Where to see the Migration in July?
Aug 5th, 2006, 07:27 PM
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Where to see the Migration in July?
Hi All,
I have finally booked my tickets, well all but one leg because it is still too early to book it (they only book 340 days out). We will be arriving in Nairobi the evening of July 4 and leaving around July 13 or 14. The flight from JRO/NBO back to AMS is the part not booked yet. Really wanted to go in August, but with Frequent flyer tickets I cannot be too choosy!
My question is where to go to see the migration the 1st or 2nd week of July? Not just the location, but specifically what camps. Two things we want to do, go to the crater and see the migration. We'll fit the rest of the trip around these 2 things. Do we want to see the migration first or would it be better the 2nd week of July? If we stay in Tanzinia, we probably fly into the Serengeti from Arusha of flying back, depends on where we go first.
From what I have read, I don't think I want to go to Masai Mara because it will be too soon for the migration. Probably just stay in Tanzania since we are limited in time. Would like to see the migration, the crater and possibly Tarangire. We don't want to spend all our time traveling from place to place. Three stops should be enough unless I need 2 places in the Serengeti to see the migration.
Thoughts, comments? Haven't picked a provider yet but will as soon as I confirm the last leg of the trip.
We were going to spend a few days in Amsterdam on the way back but just found out my son will be stationed in Heidelberg, Germany at that time. So, we are going to spend a few days with my granddaughter instead of in Amsterdam.
As a side note, I did get lucky enough to score Business Class tickets. Since it will be summer and Europe, I was surprised that I could get these, especially since I reserved the perk saver award for the lower miles. We decide to start checking for the first of July and whenever the days were available we'd book them. I was curious so I priced out the ticket on NWA and it would cost $17,289 for the 2 of us. Yes that's right, even booking this far out. That's why I save my miles. YOW!
Thanks for your help. I am sure I will be adding lost of questions here in the future.
Duane
I have finally booked my tickets, well all but one leg because it is still too early to book it (they only book 340 days out). We will be arriving in Nairobi the evening of July 4 and leaving around July 13 or 14. The flight from JRO/NBO back to AMS is the part not booked yet. Really wanted to go in August, but with Frequent flyer tickets I cannot be too choosy!
My question is where to go to see the migration the 1st or 2nd week of July? Not just the location, but specifically what camps. Two things we want to do, go to the crater and see the migration. We'll fit the rest of the trip around these 2 things. Do we want to see the migration first or would it be better the 2nd week of July? If we stay in Tanzinia, we probably fly into the Serengeti from Arusha of flying back, depends on where we go first.
From what I have read, I don't think I want to go to Masai Mara because it will be too soon for the migration. Probably just stay in Tanzania since we are limited in time. Would like to see the migration, the crater and possibly Tarangire. We don't want to spend all our time traveling from place to place. Three stops should be enough unless I need 2 places in the Serengeti to see the migration.
Thoughts, comments? Haven't picked a provider yet but will as soon as I confirm the last leg of the trip.
We were going to spend a few days in Amsterdam on the way back but just found out my son will be stationed in Heidelberg, Germany at that time. So, we are going to spend a few days with my granddaughter instead of in Amsterdam.
As a side note, I did get lucky enough to score Business Class tickets. Since it will be summer and Europe, I was surprised that I could get these, especially since I reserved the perk saver award for the lower miles. We decide to start checking for the first of July and whenever the days were available we'd book them. I was curious so I priced out the ticket on NWA and it would cost $17,289 for the 2 of us. Yes that's right, even booking this far out. That's why I save my miles. YOW!
Thanks for your help. I am sure I will be adding lost of questions here in the future.
Duane
Aug 6th, 2006, 01:43 AM
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Hello,
July is a difficult month for the migration, as depending on the year it could be in either Tanzania or Kenya - I missed the migration on a July trip because it had unexpectedly moved on.
I think your best chance is booking into a semi-mobile camp which follows the migration, such as one of the Nomad Tanzaia camps, one of Asilia's camps (Olakira and Sayari), or CCAfrica's Tanzania Under Canvas.
To maximise your chances even further, I'd recommend Tanzania in the first week of July in the Serengeti. With luck, the herds will still be mostly in the Serengeti as that's where they generally spend June.
