emcer

Hi, I would like to organize my safari in Tanzania before I go to Africa, but don’t want to do so if it means paying a lot more for the safe safari experience.

I have received a number of itineraries which I have narrowed down to: Happy World Safaris ($2,850 for lodge/tented camp) and Roy’s Safaris ($1,825 budget camping). Both are private tours. I prefer the Happy World Safaris itinerary ( I appreciate it is $1000 more expensive). Essentially, I want to know if I should book one of these trips before I go or if I would get better value in Arusha (or booking in Nairobi as has been mentioned by some people)? I will be traveling around Africa for a number of months, with a limited budget. I hope to pick up cheaper safari experiences in other places, go if budget allows and not, if not, but would like to have had at least one really good safari experience during my time in Africa.

There are two of us, and we will be traveling in late July/August to Tanzania. (availability may be an issue, were I to wait and book when I arrive?)

Options are option 1, option 2 or option 3 – wait until I get there! Any advice very much appreciated!!

Option 1 – Happy World Safaris:
DAY 00: Arrival
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport(JRO), transfer to Arusha, Overnight at Olasiti Lodge. Meal Plan HB
DAY 01: Lake Manyara National Park
Morning breakfast, at 07:00am drive to Lake Manyara National Park, full day gamedrive in the park, late afternoon drive to Lake Eyasi, Overnight at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge. Meal Plan FB
DAY 02: Lake Eyasi
Early morning wake up, go for hunting with the Hadzabe tribe, after lunch visit the Datoga tribe, late afternoon drive to Karatu, Overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House. Meal Plan FB
DAY 03: Northern Serengeti National Park
08:00am drive to Serengeti National Park, afternoon gamedrive heading Northern Serengeti National Park, Overnight at Ang’ata Bologonja Tented Camp. Meal Plan FB
DAY 04: Northern Serengeti National Park
06:00am full day gamedrive in Northern Serengeti National Park, late afternoon drive to Central Serengeti National Park, evening gamedrive Overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp. Meal Plan FB
DAY 05: Central Serengeti National Park
full day gamedrive in Central Serengeti National Park, Overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp. Meal Plan FB
DAY 06: Central Serengeti National Park
Early morning wake up, at 06:00am full day gamedrive in Central Serengeti National Park, after lunch continue gamedrive, late afternoon drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for relaxation at the rim, Overnight at Ang’ata Ngorongoro Tented Camp. Meal Plan FB
DAY 07: Ngorongoro Crater
06:00am drive descent to Ngorongoro Crater, full day gamedrive in the crater, later ascent back to the rim and drive to Arusha,Overnight at Olasiti Lodge. Meal Plan HB(Dinner and Breakfast)

Option 2 – Roy’s Safaris

1 08h30 Am pick up from your hotel within Arusha Town center & drive via Roy Safaris office for a pre-departure briefing. Then drive to lake Eyasi. Dinner and overnight at Lake Eyasi Campsite. (Excursions in Lake Eyasi can be booked directly)
2 After breakfast, drive to Central Serengeti National Park. Game viewing en-route the Campsite in Seronera for dinner and overnight.
3 Sunrise game drive, continue game viewing en-route to Northern Serengeti for Dinner and overnight at Lobo Campsite.
4 Full day of game viewing in Northern Serengeti. overnight at Lobo Campsite.
5 Morning game drive in Serengeti as you exit the park, drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and overnight at Simba Campsite.
6 After an early breakfast, with picnic lunches descend the Crater for a morning tour of the crater. In the afternoon drive back to Arusha.
(End of our services).

Patty

Late July/August is high season but availability may of less of an issue if you go the budget camping route. I assume these itineraries are for private safaris for the two of you? Are you opposed to joining a group? That would bring the cost down but you may have to compromise on itinerary, accommodations (most likely budget camping if you book on arrival), day of departure, etc. How flexible are you and do you have time to spend in Arusha looking around? Have you considered a safari in Kenya? You may be able to lower your cost by doing your safari in Kenya instead.

oliverafrika

Booking in advance is advisable. Availability may be an issue in end of July/August. And you will avoid wasting time in Arusha looking for the big deal. I do not think that you'll make a better bargain in Arusha rather than from home.

SA1

Hello Emcer - Based on game drives - I would agree with you that the first itinerary is preferable. If you go with the second - you may want to inquire about a whole day at the crater and what costs/options there are for activities at lake Eyasi. Also you may want to check out the lodgings being offered to ensure they are comparable.
I joined a group tour as an individual and the downside is a lack of control with start/end times as some people just do not like getting an early start and some elderly couples on the tour tired and wanted some earlier afternoon stop times. If I go back I would want a private tour.

sandi

On Opt. #1, it's an awful long (entire day) drive to the Northern Serengeti... day considered wasted! Just so you know. Granted it's a game drive, but still, in a vehicle bumping all the way.

I'd go with the camping safari.

Rushil

Hi! We just returned from a Kilimanjaro trek and 6 day safari to Tanzania with Tro Peaks Adventures, and had a wonderful time. We spent $1320 per person per head for the 6 days safari, and covered Terengire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorogoro. It was camping, but the campsites were not entirely budget, and we had a comfortable and great trip, with a great guide and hassle-free organising before we landed. Tro-Peaks is a small outfit, and hence focused a lot on quality and making sure we had a great time. Daniel and Thomas (the founders) are very responsive on email, and you should definitely reach out to them!!

Rushil

Here is the email id for you: [email protected]

I am also writing my trip report currently (just got back on Sunday) so you can get more details soon

emcer

Great, thanks all!

zigurat

Hi emcer. I am in a similar boat to you, though travelling solo which is making things even tricker / more expensive! I have definitely come to the conclusion it is worth booking ahead...

The timings may be all wrong for you, but just in case it could work I am very close to having a group trip confirmed with Duma explorer, who seem to have excellent reviews. The dates are 23rd-30th August.

Duma explorer have suggested a fantastic itinerary with 1 night at Ngorongoro crater, 2 nights in the Seronera area, 2 nights in northern Serengeti (close to potential river crossings at that time of year) and 2 nights in Tarangire. It is all camping except the 2 nights in the northern Serengeti which is at a luxury camp (Chaka camp). So a nice mixture of budget and luxury!

It is almost definitely going ahead as 2 others are ready to commit and if 2 more are interested the price will be very reasonable for this 8 day / 7 night safari. Not sure how much detail I am allowed to post on here, but the cost would be $2,120 pp if there were 5 in the group.

It seems a bargain given that it goes to the far north of the Serengeti to try and see parts of the migration and includes 2 nights in a proper tented camp.

Good luck with your trip planning

HOSYSAFARIS

Yes Nairobi, but do you have a plan to tour Kenya. It will save time and money if you go to Tanzania direct. From Nairobi to Arusha that is like another 4 hour of game viewing time taken on the road.

should need to visit places like Tsavo and amboseli in Kenya Nairobi is appropriate to access Tanzania. and some hotels like sopa lodges in manyara and tarangire have their office in Nairobi for reservation and management.

hosy safaris