Help me please! The more I read the more confused I get. My wife and I are looking to take a safari within the next year or so. This will probably a once in a lifetime experience so we want to make sure we do it right. That doesn't necessarily mean spend a lot of money, but make the best decisions based on our needs.

Here are our parameters based on what I know:
*We can go almost anytime except Jan - March. That is tourist season and we need to be here.

*From what I have read, I want to go to Ngorongoro Crater. Other than that we are open.

*We don't want to change camps everyday. I think we would rather hit 2 or 3 camps at the most, 7 or 8 nights.

*Would like a little luxury for at least one of the stops. Can't afford the best at every stop.

*True camping is out for my wife. Need a shower and toilet. Can go without shower for a day, but that's about it.

*We really, really would like to see part of the migration. Preferably a crossing. I know nothing is guaranteed, but want to know what our best chances are.

*Do not like the cold so maybe winter is out?

*Not really interested in birding, going for the large animals.

OK, so that is my wish list. Please help me. When is the best time and place to see the migration. Any suggestions would be great. I guess our first decision is when to go, so if you can offer suggestions, that would be great. Then, once I get our tickets, I'll bug you some more.

Thanks a lot for your help.
Duane

Sorry about the title. I re-titled it so it made more sense.
Duane

Duane, I'm Kay and I'm a travel agent. This site will provide you with many recommendations and suggestions, extremely good ones, with well traveled and seasoned travelers. I have learned a lot myself and gotten some great recommendations Many of these posts have provided websites to find out more about the migration. Mine are www.hillmanwonders.com, click on Serengeti Migration, and www.wildwatch.com provides up to date migration activity. You will note that migration activity occurs year round, in different parts of Tanzania and Kenya.

Kenya is part of July, August. September Then you start looking at Tanzania and based on the area of the migration, you work around that area.

The Sopa Lodges are your most reasonable accommodations, most of your permenant tented camps have en-suite bathrooms, which provide showers/toilets inside the tent. Once you decide on which area, then you work on finding a travel agent to put it together for you. As a first time traveler on safari, I wouldn't suggest you try to do it yourself. Others may have a different opinion, but a good travel agent will take care of all of this for you.

There are many good tour operators out there, I have my recommendations, others will also have some, but your travel agent would be your best resource if she knows your budget.

There are also a lot of camps and lodges in both areas....you should do a search for accommodations in Kenya/Tanzania, just to get some ideas.

It would be best if your travel agent has traveled to the areas you decide to visit. That way they can give you a personal recommendation, not a brochure recommendation. This site offers a tremendous amount of help also.

Good Luck

Here's Duane's other thread which is a bit further along - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34825032

Thanks, I was wondering why no one had responded since 6/23/06. I see how it works now. Thanks.