I was hoping you would offer some advice on my post re Serengeti camping in February We have 3 nites a Olakira which is great. I just found out the other 2 nites are private camping at Turner Springs. I saw a description of the site as being great for the dry season but not during the green since there is not much wildlife then. Also, appears the site does not have great views since it is in the midst of a wooded area. what would be your suggeston for a good site in Feb that would be a good complement to Olakira.

Thanks for your help.

Hallo

Do you know which Turner Spring site you have?

http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/SerengetiCentral.jpg

Turner 1 (A) or Turner 2 (B)? As you can see from my pictures they have no views.
http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/TurnerA.htm
http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/TurnerB.htm

Turner 3 (C) used to be my least favorite of the 3 (tsetse flies) but is being relocated and the current position on my map is wrong (I really need to update the map but it takes time). The new location is better but I have not camped there yet.

Turner 1 and 2 are known for noisy lions at nights instead of views and are 2 of my very favorite camps for loud night sounds! But when it rains hard these camps are hard to travel to/from. February should be OK in terms of rain.

Seronera has plenty of resident wildlife throughout the year so no problems there. And you can do a balloon ride in the area. So it is not necessarily bad.

In February, I prefer to combine Ndutu with South Loliondo or Nasera Rock and other special camps in the area. If December/January is very dry, I also keep an eye on Moru Kopjes.

But my focus is mostly on the migration itself and following the huge breeding herds in spectacularly scenic areas away from tourists. Cat lovers may be disappointed with the northern NCA near Loliondo.

Eben - Thanks for the help. We are in Turner A. So does it make semse to keep as is so we get to spend some time in central serengeti. Lions roaring at nite sounds pretty good.

I wasn't planning on spending the money on the balloon - but since we are nearby do you think it is worth it.

Thanks

Eben - Thanks for the help. We are in Turner A. So does it make semse to keep as is so we get to spend some time in central serengeti. Lions roaring at nite sounds pretty good.

I wasn't planning on spending the money on the balloon - but since we are nearby do you think it is worth it.

One other question - we are booked in Olakira but waitlisted for Sayari. Would you recommend one over the other in Feb keeping in mind the other 2 nites are at Turners.

Appreciate the help,


Thanks

Balloon?

It has been discussed before with no clear consensus. I have done it and will say the balloon company is very good at what they do. The pilots are great, the organization (including pickups at camps/lodges) is seamless, the baskets are comfortable, the horizontal start (you lie on your back) is exciting, the champagne finish and following breakfast in the bush are done in great style. A+ for the company.

The hour-long experience itself is a personal journey that some will enjoy more than others. They fly mostly at treetop level and lower so you don't get to see a wide Serengeti vista as one would expect. In February the migration should not be at Seronera so you may see only a few glimpses of wildlife.

My basket had 4 compartments with 2 people in each so you cannot walk around, meaning your field of view is somewhat restricted to your corner of the basket (the pilot station is in the middle separating the 4 compartments). I think they have a bigger balloon but did not see it.

On our clear day the golden rays of the sun lighting up the Seronera were very beautiful. I am glad I did it but will probably only do it again if the migration is around.

I will great a page with images soon.

Sayari South at Moru and your camp at Turner A cover roughly the same area. In February I would rather combine Olakira with either your camp or Sayari South instead of your camp and Sayari South.

One last ?. What would be your call on Sayari vs. Turner. I like the idea of the private camp with lion night sounds but Sayari it seems is more luxury and perhaps better views. These are 2 pricey nites either way so want to make the best choice

Thanks Eben

There is a discount for 5 nights or more in total at Olakira and Sayari South. For this reason, and the time of year and the beauty and exclusivity of Moru and the style of Sayari, my recommendation is Sayari.

It depends a bit on who is operating your private camp. Some outfitters have better setups than others. Many still use old-style dark green Selous tents and most use smaller bow-style tents (with separate showers/toilets)for small parties. Have you seen pictures of your proposed camp? How many in your party? To set up a large-scale private camp for 2 is very expensive for any outfitter.