Fly or Drive in Northern Tanzania
 

We were supposed to travel to Kenya in 3 weeks but the tour operator has suggested we change to Tanzania which we have decided to do. Since this is very last minute, I have not had a chance to research the trip thoroughly and was hoping to get some help from this message board as you all seem so knowledgable.

My question is if cost were not considered would you drive or fly between camps. We are currently scheduled to drive from Arusha to Tarangire (was told this is 3 hours), Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater (4.5 hours) and then fly to western Serengeti and then fly from Serengeti back to Arusha.

I hate to waste valuable game driving time on a road and I'm taking my 80 year old parents for who, although in very good health, long drives could be tiring.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry to hear about the change from Kenya to Tanzania, though depending on where you were visiting in Kenya. Why not post the Kenya itinerary, so we can comment. Visitors are still going out on safari in Kenya as many of the areas of conflict aren't on the standard safari route.

If still considering Tanzania, once in Arusha (how do you get here?) you can fly to Tarangire*, but be aware that the road from Arusha/Tarangire is a smooth 2/hr drive on blacktop, easy enough. Once in the park, the roads are somewhat rough, but then this is the situation in all game parks.

*Tarangire really isn't at it's best in February. Game is widely dispersed as there are water resources outside the park.

For the same amount of drive time (2/hrs) from Arusha you can visit Lake Manyara, a smaller more contained park. Also a smooth blacktop road, probably the best road in all northern Tanzania. Manyara is also closer to the Crater, so saves drive time when heading to Ngorongoro.

At Ngorongoro, the road around the crater rim is terrible, but no getting away from that.

Serengeti - the Western area is not the place to be in February (best from May-July), and a very long drive, or even if flying from Ngorongoro you have to return drive (2/hrs) to Manyara for a flight to Grumeti airstrip.

While there is resident game in the West, the migration/wildebeests are currently on the Southern Serengeti or Ndutu plains.

My guess, at this late date, there's no availability in the area... but do ask. If you can get space in the Ndutu, Southern Serengeti, I'd opt for this instead of the West. Then you can fly from Ndutu or Seronera airstrips back to Arusha.

You are correct. At this late date, there were limited camps and lodges available in Tanzania.

In Kenya, I was taking bush plains to all of the camps but the tour operator suggested I drive from Arusha to Tarangire and from Tarangere to Ngorongoro. I'm not sure if I gain much by flying since you still have a 2.5 hour drive from the Manyera airport to Ngorongoro.

Your thoughts?

I can second Sandi's opinion that the road from Arusha to Lake Manyara is great. Most highways in the U.S. are not that smooth. It's the same road to continue on to Ngorongoro, so equally as nice. The road around the crater rim is rough but I didn't think it that bad...perhaps because just yesterday I was on the road from Amboseli to Namanga, which is absolutely, 100% dreadful.

Off to Serengeti tomorrow, so can't comment on that, but the roads in Tanzania thus far have been very, very good.

Shane

Thanks Shane, that's good information to know! I'm jealous that you are already there and I have a week to wait!