I have just emailed Sunny Safaris now to enquire about tented camps. Here is the itinerary they sent me previously:

Day 1

Meet clients in Aruhsa, Collect lunch boxes and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for game drive.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Serena lodge.



Day 2

After breakfast depart with lunch boxes and drive to Serengeti National Park for game drive.

Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.



Day 3

After breakfast have morning and afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park.

All meals and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.


Day 4

After breakfast have morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, Depart with lunch boxes and drive to Ngorongoro Conservational Area.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.



Day 5

After breakfast descend down the crater tour for game drive with lunch boxes.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. (Note that Ncaa has not confirmed that they will allow Full day crater tour. They shall let us know by July)


Day 6

After breakfast depart with lunch boxes and drive to Tarangire National Park for game drive.

Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.



Day 7

After breakfast depart with lunch boxes and drive to Arusha.

END OF SERVICES.

Price 2 People US$ 1888 Per person.

Thank you so much, you are very helpful!
Katerina

Okay, here's my warning: a seasonal camp will bring the price up sharp!

It's worth it if you can swing it. And it will work out best for you if you're upfront with Sunny about what you want and what you can spend and where you might be willing to compromise. (Example, Sopa or similar cost-wise at Ngorongoro and/or Manyara in order to experience a seasonal camp in the Serengeti.)

Good luck!

If a tented camp in a good location in the Serengeti turns out to be beyond your budget, consider adding a camp in Manyara and/or Tarangire instead. Look at Kirurumu or Wild Africa Manyara or Tarangire River Camp. I think these are all reasonably priced options. Or as Leely said, downgrade some of the Serena accomodations to Sopa or even Wildlife so you can splurge elsewhere. Also consider Ndutu lodge at this time of year. Check out Bill and Carolyn's photos from two Jan trips in this area http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/africa/index.htm

Does anyone know anything about Migunga Forest Camp near Manyara as an option for a tented camp? How does it compare to Kirurumu?

Thanks.

No room at the inn at Ndutu in February; little if any in Jan or Mar; may all be gone by now. Unfortunately, this one books up quickly and is a small 17-room only lodge.

Tarangire isn't at it's best in January, but if wishing to visit here, another option for a tented camp is Whistling Thorns, smaller than Tarangire River camp, 15/min outside the park, both in the same price range. Kirurumu is a good tent option at Manyara, also about same price as Serena Lodge, maybe $10-$15/nt/person +/- difference.

The choices in Ndutu are limited - Ndutu Lodge, Kusini Camp, Oldupai Camp*; others in the Southern Serengeti - TUC, Sayari So, Olakira, EMC, Savannah are pricey, with Sayari So almost as expensive as TUC.

*believe only a few companies can book this camp and reviews have been mixed. Remember Rocco indicating he wouldn't put his head on the pillows!

Ikoma is way in the wrong area for this time of year.

Hi everybody, thank you so much for your input. This is the new itinerary that I have received from Sunny Safaris. What do you think? Is the luxury mobile camp in Serengeti in a good location?

Day 1 - Lake Manyara Kirurumu Tented Camp
Day 2 - Serengeti Luxury Mobile Camp
Day 3 - Serengeti Luxury Mobile Camp
Day 4 - Ngorongoro Luxury Mobile Camp
Day 5 - Luxury Mobile Camp
Day 6 - Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 7 - depart to Arusha.

END OF SERVICES.
Price 2 People US$ 2191 Per person.

You have to inquire of Sunny where exactly is the Serengeti Mobile Lux Camp located.

The Serengeti is big, big, big - the size of Switzerland. That's the reason you see reference to Southeast, Southwest, Central, Western, Northwest and Northeast. Each, at different times of the year have their benefits depending on the migration routes.

As to the lux camp at Ngorongoro, you may want to reconsider and go back to a lodge here. Why? It's darn cold on the rim of the crater (even in these summer months). The rim is a 7,000' so always cold. Being under canvas only may not be all that comfortable.

Sunny Safaris just emailed me with all details. The camp in Serengeti is called Kirurumu Serengeti camp. Is this ok?

Gokoyoto,
We stayed at the Coffee Lodge and really enjoyed it. We wanted a day to relax after long flights and found it perfect. We even went into town for a few hours and wandered around teh local market. we did not go to Arusha Park.
As for Tarangire, our experience was absolutely horrible, (so much so, that CCAfrica fully refunded the days) But you have to understand this was mainly due to travel issues. No one had advised us the bridge at the entrance to the park was washed out-which required a lengthy, and quite frankly, frightening road transfer outside the park and through back ranger gates. didn't help that the guys got lost. we stayed at Swala-which was a lovely camp, with gracious staff, but given this organization knowingly put us through an absolutely HORRIBLE ordeal, I will say no more. We met others on our trip who also went through the same hell. They turned around and left the next morning. Lucklily we flew out! On the one very short game drive we did do (my back was out from the horrendous road transfer) the grasses were very high and the tse-tse flies were terrible. That being said, we did see a greater Kudo nursing-caught on film- which stunned all the guides on the remainder of our trip as they are not really supposed to be found in that area!

