Hi everyone please help with some final decisions about Tanzania in August. I have been working out a plan with Sandi's help and here is the itinerary so far:
arrive naiobi : overnight
transfer to Makoa Farm for 5 nights riding
transfer to Moivaro Coffee Lodge Arusha
transfer to Nomad Serengeti safari camp 4 nights
transfer to Zanzibar
Do you think I would have more chance of seeing predators at Nomad than going to Tarangire Olivers Camp which is also available and would be easier to get to than Serengeti?
In Zanzibar the Blue Bay resort is available but I also see a good deal at the new Kempinski resort - has anyone been there ? I have been to a property they own in Spain which was very nice. Please help, I'm calling for you Roccco, you really helped me out on my Zambian adventure at Christmas and I know you have been to a Nomad camp - did it get dull during the day with no where really to hang out? Is 4 nights 1 night too long? Help....
Also in Zanibar

Anyone???

I'm not expert and have not yet been to Africa - my trip planned for end of year. But to start off the discussion...

Have you thought about 3 nights in Serengeti, 2 nights Oliver's and then 3 nights at Zanzibar? Taking one night away from Serengeti and from Zanzibar to do it. Books and this board does seem to support that Tarangire would be good choice in August, but quite frankly, I wouldn't give up the chance to see the "cats" + in Serengeti and replace entirely with Tarangire. If it's a matter of cost, then that's another aspect to consider.

Tarangire is a great park (or, anyway, I like it) but it's no Serengeti. And it doesn't warrant more than 2 nights.

I'd probably take a night away from Zanzibar as lovetodiscover suggested and do 1 night Tarangire, 4 nights Nomad Serengeti. Or, 1 night Tarangire 3 nights Nomad.

Did a little searching to check predators and my take is that more predators would be in Serengeti if that is your end goal. More likely to be further apart than at Tarangire, but setting may be more natural (so.. harder to see?). If the migration were predictable it'd be heading up into Mara at that time (North) so you may not see it.

Tarangire is not as overrun from the descriptions I've read, but much smaller more compact park. You could do walking safari and think Oliver's has a Fly Camp set-up (if you are very brave!) for a day trip and overnight stay outside of camp. Could then get a good 3 nights there. Also you could combine that with a drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a single game drive, and just as much to see the much described "breath-taking" view.

Will come down to what you really want to do if you need to choose between them. Was looking for the details on what animals are in each park (see Mark Nolting's book on Africa and go to back flap for the chart) to help you, but didn't find it on-line.

Attaching a link I thought was pretty informative for your perusal. It's a tour company I've not heard mentioned, but the detail on Serengeti and Tarangire is decent.
http://www.bestway.com/info/tanzania_info.html

Yvonne,

I was never bored while at Nomad's camp during the day. The game drives take a good part of the day.

Typically, we would go out by 6:30AM and not return until about Noon. Then, by 4PM we would go out again until 7:30PM. Really, the four hours down time during the day were a welcome break and allowed time to eat lunch, take a nap, download and/or edit photos, recharge batteries, etc.

Four nights with Nomad is definitely not too long. My own four night stay felt perfect.

In August, Nomad Serengeti is way up north near the Mara River. It is beautiful up there and really one of my favorite areas.

Given the distances involved to get up north, it makes most sense to stay the 4 nights and forget about Tarangire on this trip.

Or forget about the Serengeti and focus on Tarangire for 4 days/3 nights with the excellent Olivers walking and fy-camp on day night 2. There are plenty of lion and leopard in Tarangire. You can also do Nomad in Tarangire!

Moivaro is not the best location inbetween Makoa and the Serengeti.

Currently you will be flying from Arusha Airport at 8am to Kogatende I assume? Even if you're driving (a long long way) it will be better to overnight closer to the Arusha Airport (if you fly) or even Karatu (if you're driving).

Lack of availability is the deciding factor I am sure, but your routing can be optimized if you go Nairobi - Serengeti - Makoa Farm - Zanzibar.

Eben, do you know anyone who's done the walking safari with fly-camping at Oliver's? YvonneM, the idea of Oliver's walking + Fly camp came from Eben. He suggested it to me on my posting.

So, if someone (like me!) were slightly scared (terrified probably!) to sleep in tent alone --- is there a whistle or something to let anyone know if you are in distress? This question applies to Oliver's or any "camp" set-up. Slight diversion in topic.

Fantastic input as ever everyone. I think I'm on the right track making the journey up to the Northern Serengeti, I don't think I'll try and squeeze in Tarangire this time as I'm travelling with hubby and 11 year old daughter and don't want to drag them around too much. So one last question has anyone been to Kempinski in Zanzibar? Thanks Yvonne

Climbhighsleeplow! I've just realised that you have been to Makoa farm from earlier posts. What are the accomodations like?, its looks fairly basic from the photos - but are they comfortable. This whole trip is a first for me as ( like Roccco I generally play safe with more comfotable lodges) I think we are booked into a cottage /tent? but there are 3 of us would we be better in the guesthouse. Do you think 4 days / 5 nights is too long? are the hosts friendly? we wanted to try the ride to the hot springs. Lets hope your Fodor addiction is riding high and you look at my post today!

Hi Yvonne

About Oliver's - they are the only company allowed to do walking safaris inside the park as far as I know. I don't know anyone who has done it since Paul Oliver left but I am sure you can ask them for references.

Patty here actually did the same trip as you so her opinions about Makoa carry more weight than mine.

I enjoy the company of owners of Makoa - they are interesting, down-to-earth and fun to hang out with!

You have 3 choices of accommodation - inside their house, in a nice cottage about 60meters away or in one of two permanent tents about 100m away. I prefer privacy so the tents are my choice. They are very comfortable. The cottage would be my second choice and then the rooms in the house.

Yvonne,
Makoa has 2 cottages with views of Kili from their verandahs, a family guesthouse, and a room in the main house. We stayed in one of the cottages and my only complaint would be that the bed was really hard. But that problem was solved when they put an extra mattress on top for us. The cottages are comfortable and fairly new and you can't beat the Kili view from the verandah while having your morning coffee! I don't know if they can fit an extra single bed in there if the 3 of you are sharing (or are you thinking of 2 cottages?).

I didn't get to see the inside of the family guesthouse. A cottage would be my first choice because of the views. Elisabeth and Lazlo are great hosts and your 11 year old will enjoy the many farm animals they have. Have a great trip!

The "cottages" that I referred to are actually the same as the "tents" Eben referred to. Sorry if that was confusing, so basically Eben and I are in agreement about 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices as far as their accomodations.

Thanks for this Patty 'm still a little nervous of the basic accommodation but I guess you only live once so we are giving it a go.. What were the fly camps like? I've never been camping before Yvonne

Yvonne,
Are you also riding on Ndarakwai Ranch? If so, I believe you can stay at the tented camp there for a little extra cost. You don't absolutely have to stay at a fly camp if you're riding on Ndarakwai. If you're riding elsewhere on another reserve, then I believe fly camping is the only option.

That said, I thought the fly camping was fine and I'm not much of a camper. It's more comfortable that what we're used to when we camp on horseback trips in the eastern Sierras in California (primarily because here we have to pack everything in on mules and there they have the luxury of hauling their equipment to the campsite in vehicles). On the other hand, if you've never camped before you might think it's somewhat primitive.

We had a dome tent with a thin mattress/bedding on the floor of the tent. Separate from that was a "toilet" tent (a hole and shovel), a shower tent which was usually filled with hot water in the early evening when we returned from our late afternoon ride, and a mess tent for dining.

Did you see my photos? They might help give you a better idea - http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-dle0fg