cary999

I'm joining a small photo group for safari in Tanzania in mid Feb 2011. Flying into JRO and must transfer to Arusha to the African Tulip hotel. I've searched here and find many references to such transfers but no details. So looking for transfer specifics, who does them, what is cost (one person), everything needed to email or call and set it up. Thanks anyone.

regards - tom

Zambezi

I don't know where the African Tulip Hotel is, but, from my experience a month ago, I know that KLM has a shuttle service from JRO to downtown Arusha (I've forgotten the name of the hotel) and that you can sign up for it. As I recall, the cost was US $15. I would contact KLM. Once in Arusha, you can take a taxi from the drop-off point to that hotel. ZZ

ShayTay

Tom, your outfitter isn't meeting you at JRO? All of the group may be coming in on the same KLM flight; could you check with whoever is heading it up and see how the rest of the group is getting to town? It's about 40 km to Arusha from JRO, BTW.

cary999

Thanks ZZ, interesting b/c I'm probably flying in on KLM.
Thanks ShayTay - You got pretty well. But - I'm planning to arrive a day earlier than the other 5. After the 32 hours of travel and 9 hour time change I want to become jello for a day before heading off for Lake Manyara. The group JRO Arusha transfer is being provided by the TO, Roy Safaris, so I can contact them. (But I'm sure Roy Safaris is planning on one (group) transfer and not another for me. Although the African Tulip hotel is indeed owned by Roy Safaris).

regards -tom

twaffle

Tom, I'm really glad that you have a safari organised … it has been a while. Will you be posting an itinerary or anymore details?

cary999

Thanks Twaffle. A while yes, too while, too long. I was contemplating going back to my fav haunts in South Africa in May. But this popped up. One of the six dropped out and they asked if I were interested. I thought that since Carolyn is not safaring this year it would be good time to join a photo group. It ALL will be knew to me, Tanzania, camps, vehicles. I'll post more after everything is set. I'm trying to get flights so that my total travel time is less than 35 hours!! And that's airport-to-airport (LAX-JRO), add more time for door-to-door!!

And, regarding this transfer question, I talked with our TO Roy Safaris and he said no worry it will be taken care of.

regards - tom

cary999

Thanks wildlife, will file that, may need it. I don't require private car, any shuttle bus will do for the hour ride.

regards - tom

Zambezi

The KLM shuttle/in-town taxi may be a lot cheaper than a transfer by Roy Safaris. ZZ

sdb2

Tom, the Impala Hotel runs a shuttle from JRO to Arusha at a cost of $15 each way. Here's the link: http://www.impalahotel.com/services.htm
I think they would drop you off at the AT hotel, which appears to be near the Impala, but you could ask them if you're interested in the shuttle.

But.....I used the shuttle. The ride on arrival was good but the return was hellish. Here's what I wrote a while back.

"I stayed at the Impala and had their shuttle ($15, a good price) pick me up from JRO. The traffic was very light at ~9:30 pm, and the driver kept a moderate, safe pace. The return with the shuttle (different driver) was hair-raising. There was very heavy traffic in both directions at the time (~6 pm) and the road sat under a pall of gray soot from exhaust fumes. These conditions did not keep the driver from attempting to attain Warp Speed whenever possible. The minivan had neither air conditioning [all the better to savor the exquisitely polluted air] nor safety belts, and repeated requests to slow down were either ignored or not understood."

"I'm not normally squeamish about cab/shuttle drivers, but that trip to JRO was the ride from hell."

Good luck on your arrangements---sounds like a nice trip coming up. Steve

Calo

If you're traveling with Roy and staying at their hotel, I'm sure they'll should look after the transfer.

I'm looking forward to seeing your itinerary.

JazzDrew

We did FANTASTIC safari in Kenya and Tanzania with Roy's Safari a few years ago and can assure you that Raoy's will take amazing care of you! No worries at all. We worked with Sanjay and would use them again in a heartbeat!

Here are some pictures of our safari on pBase:

http://www.pbase.com/jazzdrew/kenya_and_tanzania_safari

Jambo!

JazzDrew

ShayTay

If the hotel is Roy's, then I'd suggest contacting them about a transfer. They run enough safaris that they may have some folks coming in on your flight and can take you to Arusha, as well. If not and you just want to relax for a day, the KIA Lodge is next to the airport. Stay there a day, then ride to Arusha with the rest of your group.

cary999

Many thanks all.
The one flight from Europe every day into JRO is KLM (KL/DL/AF) so got to be many passengers transferring to Arusha. Anyway, my safari is indeed with Roy Safaris who also owns the African Tulip hotel. I talked with Sanjay about coming a day early and airport transfer and he said no worry.

regards - tom

ShayTay

Good to hear, Tom! Glad to hear you're headed to Tanzania. What's your itinerary? I've been that month and was surprised at how hot it was... be prepared!

cary999

Ok, by popular demand , below is my Tanzanian safari itinerary for 12 days starting Feb 16th. It will ALL be new to me, Tanzania, the camps, game reserves, even vehicle type.

