jnm

Hello-

I am working on a honeymoon in Tanzania. I've talked with Masai Travel, who seems to have very competitive rates. Most of the positive reviews I have read about the agency are several years old, so does anyone have more recent experiences?

Am thinking about Nov. since it works out with our timing, is a bit less expensive, and the reverse migration is coming through.

My itinerary is looking like:
Arusha, Mountain Village Serena (2 nights)
Serengeti, Kirawira Tented Camp (1 night)
Serengeti, Serengeti Serena (2 nights)
Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Serena (2 nights)
Lake Manyara, Gibb's Farm (2 nights)
Tarangire Tarangire Sopa (1 night)

Any comments or advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Jessica

aby

Hi Jessica

I haven't heard about this company

There are company names which keep popping up on this board,
though i reckon they are not of the "very competitive rates" kind... ...
read the "bible"-thread of LyndaS <red>NEW</red> EAST AFRICA Trip Report Index
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm
both for trip reports and companies

as for your program, it is better to specify activities and not only accommodation

1. Why 2 nights in Arusha? what is your program there?
the drive Aruisha to Kirawira is really long...
e.g. even if you have a full day at Arusha NP you can still drive less than 2h to sleep over in Manyara (and on the next day see something in Serengeti or NCO instead of Rushing)

2. i would make the first stop in (closer)Serengeti Serena and then proceed further to Kirawira.
personally i would prefer Seronera over Serena, though Serena is a better accommodation and food, Seronera is a far better location! (& why have we come as far as Serengeti for??)
p.s. if in Serena it is advisable to go on a whole-day game-drive with pacjed lunch, while in Seronera you can come back for lunch

3. Whu 2 nights in Ngorongoro on a competitive rate tour?
you can sleep 1 night on the crater rim next day do the Caldera floor then get out of the gate and save 50$ pp
(unless you want to go down the caldera on 2 consecutive days)

4. Gibb's farm is not in Manyara (but not too far).
Why 2 nights?
Are you going to see the Hadzabe (& Datoga) at Lake Eyasi?
if not - why not add the night to Tarangire?
Gibb's farm has different standards of rooms, and you may get the old ones which are not fun - check Tloma (opposite Gibb's) or Farmhouse.
There are some cheaper options as well
You are staying mostly in Serena properties - Serena has a lodge in Manyara as well...

aby

aby

another remark:
when Ngorongoro is packed with tourists, Sopa is a beter option than Serana, since it has got its own road for going down to the caldera floor

atravelynn

Aby has some good questions and ideas.

Maybe you are doing activities in Arusha on day 1. That would be nice. Lots of giraffe in the park and you can walk and go canoeing. Some day I want to do that. An extra day up front never hurts either if there is a delay or problem, even if it is just your bags that are delayed.

I don't know that I'd go to Kirawira in Nov because it is in Western Serengeti and I don't know that I'd stay just one night in a Serengeti camp unless it was an overnight stop on a journey.

2 nights at the crater allows for some relaxation and a full day in the crater but it comes at a cost of the accommodation. I like Sopa Lodge at the crater for its own access road but Serena is supposed to be nicer and it looks like you have almost all Serena properties so you may be getting a better deal on the Serena at the crater.

I bet you are staying at Gibb's 2 nights for access to Lake Manyara which is generally not as good in Nov as Tarangire. Gibb's is a lovely accommodation that I've only eaten at but the food was really memorable, all grown in the garden and prepared fresh that day.

Maybe only 1 night Manyara. I've stayed at Sopa in Tarangire. Really nice with nice baobab views but I'd recommend something closer to the entrance like Tarangire Tented Lodge.

sandi

The extra day up front in Arusha is good if there are any delays; if not you can visit Arusha NP for walking and canoe safari.

While Kirawira (also a Serena property... is a tented camp) is more romantic than the other lodges, being in the Western Serengeti isn't at it's best for game in November. Migrating herds are returning from Kenya and most likely finding their way south thru the Central Serengeti (Serengeti Serena); maybe even as far south as Ndutu. And, though the Ngorongoro Serena is actually nicer than the Sopa, many people prefer Sopa for its access road into the crater... there's also no need to do a 2nd night here when you can put this towards Tarangire a lovely park.

Gibb's is lovely, but do ask whether they are using the "standard" rooms or the cottages; the latter are lovely and romantic, but more expensive. While at Gibb's you can arrange activities thru the Farm for highlands trek or visit to elephant caves.

You can still tweak the itinerary.

jnm

Thanks so much for all the responses!

To answer some of the questions:
Yes, the extra day at Arusha is a recovery day from the long flights and layovers. Hopefully, we can also do something in Arusha or Arusha NP that day too.
We want to stay at Gibb's Farm the extra day for spa and relaxation. Since it is a honeymoon, I'd like to slow down for a day!

I will definitely follow-up on a couple of the tips mentioned.

That's strange that no one has heard of Masai Travel. I actually got the recommendation a few months ago from searching these boards. However, I've asked for references and will check them.

sandi

There's a thread above by "50" who is using Masai Travel. They are a relatively new outfit, maybe 2/yrs old. Claiman is an outstanding guide who worked for another major outfitter in Arusha till he went out on his own.

sandi

OOooops, sorry, not Masai Travel, rather Warrior Trails, as posted by "50"

Too many names are similiar, but use the references provided for answers to your questions.