eco2

Hi All,

I've been to TZ a few times but not in August. I am trying to advise a friend where to go on the Northern Circuit in August. Can anyone give suggestions on where the animals usually are at this time? Which parks should not be missed? I am guessing Serengeti and Crater are always good - but where in Serengeti? What about Tarangire? Lake Manyara? Any other suggestions for August?

Thanks in advance!

atravelynn

Tarangire is great in August. Manyara is not at its prime for wildlife, but a day's visit may fit well in the itinerary. I think night drives are offered in Manyara and people have done a canoe trip.

You are correct about the crater. For the Serengeti, I'd go to the northern part. A stop in central may work well for logistics and for the permanent water source that attracts animals. But I'd spend more time in the north.

If the arrival or departure day works with a trip to Arusha National Park, that would offer a different, more forestlike environment. Canoeing and walking is also an option here.

If your friend is into culture, he or she may want to spend a day at Lake Eyasi visiting the Hadzabe and Dagota tribes.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...he-hadzabe.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...e-people-1.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...he-hadzabe.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ort-advice.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...t-a-report.cfm

sandi

Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Northern Serengeti are definites.
Manyara and Lake Eyasi if time allows.

In Northern Serengeti there are few properties and most are expensive. If traveling alone expect that darn single supplement. The only lower cost property here, though not ideally positioned for Aug, is Lobo Lodge. However, despite the amazing views here, is a budget lodge and can be disappointing.

If time and budget allows, your friend might want to consider the Masai Mara in Kenya to catch the migration here; also there are many more choices for lodging at all budgets.

eco2

Thanks for the suggestions. Any particulars on where to stay in Tarangire or N. Serengeti? Would a mobile tented camp be best in N. Serengeti? Not too interested in recommending Lobo Lodge...

sandi

Contact a few in-country outfitters (see: www.tatotz.com, for names - Good Earth, Roy Safaris, Green Footprints - are some) and see what they may have available or can recommend for the Northern Serengeti. If friend is traveling solo, expect the single supplement which can really send the prices skyward. Maybe there's a "group" operator that can accommodate, though their routings are often set (for dates and accomm). Friend has gotta do the research.

ShayTay

We stayed in Tanganyika Wilderness Camps' Simiyu mobile tented camp in the northern Serengeti last September and thoroughly enjoyed it. We combined that with the Simiyu Camp in the Seronera area, so that might be something your friend might think about doing if they go to the Serengeti. As an alternative, they could go to the Masai Mara in Kenya, where the bulk of the Migration herds "may" be... hard to say these days, with the changing weather patterns. Still, there are usually some of the herds that stay on the Tanzania side of the border in the north.

spassvogel

We go in mid Sep to SWALA in Tarangire and KUSINI in south. Serengeti - both www.sanctuarylodges.com. We also include LEMALA in northern Serengeti and maybe Sayari (asilialodges.com) in order to get another experience compared to the one we had when traveling in Febr.
The domestic flights/transfers are arranged for by either Sanctuary or Asilia.

SV

aby

hi eco2
i agree to the northern Serengeti/Mara

as for Tarangire - that's a good season there
but talking about 'Crazy Climate' when in Tz last april, imet someone who has seen huge herds of Ellies there (while they were supposed to be on migration out of the park...)

aby

P.S. if you like Pythons - Tarangire is probably the only park one can almost guarantee a Python sighting - usually resting on top of trees around Silale

atravelynn

aby,

You're full of the most interesting facts. It took awhile to find a map that would show Silale. But it appears you could get to that swampy area without a lot of trouble.

http://www.expertafrica.com/map/tanz...ional-park.asp

I hope one more trip to Tarangire is in my future and I'll be hunting pythons when I go.

atravelynn

I would guess the pythons would be in the trees midday so unlike other game that is best spotted in the morning or late afternoon, you could look for the pythons in the trees when some of the other wildlife would be less abundant.

atravelynn

Pythons in Tarangire was the topic of my last visit to this thread. Continuing with that fascinating subject...

1) Is there a season FOR pythons, or a season when you are very unlikely to see them in the Silale area of Tarangire?

2) Is my hypothesis in the May 7 post correct on timing within the day? That would mean a boxed lunch if I am correct.

3) Would devoting a day to driving around the Silale area be a reasonable way to go about looking for a python or would it be a real long shot that is merely wasting petrol?

4) If devoting a whole day to looking for pythons is not likely to produce a sighting, is there other wildlife in that area that would justify hanging around for an entire day?

5) Is the search done in a vehicle? I would think so because the Silale region is within the park boundary.

6) Would staying near the gate of Tarangire work out if you wanted to spend a day in the Silale area or would it be better to stay nearby at a place like Sopa Lodge?

7) Do most guides from reputable companies (the kind always mentioned here) know about this area and where the pythons tend to be or would you need to make a special guide request or even use one of a few select companies?

8) Would excessive vehicle traffic in pursuit of a python sighting in this region be a likely distraction? (Just kidding with #8--I hope.)