eleven920

Has anyone used AdventureTourSafaris in Tanzania or know anything about them? I'm planning a trip to Tanzania with my daughter (25) December 11-23, including travel time. They have proposed the following itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive Arusha, overnight at Impala Hotel
Day 2 - Tarangire National Park, Sopa Lodge
Day 3 - Lake Manyara Nat'l Park, Kirurumu Tented Camp
Day 4 & 5- Serengeti Nat'l Park. Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Day 6 - Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Day 7 - drive to Arusha for departure

I can extend my stay 1 or 2 more days. Any comments re: itinerary, lodges, etc.? I'm having trouble arranging flights to Arusha and may have to fly in to Nairobi. Am concerned about the quality of the guide since it will just be the two of us (I would prefer a small group but the schedule seems to preclude that).

Leely

eleven,
Is this the exact name of the company? There are so many operators with similar names, it's hard to really know. Can you provide the website link; maybe the name is a little different.

Are they an in-country tour op, or are they based in the US somewhere or UK or...? If they're in-country, are they registered with TATO or the Tanzanian Tourist Board? Have you asked for contact information from former clients?

If you can, add time--1 night, perhaps--to the Serengeti. I'm sure others here who have travelled in December can advise you further on the itinerary. But first things first: I get the impression you want to make sure this company is legit.

Also, I wouldn't worry about doing a private safari rather than a small group. I would much, much prefer private. Are you the mom or the dad? A friend and I (2 women, mid 30s) went to TZ "alone" on a private safari. Not a problem at all! And a wonderful experience.

I really should get some work done today so I can finance my next trip, but please do provide more information. Also, any budget concerns you have.

eleven920

Leely, thanks for the quick response. I am the Mom and neither of us have traveled to Africa. The website is www.adventuretoursafaris.com. It was recommended by a new co-worker who is a Tanzania native. It is based in Tanzania but has a U.S. representative, although I do not know where he is located. I do not know of the company is a member of TATO or TTB but I will look into it. Budget is always a concern. Right now the trip is quoted at $2333 pp with a Dec 13 start date although it was previously quoted at $1900pp with a Dec 15 start date. I haven't asked for references but I will request them immediately. It appears that we have 1 1/2 days in Serengeti. You recommend another day there instead of Tarangire or Ngorongoro?

Leely

Ugh, I wish I could remember who on this board did safaris in East Africa this past December. I remember reading the trip reports, though, so maybe you can do a search.

I don't know that company; they are not, as far as I could tell, listed on the TATO website (tatotz.org).
I think a poster here, climbhighsleeplow, had/has a better link for tour ops and travel agents licensed in Tanzania. Hopefully he wil see this post, or pehaps Sandi will.

Your price seems high to me. I'm not at all familiar with holiday surcharges (again, Sandi and climbhigh would know better), but $2333 pp for what is essentially 5 nights on safari staying at non-luxury places seems...a little like highway robbery.

I could be wrong, though.

Are you going this December or 2006?

eleven920

December 2005 so my choices are getting limited. I will continue looking for a better deal and searching the postings as you suggest.

Patty

I believe they are on the list of licensed Tanzania tour operators which is here -

http://www.tourismtanzania.go.tz/Doc...t%20Agents.pdf

Does anyone know if Kenya publishes a similar list? I know about KATO but not all operators are members.

I'm not that familiar with holiday pricing either, but I'd at least contact a few other tour operators for comparison.

Leely

Thanks, Patty.

eleven920, you can at least rest assured that you're dealing with a licensed operator (not that your friend would steer you toward an unlicensed one).

Now the question is whether this is a reasonable price or not.

eleven920

Thanks a bunch to both of you! I'll keep you posted re pricing for this time of year.