DC2Africa

I haven’t posted in a while but I wanted to post a thank you to everyone for there help in planning my Tanzania honeymoon. We leave for Africa in 12 days!

I feel like I’ve already been to Africa, minus the memories, from all the exhaustive research that went into this trip but I still want to solicit any tips from the more experienced

Here’s our itinerary with Roy’s:

Day 1 : Kibo Palace
Day 2-4 : Fly to Grumeti airstrip - Mabalageti Chalet
Day 5 : Drive to Ngorongoro Crater – Serena Ngorongoro
Day 6 : Drive to Lake Manyara – Kirurumu Lodge
Day 7 - 10 : Fly from Manyara to Zanzibar – Ras Nungwi
Day 11 : Fly Home

I guess without specific questions it may be hard to respond but I was hoping for were things that you ---

wish you packed,
did,
saw,
wouldn’t do again,
must see,
waste of time,
etc.

Anything along those lines.

ShayTay

Best wishes on your upcoming wedding and honeymoon! You'll have many special memories from Tanzania. My one suggestion is to get to know as many Tanzanians as possible. They are warm, gracious people that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Perhaps on Day 6 you could visit a school in Karatu on your way to Lake Manyara.

DC2Africa

Thanks Shaytay!

I’ve only heard wonderful things about the Tanzanian people and can’t wait to interact with them.

We would love to visit a school and our assumption is that to do so, all we need to do is let our driver know (please inform me if this is not the case or if there is a better way of going about it).

Karatu sounds like a great town to plan that visit

MyDogKyle

Have a wonderful trip! You'll love Tanzania.

Not sure if you have plans (or time) to visit the town of Mto Wa Mbu while you're in the Lake Manyara area, but I'd highly recommend it. And also, if you have a chance, try to eat at least one lunch or dinner at a little restaurant with local-style food (I'm sure your guide can find you one). It's a great way to meet people outside the lodge environment (and the food is yummy!).

My only other tip to add here (which you may already have plans to do) is to bring along some school supplies for the kids if you plan on stopping at a school. Everyone we met in Kenya and Tanzania was very friendly and welcoming, but there was definitely always an expectation/hope that visitors would be giving something (or making a donation), not just dropping by to say hello.

Happy honeymoon!

DC2Africa

Thanks Kyle!

We will be visiting Mto Wa Mbu and plan to indulge in authentic local cuisine

We are planning on giving something to the school we visit. We will probably be giving cash and I assume we can give it directly to the teacher or possibly the administrator?

MyDogKyle

I'm sure any school would be happy to get a cash donation. I'd just ask your guide when and to whom it would be most appropriate to give it -- I'm sure there will be somebody showing you around, and they might even come right out and ask, "Would you like to make a donation?" (that's how it happened for us when visiting a medical clinic). A lot easier to pack cash, too! I'm excited for you, you're going to have an amazing trip.

doohickey

DC2Africa,

I'm so excited for you! Getting married AND going on safari! Whoopee!

I wrote a Trip Report about our March '08 Tanzania safari in which, at the end, I wrote about Ras Nungwi and about things I was glad I took, wished I had taken and shoulda left at home for the safari and Zanzibar. Scroll down towards the bottom to see those posts.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35118234

Unfortunately I misnamed the post as a '07 safari. Oh, well!

Cheers!

-doo

DC2Africa

Kyle –

Cash has always been my favorite gift to receive

Thanks Doo! –

Just read the part of your trip report you were referring too. Great stuff! BTW, what’s CPAP mask?

DC2Africa

Quick question for DooHickey ---

You stayed in Room 4 at Ras Nungwi in a superior room. Is that the same as a superior deluxe room? Did you like your room or if you could request a specific room which one would it be?

We requested a superior deluxe room to try to ensure a room that is remote and close to the beach as possible but it would be great if we could get suggestions on a specific room number

doohickey

Hi DC2!

1. CPAP is the acronym for continuous positive airway pressure. It's a machine that delivers air under pressure to the nasal passages during sleep via a mask worn over the nose. Not the most attractive thing but medically necessary for a good nights sleep for a lot of folks.

2. Room 4 was Superior Chalet I think rather than Superior Deluxe Chalet. It was secluded at the far end of one side of the property and fairly close to the beach. There was another chalet (deluxe perhaps) closer to the beach but also right next to a path that folks traversed a lot. Though I must say, there weren't any loud people around during our stay.

I really wish I could give you more info about room numbers but I'm afraid I can't. Sorry!

Did you check out my photo links for pix of Ras Nungwi?

-doo

atravelynn

If this is a private trip and
If you honeymooners don't mind being early birds and
If you are doing a morning crater visit...

I'd request--even before leaving home--an early arrival in the crater with a breakfast box to beat the crowds. That would mean getting there about 6 am.

I like your comment of feeling like you've been to Africa minus the memories.

My other comment may be something you are already doing: Work on some basic Swahili such as animal names for fun interaction with your guide. The back pages in guide books often have translations of key words. You can delay this until the plane and just do a few words a day.

Have a wonderful time!

jmartmd

Have Fun! I'm excited for you!

DC2Africa

Thanks jmartmd!

Doo --- no worries, your trip report and the great ras nungwi photos have been a very big help

Atravelynn – Thanks tips!

It’s a private trip - we can be early birds for the right motivation, and I think beating the crowds for an early morning crater tour is definitely the right motivation

Patty

Have a great trip!

DC2Africa

Thank you Patty!