Feedback requested on travel with OAT please!
 

Aloha,
Has anyone done the OAT trip to Kenya and Tanzania? How about the Rwanda mtn gorilla trek ? I would appreciate any information any of you could share.
Mahalo!!!

I copied the itinerary in here for others to comment on. The price is very good. The accommodations are not as good as the the last time I looked at this OAT trip.

The Rwanda extension has just one gorilla visit, and I think two are better, but that's $500 more. Instead of 2 gorilla trips, the itinerary spends time doing other things in Rwanda, which can give a broader perspective.

I'm sure you'd have a great time on this trip.

Here are some OAT links.

actually gone—East Africa by Ann NYC
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34897294 report
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/publi...?u=ajennerjahn pics

OAT and timing the migration
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35120290

Packing, baggage, money exchange, tipping with OAT
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35097205


In general

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=34954868

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=34960960

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34828547




OAT TANZANIA AND KENYA ITINERARY


Day 2 Arrive in Nairobi/Explore Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Nairobi, or similar

Day 3 Explore Nairobi/Overland to Lake Naivasha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Naivasha Simba Lodge, or similar

Day 4 Explore Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Naivasha Simba Lodge

Day 5 Explore Lake Naivasha/Overland to Amboseli National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Amboseli Sentrim Tented Camp, or similar

Day 6 Spend "A Day in the Life" of the Irkirit School/Afternoon Game Drive in Amboseli National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Amboseli Sentrim Tented Camp, or similar


Day 7 Discover Amboseli National Park/Overland to Tanzania
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Lake Burunge Tented Camp, or similar

Day 8 Discover Tarangire National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Lake Burunge Tented Camp, or similar

Day 9 Discover Lake Manyara National Park/Overland to Karatu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tloma Lodge, or similar

Day 10 Karatu/Visit Iraqw village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Tloma Lodge, or similar
Day 11 Explore Ngorongoro Crater/Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Masek Tented Camp, or similar

Day 12 Explore Ngorongoro & Olduvai Gorge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Masek Tented Camp, or similar

Day 13 Overland to Serengeti Tented Camp 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Tented Camps, or similar

Day 14 Explore Serengeti National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Tented Camps, or similar

Day 15 Explore Serengeti National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Tented Camp 2, or similar

Day 16 Explore Serengeti National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Tented Camp 2, or similar

Day 17 Fly to Arusha/ Overland to Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: InterContinental Nairobi, or similar

Day 18 Explore Nairobi/Depart for London or begin your optional post-trip
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Nairobi, or similar

Thank you atravelynn! I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from others who have experienced previous Africa trips with OAT (or other tour group suggestions).
I had my heart set on a private safari after reading all the great trip reports on this forum! But when my travel partners backed out and it started looking more and more like I may be doing solo travel it became apparant that it may make more sense to go with a tour group. This company (so far) appears to offer the best value, but I want to get feedback from others who have personal experience.
Of course, it anyone has suggestions on other tour groups I should look in to, I would appreciate that information as well.
Looking forward to hearing from any and all of you experienced travellers!!!

You can check out 2AfriKa at www.2afrika.com who are located in NYC. They also do group departures.

What time of year are you considering going? Given that you're only going to Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in Kenya, is it worth it to do this OAT rather than their "Safari Serengeti" which is solely within Tanzania?

Just looked at both OAT itineraries, the one including a few stops in Kenya and the other that is Tanzania only.

Neither was very exciting. On the first, if you go in Sept '10, when the migration is in the Masai Mara, they don't even stop here. And, they show a stop at Masek Camp which is in the Ndutu area which is better visited during a January visit.

On the second, if for Jan '11, then the Serengeti is good, but where is OATs Camp #2 located? Best area would be in the Ndutu area of NCA (as Masek Camp shown in combo Kenya/Tanzania routing) or Southeast Serengeti.

Also, on second, it shows 3/nts in Karatu (Tloma Lodge) - 1/nt on the way West, 2/nts returning East after the Serengeti.

While group travel can be a benefit costwise with possibility of avoiding the single supplement, you're often stuck with the itinerary offered and no way of changing anything.

That's why a private itinerary is better, based for time of year you're traveling, where it's best to visit and choice of lodges/camps. Maybe consider a shorter time "in-country" to keep within budget. Remember though that prices in Tanzania tend to be higher than those in Kenya. Also bear in mind that prices for 2011 won't be published before mid-'10 (Jun-Aug).

Thank you sandi and ShayTay for your responses and suggestions.
Shaytay--good point....
I think the Tanzania trip with OAT would be great! The only downside is I wanted to visit the Sheldrick Elephant orphanage in Nairobi. Probably wouldn't make sense to go to Nairobi just for that?
Please comment on this itinerary, as well as any of you who may have recently traveled with this tour company.
Mahalo!

Day 1 Depart from the U.S.

Day 2 Fly from U.S. to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania via Amsterdam/Overland to ArushaMeals Included: Dinner
Lodging: Olasati Lodge, or similar

Day 2 Arrive Arusha, Tanzania via Amsterdam
After a short stop, you depart on a non-stop flight for Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha, Tanzania.

