot Air Balloon at Masai Mara. Could you tell us if children are allowed for the rides and how much would it cost per person approx?

Another feedback requested from everyone is what is the tipping etiquette at all these lodges? Does one usually tip in local curency and how much does one tip, especially for the safari guides since they would be travelling with you likely for all the game drives over 5-6 days?

sandi

Hot-air balloon rides are available in both the Serengeti and Masai Mara. If traveling end-May, I'd do this in the Serengeti where the migrating herds are below. However, the price in the Serengeti is higher than in the Masai Mara - about $500/person vs $450/person.

Young children aren't permitted; belive child has to be 12/yr minimum... your agent can advise.

Tipping is done at conclusion of the service. Guidelines vary, but a search on this board will find many threads on the subject. Tips go to the guide/driver (given directly), also for lodge/camp staff - porters, housekeeping, chef, waiters, etc. - (which is placed in a Tip Box found at Reception; management then distributes to the staff.

Tips can be in local currency or USD.
You can get small amount of local Tanzania Shillings at ATM or a currency exchange office in Arusha... your guide will stop for you. And, in Kenya, Kenya Shillings from an ATM, though if moving from Serengeti to Mara by road, doubt you'll find an ATM nearby; USD will suffice. Don't get too much local currency as it can sometimes be difficult to exchange on departing the country/ies. For a 5-6/day safari, you don't need more than $50 worth of each local currency... any more can be paid with USD. Local currency is often best used at local roadside souvenir stands.

Safari njema!

modeb

Thanks Sandi for all these suggestions! They were really very helpful and we will plan accordingly!

immrlo

Hello! Worrying about the weather as well. Are there any good reliable sources for the current weather and where the wildebeest migration currently is?

I am going to be in Tanzania May 24-June 1st and Zanzibar until June 5th.

Safe travels!

ShayTay

This website usually has the latest Migraton updates: http://www.wildwatch.com/great_migration They may also mention the weather, but it can rain at almost any time during the time you're going, immrlo. By late May, I would expect the rains to be tapering off, but you can never tell. The weather patterns are changing in East Africa, it seems.