First time to Tanzania- Please Help???
 

We just returned from Uganda after spending almost three weeks. It was amazing, especially the gorillas but there was an extensive amount of driving that was very difficult. We would like to visit Tanzania but want some feedback on the length of the drive times and whether flying would be better. Here is a tentative itinerary. First night Arusha then Arusha to Tarangire(Oliver's Camp)3 nights, Tarangire to Gibbs Farm 2 nights, Gibbs Farm to Olduvai(Olduvai Tented Camp)1 night, Olvadai to Olakira(Olakira Serengeti Camp)2 nights, Olakira to Sayari (3 nights), Sayari back to Arusha. Does anyone know the estimated drive times between these camps? Also any comments on the lodges pros and cons would also be appreciated. We are thinking of flying from Olakira to Sayari and then Sayari back to Arusha. I was told that the drive from Sayari back to Arusha is 13 hours. Is that accurate? I know that in Uganda the drive were very underestimated and that is why this time I am trying to do a little more research before finalizing the plans. We are looking to start the trip at the very end of July, 2010 hoping to be in Sayari the second week in August.

The drive from Sayari to Arusha will take a full-day, often requiring an overnight (it's the guide doing all that driving on not very good roads; many outfitters simply won't allow their guides to drive so many hours... safety!!!). I certainly wouldn't want to drive. Best to fly.

No need to fly from Olakira to Sayari; consider it an extended game drive, about 3-4/hrs. You'll arrive in time for lunch.

Besides if you fly (assuming your guide/vehicle will head back to Arusha), you'll be using guide/vehicle of the camp on a shared basis with other guests and priced on a GP-game package basis which is higher than if having your own guide/vehicle and not sharing activities with others.

Otherwise, itinerary good,, but for Oldupai Camp which is a few steps down from the other properties (Asilia) - Oliver's, Olakira and Sayari - all in the lux category.

Leaving Ngorongoro, I'd sooner stay at the Farmhouse right outside of the Crater and then next morning drive to Olakira. It might add an hour to drive time vs if staying at Olduvai Camp... but nicer property.

We visited many of the camps that you will be visiting this past August and drove the entire route. Here is my input:

Tarangire to Arusha (118km) - took us ~2 hours - easy drive - paved all the way - but slow due to all the trucks and people on the highway near the numerous towns. Tarangire is a fabulous park - we stayed three nights and wished we could stay longer.

Tarangire to Gibbs farm (the Crater) - we went in the opposite direction but: from Lodoare Gate (not far from Gibbs)- we left the gate at 1:15pm, stopped briefly(15min) at the lookout overlooking Lake Manyara for lunch and arrived at Makuyuni at 3:00pm - to Tarangire (the gate, we still had to drive into the campsite) from Makuyuni was another 35 to 40 minutes.

Olduvai Tented Camp to the Crater (to the park headquarters and petrol station) with many stops for pictures took us from 9:10am to 11:00am.

Seronera to Olduvai - we left Seronera (from the hippo pool) at 9:10am and arrived at Olduvai at 3:45pm - that included an hour at Naabi Hill gate (paperwork!!) and getting lost for maybe 30 minutes trying to find Olduvai Camp. The road from Naabi Hill to Olduvai is the worst in the world and takes forever!

Regarding Olduvai Tented Camp - I would highly recommend it. Yes, it is not as fancy as some of the tented camps, but our night there was a highlight of our 4-week trip - a wonderful opportunity to visit with the Masai in a non-touristy setting.

Here is the link to my photos and trip report. It is a work in progress and there will eventually be more info about all of the camps/parks. In the meantime, there are photos of Oldupai, the Crater and Tarangire and a list of highlights. Robin

http://bert-and-bin.smugmug.com/Trav...38901400_BHybf

Despite the driving times in between venues - and assuming you book the whole trip via Asilia Lodges you will most probably pay a fortune for the transfer drives. Taking this into consideration I would fly as much as possible.

BUT

On the other hand - driving within a destination give you a much better insight regarding the destination you are travelling in. Flying is great and saves time, but does not offer "experience a destination".

It's just a matter of preferences - and whether there is a flight option at all.

Happy planning!

SV

SV -

>>assuming you book the whole trip via Asilia Lodges you will most probably pay a fortune for the transfer drives. <<

What's that all about?

Whether booking direct with Asilia or thru a tour operator/outfitter, the transportation to/from/between parks will include the customary fee charged for guide/vehicle in the total price.

Besides, there is limited flights Arusha/Tarangire (Oliver's), then from there to Manyara (for Gibb's), then back to Manyara for flight to Seronera (Olakira) and if a flight from Seronera to No.Serengeti (Sayari)... would be very expensive. Besides, there's no scheduled airstrip at Olduvai Camp.

The driving segments of your itinerary are very usual. But from the farthest point, Sayari, it's best to fly to Arusha/JRO.

sandi
Years back we travelled Arusha-Tarangire on plane and then further to Olakira and Sayari (when it still was close to Piyaya) and the cost for these transfers (flight and car) was almost 2500US$ for 2.
I consider this a fortune - not only in European terms!
I don't think that has changed for the better.

SV

Sorry - I forgot the leg to/from crater.
But nonetheless....

SV

The daily cost for guide/vehicle can range from $180-$250/day, divided by #/paxs. Internal Tanzania flights, unlike inexpensive short-hauls available in Europe or US, are rather expensive.

Of course, if money is no object and if there are scheduled airstrips where the visitor is going, nothing wrong with flying... I sure do :) If no airstrip and one must take a charter flight... even more $$$$$.

Besides, if doing a "flying" itinerary, the room/board rates are based on GP-game package which are higher than if FB (w/ own guide/vehicle). It can sometimes be a wash, but often a tad more expensive as the GP rate is per person, while FB guide/driver rate is divided by # of paxs.

OK, is everyone now confused? :)

The route OP shows appears to be the usual driving itinerary with the option for flight Sayari/Arusha, instead of having to add another day if driving back!