Now that I have finished reading nearly every post on this topic, I swear I am more confused than ever. It seems that there are as many tours, tour guides, tour groups, itineraries, and price points as there are animals in Africa...No matter how I try to put my arms around this topic, I wind up back where I started - unsure about where to go and what to do...
So I turn to all of you, and hope that you are not totally bored with this topic in the hope that I can move forward and get my trip booked (as you know, you are only as good as your next trip....)
I started with the idea of going to Tanzania and Kenya during the time most likely to see wildebeest migration. I have narrowed the departure to either June or July next year, and to stay in Northern Tanzania and Southwest Kenya. I have a philosophical problem as my travel motto is "zig when everyone else is zagging", and from what I read, we'll be "zagging" along with everyone else at price points that are highly elevated.
I would like to stay in extremely comfortable (read: luxury) surroudings at least for a few of the stops.
Does anyone have an idea about what might be a better idea for a first timer?
Thanks so much.

For June to early-July, go with Tanzania in the Western Serengeti where you'll catch up with the "migration." If from mid-July onward, can be that the migration can be in the Northern Serengeti or already in Kenya's Masai Mara. It's always a guess, as we're dealing with the rains and animals, of which the wildebeest are often quite confused. But, the migration isn't all there is to safari. Nice if you catch it; nice if you see a river crossing, still not the be-all/end-all.

June is still mid-season in Kenya, whereas it's peak season in Tanzania and priced accordingly. Prices tend to be more expensive in Tanzania than Kenya.

Either Kenya or Kenya or both are great for first timers, once you pinpoint "when."

So you've got it right! Busiest time of the year and highest prices overall.

Luxury is subjective. What one considered luxe, another considers no more than a Motel-6.

It's too early to be looking for airfares for 2012, which won't be available till 330/days out from your expected departure date, but that might determine which country, though it is easy enough to get between the two.

- How many total days "in-country" are you planning? If 10/days or less, you can only do one country comfortably. With 2/weeks you can visit both.
- How many traveling?
- Any particular interests when it comes to game, cultural, etc.
- Have you seen any itineraries that might be of interest?
- Have you contacted any tour operators? Or would you prefer to work with an in-country outfitter?
- What's your projected budget per person? Know that 2012 prices are slowly trickling in and there will be an increase over 2011.

You've gotta start somewhere, so we're here as you need us. And, try to keep all your queries on this same thread so it's easy for you to find yourself and for us to track your progress.

First of all it really difficult to predict when the great wild beast migration but for sure it starts from mid June to August. Between this time you can be sure that migration will occur. As your first visit i suggest you should start in Kenya. Kenya would actually suite you because it cheap and has so many of the luxurious lodges and camps in Masaai mara that you are looking for. They include manyatta lodge, sopa lodge among many. If you get in touch with a tour company that has a well diverse experience in tourism . It is more convenient to get your safari well planned and booked in a luxurious lodge at cheaper price.

wow - this is great info - thanks so much - i will process and let you know what is going on. again, thanks so much!

jparis -

Note that reply from Kairi Tours is a first-time poster, promoting own company, and

VanessaHobson, gives you links to her company's website.

If they had read Fodor's Rules/Regulations they'd know that self-promotion is not permitted.

Thanks Sandi. I saw that when I went to the website Vanessa recommended. But, I have to tell you, the articles on it (not necessarily hers in particular) were very helpful. And I wouldn't have found it without her pointing it out.

Having said that, your pointed questions were very helpful. I am going to try to stick to them, otherwise, I am just all over the place.

Also, your "putting into perspective" the whole migration thing. That was a really good point..

The "motel 6" comment was great!! I have to admit I feel that exactly when I look at some of the places, but again, that's a personal choice.

Do you personally prefer Kenya over Tanzania? What do you think about April in Tanzania and/or August/September in Kenya? Also thinking about adding some days on a beach at the end...

