steffid

Hi there,

we plan a trip to Tanzania and Kenya in August this year to see the migration. We have already been there last year but in June and unfortunately the weather wasn't as it should be, we had a lot of heavy rains in the Serengeti and the big heards were completely desoriented and walked back to Ndutu area (in the south). We stayed some days at Sayari which was our best camp we ever had. Even if we had rain all days and very little game, we preferred Sayari from all other camps.

But now my first question:
How to cross the border from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara???

Last year we thought we could cross at Kleins Gate (after Sayari we stayed at Klein's Camp) but the frontier was closed. This was really bad for us because our guide had to drive through the whole Serengeti (while rainig with roads you would never think of beeing a road), along the Western Corridor, up to Lake Victoria, Tarime and the frontier in Isebania. Then we had to go further north because the rain had destroyed the roads and it was difficult to find our way to Olonana near the Ololologate of Masai Mara (West). We started at five in the morning and drove without a stop, only once to refill gas and at the frontier, which was spooky, and we arrived in the complete darkness at 8.30 in the evening. Our poor guide drove the whole way...

Next time we would not like to repeat this trip but I dont know how to get from Sayari to the Masai Mara by car or plane. We really want to see the migration on both sides..

Next question: a friend of us recommended Little Governors as the best camp for the Migration because of its location. Is that true?

Is there a possibility to bring the own guide at Little Governors? We very much enjoy to stay in the bush for the whole day and this is not possible if we have other guests in the car.

Does anybody know how the bushtop camp is? Which camp would you recommend in the Mara as second place after Governors? We prefer camps to lodges.

Last questions: how is Tarangire in August? We would leave on 13th and start in Tarangire. How about a stay at Olivers wiht fly camping? Would you recommend to fly from Olivers to Sayari? Do they give special rates because they are both asilia logdes?

What do you think of the itinerary:
08/13 flight stuttgart - nairobi
08/14 flight nairobi - arusha, drive to Olivers (Tarangire)
08/15 until 08/17 fly camping at Olivers (our guide should leave for Sayari to be there when we arrive)
08/17 flight to Sayari
08/17 until 08/21 stay at Sayari
08/21 flight/drive??? to Masai Mara, Little Governors
08/21 until 08/25´stay at Little Governors
08/25 until 08/28 stay at Bushtops (Masai Mara)
08/28 flight home, arriving next day.

Would we have the chance to see the migration at Sayari AND Little Governors????

Thank you so much for your help!!!
Steffi

sandi

steffi -

Sorry to hear that your tour operator didn't suggest better transport from the Serengeti to Mara. There is no official crossing point here for tour vehicles. From the Sayari or Klein's areas,it's best to fly to Arusha,where you connect to flight to Wilson (domestic) airport in Nairobi. Connect to the 3pm flight to the Mara, arriving in time for afternoon game drive.

The route you took, by road is not recommended because it is so long, in your case 15/hrs... many would opt to overnight at Speke Bay on Lake Victoria and continue next morning to the Mara.

No one can guarantee weather and though the rains are usually over by June, showers do happen still during this month and even at times in the so-called dry months of Aug & Sept. During June, the herds can be in the central and western Serengeti and it's not unusual that the herds move between the two, even back south to Ndutu. But there are so many thousands, you can fine them just about anywhere.

As to Little Governor's, I believe this is only offered on a GP (game package basis) using their guides in shared vehicles with other guests. If you wish to stay out all day, it would be recommended to arrange a private vehicle at a daily fee which can range from $250-$400/day, depending on camp.

Tarangire is excellent in August and a 3/day stay at Oliver's would be lovely. However, in order to get from Oliver's to Sayari Mara would be a private charter (there is no "scheduled" flight), thus more costly.

Governor's Camps (Main, Little or Il Moran) or other camps inside the Triangle are good during this time,i.e., Rekero, Explorer, Naibor - all small tent camps. Right outside the Triangle on private lands would be Kichwa Tembo (30/tents), Bateleur Camp (18/tents), Olonana (12/tents), Serian (10/tents).

Bushtops is a lovely camp, though located outside the Mara proper, to the northeast, on group ranch property, which affords you night game drives and bush walks.

During August, game can be found just about anywhere in the Mara, whether inside the Triangle, the greater Mara and the group ranch lands... would be a nice mix to split your time - inside & outside.

steffid

Hi Sandi,

thanks a lot for the information. Do you know how much we would have to pay for the flights from Sayari or Seronera (our guide could bring us there) to the Mara?

What do you think, would we manage to drive from Olivers Tarangire to Sayari in one day?

Olonana is lovely, we stayed there last time. Problem at Olonana: it takes too long to get into the parc.

Thanks for indicating the other camps Rekero, Explorer and Naibor which could be an option for us. I never herad of, which would you prefer?

So bushtops would be a nice change for the last days.

Thanks a lot
steffi

sandi

There are often special fares from the Serengeti to the Mara, your agent will have to advise.

Tarangire to Sayari in 1/day. Yes, but it's an all day drive. Reputable outfitters won't allow their drivers to do the trip in 1/day and you really wouldn't like it. Figure 14/hrs, especially since Oliver's is at the far southern end of Trangire, at least 2/hrs from the park entry before you get on the road via Manyara (2.5/hrs) via Ngorongoro (2.5/hrs) via Central Serengeti (3.5/hrs) to Sayari (4/hrs) = 14/hrs. That's without stopping for game viewing along the way, possible road delays, traffic, etc.

Ask for flight costs, for both routes - Tarangire/Sayari-Mara; Sayari-Mara/via Arusha/Masai Mara.
It's a trade-off - lots of lousy and long road travel or flying.

steffid

thanks so much!!

In the meantime I was looking for the camps you indicated in the web. Rekero Tented camp looks really nice and Naibor as well. Do you know if they would accept private guides?

Which tour-operator would you suggest?

steffi

Patty

You can check schedules and fares on www.regionalairtanzania.com and www.airkenya.com. Regional will take you from Kogatende (I think this is the correct airstrip for Sayari) to Kilimanjaro where you connect with their partner airline, Air Kenya, for Kilimanjaro-Nairobi Wilson-Mara.

Patty

Sorry, the correct url should be www.regionaltanzania.com.

steffid

Thnaks Patty, i will check the fares.

steffid

Patty,

just to keep you posted, flight price is about USD 570 pp.

Thanks again.