Help with safari
 

Hoping to travel in June/July--aiming to see the migration. Dates are flexible and budget is not an issue--need advice on whether to go to Kenya or Tanzania, when and where to stay....
thanks!

Sorry--shot that off without thinking. We are looking at 10 days not including travel time. Not our first time in either Kenya or Tanzania, but first time at this time of year...

To see the migration, best to be in the Western Serengeti, thus visit Tanzania. With your time of travel right around the corner and limited accommodations in the West, most of which are in the lux category, small, expensive... I'd get moving on your plans.

Go to both to catch the Migration. If budget is really not an issue, in Kenya suggested accommodation at Olarro http://www.olarrokenya.com/ and in Tanzania suggested accommodation at either Singita Faru Faru or Singita Sabora www.singita.com
Both areas perfect during June/July.
Good luck.

I agree with Sandi - the western Serengeti is where you want to be for the migration in June/July. If more toward the middle/end of July, you might consider adding a couple of nights in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River in the hopes of catching some of the wildebeest crossing. Lots of resident game there even if the crossing doesn't happen during that window of time.

Try Nomad's Serengeti Safari Camp to catch the migration in Tanzania. Understated with excellent guiding, and private vehicle per tent. Have a great trip.

http://www.serengeti-safari-camp.com/

Another vote for Nomad's Tanzania - we were in the Serengeti in January with them - excellent camp and wonderful guide (Felix) - link to blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/a...ater-and-area/

(more Tanzania postings on the right hand margin)

Thank you all; decided to be more (EXTREMELY) flexible with dates to try and witness the crossing. Will check out the camps suggested. Again, thanks...

Keep in mind the heavier rains this year might have a bearing on when the majority of the Mara River crossings occur. When the goal becomes more specific, more factors enter into it. Wherever you decide on, I'd allow at least 4 days to increase your odds of seeing a crossing and even a week could be a good idea. I've sat for 6 hours waiting, sometimes with reward, sometimes not. However, even while waiting, you can usually enjoy watching the herds, birdwatching, and other wildlife that wanders by.

One other thing, if you plan to go to the Mara in Aug or Sept, other travelers have been reporting that some places are all booked. So keep that in mind.

My bet for that time would be definitely SINGITA - SABORA if tented is your cup of tea or FARU FARU for the lodge experience. Wonderful venues and topnotch service/meals/guiding/vehicles. Also the resident game is excellent!

If there is nothing major happening in view to sudden rains etc. that time of year should be excellent for the Western corridor.

I would under no circumstances choose a camp in Kenya as June/July is definitely too early for the migration being there.

Regarding OLARRO - a wonderful camp but as far as I recollect too much in the North of the reserve (that early the migration rarely hits that corner) and relatively new conservancy which means resident game is rather on the sparse side.

Any strange weather circumstances might have an influence on anything - but the migration being in the Western corridor is for certain.

SV ((@))

A hint at your budget might help too.

Olarro (in the northeast Mara at Maji Moto... way too early for June/July) and Singita (private conservancy in the Western Serengeti) are both very expensive.

For that matter, whether choosing: Krawira, Mbalageti, Nomad's*, Grumeti River, Serengeti Under Canvas, or others in the Western corridor... these are in the $500-$800/person/nt price range.

*available on a GP=game package basis only, thus a "fly-in" safari; not with your own guide/vehicle on a "driving" safari.

As atravelynn asks, what would your budget be?

How about this question since dates are now flexible. <i>If the goal is to witness a river crossing in the dry season, what would you do?</i>

Here's what I'd do for this year.

Arrive in Tanzania about Aug 5 and o/nt

Fly to N. Serengeti and stay somewhere like Sayari, Lemala Mara, which is in N. Serengeti, or maybe one of the mobile tented camps if they go up that far. I'd stay 5 nights and maybe split my stay between 2 places. Since I believe most people make the effort to get to N. Serengeti around this time of year to see the migration, I wouldn't pay for a private vehicle. Your vehicle-mates will probably be likeminded. But I would let everyone know up front that you are interested in seeing a crossing to increase your odds of likemindedness.

Fly back to JRO and catch an eve flt to NBO, which I believe can be done all in one day.

Fly or drive to Mara for 5-6 nights. There are lots of places to stay but I'd avoid the entrance. I'd hire a private vehicle here.

Fly or drive back to NBO and depart.

Since you mention crossing and June/July, here is what I have been told, but I've never been in Grumeti during this time of year personally: There may or may not be water in the river and if there is water it might be very shallow. However you'll probably see some nice crocs.

This year I bet there is ample water due to the sufficient rains. Heck, last year the Mara had virtually no water.

The traditional river crossings scenes you have in mind and mention probably are at the Mara River (maybe even Talek in the Mara) rather than the Grumeti River.

Still, I think it would be exciting to see the migration in Western Serengeti.

Thanks everybody; you have been most helpful. As to budget--we were thinking of 1000$ a day per person-not including flights, etc. The crossing I know is a chancy thing--just being greedy--and one never knows!!

Singita is prepared to negotiate. Just try to get a "deal" - should perfectly fit into your budget!

SV ((@))

Ah . in case you decide on Singita: Our guide was RAY and he accompanied us from one camp/Lodge to the next within the Singita Grumeti Reserve; it's a bonus when changing venues as you don't have to explain your wishes all over again. You stick with that one dedicated guide and really become a team or maybe a DREAM team :-)!

SV ((@))

Your budget will not hinder any of your options, then, and you can save time by flying when possible, instead of driving.

If you allot enough time and are willing to wait for hours, your "greediness" can be rewarded.

atravelynn, 'greed' is the only term that describes my attitude--it has been 4 long years since my last trip to Africa and the yearning is almost out of control...

If you are after a crossing then Northern Serengeti toward the end of August is best. If you opt to stay at the wallet busting Singita properties, you're going to be a way out for any crossing activities, but you can double you daily rate and they'll fly you to the north to catch up with the migration.

If however you are a little more thrifty I would suggest looking into the north's only permanent camp, Sayari, to see if they have a suite available, if not, you best start looking for a tented camp in that area.

The Mara river is in Tanzania in that section of the reserve so you can position yourself on either side for photography. And I would drive up to the north, so much to see that only enhances the anticipation of the migration.

In addition to Sayari in the North, there's Klein's Camp* ($$$$), Serengeti Under Canvas, Lemala, Olakira (Sayari's sister camp), Serian and Bushtops (the Tanzania sister of the one in the Mara, believe due to open June/July).

*Klein's on a GP=game package basis only; their guides/vehicles for game drives.

Not sure whether Serian here will be, as in Kenya, offering exclusive use of vehicle; if so then pricing would also be GP. The others are available on FB=full-board, with your own guide/vehicle for game drives.