Day 3 Arusha/Shanga River HouseMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Olasati Lodge, or similar

Day 3 Discover Tanzanian food, coffee, and crafts
Day 4 Overland to Tarangire National ParkMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Lake Burunge Tented Camp, or similar

Day 4 Overland to Tarangire National Park/Wildlife Viewing We stay for two nights at a permanent tented camp in the midst of the wilderness. Our camp features a solar-heated shower, solar electricity, and comfortable walk-in safari tents under thatched roofs.

Day 5 Explore Tarangire National Park Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Lake Burunge Tented Camp, or similar

Day 5 Wildlife Viewing in Tarangire National Park Expand

Day 6 Visit Maasai villageMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tloma Lodge, or similar

Day 6 Maasai Village Visit/Discover Mto Wa Mbu/Arrive Ngorongoro Highlands

Day 7 Discover Ngorongoro CraterMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: OAT Private Tented Camp
Day 7 Explore Ngorongoro Crater/Travel to Serengeti Camp

Day 8 Explore Serengeti National ParkMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: OAT Private Tented Camp

Day 9 Explore Serengeti National Park
Lodging: OAT Private Tented Camp

Day 10 Explore Serengeti National ParkMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: OAT Private Tented Camp
Day 10 Take Optional Balloon Ride/Enjoy Serengeti Game Drives

Day 11 Visit Karatu village and schoolMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tloma Lodge, or similar

Day 11 Return to Ngorongoro Highlands/Visit Oldupai Gorge

Day 12 Visit Karatu village and schoolMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tloma Lodge, or similar
Day 13 Overland to Arusha/Return to the U.S./Or Begin your choice of Post-Trip Extensions: Zanzibar or Rwanda Day 14 Arrive in the U.S.

Hi Sandi,
Just saw your message after posting my earlier response.
You make such good points about quality of travel. Of course we all want good value, but if the quality is compromised than it's not worth it. So now I am torn...I have itinerary requests pending at some of the tour groups that were suggested/mentioned on this forum. Just need to keep exploring my options....

Looking forward to future comments!

Elizabethj, when are you thinking of going? I've been on the "Safari Serengeti" in June 2004, but OAT has changed a lot of things since then (less game viewing and more cultural activities.) While a private safari is great, you sometimes just have to go with what your budget will allow. All of the accommodations are nice and they will site their Serengeti tented camps according to where the Migration will be (if it's the time of year it is in the Serengeti.) Still, there is no guarantee that you'll see the Migration, as it tends to move with the rains, which can't be predicted all that far in advance.

Hi ShayTay, Thanks for your response. If I did the Tanzania trip with OAT, I think I would want to go in January to have the best chance of trying to catch the migration? I realize there are no guarantees here, but would like to go when I have the best chance. Please correct me if I am wrong on the timing.

However, someone told me that there is not much in the way of animal viewing in Tarangire at that time of year---is that true?

Appreciate your help!

That OAT itinerary gets more enticing in the wet season, which is Jan, IF its mobile camp is in the Ndutu area/Southern Serengeti. Check that one out.

While you can never be guaranteed the migration, you would be able to drive distances to try to find it IF the camps are in the correct general locale.

You could fly into NBO a day early for Sheldrick, etc. Arriving a day early is not a bad idea anyway in case there are delays. OAT could handle that for you.

Tarangire bad in Jan? Having only gone in dry season, that is what I always thought. More recent reports, such as sightings from ShayTay, have had some nicie sightings in the wet season. The magnificent baobabs won't be going anywhere.

It appears you are in the process of getting some quotes. Once you have everything laid out and the price tags attached, you can decide.

January is excellent time for Tanzania. The migration can be found in the Ndutu and/or Southeast Serengetii where hopefully OAT will be set up.

January is NOT the "wet" season* (is late-Mar-May).
While January isn't best time to visit Tarangire (best would be July-Oct) as there are water sources (coming out of the Nov/Dec short wet season) outside the park, it's still a lovely park and from reports in recent years... still plenty of game, especially ellees.

*with strange weather everywhere, wet can even come in the dry seasons, so one can't sweat this any longer.

Agree with above, if you wish to visit Sheldrick and other sights (Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Center, etc) in NBO, arrange to arrive day earlier at NBO and then a transfer (by air [50/min @ $265/per one-way]; or road [shuttle bus 5-6/hrs @ $35/per one-way]) to Tanzania. But remember, if arriving Kenya you will require Visa and Yellow Fever inoc and proof of same to enter Tanzania. Also, OAT is known to charge thru the nose for transfers or other if not their exact itinerary or you make own flight arrangements... they may not be all that flexible. Just so you're aware and be prepared.

OAT does have lots of cultural things in there that do take time and seem to extend stays in areas where it might not be necessary... might have to do with average age of travelers - 50+ - though plenty so-called mature adults/seniors, do very well without such a slow pace.