Cheers,
Julian
July is a difficult month for the migration, as depending on the year it could be in either Tanzania or Kenya - I missed the migration on a July trip because it had unexpectedly moved on.
I think your best chance is booking into a semi-mobile camp which follows the migration, such as one of the Nomad Tanzaia camps, one of Asilia's camps (Olakira and Sayari), or CCAfrica's Tanzania Under Canvas.
To maximise your chances even further, I'd recommend Tanzania in the first week of July in the Serengeti. With luck, the herds will still be mostly in the Serengeti as that's where they generally spend June.
Cheers,
Julian
Aug 6th, 2006, 05:01 AM
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Hari and Julian,
Thanks for the information. Seems like earlier or later is better for the migration and July is very uncertain. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of options.
The Nomad Tanzania as well as the others look awesome for what we want to see.
Let me ask a possibly silly question. If I go through a tour operator - which I will, do they get prices that are a bit less than the rack rates at the camps? Most of the camps listed above are around $900 - $1,000 a night. That is a bit more than we planed on spending.
Maybe we splurge for the Migration and go for more affordable accommodations elsewhere. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Duane
Thanks for the information. Seems like earlier or later is better for the migration and July is very uncertain. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of options.
The Nomad Tanzania as well as the others look awesome for what we want to see.
Let me ask a possibly silly question. If I go through a tour operator - which I will, do they get prices that are a bit less than the rack rates at the camps? Most of the camps listed above are around $900 - $1,000 a night. That is a bit more than we planed on spending.
Maybe we splurge for the Migration and go for more affordable accommodations elsewhere. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Duane
Aug 6th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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Hi Duane,
A good tour operator can certainly provide discounts off those rack rates.
I'd certainly look at splurging a bit on the Migration part of your trip if it's a major focus for you - you could then save a bit of money on the Crater or Tarangire parts of the trip.
Cheers,
Julian
A good tour operator can certainly provide discounts off those rack rates.
I'd certainly look at splurging a bit on the Migration part of your trip if it's a major focus for you - you could then save a bit of money on the Crater or Tarangire parts of the trip.
Cheers,
Julian
Aug 6th, 2006, 06:06 AM
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Duane,
I'll put it this way...."Splurge on the Serengeti location/camp"...by fixating yourself on the migration, especially for July....it's a hit or miss thing and u do not want to be disappointed. It all depends on the weather, and, at the time of your advanced booking....you can never guess!!!
I would pick those semi-mobile camps, only if their early July location is in the northern serengeti.
Hari
I'll put it this way...."Splurge on the Serengeti location/camp"...by fixating yourself on the migration, especially for July....it's a hit or miss thing and u do not want to be disappointed. It all depends on the weather, and, at the time of your advanced booking....you can never guess!!!
I would pick those semi-mobile camps, only if their early July location is in the northern serengeti.
Hari
Aug 6th, 2006, 06:09 AM
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"Maybe we splurge for the Migration and go for more affordable accommodations elsewhere."
That would be my plan of attack. What you would be paying for is location, which translates to wildlife viewing opportunity.
You could go to both the Serengeti (mobile tents) and the Crater and the Maasai Mara (no need for mobiles). Including both the Serengeti and the Mara increases your chances of the migration and of great game viewing in general.
I did both the Mara and Serengeti on my first Kenya & Tanzania trip in late July. The Mara was where the big action was but the Serengeti was very enjoyable too. I would start in Tanzania, then go to Kenya.
Here's a suggestion:
July 5-6 Crater
I've stayed at Wildlife Lodge (most economical and very good) and Sopa (quite lovely I thought) and would return to either. Serena is supposed to be nicer.
July 7, 8, 9 Mobile Serengeti
July 10--Maybe transition day
July 11, 12, 13 or 14 in the Mara
You could consider the Serena in the central part of the Mara, which is less costsly than the permanent camps. If you did Serena in the crater and here, perhaps a deal could be struck.
If you stayed only 1 night at the Crater and 3 nights (not 4) in the Mara, that would give you 2 more days for another stop.
