sandi

Elainee - Would appreciate comments on Echo Beach. Know this is a small property. How were the cottages, food, clientele (couples and/or families), management couple, etc? Curious.

Elainee

TIA....This Is Africa. Echo Beach was lovely. There are only 12-14 accommodations. I am not certain of the exact number. Nicely furnished with comfortable beds, mossie nets, good large bathrooms, aiir conditioning, large porches with beds and sofas all facing the beach steps away. Everything very clean. Food very good with the freshest of fish. While we were there there was family from Israel with young children, a honeymoon couple from UK, a middle age couple firm UK, family from Sweden with three teenagers, a family from South Africa with three older teenagers. Of course these people came and went while we were there. The best part was Alex the manager who kept everyone happy. It is Africa and not Swizerland so there are always problems. It was hot, very hot. Alex made two cool dress for me since pants and tee shirt too hot. She took us to village to the one store to buy whatever, which was not much but we did buy fruit even tho our hotel had plenty. They cut it for us and our kids took it around to everyone there. They had local entertainment one night. It was the most personal place i have ever stayed. I would completely recommend it if you are going to Zanzibar.

sandi

Thanks so much for the feedback.
Pants/t-shirts on Zanzibar... OMG, even though some say there are times when the daytime temps are somewhat milder, it's still always humid. The latter often as high as the temp.
The less close to/covering the bod, the better should be the rule there.

Sometimes, the easiest to wear are kangas, two of them... one as a bandeau-type top, other as a skirt-type sarong. Or the kikoys for wrap-around/skirt-type and very very thin t-shirt, if not in a swimsuit or bikini.

Much appreciated!

ah123

bonvoyage29, your itinerary looks very similar to a safari I'm planning for August 2013. And I have a question for you -- or anyone else -- regarding Tarangire vs. Serengeti Mara in August.

My current debate is whether to spend 2 nights in Tarangire (Oliver's) and 4 in Serengeti Mara (Olakira) or 3 in each. I've heard that game viewing in the North Serengeti is excellent in August, whether or not you see a river crossing. Don't know if that's the case. Love to hear the thoughts of others. Thanks!

sandi

Both are great for August.
Tarangire has their own mini-migration between July-August, while in the No. Serengeti, the herds that didn't quite make into Kenya's Masai Mara hang out with possible river crossings.

Toss a coin.

Gather you'd be flying from Tarangire to Kogatende, or are you stopping somewhere between the two?

bonvoyage29

I finally got around to posting a detailed trip report on our amazing honeymoon safari this summer (better late than never).

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ugust-2012.cfm

ah123, we loved Oliver's so I'd definitely say 3 nights there in case you are still planning. Thanks again to all for the helpful advice, it was the trip of a lifetime!

SimonaC

I can only answer to question number 3, since we didn't went to safari, we prefered a "lazy safari" inside a national park in Tanzania..

But Zanzibar...don't miss it! I understand your take on having just relaxation time. I totally recommend you Hotel Z, it is not a resort, directly on the beach and quiet, not crowded..with a nice infinity pool where you can stay all day long.

Hmmm, about the food, we love food too..let me tell you a secret On the right hand side of the hotel, there is a terrace/restaurant operated by locals, nothing fancy..I had the best food ever there..the best tuna, lobster, steak, you name it. And, in the evening, for dinner, you can stay at a table, directly on the beach, at the candle light...fantastic!
Oh, and the food is cheap..

We tried the hotel's restaurant once and never went back!

Hope it helps