Dana_M

PB,
The Tanzania portion of my trip is similar because I stole your ideas! Actually, I started off with a few different accommodations, but we did alot of tweaking.

For example, we were going to splurge one night at Manyara Tree Lodge. I know Kirurumu gets mixed reviews, and you in particular didn't care for it. But like you, we wanted a reasonably priced alternative. We went back and forth a little between EMC, Olakira, and Lemala in the Ndutu area. We settled on Lemala after Eben returned from TZ, but 4 nights there was a little pricey so we switched to Olakira. Then we added Sayari South so we could be closer to Seronera for the flight to Mahale the next morning. We ended up with 4 nights at Mahale instead of three due to flight logistics/days of travel. We did consider starting the TZ portion of the trip at Mahale, but when I booked a Monday return flight, the itinerary seemed to fall into place with Mahale at the end. Eben did a great job making adjustments so we could keep Mahale and still stay within our budget.

I am sure Eben could arrange for you to come along. Then, if we got lucky, you could introduce me to Orion!

Patty,
Thanks for the congrats, and for your help when I was planning, especially the airline info. I may not have gotten those award seats without you, which would have meant I'd have to give something up to pay for those airline tickets.

PredatorBiologist

Joel: thanks, I was extremely lucky with light and with my chimp sightings in general so was fortunate to get some nice pictures. The Greystoke Camp (probably called Zoe's when you went) is now permanently in place but it blends so well and they do still close for a short time in March and April due to rain and for renovation upkeep time.

Dana: My itinerary came the same way as yours. I shared with Eben the priorities and what we hoped to see and experience and then he came up with the range of choices and then costs helped dictate which choice was best. Like you we looked at a number of camps in Ndutu area. We wanted small, tented, and nicely done with a reputation for getting into a good location and Olakira met all of that. There are camps that may be a bit more elaborate but they all drive the same area and the beds and bucket showers are the same -- we saw no need to pay extra for chandeliers or Persian rugs. I think you will really enjoy Olakira and Suyan is a nice step up in quality, and I believe Sayari is too although I did not stay there. Kirurumu is certainly nothing special but it's clean and convenient and for a one night stop perfectly suitable. Both Gilliard and George are good guides and super personable with Gilliard being much more outgoing but George being about as nice as a person can ever be so you should be in great hands with Kiliwarriors and enjoy either guide.

Should be an amazing experience!

MyDogKyle

Congratulations! It looks like an amazing trip in the making. (I'm jealous you've got so much time there!) Can't wait for your trip report!!

atravelynn

You'll get your adrenaline rush and much more with this!

Dana_M

Thanks everybody for allowing me to share my excitement with you.

MDK-you should not be jealous. You just got back from a fabulous trip, and you already have another right around the corner.

Cybor-you're off pretty soon, aren't you? I remember that you are going to Chitabe, and I think it is some time soon.