With those extra days you could add Tarangire in Tanzania; or in Kenya, Amboseli or Samburu or Nakuru or maybe one of the all night flood-lit waterhole lodges in the Aberdares. These are some of the more affordable options that are easily reached, but there are many more places you could stay for 2 days.
Of those listed above, I'd do Samburu where there happens to be a Serena Lodge.
Some on the board have contacted Serena directly and were pleased with the results. Don't know how the mobile camp would fit in then, but you could ask Serena.
That hefty price you quoted was for Business Class I assume. Wow, that's high and reminds me why I always fly coach. Good work on the frequent flyer tickets.
That would be my plan of attack. What you would be paying for is location, which translates to wildlife viewing opportunity.
You could go to both the Serengeti (mobile tents) and the Crater and the Maasai Mara (no need for mobiles). Including both the Serengeti and the Mara increases your chances of the migration and of great game viewing in general.
I did both the Mara and Serengeti on my first Kenya & Tanzania trip in late July. The Mara was where the big action was but the Serengeti was very enjoyable too. I would start in Tanzania, then go to Kenya.
Here's a suggestion:
July 5-6 Crater
I've stayed at Wildlife Lodge (most economical and very good) and Sopa (quite lovely I thought) and would return to either. Serena is supposed to be nicer.
July 7, 8, 9 Mobile Serengeti
July 10--Maybe transition day
July 11, 12, 13 or 14 in the Mara
You could consider the Serena in the central part of the Mara, which is less costsly than the permanent camps. If you did Serena in the crater and here, perhaps a deal could be struck.
If you stayed only 1 night at the Crater and 3 nights (not 4) in the Mara, that would give you 2 more days for another stop.
With those extra days you could add Tarangire in Tanzania; or in Kenya, Amboseli or Samburu or Nakuru or maybe one of the all night flood-lit waterhole lodges in the Aberdares. These are some of the more affordable options that are easily reached, but there are many more places you could stay for 2 days.
Of those listed above, I'd do Samburu where there happens to be a Serena Lodge.
Some on the board have contacted Serena directly and were pleased with the results. Don't know how the mobile camp would fit in then, but you could ask Serena.
That hefty price you quoted was for Business Class I assume. Wow, that's high and reminds me why I always fly coach. Good work on the frequent flyer tickets.
Aug 6th, 2006, 01:19 PM
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WOW! Thanks for taking the time to respond. Great information.
Do you think I should be spending so much time/money trying to see the migration? Is it worth it, especially with the chance of not seeing it? I mean if we weren't going at this time I wouldn't even be thinking about the migration.
You folks are the best with advice. I know some of you are in the travel business and cannot advertise here, but if you want to contact me directly please feel free to do so. I would just as soon do business with the folks here. My email is Riced at Comcast dot net. If this is not appropriate, just disregard. Not sure of the "rules"
And yes, the crazy airfare prices are for Business Class. Does anyone actually pay for these types of tickets or are they all upgrades? I know I couldn't pay that especially since you can get coach for under 2 grand.
Thanks again,
Duane
Do you think I should be spending so much time/money trying to see the migration? Is it worth it, especially with the chance of not seeing it? I mean if we weren't going at this time I wouldn't even be thinking about the migration.
You folks are the best with advice. I know some of you are in the travel business and cannot advertise here, but if you want to contact me directly please feel free to do so. I would just as soon do business with the folks here. My email is Riced at Comcast dot net. If this is not appropriate, just disregard. Not sure of the "rules"
And yes, the crazy airfare prices are for Business Class. Does anyone actually pay for these types of tickets or are they all upgrades? I know I couldn't pay that especially since you can get coach for under 2 grand.
Thanks again,
Duane
Aug 6th, 2006, 04:05 PM
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Hi Duane,
We planned our first safari to East Africa for the end of June/beginning of July 2006 for exactly what you're wanting to see - the Crater and the migration.
We stayed 2 nights (July 2 & 3) at the Ngorongoro Serena and would absolutely go back again. We then made our way to the western corridor and saw a big hunk of the migration...thousands and thousands of wildebeest! We stayed 2 nights at Kirurumu Camp (spectacular), and to increase our chances of seeing the migration, we also stayed 2 nights at Lobo Lodge in the northern Serengeti, and a night at the Serengeti Serena. But it was in the western corridor that we saw the great herds.
