Tanzania - Singati Grumeti Reserve in August

Old Mar 26th, 2010, 10:58 PM
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Tanzania - Singati Grumeti Reserve in August

We are researching a Tanzanian Safari for August 2011. Our tentative itinerary is as follows. Please review and let us know your thoughts.

Specifically, we are considering Thomson Safaris outfitter for the Ngorogoro and Northern Serengeti Safaris. From all of the reading I've done to date, they come highly recommended from National Geographic, World Wildlilfe Fund, and Travel/Leisure. Any thoughts/recommendations re: Thomson or another outfitter is greatly welcomed.

Lastly, we are strongly considering visiting Singati Grumeti Reserves as the last safari on our trip - sort of a place to relax, rest, and unwind before our long journey back to the US. Any thoughts/recommendations re: Singati Grumeti Reserves (Sabora Tented Camp and Faru Faru Lodge) is greatly appreciated. We know it's pricey. The question is - is Singati worth the money as a R&R resort?

Day 1: Arrive Arusha from US and travel to lodging/camp site for Ngorogoro Crater
Day 2 - 3: Ngorogoro Crater Safari
Day 4: Travel to Northern Serengeti (near Klein's Camp)
Day 5 - 6: Northern Serengeti Safari
Day 7: Travel to Singati Grumeti Reserve (either Sabora Tented Camp or Faru Faru Lodge)
Day 8 - 9: Grumeti Reserve Safari
Day 10: Travel back to Arusha and depart to Europe
Day 11: Stay overnight in Europe
Day 12: Depart for US

Thanks!
dmiclat
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Old Mar 27th, 2010, 06:45 AM
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Singita and August are not the best match for numbers of animals. The accommodations should be very nice, though, and you won't have a lot of people around. You can drive to the central area from the western part where your lodge choices are located. Your Northern Serengeti time is well placed.

Is it worth the $$? If it is well within your budget, you routinely spend in this range on nice resorts, you place a lot of value on luxury on when traveling, then I'd answer yes. If you are finding this safari to be a real stretch financially and your goal is wildlife viewing as opposed to fancy accommodations, then there are many excellent alternatives for less.

Even if you end up with this itinerary and Thomson's Safaris, it is a good idea to check out some other possibilities. It is always an education for you and then you can be assured you have the best itinerary for your wants and needs.

-Roy's Safaris in Tanzania--I've only corresponded with them and have been impressed, but many have used them successfully.
-The Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale--I've used them with success in Tanzania 2x
-Kiliwarriors in Virginia and Tanzania--never used, but am working with them on a trip
-Good Earth in Tampa and Tanzania--I've only corresponded with them and have been impressed, but many have used them successfully
-Africa Serendipity in NYC--no personal knowledge, but others have used with success
-Premier Tours in Philadelphia--no personal knowledge, but others have used with success

All of the above specialize in Africa and are just a few of the many reputable companies you can choose from.

If you look at this index, you'll see many trip reports and the companies used.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34860283

If you do some searching, Thomson's has been mentioned in connection with some questionable land acquisition practices.
atravelynn is offline  
Old Mar 27th, 2010, 07:00 AM
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On Day 1 - from where are you arriving and at what time?
-- if an evening flight from the States via Europe, most don't get in until evening; would require o/n in Arusha.
-- if earlier in the day, at Arusha/ARK airport (or by road to Arusha town?) or at Kilimanjaro/JRO airports?
-- is the transfer then to Ngo by road or air? if by air, scheduled flight service (only morning and aftenoon flights) goes to Lake Manyara, from there it would be a 2.5/hr road transfer
-- charter flights are available, by Ngo airstrip is rarely used as it can be fogged in

Days 2 -3 - Where will you be staying at Ngo? Crater Lodge, Lemala Camp? Other?
-- 1/full day is usually more than sufficient; 2/nts would be more than sufficient
-- I'd take 1/day from here and put towards Northern Serengeti where you can catch the Migration

Days 4-6 - Northern Serengeti - which camp? Sayari, Olakira, Lemala, Nomad? other?
-- Assume from Ngo you will be flying to here; if so this would require 2.5/hr drive back to Manyara for scheduled flight up north
-- As above, I would take 1/day from Ngo to add here

Days 7-9 - Grumeti - another safari location, but if you wish to use as R&R, agree it's a very very expensive option. Many choose Zanzibar for R&R... so it's your choice.
-- from No.Serengeti, getting here would by a flight transfer.
-- and on last day, Day 10, would be flight to Arusha; assume you'll have a dayroom till evening flight to Europe, unless returning for home via Nairobi.

You can consider:
Day 1 - Arv ARK or JRO - o/n
Day 2 - To Tarangire - o/n Treetops, Swala, Lemala, Oliver's Camps
Day 3 - Tarangire
Day 4 - To Ngorongoro - o/n Crater Lodge or Lemala Camp
Day 5 - Ngo
Day 6 - To No. Serengeti - o/n Sayari, Lemala, Olakira, Nomads
Days 7 & 8 - No. Serengeti
Day 9 - Fly to ZNZ - o/n Mnemba Is., Kilindi, many others
Days 10 & 11 - ZNZ
Dayy 12 - To ZNZ airport for homebound via DAR or NBO.

