hi all,

this is my first time posting...my fiance & I have decided that we really want to do a northern tanzania safari & a few days in zanzibar for our honeymoon in 2007. It is pretty important for us, so we are actually thinking of scheduling our wedding around the best time to visit tanzania.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to have the wedding between nov - march. (too many people traveling, bad northeast winters). So barring that time, can you guys give me any advice as to the best time to visit?

And...i know this is a very hard question to answer, but can anyone say what a budget ballpark might be, for mid-range accomodations for 2 weeks & travel from the US? Just trying to get a sense of what we are looking at...

Thank you!!

I would think, in a normal year.......the main rains are from mid to end March thru early May. That said, you will encounter far fewer people and still great wildlife in the Serengeti. Otherwise, i would think Tanzania is a good thru the year destination. You just pick and choose areas to visit for that particular time of the year that you choose to travel. June thru October should still be good should you want to go.

morgiane:

Have you looked at Eben's website? It has a wealth of information. For example, he has a map about the wildebeest migration which will show you best estimates about where it will be at certain months (so for example, it moves into Kenya in July for a few months).

Here is the address:

http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/serengeti.htm

You can also look at the accommodations and get an idea of what appeals to you and what they cost.

For the safari portion of the trip I think that $300-350 pppn is mid-range. We will see if others agree with me. But I think for a honeymoon you may want to factor in some more expensive tented camps for a few nights. [Keep in mind that this price is pretty all inclusive--private guide, vehicle, meals, accommodations. In the higher range places, alcohol and laundry may be included.]

Zanzibar is much less expensive--with a number of choices in the $200-400 pn range.

I'd also budget $300-$350pppn for mid-range accomodations on safari in high season. In April or May, you may be able to do it for less than $300pppn. June to October is pretty much all high season. This is based on the assumption that park fees do not go up again in 2007. They went up, for example, from $30pppd(?) to $50pppd in the Serengeti this year.

I'm not really familiar with Zanzibar pricing, but I think there's everything from really cheap to really expensive but overall you can easily spend less than on safari.

Flights from the US east coast will probably run between $1500-$1800pp into Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport in northern Tanzania depending on the season. Flights into Nairobi (NBO) are usually cheaper, but you'll need to add onward transportation to Arusha/Kilimanjaro which runs approx $200pp one way for a flight or $25pp one way for a shared shuttle bus (take about 5 hours).

I don't really think there's a bad time to go on a northern circuit safari, not sure about weather patterns in Zanzibar.

Congrats. You sound like a couple with the right priorities. Wedding planned around THE SAFARI.

I think I'd do July or August. Earlier would mean good numbers of animals in western Serengeti as the migration moves through, but not the concentrations in Tarangire, Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater (although by its nature animals are concentrated in the crater).

July is good in the western to central Serengeti, moving northward as you near August. By this time, the other parks are drier with grasses low and animals more concentrated and easy to see.

You'd leave your home in non-winter but end up in Tanzania during their winter--with weather similar to North America and Europe's summer without the humidity.

Please post again as your plans develop.

lyn:
A consideration though that late July/August a chunk of the migration will be in the Mara?

I should never say "will be" when it comes to the migration

thank you so much, everyone! this is all extremely helpful.

so...it looks like no one mentioned September...which was a month we were considering...does that mean that wildlife viewing will not be as great during that time?

my fiance and I are both avid "big cat" lovers - so i guess we'd love to go at a time/place where there will be a good chance of seeing a lot of lions and other big cats. So any tips about that would be great.

bat, thanks for your suggestion to splurge on a couple of nights - i think that would be great. I saw a picture of the honeymoon tent at the migration camp, and it looked SO nice!

atravelynn - yes, we like to think our priorities make sense. at least ourselves, and our fellow lovers of travel! We have both been talking about a safari for years...so we figured, what better way to make it happen?

thanks so much, everyone, for your help!

Morgiane,

You mentioned tanzania......Sept would be awesome in the Mara and most of the tourists may hv come and left by then. Sept may not be as crowded as July and August.

Hari

hey hari (and all),

yes, i saw on the maps that the mara would be the best place for the migration in september...but my fiance and i were really hoping to do tanzania for our safari, for a couple of reasons...one being my uncle is from Tanzania and two being my fiance has been to the mara and other parts of kenya in a "previous life" (meaning different partner, although not a honeymoon, thank goodness! that would be weird ) and we would like to do something different...

we were hoping that september in Northern Tanzania would be a bit cheaper than the peak months of july/august, but still have good wildlife, hopefully big cats? Is that too much to hope for?

If it's bad timing, we can consider july like many have recommended...i just worry about being able to afford that...and it would be less optimal for the wedding...but as i said before the safari is the main priority for us, so if sept is bad, we will adjust.

September would likely be less expensive in the Serengeti. There would also be less people. The Seronera central part of the Serengeti has resident cats (leopard, lion, cheetah) and should always be good, even if the migration has passed.