You also mention Tarangire. We spent 2 nights at Tarangire River Camp and loved it. The park is a beautiful place at this time of year (the beginning of the dry season) when the grass is low enough to find bountiful game. I'd recommend a visit there if you can swing it.
Have fun with the planning!
We planned our first safari to East Africa for the end of June/beginning of July 2006 for exactly what you're wanting to see - the Crater and the migration.
We stayed 2 nights (July 2 & 3) at the Ngorongoro Serena and would absolutely go back again. We then made our way to the western corridor and saw a big hunk of the migration...thousands and thousands of wildebeest! We stayed 2 nights at Kirurumu Camp (spectacular), and to increase our chances of seeing the migration, we also stayed 2 nights at Lobo Lodge in the northern Serengeti, and a night at the Serengeti Serena. But it was in the western corridor that we saw the great herds.
You also mention Tarangire. We spent 2 nights at Tarangire River Camp and loved it. The park is a beautiful place at this time of year (the beginning of the dry season) when the grass is low enough to find bountiful game. I'd recommend a visit there if you can swing it.
Have fun with the planning!
Aug 6th, 2006, 04:36 PM
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Hi there,
I was in Tanzania July of 05 and it was BOMBASTIC! I can't wait to go back again. Saw tons and tons of animals, weather was great, it was beyond perfect. I'll be posting some of my pictures and a review of the camps on my site http://www.bombasticlife.com/paf_africa.html this week. Stop by and take a look or drop me note if you have any specific questions.
Andrew
I was in Tanzania July of 05 and it was BOMBASTIC! I can't wait to go back again. Saw tons and tons of animals, weather was great, it was beyond perfect. I'll be posting some of my pictures and a review of the camps on my site http://www.bombasticlife.com/paf_africa.html this week. Stop by and take a look or drop me note if you have any specific questions.
Andrew
Aug 6th, 2006, 04:50 PM
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Calo,
that sounds like the trip we want. I did read your trip report - sounds wonderful. Hope we can have the same success.
Andrew,
Every time I click on the Africa links it says the page is under construction.
Thanks,
Duane
that sounds like the trip we want. I did read your trip report - sounds wonderful. Hope we can have the same success.
Andrew,
Every time I click on the Africa links it says the page is under construction.
Thanks,
Duane
Aug 13th, 2006, 04:10 PM
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Finalized the flights! Can you tell I am excited 
It's official, we are going on a Safari. YAHOO! It took forever to book the final leg of the trip. But, without it, we wouldn't be going. After many, many calls to Northwest, I finally have 2 tickets from Tampa to NBO. Really wanted to go into JRO (KIL), but we were lucky to get these. We will be landing in NBO Wednesday, July 4, at 7:20 p.m. after traveling for 90 hours (OK it will just seem like 90 hours). We leave from NBO on Sunday, July 15 at 11:35 a.m. Now I can start looking for a tour operator but want to decide where to go and in what order.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions so far. We really want to see part of the migration and will gear our trip towards having the best chance. But, if we do not get to witness it, this will still be an awesome trip. We are not obsessed with it just figured we'd give it our best shot knowing there are no guarantees.
From what I've read and the suggestions here, it looks like our best bet is to either make the Serengeti our first stop or the Maasi Mara our last stop. We only want to do one because of all the travel involved, but not sure which. If I'm wrong about doing only one, let me know. The mobile camps look like a good idea, but darn they are so expensive.
Wed July 4: arrive NBO at 7:20 p.m. Do we just bite the bullet and catch a flight that night to KIL or do we stay overnight in NBO? I think we'd just like to get it over with, but is it feasible, getting our luggage, checking in, etc?
Thur July 5: If we spend the night of the 4th in Nairobi, we'll probably go to the Giraffe Centre on the 5th and then fly into KIL. We want to spend a day getting our feet under us. This is a long flight and I want to make sure we have a chance to get acclimated before we get going. If we fly into Kil on the 4th, we might take a tour over to Arusha Park during the day which sound pretty interesting.
Other than that, here are my 2 possible itineraries:
Fri July 6: Fly into Serengeti early am - camp suggestions?
