pbrydie

My son and I just returned from safari in TZ and I can only say it was the most unbelievable experience of my life. Even the horrible tsetse flies in Tarangire didn't spoil the trip. We traveled with Thomson Safari on their Class Safari trip. We also spent a few days at the Crater and the Serengeti. I will prepare a trip report as soon as I get my life back to normal and get my pictures organized...but my thoughts are now on my next safari. Any suggestions on where to go next? We loved the camps/tents so that's a must (vs lodges); we saw more animals than I dreamed we would ...elephants being my favorite..so would love to see more.

South Africa sounds beautiful but it's quite possible I may end up right back in TZ with Thomson (who were great by the way) but just wanted to know how/where others decided on their second safari.

Thanks for any ideas; and thanks to all on this board - the information obtained here in invaluable.

atravelynn

Welcome home and wanting to return says it all! If you go with Thomson again, you could consider a different time of year or include Southern Tanzania. I think Fodorite Bill and his wife came back from Tanzania and booked another trip back to many of the same Northern circuit locations. They were very enthused with their second trip as well.

How/Where on my 2nd safari: My first was Kenya and Tanzania. I wanted to do night drives and walking on my second safari and I wanted to see gorillas. So I went to Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Then up to Uganda for Queen Elizabeth Nat Park and Bwindi. As you can see I was ready for a little more adventure and physical activity the second time around.

If you love tented camps, then I'd suggest (in no order):
Southern Tanzania
Zambia, especailly if you want to do walking and/or canoeing
Botswana, but be prepared to pay more. You could try a mobile in Botswana, which I found compared nicely to permanent tented camps, at far less cost.

Looking forward to your report.

Calo

Looking forward to your trip report, pbrydie! Welcome back.

With regard to where to go next...I don't see anything wrong with a return visit to Tanzania. I can't wait to go back, and actually expect (hope) to return <i>many</i> times. Prior to my first trip to Tanzania, I never thought I'd say that because I always thought I'd go to Botswana &amp; Zambia sometime, but I'm actually more excited about my next trip to Tz than I was my last. There's just too much to see and do in Tanzania before I'd ever consider another destination.

andybiggs

Welcome home! Did you happen to be with guides Patrick or Mustafa? I also had some good friends that were on a Classic Safari with Thomson Safaris around that same time. James and Sarah. Ring a bell?

pbrydie

atravelynn: thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards going back to TZ; it was so beautiful and I know I still have so much to see. Southern TZ is a thought...what's the best time of year to go?

But Zambia and Botswana also sound interesting so looks like I have more research and planning to do..... thanks again.

Calo: You confirmed that it's ok to go to TZ again and again. Lots of people keep telling me to go to another country...but I did fall in love with TZ...

Andy: Yes, we had Mustafa but not Patrick...we also had Charles, Adam and Simba...what great guys.

No James or Sarah; perhaps they were part of the groups we crossed paths with along the way.

What a wonderful trip it was!

atravelynn

Southern Tanzania has the most wildlife in the dry season July to end of Oct or early Nov.

If you return to Tanzania and even repeat your trip, it will be a different trip. That's the beauty of nature. Never the same.