I have been religously reading this board for several months while planning our first trip to Africa and have been thankful for all the great information on Tanzania.

My husband and I are planning our first safari this October and have been working with Roy's. They have changed our original route in order to book the camps/lodges we had requested.

I would really appreciate any thoughts on how we can improve this itinerary. We had hoped for a stay at Swala but they were booked. Of course we are trying to stay within a reasonable budget and would like to avoid "crowds" as much as possible during our safari.

Oct. 7) Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport
> > > > Meet upon arrival and transfer to KIA Lodge, overnight
> > > > Oct. 8) Depart Arusha for Ngorongoro Crater, afternoon game drive on Crater floor, overnight Serena Lodge
> > > > Oct. 9) Morning game drive on Crater floor, afternoon Masai Village visit, overnight Serena Lodge
> > > > Oct. 10) Depart Ngorongoro for Serengeti, afternoon game drive, overnight Migration Camp
> > > > Oct. 11) Full day Serengeti, morning and afternoon game drives,
overnight Migration Camp
> > > > Oct. 12) Game drive through Serengeti before proceeding to Lake
Manyara National Park, game drive, overnight Kirurumu Tented Lodge
> > > > Oct. 13) Game drive in Manyara before departing for Tarangire
National Park, game drive, overnight Tarangire River Camp
> > > > Oct. 14) Full day Tarangire, morning and afternoon game drives,
overnight Tarangire River Camp (B/L/D)
> > > > Oct. 15) Depart Tarangire for Arusha.

Price per person for itinerary as stated above: US$2,260.00

Hi! You aren't doing the serengeti full justice with just the two night stay. I would try and spend just one day at the crater serena (since you are doing the evening drive when u arrive). Both the trips into the crater is essentially going to cover the same routes.....with the zillion ppl around the cars.

Try and get the third night at Migration. I think for October should be good. You arent doing the central Serengeti? I think a day or two there is a must......i dont know if you can extend your trip by a day or two. I think a combo of migration camp with something in Central serengeti should be good. Bear in mind, the lodges in the Central serengeti arent going to be as good as Migration, but, the game viewing should be good.

Santharamhari-
Thanks for your suggestion.

Any thoughts on where to stay in central Serengeti? I believe the drive from the Crater to Migration Camp is a long one so this would definately help break up the drive.

The image of a "zillion" people sharing the crater view makes me nauseous. Although I'm sure the Crater is lovely but I appreciate the reality check on the imposing crowds.

Here's a link with good information on serengeti camp locations. http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/lodges/serengeti.html

Serengeti Sopa (may be too far south?) / Serena, or Seronera Wildlife Lodge could be options. Ronjo tented camp is central as well, but seen some mixed opinions on the boards.

The itinerary is good, but if you can add some time in the Central Serengeti on the way to Migration Camp would be great. Consider on October 9, do the morning Crater tour, then w/ boxed lunch had to the Central/Seronera Serengeti area for o/n at the Serengeti Serena or Wildlife Lodges.

These will be game viewing along the way, and in the Central area before your overnight here. Following morning Oct. 10 you can do an early game drive here, then head to Migration Camp.

On the way back from Migration to Lake Manyara, try to arrange a stop at Olduvai Gorge. It'll be a brief stop to visit the museum and won't take that much time from this rather long drive.

That one modification (leaving the crater early and o/n in Central Serengeti), I believe, can round out your itinerary.

Thanks for the input. I will see if Roy's can arrange a one night stay at Serengeti Serena and only stay one night at the Crater.

I would love to extend our safari by a day or two but I am worried this will throw off all the reservations we have already secured. I'm sure Roy's is tiring of all my request for changes.

I'm so thankful for the feedback.

I suggest, you make them work to get you an extra night or two to your total trip.......they will try and work it out if possible. To me one night in Central Serengeti isnt enough. Like someone else mentioned, do try Serena or Seronera wildlife lodge......they would be in the heart of the game viewing area, although the lodges arent the most upscale!

Yes, the crater is gorgeous and spectacular.......but, the zillion cars around one sighting is really awful!!! Most of these guides are just drivers and often try to get their clients the best views for the extra tip......if i was you, one night stay at the crater is plenty....

Hari

"I'm sure Roy's is tiring of all my request for changes." I wouldn't be too concerned about this. Most safari planning takes several revisions. I am sure Roy's is used to it and they want you to have a safari you will enjoy. If so, you may return and use them again.

I agree with the extra night in the Serengeti.

I have contacted Roy's about adding a nights stay in the Central Serengeti and decreasing our stay at the Crater. I'm sure they are used to revisions but I guess I felt I should have had a better idea of what I wanted before I contacted them.

I have requested they check availability at Serena Lodge. I think this change will give us a small taste of a variety of areas and accomadations. I am so excited about our trip, thanks to all. I'm sure I will have more questions as our trip draws closer.