Sat July 7: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Sun July 8: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Mon July 9: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Tue July 10: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Wed July 11: Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Thur July 12: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Fri July 13: Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Sat July 14: Tarangire then fly to Nairobi
Sun Jul 15: Depart Nairobi at 11:25 a.m.
or
Fri July 6: Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Sat July 7: Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Sun July 8: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Mon July 9: Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Tue July 10: Fly to Nairobi then to Maasi Mara
Wed July 11: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Thur July 12: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Fri July 13: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Sat July 14: Maasi Mara to Nairobi
Sun Jul 15: Depart Nairobi at 11:25 a.m.
We are on a budget and probably can't afford the mobile camps or somewhere like Kirawira Camp. They look to be over $1,000 a night for the 2 of us. We do need bathroom facilities in the tent and preferably a shower, but we can live without the shower if need be. About the only place we really would want a lodge would be in the crater. Otherwise the tented camps look really cool. The accommodations are not as important as the location/game viewing. Once I have a good idea of where to go, I'll contact a tour operator.
As a side note, we are going from here to see my son and family in Germany then spend a couple of days in Amsterdam. We've never taken a 3 week vacation before this should be great!
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Duane.
It's official, we are going on a Safari. YAHOO! It took forever to book the final leg of the trip. But, without it, we wouldn't be going. After many, many calls to Northwest, I finally have 2 tickets from Tampa to NBO. Really wanted to go into JRO (KIL), but we were lucky to get these. We will be landing in NBO Wednesday, July 4, at 7:20 p.m. after traveling for 90 hours (OK it will just seem like 90 hours). We leave from NBO on Sunday, July 15 at 11:35 a.m. Now I can start looking for a tour operator but want to decide where to go and in what order. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions so far. We really want to see part of the migration and will gear our trip towards having the best chance. But, if we do not get to witness it, this will still be an awesome trip. We are not obsessed with it
just figured we'd give it our best shot knowing there are no guarantees.From what I've read and the suggestions here, it looks like our best bet is to either make the Serengeti our first stop or the Maasi Mara our last stop. We only want to do one because of all the travel involved, but not sure which. If I'm wrong about doing only one, let me know. The mobile camps look like a good idea, but darn they are so expensive.
Wed July 4: arrive NBO at 7:20 p.m. Do we just bite the bullet and catch a flight that night to KIL or do we stay overnight in NBO? I think we'd just like to get it over with, but is it feasible, getting our luggage, checking in, etc?
Thur July 5: If we spend the night of the 4th in Nairobi, we'll probably go to the Giraffe Centre on the 5th and then fly into KIL. We want to spend a day getting our feet under us. This is a long flight and I want to make sure we have a chance to get acclimated before we get going. If we fly into Kil on the 4th, we might take a tour over to Arusha Park during the day which sound pretty interesting.
Other than that, here are my 2 possible itineraries:
Fri July 6: Fly into Serengeti early am - camp suggestions?
Sat July 7: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Sun July 8: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Mon July 9: Serengeti - camp suggestions?
Tue July 10: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Wed July 11: Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Thur July 12: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Fri July 13: Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Sat July 14: Tarangire then fly to Nairobi
Sun Jul 15: Depart Nairobi at 11:25 a.m.
or
Fri July 6: Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Sat July 7: Ngorongoro Crater - Sopa lodge or camp suggestions?
Sun July 8: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Mon July 9: Tarangire - camp suggestions?
Tue July 10: Fly to Nairobi then to Maasi Mara
Wed July 11: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Thur July 12: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Fri July 13: Maasi Mara - camp suggestions?
Sat July 14: Maasi Mara to Nairobi
Sun Jul 15: Depart Nairobi at 11:25 a.m.
We are on a budget and probably can't afford the mobile camps or somewhere like Kirawira Camp. They look to be over $1,000 a night for the 2 of us. We do need bathroom facilities in the tent and preferably a shower, but we can live without the shower if need be. About the only place we really would want a lodge would be in the crater. Otherwise the tented camps look really cool. The accommodations are not as important as the location/game viewing. Once I have a good idea of where to go, I'll contact a tour operator.
As a side note, we are going from here to see my son and family in Germany then spend a couple of days in Amsterdam. We've never taken a 3 week vacation before this should be great!
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Duane.
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