Oh, Sandi, you are a pro.

The document that ATR sent me *really* breaks down costs, for those of you who are interested. The total I have so far is 10,019 for 3 pax, including flight and transfers, etc. All accommodations are for 1 twin room/tent + 1 single. Except for Moivaro, where we will have a triple. This does not include the night I am definitely adding at the Crater; I am hopeful this will not add considerably to the total.

Mbalageti: good lord, it's expensive! Or anyway, I think so. It's listed as 1600 pn for 1 twin and 1 single--so I'm assuming we'll all have the nice tents. Maybe the one with the tv (kidding!).

Since this is costing out at roughly the other figure I got, and seems a little more "exotic," I think it'll be worth it. Of course nothing's confirmed yet, so who knows.

I do appreciate the insight and opinions, however varied, of the posters on this board very much. My friend always says now, "Well, what do the people on Fodor's think?"

Oh, and for cooncat and others interested in single supps--I haven't asked for them to break it down in that way b/c "the girls" and I are just splitting everything three ways.

My payment for basically arranging everything: I get everyone's FF miles, and two lovely, appreciative and easy-to-please traveling companions.

As things progress, I will try to get the single costs. Although again, I'm not sure my heart can handle really knowing.

$1600 per night for a twin and a single? Ouch! Are you sure that's correct?

Didn't another poster here, I believe it might have been csuss, receive a quote of around $500 double/$300 single per night directly from Mbalageti for June?

I'm not sure if you people are talking about the same 'Mbalageti' camp:
there is Mbalageti Serengeti (www.mbalageti.com), near Kirawira and NOT offered by ATR, and Nomad's Serengeti Safari Camp (www.serengeti-safari-camp.com) which is misleadingly promoted by ATR as 'Mbalageti Camp'.

Mitch

Patty, it's correct. It's really, really correct.

I remember the thread where csuss or someone had gotten really good quotes from Mbalageti. And I also have a fuzzy recollection about reading somewhere that they are/were upgrading and raising prices.

I was also thinking about spening andother night at Ronjo and cutting Mbalageti to 2 nights. I do like the Seronera--so many cats. But then I read the thread about staying 3 nights minimum...

You can see where this is heading.

And didn't I say I didn't want to know about cost per night? :)

BwanaM,
You are a lifesaver! You're right, it's Nomad. It says "Handover to Nomad" right on the itinerary.

This means I will have to re-think, because The Mom is going to need a little r-and-r and luxury by the end of that safari.

How very confusing. Jeez louise.

Asante sana.

Here's csuss's thread -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34594583

Prices are listed on the post dated 04/14/05 at 1:12pm (here's where post #'s would come in handy). It was $550 double/$310 single. I'd email Mbalageti directly and get their current rates.

In any case, it looks like ATR did indeed quote you for a different camp than we were all assuming!

Can you imagine if we'd all been roughing it at Ronjo et al for days, counting on the lap of luxury at the end of the trip, a pool, a real bar...and then: more tents in the bush!

Priceless.

For 2006 you're not going to find the bargain prices in June as in previous years. Prices are up everywhere.

The itinerary says Western Serengeti so that's Mbalageti Camp.

The former semi-permanent Mbalageti Camp isn't the same. If it still exists it's under another name.

Hi all - I'm back - took a little break from Africa for a few weeks. Anyway - I did get quotes from Mbalageti - they have two different kind of accomodations - the standard was very simple and much less costly than the newer upgraded luxury tents. I am looking through my paperwork and will get back to you about the prices I found. I thouhgt it was around 600 per night for a double.

I have gotten my frequent flier tickets booked now for the last week of June and have been tweaking my itinerary which I will post as soon as it is official.

I have been working with a really really super outfit in Arusha called MATEMBEZI. They were highly recomended and Ilan Kessel has been great to work with - taking my planning and giving me guidance and suggestions - but not pushing his ideas on me. The email is [email protected], you might try him and see what he comes up with he may be able to suit your needs perfectly. His prices were pretty comparable to Roys and Good Earth.

I'll get back to you when I find my info on Mbalageti. Csuss

csuss,
You are a doll! I'm happy to hear your planning is going so well. You seem to be doing better than I am. Resurrect your thread when you get the chance with your latest itinerary

Sandi and anyone else,
It looks like I'm going back to the drawing board.

Cost notwithstanding, I don't think we should do 3 days of rustic at the very end of the trip after Olduvai and Ronjo. I'm not just thinking of the Mom; I'm thinking of me too! Maybe stick two days at the Serena in instead of Ronjo so we can at least get some laundry done mid-trip?

Good grief, I am really laughing at myself right now. I can't beleive these women trust me to plan this.

Csuss,

Do Matembezi have a new website?
I only know the Africa Wildlife Expeditions site (www.tanzania.co.il).

Mitch

Leely~ All is can say is bless your heart. You've even BEEN to Africa before and you're having trouble. Oh geez. I just made myself feel better but probably just made you feel worse. Not my intention! I'm just feeling more normal, knowing I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I wonder where Kavey is with her "quick" itinerary for next year?

Good luck! (And please keep us posted....)

Mitch - Matembezi does not have a new website yet - apparently it is under construction. The old website is down since the name change.

Did you use them? I thought I was the first on this forum to find them - but of course, how likely would that be?

LEELY - from my notes it looks like every tour operator I contacted still recommended Kirawira over Mbalageti. The cost for a standard tent at Mbalageti was a little lower than Kirawira (about $60) and deluxe at Mbalageti was a bit higher than Kirawira.

I am really blowing my budget and going for Sayari Camp in the Serengeti - it is North so I am hoping to catch the migration on its way to Kenya in first few days of July. It is a semi-permanent tented camp.

My trip has expanded quite a bit since I started planning. It is now almost three weeks, with 4 days in Zanzibar at the end. I couldn't get a flight home using FF miles on the date we wanted so I had to extend one day even further (what a shame!)

Carol

Kavey's probably asleep, like I should be -- it's almost midnight here in England...

Cheers,
Julian

Julian - Now that I got rid of dial-up I was online til midnight last night. Go to sleep!

Sharon

Leely-You are as entertaining as Rocco! Keep it up girl! :)
Dennis

Dennis,
But I don't have "the vest."

I wish Rocco weren't in Zambia right now--he'd tell me *exactly* where to stay and for how long. And he hasn't even been to Tanzania yet. :)

csuss,

no, I havn't used them, and no, the old website is definitely not down.

Mitch

Leely, while Rocco is in Zambia, why not using dices? :-D