We are thinking of going to Tanzania in late Sep/beg. October 09 and include:

Arusha
Tarangira
Serengeti
Ngorongoro crater/conservation area

and maybe Selous/Ruaha

What you think: Would it be possible to do the first 4 destinations by road transfers and maybe the last 2 by fly-in (from Dar) or even proceed from Tarangire to Selous?

If it's too far we would either limit to the first 4 or last 2 destinations.
Minimum stay each destination should be 3 nights plus in between layovers if necessary.

Time limit would be max 18 days in the country.

Your advise will be highly appreciated!

Thank you!

SV

May have missed part of the question (in regards to road transfers) but we did similar trip in June 2007 and trip/pics are covered elsewhere on this board (see East Africa Trip Index). Used operator to handle visits to northern parks you listed including Manyara and then flew from Manyara airstrip to Ruaha via Foxes of Africa aircraft. While in south did both Ruaha and Mikumi but could just as easily have switched Selous. The day of the incountry flight we had short game drive in Tarangire while exiting the park, flight and then an afternoon game drive in Ruaha NP. For international flight we entered Tanzania at Kilimanjaro Airport and departed from DAR. Since time period you mention is still peak season you may want to get a move on accommodations as availability may be tight. Lots of good info on this board so ask.

rsnyder
Thank you for your advise!

You mention Foxes. This company is rather "favourable" regarding their camp night rates which is wonderful but the rates are almost one third of "compareable" camps which makes me suspicious. How about your experiences with them?
Are they reliable and is it a decent product? We appreciate some kind of comfort but don't need fancy stuff in a camp. As long as the game drives are excellent, a bucket shower and decent bedding - perfect! We should go for it.
Regarding game vehicles: Do they pack the cars? 3 people in a row (window seat per guest)? And now a very delicate question: Do they provide flush loos ensuite? We can perfectly cope with bucket showers. But the long or even short drop loo is something different

I'll search for your trip report/picx.

Thank you!

SV

Sure you can. The northern parks can certainly be done by road, but where in the Serengeti? Central or Northern? Then, depending on overall routing of the northern parks, you can get flight from Serengeti via Arusha to DAR, or Manyara to DAR.

If using Fox properties (camps/lodges), they have their own plane, so a different schedule than other air carriers. Have your outfitter advise schedules (from where to where) and costs.

Once at DAR, if early enough in afternoon, you can probably get a scheduled flight to Selous, then from Selous to Ruaha (or vice versa) and then back to DAR.

Thank you sandi!
Right now the whole trip is still a rough idea to work on getting it more mature by research and tips from fodorites which we very much appreciate!
Regarding Serengeti i guess it should be in northern section where we might be able to watch the migration.

We have not yet contacted an outfitter as we want to do a bit of research and confront him/her with more of an idea....
As we are leaving for SA soon we can thoroughly work on it in late April.

rsnyder
I have read your trip report - great information, very detailed. As I have noticed you are a keen birder ;-)

One more question: Did you often leave camp for the morning drive around 0800am after opulent breakfast? Is that the Foxes safari routine?

SV

SV,

I would advise caution with your expectations regarding Foxes, and specifically Ruaha River Lodge. More details in my trip report at http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ly-2008.cfm?26

I suggest you look into some other accommodations such as Mdonya Old River Camp, Kimburu stayed there last year and enjoyed it, I also ran into some Australians on the airstrip as we were arriving who spoke highly of this camp. Tandala is another camp that has been mentioned, however, I don't think there is a review of it on the forum. You could be the first!

Happy to answer more questions here or at Treepolatgmaildotcom.

Cheers,


Pol.

In response to your specific questions -

yes, there was a flush loo in my banda.

Yes, the vehicle are stacked with clients 3 per seat, and leave later usually between 8-8.30.

I wouldn't call the breakfast opulent - the cinnamon rolls are totally delicious, there is no cereal and we noticed uneaten pieces of fresh fruit being returned to the main platter and being re-served to other guests.

To avoid the packed vehicles we hired a private vehicle for 3 days and requested Josephat as our guide based on recommendations from this forum. Josephat was a top notch guide and Ruaha has fantastic wildlife viewing.

Sv, We enjoyed Ruaha River Lodge so much the first time (2005) we went back in 2007. Obviously had a different experience than Treepol. On many of our game drives we two (or three when daughter was with us in 2005) we had vehicle to ourselves besides Josephat and driver. Did not charter a private vehicle. Maybe "packed" condition had to do with season. Never went away from the breakfast table hungry either. Don't recall staff being tardy in regards to departure for morning game drives. Usually they were waiting for us at the vehicle and we were always prompt.
Dick

At Ruaha River Lodge you can pay a 'window supplement' of $35 per person per day, if there are two of you then you get the row to yourselves for $70 a day rather than needing to pay $250 per day for a private vehicle, of course having your own vehicle adds other benefits. I'm not a fan of a la carte pricing but considering their very reasonable rates adding $35 pppn is still quite well priced. Leaving on game drives after 8 am would be a big no no for me though.

By comparison Mdonya Old River only puts 4 in a vehicle and that's all 'window' seating.

Not sure on the Foxes Safari Air Link but Coastal Aviation flies daily from Manyara to Ruaha and the same fight continues on to Selous. $330 pp to Ruaha or $400 if you go to Selous. Can also fly Seronera to Selous for $420 going via Zanzibar.

Thank you all! So much to chew on now...........

The FOXES camps seem so much more favoureable than the others that I was expecting some - lets say - kind of hints

As PB says - morning game drive after 0800hrs is very unusual as we expect to leave depending on season/location between 05.30 and 06.00hrs.

Of course SUV has its advantages besides the "window" seat especially for photographers.

I am thinking of doing Kusini and Swala by car (from Arusha) and then Seronera Coastal to Ruaha/Selous on Coastal. (via Zanzibar sounds exotic ;-))

But the research is still going on..........

I'll revert as soon as we have decided but leave for SA on 09 April
Research must wait until beg. of May

Thank you all and Happy Easter!

SV