How does Grumeti compared with Mbalageti?
 

Our tour operator just let us know that our planned destination of Grumeti was booked solid, and instead she suggested Mbalageti (I think the chalets). How do the two compare? Is Mbalageti a step down? Thanks!

In terms of wildlife, the chalets will be a step down. At Grumeti you will hear hippos grunting and you may hear lion and hyena.

You can sit in the pool or in the lounge and watch the hippos in the pool (a green vegetation salad bowl) just a few feet away from you.

If wildlife is not your main interest then Mbalageti will do, but ask for the tented chalets!

There is also Kirawira and several luxury mobile camps could be in the area.

When is your trip?

Thanks so much for your quick response. Our trip is in October. The itinerary is Oct. 1 Norfolk Hotel; Oct. 2 Sweetwaters; Oct. 3-5 KT Bateleur; Oct 6-7 Serengeti National Park and Mbalageti Camp; Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Oct 8-9; Arusha Hotel late at night and then go home early in the morning on the 10th.

Is there somewhere better we can stay in order to go to Serengeti National Park? Wildlife is our priority on this trip, and really the only thing we're interested in.

Hi Beachgirl

You are doing mostly CCAfrica so to stick with the gameplan, ask about CCAfrica's new "Under Canvas" luxury camps. Since you are staying at several CCA properties, you will get nice discounts!

The camp should be in a prime position for wildlife but who knows where they will be in Oct! If it is too expensive, you can stay at Klein's and do night drives etc. They always have good sightings on their concession and early Oct is actually not bad up there as the wildebeest come and go.

The Seronera area is always good and you can try the Serena but since you will see so much earlier in your trip in the Mara, I think you should go with Klein's or the CCA Mobile Camp. These will be better than Grumeti anyway in early Oct.

Hello,

The new CCA mobile camp (Tanzania Under Canvas) will be in the Klein's concession in October.

Cheers,
Julian

Hi Julian

As I understand it, there are 2 CCA mobile camps!

The larger camp (6 tents) moves only around the Klein's concession.

The smaller one (4 tents) moves around the Serengeti. In October this camp is likely to be near the Mara (between Sayari and Kleins).
Eben

For October, definitely try to move to the northern (Kenya border) area of the Serengeti - Sayari or Klein's or the mobile CCA camp. If these small camps not available, consider Migration Camp. It's not as small as the others, but everyone raves about the camp.

Mbalageti and Grumeti would be fine for mid-June thru mid-July, but not October.