Jparis - sandi is a long time and well respected poster here. Always willing to share and give great advice. She also runs a travel agency (in New York) specializing in Africa. So as to not cause her problems here, email me and I will give you her web site. My email is in my Fodors profile. click on cary999.

regards - tom

jparis -

As to Tanzania in April, low-season as it's supposed to be the "long" rains, see thread/trip report above by Bill949, Tanzania April" Less tourists, better prices, wildies are there with their young, but can be scattered.

For Aug/Sep... definitely Kenya

... sorry about that, Fodor's on my 'puter has been acting strange these past few days (more like weeks with duplicate postings... ugh!)

As I was saying for Aug/Sep... definitely Kenya, where except for the Ngorongoro Crater which is unique to Tanzania, you will have the same or better game viewing throughout the country and likely with more competitive pricing. You can, however, do an add-on to Ngorongoro for 2.5/days (crater doesn't really need more than 1/nt) figuring the travel time to/from.

Just to clarify the links are to MySafari.com which is not a commercial venture, and no one is in it to make money.
Instead we subscribe to the African concept of Ubuntu - sharing and assisting each other for the benefit of the whole community.

I've looked at all the links VH provides above to her blog. If nothing else her blog is pretty slick. If it is all VH's work, she has a lot of talent for such work. I do notice that every link above has many references, usually as comments, to the company go2africa. And this is typical of the blog entries as you go into more layers of it. The home blog page (of May 13) has three links directly to go2africa. That page also lists 17 "experts" who blog there. Of those, 7 state they work for go2africa.

But wait, there's more. Go to this link -
http://www.go2africa.com/about-us/af...vanessa-hobson

regards - tom

We were in Tanzania/Kenya Sept 6-25, if you want to see my trip report it is here and may help you. Also, if you want some luxury, try to book camps owned by one company because they will give you a discount for spending more nights within their company. I think some of the also have places in both countries, but not certain:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...never-will.cfm

There were migration crossings in both countries at the Mara River.

Friendly Planet has a great 5* trip right now in their top 20

From $1899 insluding air from NYC might head over there myself

awesome value will go quickly... porini.com eco camps also fun

May 11, 2011 · Travelzoo Staff ... 19 or Dec. 3 for this special ... costs a separate $50, and Friendly Planet recommends getting that before arrival in Kenya

http://www.travelzoo.com/vacations/a...ve-900-1029746

Jparis,
I don't think ayone that has been to Africa will complain about being bored talking about it. Did you see the post that states "Safari was our #1 best trip!"

Hi everyone. Tinydancer: thanks for giving me the link. I read your posting awhile ago - it was very helpful. I am now focused on staying solely in Tanzania and not trying to coordinate the trip exactly with the migration as it will be whatever it will be (i.e. out of my control!!). As you said, the migration was in both countries, and hopefully that will be my experience as well.

Now that I have a "focus", I am trying to build the "skeleton" around this trip. I am looking to see how difficult it would be to snag 1 or 2 free airline tickets using AMEX miles. I think the best chance would be to fly into Nairobi and then into Arusha, rather than try to find a flight to JRO. Does anyone have any experience with that?

Also, does anyone have any experience with Singita or And Beyond?

Thanks

Flying into JRO or NBO. I considered both in Feb and went with JRO, i.e. from USA, LAX-ATL-AMS-JRO. I've heard there is now non-stop flight from USA (airport, airline?) to Das El Salaam DAR, capital of TZ. I'd check that out.

regards - tom

<i>"experience with Singita or andBeyond?"</i>

Unless you have between $1-2,000+/person/nt to spend at any of the tree properties that encompass "Singita" (2/camps, 1/lodge on this private conservancy). Best visited June/July.

andBeyond is a tour operator, based out of South Africa, with an office in Florida... who recommend "their" properties first over others, unless you specifically inquire on others.

... that's "three (3) properties" (not tree)

Bookmarking- great info