Kacenka,
We stayed on Chume Island in Zanzibar. FANTASTIC! But understand, this is an eco-lodge. Very rustic and basic. Only 6 huts. We referred to it as Gilligan's Island. For 3 nights it was fantastic. Water was gorgeous and there was nothing to do but be lazy. Not for everyone but I would check it out. They are doing remarkable conservation work.

I don't have a lot of experience with itinerary's and pricing. we went more upscale. but am sure lots of folks here will help you with that question. we also spent all our time in tanzania:
Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Grumeti, Ndutu and NCL. Had an absolutely wonderful time-as will you.

Nancie

Definitely ask Sunny where (roughly) Kirurumu is setting up in late Jan. Here's the website, just to get you excited:

http://www.kirurumu.com

Also, I agree with Sandi that a lodge up on the rim at Ngorongoro would be my preference. Even a not-so-great lodge (I stay at the Wildlife).

I might skip Tarangire and add a night to Serengeti, although it's likely your price will go up.

Keep us posted! I wish I were going.

Hi,

thank you for the link! The camps are looking very nice. I have switched back to lodge at Ngorongoro Crater; a change from a tent might do us good! ;-)

As we're arriving in Nairobi and don't fancy another connecting flight; we were wondering if we could simply start from Nairobi adding Amboseli Park in to our itinerary - what do you think?

Nairobi pick-up
1 (or 2) nights Amboseli
2 nights Lake Manyara
2 (or 3) nights Serengeti
2 nights Ngorongoro crater
connecting flight to Zanzibar
5 nights Zanzibar beach
1 night Stone Town

I am so excited; my husband has done safari in Kenya but I've never been before - as you might have guessed! ;-) and I am soooo looking forward to it!

Thank you so much for all your input, it is very much appreciated!
Katerina

It's looking good! Amboseli would be a logical stopover if you don't want to fly from Nairobi and would give you the elephant viewing you wanted.

I second, looking good. Amboseli is the best way to get the ellees and closer to Tanzania without the need to fly to JRO or take the shuttle bus to Arusha. From NBO, it's about a 3.5-4/hr drive, arriving for lunch. I'd suggest you spend 2/nts, then head to the Namanga border where you'd meet up with guide/vehicle for Tanzania, border procedures, and drive south via Arusha (lunch), then to Manyara.

Thank you!

We want to go to safari at the end of January / beg of February as this is a good time for us but is this actually a good time to do safari? Is the viewing as good as in June/July/Aug?

Thanks. K.

For Tanzania, Jan-Mar is an ideal time to be visiting. The migrating herds will be anywhere from the Ndutu area to Central Serengeti. Likewise, these same herds are found in the Masai Mara, Kenya between Aug-Oct. So, you've picked a great time. However, the longer you wait to book, the faster availability will be gone. Ndutu Lodge has no space for Feb, and little, if any in Jan or Mar.

Unlike a visit to Europe, one has to plan Africa months in advance to be assured space; even 6-months in advance can be cutting it close.

Hi guys,

I have received another quote from Africa Travel Resource (ATR). Please can you give me some feedback on the itinerary with regards to locations and accommodation.

1 night - Arusha - Moivaro Lodge
1 night - Karatu - Gibbs Farm
2 nights - Southcentral Serengeti - Olduvai Tented Camp
2 nights - Central Serengeti - Ronjo Camp
2 nights - Southeast Serengeti - Sanjan Camp
5 nights - Zanzibar Island - Pongwe Beach
1 night - Stonetown - Emerson & Green

I have left the Sanjan Camp in the itinerary but due to the high price I have requested an alternative accommodation - any suggestions?

Many thanks!
Katerina

Katerina, we stayed at Moivaro, Olduvai and Ronjo last June. If you check the New East Africa Trip Report Index, you'll find my comments. Also, there are a few other reports where people have stayed at these camps.

I have some photos on http://www.pbase.com/leelygoes/tanzania_june_2006 (at the end of the gallery there is a sub-gallery for camps and lodges). I also have more photos on a disc somewhere and will try to find them and upload them this weekend. I have been meaning to do that for a while anyway.

Basically, we liked Moivaro, but I prefer to be in town--that's just me. The food is not great, so if you do stay, I recommend getting a cab into Arusha and choosing a restaurant there. Nice bar, relaxed atmosphere, pretty gardens.

We really liked Ronjo but it is rustic and I felt it was understaffed--by a very nice staff. Food's just okay. Still, aside from Nomad, this was a personal highlight. Location for us in June was fantastic and I was kept awake all night by lions and hyenas.

Olduvai: we shouldn't have been there in June, might be better in January. My travel companions enjoyed the "break" from safari. Some reviews of this place are mixed, but we didn't have any of the problems others have reported. The staff was very kind to us; we enjoyed the walk with the Maasai guys who work there. I am pretty friendly and accommodating, though, so I tend to get friendly, accommodating service right back at me.

The best photos of Ronjo are on go-safari.com. Guarang, who posts on this forum and I've forgotten his screen name, went there with a group and took a bunch of pics.

How much is ATR charging for this? I thought the Kirurumu itinerary looked nice.