My 2-cents.
sandi is offline  
Old Mar 27th, 2010, 10:43 AM
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Regarding SINGITA GRUMETI - our experience:

We visited Singita Grumeti Reserve in Feb this year and it was amazing!
We didn't care about the calving season and migration which was around Ndutu in Feb as we have seen the migration several times.

We just wanted to stay in a fabulous reserve enjoying resident wildlife combined with outstanding service and hospitality.

We were not disappointed.

We watched male Cheetahs advertising themselves (for being chosen for the female Cheetah's new cubs ;-) ), Cheetah brothers stalking and hunting, several prides of lions numerous times,bad-eared foxes, large breeding herd of Elephants, Buffaloes, a fair number of plains game cinl. a very large herd of Topi.

Whether to choose Sabora tented or Faru Faru Lodge is totally depending on whether by then you want to stay in a tent or chalet and whether you expect a swimming pool or not, which is only available at Faru Faru.

The high class service, meals (tiger prawns for pre dinner snacks is only something which gives you an idea of the level of cuisine you get), guiding - outstanding in all of their Grumeti venues.

Sabora tented means: A HUGE tent which provides extremely large beds with mosq. net, a very large bathroom, very well selected solid furniture incl. rugs, a huge deck with a Swarovski bino in fron of tent, a wooden elevated walkway to the individual lounge tent which is equipped with 2 chaiselongue, again minibar, desk, books on wildlife, plants, doffee table books etc etc etc.
A/C (!) plus fan.

Faru Faru's chalets are outstandingly beautiful. E.g. the sliding windows down to the waterhole is approx. 10-12 m and to open via remote control. Very contemporary design.
Large bathroom and outside shower, separate toilet.
The lodge has different swimmingpools on different levels.

Both venues offer all bathroom amenities in large quantities and excellent brand. So you don't have to bring those with you.

From From Faru you can be driven over to Sasakwa in order to do a game ride - but you have to be an experienced horse rider being able to control your horse at any given situation. They do an assessment ride. All equipment from boots to gloves are available for the guests.

Both venues are destinations in themselves providing a safari experience which is not to be missed - at any time of the year - if you don't have to rob a bank for the stay I would definitely advise to experience Singita Grumeti.

SV
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Old Mar 29th, 2010, 09:33 PM
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Thanks everyone for their replies. A couple of follow up questions:

1. Does Sayara camp provide mosquito nets around the beds in their tents?
2. Does Sayara camp have running water?
3. What does Tarangire offer re: wildlife viewing vs Ngorongoro/Northern Serengeti?
4. Has anyone worked with Trail Warriors tour operator? Apparently they provide an opportunity to stay in a boma overnight.

We are pretty much sold on visiting Ngorongoro Crater and Northern Serengeti. Now we must decide whether we want to go to Grumeti vs. Zanzibar vs. some other location for some R&R. Any advice on which to select?

Thanks again!
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Old Mar 30th, 2010, 08:23 AM
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No mossie nets, tents are treated and sprayed at night when you go out for dinner. Yes to running water and flush loos.
Tarangire winds up being a favorite park of those who visit... diverse eco-systems, lots of game, the lovely baobab trees.

Believe you mean Warrior Trails not Trail Warriors. Ask specifics about the boma overnight to ascertain whether the children will like.

Zanzibar would be a great option for R&R after safari. Lots of choices for accommodations, depending on how much you want to spend... can be $1000+/person/nt or half that. Ask operator for offerings to meet needs of adults and children.
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Old Mar 30th, 2010, 01:25 PM
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dmiclat
We always travel with our travel mossi net which can be fixed almost in any tent - even shifting some furniture around remains an option particularly in Malaria areas as we don't consider it "sufficient" when the tent is sprayed by the turn down service (light sometime remains on for creating a special ambiance). We also use the light when coming from dinner. And those tents are by dar not !100" bug proof".
So having one at hand is useful - not just for the mossies but also protection against all sorts of crawling stuff.

Be aware most of the tented camps in East Africa don't provide mossie nets.

A travel net weights roughly a couple of hundred grams.

Singita provides nets - all three venues.

Regarding Zanzibar:
Have a look at the Kempinski. It's a very nice venue at a beautiful beach which isn't affected be the tides as some of the venues in other locations.
Let your TO/TA clarify with any chosen resort about the impact the tides have.

SV
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Old Mar 30th, 2010, 02:14 PM
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"look at the Kempinski. It's a very nice venue at a beautiful beach which isn't affected be the tides as some of the venues"

... sorry, but Kempinski though relatively new is a large resort hotel with over 100/rooms, getting around on golf carts... ugh! And, being on the east side of island is definitely affected by the tides.

To avoid tides, which are always moon dependent and might not be an issue depending on given day... the north or northwest side of island is best. Doesn't mean those are the best hotels though. Besides if hotel also has pool, you spend a few hours there then head to the beach when it reappears.

Kilindi on the west side is a good choice and sure has the "wow" factor.
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Old Mar 31st, 2010, 06:34 AM
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I didn't read that the choice s limited to SMALL resorts.

Regarding tides and the impact:
We stayed at the Kempi and went to Matemwe - for sure the Kempinski has by far the better beach - low tide as well as high tide!

SV
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