We will have 5 to 7 days available after our safari, depending on which operator we end up choosing. We fly into and out of Dar es Salaam. Is there much to see and do in Dar? We could spend a couple of days there. We are also going to Zanzibar, but we may not spend much time there since it is so hot and humid (and a beach is a beach, after all...) Again, my thanks to all of you who are helping us plan this trip!

Sharon

What does your "final" safari & beach itinerary look like?
5-7/days left, seems like quite a bit, and DAR wouldn't be my choice to spend all this time. It's a big crowded city, much like Nairobi.

And, while ZNZ or any coastal area is tropical, if you're staying at a property with a/c, it shouldn't be all that uncomfortable. Besides, during the months between Aug-Oct, it's somewhat more bearable. So a "beach-is-a-beach" doesn't have to be.

You sure don't have to sit on the beach or at the pool the entire time... mornings, when it's somewhat cooler, are a good time to do some sightseeing, whether spending another day in Stone Town which is fascinating, visit Jozani Forest, Spice tour, dhow cruises, dolphin adventures, snorkle, Scuba, etc.

Hi Sharon, I think I agree with sandi....why 5-7 days left over? I would make at least one more safari stop. We just did 22 days in S. Tanzania flying in and out of DAR. Spent two nights on the front end to get acclimated to time and temp at the Southern Sun hotel in Dar. With a driver, we made a quick tour of Dar on our free afternoon. That was plenty. Its a nighmare for traffic -- made me think NY with no traffic signals. Just a huge free-for-all at every intersection.

After our 4 safari stops, we spent the last 4 nights on Mafia Island for diving and snorkeling. (whale shark chasing) The snorkeling was wonderful. While we had a great time in the water, at the end of the day, I think I would prefer staying in the bush.

Yes, please share your full itinerary so that we might be able to make some suggestions. 5 to 7 days is probably more time than you'd want to spend there.

Here's what we are considering (seriously) for 3 weeks in Sept.~

Day 1: overnite Dar (arrive late evening)
Day 2: fly a.m. to Arusha, veg out or see the town, depending on how tired we are (1 nite Arusha)
Day 3: see Arusha National Park; drive to Tarangire (overnite Tarangire)
Days 4, 5: Tarangire
Day 6: Drive to Ngorongoro (overnite)
Day 7: Ngorongoro
Day 8: Drive to Central Serengeti (overnite)
Days 9,10: Central Serengeti
Day 11: Drive to North Serengeti (overnight)(Mara Triangle area)
Days 12, 13: North Serengeti
Day 14: Drive to Enashiva Refuge (overnite)
Days 15, 16: Enashiva
Day 17: Fly to Arusha, then Zanzibar (overnite stonetown)
Day 18: Stonetown
Days 19-21: 3 nights Zanzibar beach
Day 22: Fly to Dar, Fly home (evening flight out).

All comments are appreciated,

We are also considering an entirely different safari itinerary (for a little more money, less luxury but more flights) that would take us to the Mara for 5 days, Tarangire (2 days), Ngorongoro (2 days), Ruaha (3 days) and Selous (3 days), leaving 5 days for zanzibar.

I know you can't compare "apples to oranges" but any insights would be appreciated, especially given the time we are going. One thing I've heard is that the Masai Mara will be much more crowded at this time of year than the Northern serengeti (where there are less lodges). True? Marketing ploy? Any opinions?

thanks to all

Sharon

I personally like Plan B the best. Having just been to Ruaha and Selous this year, I'd add one more night at each (4 in each) and cut down on Zanzibar - 3 days there. 5 days is more than what is needed to see Zanzibar. We loved Mara and Tarangire on our first trip. The crater is something to be seen, but it is filled with autos. The entire Northern circuit will be more crowded than Ruaha and Selous - where we saw only 1 or 2 other vehicles. Do you really want to do Zanzibar? Selous Safari Company has three locations - one in Selous, one in Ruaha and one on the beach south of Dar. They were offering some great deals when we booked that included free air, on Coastal Airlines, if you booked more than one of their properties. You might ask your agent.

There have been previous threads about the area at Northern Serengeti to the east at Loliondo where the Saudi's have private hunting lands and where Enashiva appears to be located. The threads are long as they relate to the poor relationship between Thomson and the local Masai and not very positive. You'll have to search here to read about the conflicts... not pretty. the varied details. But, having no personal knowledge of what is, only you can decide if it's right for you.

While the Thomson itinerary you show is mostly driving, I must say that the alternate itinerary looks good. And because of the distances covered, flights would be necessary. That said, as you'll be arriving DAR, it's so easy to visit the southern parks first - fly to/between/from Selous and Ruaha, then fly north to cover Tarangire and Ngorongoro by road, then onto Kenya's Masai Mara by air from where you'd fly to ZNZ and end at DAR for homebound. However, if you don't wish to visit the Mara, you can from Ngorongoro head (by air) to the Northern Serengeti where you will find plenty of migrating herd game that don't make it into the Mara (experiencing river crossings, is a possibility); from here to ZNZ. This way it's only 1/country.

Consider:
Day 1 - Arv. DAR - o/n
Day 2 - Fly to Ruaha - o/n
Days 3 & 4 - Ruaha - o/n
Day 5 - Fly to Selous - o/n
Days 6 & 7 - Selous - o/n
Day 8 - Fly via DAR to Arusha; drive to Tarangire - o/n
Days 9 & 10 - Tarangire - o/n
Day 11 - Drive to Ngorongoro - o/n
Day 12 - Ngorongoro - o/n
Day 13 - Transfer to Manyara airstrip; fly to No. Serengeti - o/n
Days 14, 15, 16 - No. Serengeti - o/n
Day 17 - Fly to Arusha; connect to ZNZ - o/n Stone Town
Day 18 - ST; Town Tour; afternoon transfer to beach resort - o/n
Days 19, 20, & 21 - ZNZ
Day 20 - To ZNZ airport for flight to DAR - homebound.