If booking your own flights, more carriers into Nairobi at more favorable prices.

You can certainly consider:
Day 1 - Arv. NBO - o/n
Day 2 - NBO - sightseeing - o/n
Day 3 - Early flight to JRO; meet/greet, to Arusha; to Tarangire - o/n Sopa Ldg. or Tarangire River or Kikoti Camps
Day 4 - Tarangire - o/n
Day 5 - To Ngorongoro; afternoon crater tour - o/n Serena or Sopa Ldgs
Day 6 - Ngo - morning crater tour; drive via Oldupai to Ndutu or SE Serengeti - o/n Ndutu Ldg or Lk.Masek Camp
Days 7 & 8 - Ndutu/Serengeti - o/n
Day 9 - To Karatu - o/n Tloma or to Lk Manyara - o/n Serena Ldg or Kiruurumu Camp
Day 10 - To Arusha; day-room; to JRO airport for flight to NBO and homebound flight.

Option - On Day 9, you can fly from Ndutu to Arusha and homeward bound, saves 1/day @ Karatu or Manyara.

I'd price the above with a number of recommended outfitters as a solo traveler and see how their prices compare with OAT's group itinerary.

HI atravelynn and sandi! Thank you both so much for your comments and suggestions.

Well, I've come full circle again and now leaning towards a private safari. I totally understand and agree with the benefits of going this route. Maybe I can still find someone to go with,,,,cannot believe that part would be so hard.
This planning business is fun but oh so complicated!

I think I need to sit back, wait for some quotes and keep on reading this forum for ideas and inspiration.

Thanks again everyone, for your help and great suggestions.

Looking forward to any other advice, suggestions or comments anyone has to offer!!

It's hard when you lose your fellow traveler. That's what has happened to me for my September Botswana safari (and possibly another lady in the group.) I don't know if you'd be interested in joining us, but if you are, the safari was planned by Bill ("Predator Biologist" here on Fodor's) at "The Wild Source." You could contact him for the details of the group that I'm in.

If you're still thinking of going to East Africa, then January or February is a good time for Tanzania. It will be pretty warm at that time of year, but should be between the short and long rains. You could still have a rainstorm or two, though. If you wanted to still consider OAT, they allow a "breakaway" at the end of their trips. It used to cost about $50 to do that. You could fly from Tanzania to Nairobi and back, doing whatever tours you wanted in and around the city, such as Sheldrick's. Kennedy at Waymark Safaris would take good care of you there and book everything for you. As for Tarangire in Jan/Feb, I've seen over 200 eles there in February, so I'd say it's a good park at any time of the year.

Hi ShayTay, Thank you for your response and nice offer! I will contact Bill to see if your trip is something that could work for me. How exciting-- potential travel partners--even if it doesn't work it gives me new hope and inspiration--I love it!!

Also appreciate your remarks about Tanzania in Jan/Feb and the info about the possibilities of a side trip to Nairobi. From what I have read on this forum, it sounds like spending time with Kennedy is a great experience in of itself.

Lots of option... Could be another day spent at the computer (after I take my dogs to the beach)!

Enjoy the beach! (Sounds like you live in Hawaii, so that should be fun.)

I just read your posting. I am also interested in Tanzania and considering OAT. You may find others interested in forming a small group if you can find a reasonable private safari. Fodors is a great place for information and finding new travel partners.

HI ShayTay, I emailed Bill about your Sept trip to Botswana and looking forward to hearing back from him (hopefully he'll know what the heck I'm talking about). Yes, the beach was fun and yes, I live in Hawaii, which is why a lot of my posts are at crazy times in the early am. Actually they are not, just seems that way from the time difference.

Botswana looks like a great place to visit but kinda pricey compared to Kenya and Tanzania?

Hi wlbox, When are you planning on traveling to Tanzania? Is that the only country in Africa you were planning on visiting? Have you thought of an itinerary if a small travel group could be formed? What kind of accomodations are you interested in?

Oh my, so many questions! This is getting fun again...anyone else looking for travel partners???!!!!

Bill said you had contacted him and, yes, I told him you were on Fodor's. He figured as much, given that you used my screenname. Bots can be spendy, but Bill has devised a high-season itinerary that's quite affordable. Kenya and Tanzania are usually less expensive than southern Africa.

I'd love to see this Bots itinerary if you care to share. Either here or my email is my screen name at hotmail. Thanks.

Hi ShayTay, Looks like you have designed a fabulous trip that I would love to be a part of. Thank you again for your kind offer to join you and your group.

Today my sister and her partner informed me that they are interested in joining me on an Africa adventure---YAY!!! It's still not a done deal,so will just have to hold tight for a bit and see how this pans out.....more to come!!!!

Sounds great! Actually, Bill designed the trip and, yes, I think he did a great job. As another Fodorite said, "Wowie, Zowie!" Bill said you had contacted him and I think he gave you my e-mail address, so feel free to contact and chat. No matter where you decide to go, I think you'll all lose your hearts to Africa!