With the price of oil and the value of the US dollar moving in opposite directions, we decided to grab an airfare we could live with and fit a private safari into the dates. We'll be in Tanzania July 31 through Aug. 10, with a very late departure from NBO. We've asked several companies for itineraries including a combination of tented camps (our preference) and lodges, in order to get the most time and best locations for our budget.
Having received a few preliminary proposals I'd like to know what people have thought of the following properties and whether they are well located for that time of year. I should add that, while we're hoping to catch a bit of the migration, we're not fixated on it.
I really like tasty, well prepared food--I'm pretty clear I'm not gonna get much of that.
Here's the the list of offerings:

Moivaro Lodge, Mawe Ninga Camp, Gibbs Farm, Olduvai Tented Camp, Ronjo Camp,Sayari Mara Camp.

Mountain Village Serena Lodge, Swala Camp, Serena Serengeti Lodge, Migration Camp, Impala Hotel

Some others are Kirurumu Camp, Tarangire Safari Lodge, Onsea House, Serengeti Savannah camp.

Some, like Sayari and Swala have great reputations, but I included them in the list so that people know they are on the list. And I think I understand what we're getting with the Serena lodges.

I know I've included a number of properties here and I very much appreciate the way folks here take the time to provide thoughtful replies. BTW, I have read through much of LyndaS' compilation of EA Trip Reports. Frankly, a lot if this info is starting to run together. If you posted this info in one of those reports, please just tell me to go look at it; I've got it bookmarked.

Thanks,
Diane

The first list, appears to be either from ATR or Africa Dream Safaris... those are the camps they use almost exclusively.

The second group, can be booked by most other tour operators.

If traveling in late July/Aug, and not going into Kenya, I'd suggest you try to get space at Sayari in the Northwest Serengeti; you'll catch the migration here.

In Arusha - Serena, Onsea, Kibo Palace or Arusha Hotels are good.

At Tarangire - Swala will be the most expensive of those listed. Consider Tarangire River Camp, Sopa Lodge or Kikoti Camp.

Lk.Manyara - Serena, Kirurumu Camp, E-unoto Retreat; Gibbs Farm or Plantation Lodge (the latter two are in Karatu on way towards Ngorongoro).

Ngorongoro - Serena or Sopa

Central Serengeti - Serena, Mbuzi Mawe or Savannah

NW Serengeti - Sayari Camp.

You'll have to see what's available and how they fit into your budget.

ccipups, rather than asking various companies for itineraries, why not come up with one yourself and post it for us to comment on. Any of the lodges/camps you've mentioned (plus most of those you don't mention) can pretty much be used in combination with one another, so you can create your own itinerary based on your budget and where you'd like to stay, not on where the tour companies want to put you. Some of the places you listed are very expensive, so if you want to stay at those, you can "cut back" on some of the others. For example, if you're only going to be in Arusha for an overnight before beginning your safari (as most of us do), you may feel the Impala is perfectly fine, in which case you can spend more of your budget at Sayari which is probably the best place to be for the migration at that time of year.

I haven't answered your specific questions about your list of properties. I've only stayed at a few:
<b>Impala</b> - probably 3 star, perfectly fine for an overnight in Arusha. We considered Onsea for next year, but settled on Arumeru. Your decision will be based partly on whether or not you want to stay in town, or outside town.
<b>Kirurumu</b> - older camp, but I think it's had some additions this year. Good food and service. We liked it.
<b>Tarangire Safari Camp</b> - I'd pick something else just because the tents seem so close together. It has beautiful views, but so do other Tarangire Camps. I like Sandi's suggestion of the River Camp. We're staying at Boundary Hill next year.
<b>Serena Properties</b> - all very nice, whether tented camps or lodges.
<b>tented camps/mobile camps</b> - I'd take one of these over a lodge any time...Mbuzi Mawe, Migration, Sayari, Serengeti Savannah etc

sandi,
Good spotting! Those first properties are from an ATR proposal. Thanks for your thoughts on the others as well.

Calo,
Thanks for your reply. The proposals from different companies are simply starting points, as far as I'm concerned. I do intend to post an itinerary or two for critique. However, since I haven't been to these camps and lodges, I'm hoping to get some opinions before making up a wish list. But you're right; titles like &quot;Help me with my itinerary&quot; do get a lot of very helpful replies.

Suggestion - don't wait too long to make a wish list. Space is filling up quickly, even 8/months out.

Absolutely avoid the Moivaro Coffee lodge! It was the worst place by far that we stayed in Tanzania.
Moivaro was a rip off, terrible rooms, the pool was disgusting, the plumbing inadequate, the food was terrible and expensive (and due to remote location, you have no other dinner options), the location inconvenient. The staff was not very helpful. The only nice thing about was the gardens. I've posted about it previously, if you want more info.
Impala hotel was just ok, but at least the food was good and inexpensive. I recommend the Sopa lodges, especially Tarangire Sopa. I wish we'd stayed there longer!
Kirurumu Camp was ok but no frills.