Dec Tanzania itinerary getting there - any other comments?
 

About to finalize a christmas itinerary to Tanzania, any feedback would still be great!

Arrive via NBO

Night 1 - Arusha

Day 1, Arusha canoeing; overnight Arusha

day 2 - 3, Fly to Serengeti, Mbuzi Mawe or Serengeti two nights

Days 4,5 - Lamala Ndutu

Day 6, Crater, overnight Ngorogoro Sopa

Day 7-9 Lake Manyara NP, overnight Serena

Days 10-11 Tarangire, overnight Treetops

Day 12 back to Arusha (or NBO, have not decided yet), overnight to fly home the next day.

Thanks all you experts!

If it were my trip, I would stay 2 nights at Ngorogoro Sopa and 1 night at Lake Manyara. The Crater is great and requires most of a day to see it all whereas Lake Manyara is just good and a half day may be enough. I wouldn't shorten Tarangire either as it has fabulous elephants.

Agree with wildlifepainter... no need for 2/nts at Manyara.

However, what you might want to consider is spend 1/nt in Karatu (maybe 1/hr from the crater) at one of the coffee plantations - Farmhouse, Plantation or Tloma Lodge, or Gibb's Farm - for relaxing day of hikes, visit school or orphanage, their spa. Then visit Manyara for 1/nt and move onto 2/nts Tarangire.

Thanks for the comments
How would one compare treetops with something in the National park, like Oliver's or Swala? And I have read that Tarangire may not be good for game in December, is it worthwhile?

I tried giving the itinerary to Roy's to quote, but after a three day wait all I got in response was that I had mixed up my definitions of permanent tented camp and luxury mobile camp... Sandi can you advise on this?

And how is Tarangire in December? Seems to be many contradicting opinions around.

If it were me, I would give up the first day in Arusha and the 2nd night in Lake Manyara and put that extra time into Tarangire and the Crater. Robin

Olivers and Swala, though inside Tarangire, are both about 2/hrs drive south once inside the park. Both are in the lux category, with Oliver's (traditional canvas tents) being closed during the wet months so seasonal camp; Swala (also traditional tents but recently refurbished) is open year-round so permanent camp. Treetops, about a 50/min drive outside the park, will probably be more expensive than the other two, but more lux in the sense that they are tree-houses, very large, with real showers, hairdryers and beautiful grounds, is a permanent camp. The three are distinctly different.

December isn't really an ideal time for Tarangire as coming out of the short rains, with water sources outside of the park the amount of game found between July/Oct (the dry season) aren't around in great numbers. Doesn't mean the game is all completely gone. Many pick Manyara at this time, but being a small park rarely do visitors spend more than 1/nt.

Sandi

Very informative... thanks.

What do you think of two days Serengeti, 2 days Ndutu, 2 days crater, and ending it with 3 or 4 nights in Loisaba?

We have just recently stayed at Swala and Treetops (two different safaris). IMHO, Treetops is a much better choice. Swala is not inexpensive and yet is promoted as a luxury, camp but our experience was that it was simply not even in the same league as other high end camps we have used. For what it's worth, Swala is a Sanctuary Lodge and that is one organization I will have nothing to do with. Their guides and policies (A&K actually) place the wildlife under extreme pressure and I believe they harm the wildlife and place it under pressure in an unecessary way. I could go on but I think you simply wanted some insight into what each camp offered so I'll stop my rant on Sancutary Lodges and Camps. Treetops offers a really unique and fun experience and the added possibility of doing night game drives, since they are out of the park. If you decide on Treetops and wish to do a night game drive be sure to let the camp know before your arrival as they often fill up. Your travel agent can do this for you, just ask or insist that the camp be notified and which night you wish to do the game drive. They do not allow guests to use their own guides and vehicles on the night drives.
Chuck

In adddition, I'll agree with everything Sandi has written above.
Chuck

There is a small fee for the night drives at Treetops.

>>What do you think of two days Serengeti, 2 days Ndutu, 2 days crater, and ending it with 3 or 4 nights in Loisaba?<<

... how did Loisaba get stuck in there? It's in Kenya.
If you plan on visiting here, and unless you arrange a private charter flight once back from Tanzania into Nairobi, you'd need an overnight NBO, with scheduled flight next morning to Loisaba. And, while here, you might consider 1/nt at their Starbeds.

Sandi

Loisaba was one of the places we were recommended when this whole Africa idea began, before we decided that with a December trip Serengeti was our best bet. With Tarangire being off peak at the time, and wanting to see something different, Loisaba suddenly popped up again, and seems like a nice way to finish off the holiday. After days of game drives, the variety of activities on offer at Loisaba seems to complement it. Since we have to fly from NBO anyway, an Kenyan destination is not as far out of the way as it is for someone coming thru Amsterdam direct.

Ok, now I see where Loisaba came from.

This would be a lovely place to conclude your safari especially since you have to return to Kenya for your homebound flight.

The area is beautiful, with many options for "what to do/see" and when. It's all up to what you feel like, whether game drives, walks, camel safaris, horseback riding, fishing, village and school visits (not commercialized), boules, spa.

Enjoy.

I can't comment on December in terms of game viewing in Tarangire but we VERY much loved Oliver's Camp last September. Great management and staff. Only regret is that we had our own guide rather than going out with theirs.

I'm so pleased we did visit Lake Manyara - I found the jungle area we drove through to reach the lake truly magical. The mango trees were in flower, and some other tree too, I forget which, and the scent was so heady. And the light dappling through the unexpectedly (to me) lush and pretty glades... wow!

We stopped at Gibb's Farm for a night and I wish we'd stopped for two. Partly, I have to admit, because the accommodation just blew me away, but also because it had such a relaxed and friendly vibe. My massage from tall and strong Masai man was superb and I would very much have liked to do some of the other activities on offer, which we found out about on arrival. And the garden setting within the wider farm area is just stunning. Of course, I understand very well that 2 nights doesn't make sense when one has limited time and is focused on safari but next time we go, I'm planning on 2 nights at Gibbs.