atravelynn

I'd be happy to join a group if the itinerary were right. Or go solo. Perhaps either the group or solo approach lends itself better to a late booking date. Doubt I would know if such a trip is possible until Oct or Nov. of 2011.

Of course the whole Serengeti Road thing is involved as well. Will there even be a migration in Feb 2012 or will we all be boycotting the country?

I know the generalities--the longer you wait, the less likely the most desirable accommodations you want are available.

Does availability open up after March 1 or is it tight through mid-March?

What if the focus were primarily Ndutu Lodge?

No set itinerary dates except the trip must either be over no later than Feb 23 or it must not start until Feb 28.

So how late can you wait? How late did you book, if you went during this time frame? Or is an Oct-Nov booking for Ndutu during calving season just out of the question?

Looking forward to your responses.

Otis72

For our late-January 2007 safari, we booked in July 2006, and were wait-listed for our second night of two. My recollection is that we got the green light on the second night in December 2006. Note that some of the bigger safari outfits pre-book rooms at Ndutu and then are driven to pay-up or give-em'-up late in the year. So rooms open up late in the year. As for the migration herds in 2006, the short rains ran long that year, and everything was green and herds were scattered all over the place, from Ndutu into eastern Serengeti.

IMHO, you should try to book at least one year in advance if you want Jan/Feb/Mar dates. We stayed three nights at Lake Masek Tented Camp in early February this year and most of the migration herds were in the southeast Serengeti. We had marvelous sightings all three days in the Ndutu area, then moved up to Serengeti Sopa for two more days (Feb 7-8). We found very large migration herds there, but there was little grass in the short-grass plains and very few wildebeest calves. I don't think you can go wrong at Ndutu at that time of year, but seeing calving is just good fortune unless you can stay for weeks!

Jim.

sandi

AT least by July when 2012 rates should be set. As above, even at that time, space might be tight due to those "block bookings" made by tour operators, not released till 60/days prior arrival... so wasn't usual that Jim got his in December.

Ndutu Lodge or Lake Masek Camp are great choices, with the latter a bit more expensive, but lovely setting at the lake. And, depending on # of days you have, maybe split your stay with a few in Serengeti as Sopa Lodge, or just pay the daily park fee to enter the Serengeti based on where game might be during your visit.

If this past year's bookings (2011) were any indication, even Ndutu Lodge had limited space well into March. And, if there were, often not consecutive nights.

So, the earlier... the better.

cary999

Just got back (Mar 2nd) from Ndutu Lodge (5 nights), Serengeti Serena (2 nights). The safari did not become possible until Oct of 2010 so you never know what/when opens up. And while at Ndutu Lodge rooms would sometimes open up for that very night. Anyway, herds were scatterd, wandering, saw no calving. Rain this year was spastic, as it has been for last few years. Talking with a manager at Ndutu, said last few years weather/rain very erratic. So, depending on why you are going Ndutu, you may be taking big gamble on seeing it. FWIW, I'm not sure I'd go back, once probably enough (see below).

I don't recall if you've been to Ndutu, but at risk of repeating what you may know - As for getting to Ndutu, you can charter fly in but then you need a vehicle. We drove in from Arusha (uning Roy Safaris) and it is not a trivial drive. The last three hours from Ngorongoro Crater to Ndutu is a very dusty washboard gravelish road. And if little rain in Ndutu area, it is a dust bowl.

regards - tom

cary999

dang it, make that 7 (5 plus 2) nights Ndutu lodge split over 12 days.

reagrds - tom

TigerPhotog

I would definitely suggest LMTC instead of Ndutu Lodge. Much better in many regards....

TigerPhotog

And you are also helping a Native Tanzanian by using LMTC

Novak

We were also at Ndutu Lodge in Feb. and in a tented camp, Kusini. It was much cooler in the cottage at the lodge than in the tented camp in the daytime. Tent temperature was 34 degrees C and rising (high 90's). The wildebeest herds arrived just before we got to Ndutu. Then we spent 2 nights in the central Serengeti and 2 nights at Kusini before we drove back through Ndutu. Herds had moved up through Kusini and were heading westward and north by late Feb. Very difficult to time it right.

atravelynn

Thanks for the replies. Can you recall when you booked your trip Novak? The booking of the trip was my concern about timing.

The answer to my question seems to be what I had figured. Booking a year out is a good strategy for this popular time of year in Southern Serengeti. Six months out will probably still get you what you want. You might just get lucky and find something in Oct, though.

Any thoughts on early March being a better strategy for availability?


Sandi,
Can you elaborate on your comment,
"just pay the daily park fee to enter the Serengeti based on where game might be during your visit."

This can be done on a day by day basis? And you can be assured of getting into the desired location by paying that morning?

Is the alternative to pay for several locations each day as part of the booking process and then end up going to just one, based on what's happening?

cary999

"just pay the daily park fee to enter the Serengeti based on where game might be during your visit."

From what little (I think) I know about it, Ndutu lodge and Lake Masek Camp are in the Ngorongoro conservation while Serengeti (Serena and Sopa lodges) is another conservation. And each conservation area having daily fees. So you have lodge/camp costs and/plus different conservation fees.

regards - tom

sandi

Lynn -

Assume you've booked 3/nts at Ndutu (which is in NCA), but the guide learns that many of the herds are in the Serengeti. Thus that day or two days you drive to the Serengeti (w/picnic lunches for full days) and pay the $50/person Daily Park fee. Then, return in the evening/s to your lodging at Ndutu where your Daily Park fee has already been paid along with your lodge/camp.

Be sure to advise tour operator of this wish so they take into consideration fee the guide also has to pay to enter the Serengeti (though this is at local Tanzania Shilling fee, much lower than us visitors).

Or split your time between Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Six-of-one/half-dozen another.

Game is never guaranteed exactly where, whether from year-to-year, nor day-to-day, even hour-to-hour. It's always best guess.

atravelynn

Thanks.

Novak

I booked the 5 days at Ndutu Lodge a year and a half in advance. Then I booked the rest of the trip 6 months ahead. The ranger station is right near Ndutu Lodge so you could pay for the day in the Serengeti there. We met vehicles from Ndutu travelling to the central Serengeti for the day, going up through Kusini. This is a rough road, but especially if it rains.

TigerPhotog

Contrary to popular belief, the borders of Serengeti and NCA are right around Lake Ndutu.

The area/boundary of NCA and Serengeti...around Ndutu lake is very very tricky. As Sandi said, the Ndutu lodge is in NCA, but other areas around the lake are in Serengeti ! Better pay fees for both in advance cause the boundaries are almost imaginary and not well defined(one has to really know whether they are game driving in NCA or Serengeti...and only the guides know it). Your guides can be ripped off by the Rangers if they are found to have crossed over into Serengeti...following some animal (having only a NCA permit). If you see a map of the area, you will know what I mean.

The whole thing is a scam to scalp money from these tour operators. I always pay both fees so we have the freedom of traveling across the borders without getting ripped off by the money hungry Rangers.

atravelynn

Thanks for the additional comments.