Other Tanzanian parks would be very good in September, as the water sources dwindle.

I know a woman who did a semi-permanent mobile camp in September in the Serengeti (Nomad) and spent a memorable day with a lion pride. One consideration of doing a semi-permanent mobile in the Serengeti is that moves around to where the best wildlife viewing is. However, this is a more costly option than a lodge.

If Sept also works best for your wedding, I'd settle on going in September.

morgiane
how exciting to plan a honeymoon safari! Will share some ideas and let others correct based on their experience.

You might want to try 2 times of year for quotes if your wedding plans could accommodate it. Have you thought about going in February to early March? The wildebeast might be in the Southern Ndutu region of Serengeti for calving season. If you do the July/August time frame think you are likely to catch them on the return to the Mara. September might still be good if the migration remains a bit unpredictable and they could be in northern Serengeti. Maybe Klein's camp area?
As for the cats, they are resident in the central serengeti and also expect there would be "kill" action during the migration. Depends on your liking. The "kill" is not my ideal viewing. Given all the accolades regarding migration and seeing the herds, if you could manage it during that season it would be good.
If you do the summer timeframe - don't miss Tarangire (try for Swala) and consider Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for a splurge.
For a price target a year from now I'd budget $350 to $400 ppn per day to be safe. If you get it for less - great.

morgiane:
Plenty of people have had great trips to East Africa without seeing the migration in full. Plus, you can never count on the migration doing exactly what it is "supposed" to do. So for example, I had us staying in all the right places in Feb 06 to see a million wildebeest and it just did not happen because of the rains. We had a great time anyway.

My point is that I am with lyn--if you think September is when you want to go and you want to go to Tanzania, figure out a great trip for that time of year in Tanzania.

Plus you can also come up with an itinerary June/July and ask for pricing --I am not sure how much less it will be in September but you could compare to see if it really saves much. Nomad's prices for their seasonal camps does not decrease I do not think--they just move the camps.

Morgaine,

Sept will still be awesome in the Serengeti....less crowds and all the resident game...can't go wrong. You may want to chk out both Central and northern serengeti that time of the year like the other posts hv indicated.

Hari

You guys are all so great and helpful - thank you! I am SO EXCITED i can't even tell you how much. if only it were this year instead of next.

Which leads me to my next question...when do i get to begin planning - contacting operators for quotes, etc? Do i need to wait until next year? Or until September? (i am assuming i have to wait until at least then since i couldn't find any airline info past 1 year?)

Thanks!!

Morgiane,

If you have approximate dates, i think you could start planning right away. You are assured a place at the camps of ur choice. I know, many ppl going to Mombo in Botswana booking as long as two years in advance for the dates of their choice.

Besides, planning is a lot of fun......start talking to ppl, chalk up an itinerary and then talk to ur travel agent......

Hari

Honestly, i would recommend you combine Serengeti with the Southern parks, Selous, Ruaha to make it a great honeymoon.......ENJOY the planning!!!

Hari

Next to February, I'd pick late September/early October as my favourite time for visiting northern Tanzania. Tarangire is normally very good, I've had splendid cat viewing in the Serengeti, and the vegetation on the Ngorongoro crater floor is shorter than during the months following the long rains in April/May, ie it's easier spotting the rhinos, cats etc.

The above idea of including Ruaha or Selous is a good one for that time of the year, game viewing should be at its best. You can fly there from Arusha. Ok, there is a bit of a price tag to it.

Rains have been erratic the last years, and so has the migration, to some extent. I would't plan a safari during june--november based upon the normal whereabouts of the migration, as a bit of unexpected rain can cause the herds to move from/to Serengeti in unexpected ways. And you can't be sure to see a good migration even if you're in the Serengeti when the herds are there -- the can and sometimes do move to areas you can't reach.
Better pick a time when you'd like to go. Weather is normally cooler during June--August than later in the season. Air tickets are least expensive during October and June. Nowadays, there won't be that big diffences in numbers of visitors between June--October (although the absolute peek is July--August), many lodges and camps are heavily booked all the time.

i'm so confused

i was thinking september seemed like a good mix of good wildlife, but hopefully a bit cheaper airfare, moderately less crowded & maybe even a little cheaper on accomodations vs. end-of-jun,jul,aug...

but now i've just realized that ramadan starts sept 12th next year, so i would definitely end up in Zanzibar during that. Has anyone been there during that time? We were hoping for the end of our trip to be very easy, nice, relaxing, no worries, no frustrations...does this mean it's back to the drawing board?

also, does anyone have any idea how much more expensive airfare will be jun-jul-aug vs. sept?

thank you!!

morgiane - we'll help you as work on the itinerary as much as we can. Can be confusing, but will get easier.
As to airfares, Jun - Aug wouldn't be determing factor on price unless there's airfare wars that make price much less. You might want to book farther in advance though. Prices are approx $1500 USD coach per person and can be higher if you wait or seat availability is low.

Don't know about the Ramadan impact on Zanzibar.