The TO is Roy Safaris out of Arusha. The group is 2 couples from USA, a fellow from Sweden and myself, 6 total. Of the 6, 4 are into photography. We will have 3 vehicles so only 2 persons per vehicle. Over half of the group have been to Tanzania and on this same itinerary once or more than once. The guides and vehicles will have just come back from a photo safari, pretty much this same itinerary, with a photo pro who leads safaris (not anyone on our Forum).

I very much like the group’s approach to game drives. Out at or before dawn, box breakfast, and not back into camp until lunch. (Typical camp morning game drives come back into camp at about 9:30 for breakfast). Back out after lunch before 3pm and out until dark. So I’m planning on 9 hours or so of game drives a day. I’m also impressed that we will have 3 drives in Ngorongoro Crater.

The cost per person is $5,300 (excluding air over/back). Talking about air over/back – my head is exploding from analyzing air fares, LAX – JRO. I can get it RT for $1,450 if willing to fly Ethiopian Air. But think I’ll go with KLM/Delta for around $1,700. Also, the safari is 12 days and I’d like it to be a bit longer, say add another 4 days on the end. So, Working with Roy Safaris on that.

I tried copying the original itinerary with its more detail but it would not format correctly for posting, a real mess. So below is a condensed basic daily outline of it. Any suggestions, comments, you have are welcome and appreciated.

Summary-
Feb 15th Arrive JRO airport, over night Arusha African Tulip.
16th To Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena
17th Lake Manyara Serena
18th To Ndutu Safari Lodge
19th Ndutu Safari Lodge
20th Ndutu Safari Lodge
21st Ndutu Safari Lodge
22nd Ndutu Safari Lodge
23rd To Serengeti, Serengeti Serena
24th Serengeti Serena
25th To Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Sopa
26th Ngorongoro Sopa
27th One more early drive Ngorongoro, lunch at Gibbs Farm,back to Arusha
This ends the group safari, I plan to stay another 4 days and go to ???

regards - tom

sandi

... maybe pop into Arusha Natl Park for a day... no predators, but colubus monkey and giraffe where you can arrange walking;
... also Tarangire for ellees, the amazing baobab tree landscape and birds galore. Though Tarangire is best between July-Oct when they have a mini-migration, with strange weather patterns seems Feb is good even if the volume of game might be less.

ShayTay

I second Sandi's suggestions. I've been to Tarangire in February and seen over 200 eles in one day. It's also a unique landscape with the baobab trees. You could split off from the group on your way back into Arusha on the 27th, since you're basically in your own vehicle and spend 2 nights there. Then, do a day or day and a half of game drives in Tarangire. From there, continue on to Hatari Lodge in Arusha NP for a couple of nights with game drives in the park. There is also a nice walk to a waterfall there. I've always seen the black and white colobus monkeys in the park and a lot of giraffe. There are usually great views of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro from the park, situated between the two. The game won't be as spectacular as the rest of your safari, but it would be a nice place to wind down.

BTW, in Tanzania, you usually eat a full breakfast before starting out for a full morning game drive. I've never had a situation in 4 trips where we returned to camp at 9:30am for breakfast or had to take a boxed breakfast (other than when we visited the Hadzabe.)

For four days, you could also go to Zanzibar, if you're so inclined. No game drives, but Stone Town is fascinating and the beaches are beautiful.

cary999

Thanks sandi and ShayTay. We may try going back to Lake Manyara and/or Ndutu. Lot depends on Sanjay's response and room availability there.

Breakfast - This group may be out on the trail before the camp is serving breakfast! Just doing it the way they have done before. I know in South African camps the morning routine is to have coffee/tea/muffin on early wake up. Out for game drive, back into camp at around 9:30 for full sit down breakfast.

regards - tom

ShayTay

You'll be in national parks on this trip, so there are restrictions as to the times of day you can be "out and about" (daylight hours only for the most part.) That's one of the reasons that game drive and meal schedules are different in East Africa; you don't have the morning snack/full breakfast routine. As for Lake Manyara, I've never spent more than a half day there and that was sufficient. I find Tarangire to be a much better park for wildlife. If you decide to go back to the southern Serengeti, you might consider Lake Masek Tented Camp for a different experience. All the places you're staying are mid-market hotel lodges and you gotta stay in a tent somewhere!

cary999

Thanks ShayTay, will keep in mind about Tarangire and see how I like Lake Manyara (have heard it is just ok).

Yep, know that off-roading will be much limited compared to what I'm used to in South Africa. And I'm not sure how I'll like the pop-top van compared to the totally open Land Rover. Have been in "tents" in other safari camps other countries. If you can call a permanent tent with nice wood floor and ensuite bath, a "tent"!!

thanks, regards - tom