Is There Really A "Best Place" To Take A Safari?
Oct 11th, 2019, 08:33 AM
#21
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HI AMYB
For the time being I am willing to cancel Tangariro and do 2 and 2 on each country!. ..I wont cancel the Crater for sure,
I arrive in Nairobi so first trip would be to the Masai and maybe stay overnight and then depart late afternoon next day and cross to Serengeti late afternoon and spend there 2 full days. Leave again later afternoon so I dont waste time during the day...
.then the crater another 2 days
and Amboseli on my way back to Nairobi? while driving dont you see anything?
If you dont mind I wll appreciate a 2nd feedback from you..
Kind regards, Dolores
For the time being I am willing to cancel Tangariro and do 2 and 2 on each country!. ..I wont cancel the Crater for sure,
I arrive in Nairobi so first trip would be to the Masai and maybe stay overnight and then depart late afternoon next day and cross to Serengeti late afternoon and spend there 2 full days. Leave again later afternoon so I dont waste time during the day...
.then the crater another 2 days
and Amboseli on my way back to Nairobi? while driving dont you see anything?
If you dont mind I wll appreciate a 2nd feedback from you..
Kind regards, Dolores
Oct 11th, 2019, 08:49 AM
#22
Dolores, I would double-check with whomever is booking this for you about the border crossing between the Mara and Serengeti. I don't think it's as straight forward as you make it sound. I was with a couple the last time I was in the Mara and they said it took all day to get from their last Tanzania camp in the Serengeti to us in the Mara. It will just eat up a valuable day on your itinerary. I can't stress enough, with only 7 days, stick to one country.
Oct 11th, 2019, 08:56 AM
#23
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Another reply AMYB
Just talked to one of the organizers and said the same = Masai and Serengeti same ecosystem so what i will do is arrive Nariboi.drive to Masai
Next day one full Masai
Next day depart Masai after midday to Serengeti
Next day full day Serengeti
Next day after midday depart to the crater
One full day Crater and gain depart next day after midday to Ambosoli
Return from Ambolosi to Nairobi.. that he told would arrive like 1400hours
Enough time to catch a plane around 6pm to Zanzibar!
How about this? thank you. cheers, Dolores
Just talked to one of the organizers and said the same = Masai and Serengeti same ecosystem so what i will do is arrive Nariboi.drive to Masai
Next day one full Masai
Next day depart Masai after midday to Serengeti
Next day full day Serengeti
Next day after midday depart to the crater
One full day Crater and gain depart next day after midday to Ambosoli
Return from Ambolosi to Nairobi.. that he told would arrive like 1400hours
Enough time to catch a plane around 6pm to Zanzibar!
How about this? thank you. cheers, Dolores
Oct 12th, 2019, 09:29 AM
#24
Personally I wouldn’t do that itinerary. I’d stick to one country, pick EITHER Mara OR Serengeti (since it’s the same thing!) and stay in one country. I’ve been to Ngorongoro Crater and don’t think it’s worth adding to this itinerary for just one game drive there, but that’s my opinion. I think you could have a far better safari with a lot less moving around in one country, say Mara-Amboseli-then Zanzibar. If you must add another destination in Kenya, add Ol Pejeta, Laikipia or Samburu.
With this itinerary, you’re crossing the border between Kenya-Tanzania three times with this itinerary, once to go Mara-Serengeti, one to go Crater-Amboseli, and again to go to Zanzibar. It is not so straightforward and is time consuming. This isn’t very well-thought out at all. I’d ask whomever planned it to minimize border crossings if you are determined to stay with this itinerary (which I wouldn’t). I also think doing just one day of game driving in both Mara and Serengeti is a waste of one of the most beautiful places on earth. You’re quite honestly going to be spending more time moving around than actually seeing animals. Minimum 2 nights in each destination, 3 would be better.
With this itinerary, you’re crossing the border between Kenya-Tanzania three times with this itinerary, once to go Mara-Serengeti, one to go Crater-Amboseli, and again to go to Zanzibar. It is not so straightforward and is time consuming. This isn’t very well-thought out at all. I’d ask whomever planned it to minimize border crossings if you are determined to stay with this itinerary (which I wouldn’t). I also think doing just one day of game driving in both Mara and Serengeti is a waste of one of the most beautiful places on earth. You’re quite honestly going to be spending more time moving around than actually seeing animals. Minimum 2 nights in each destination, 3 would be better.
Oct 12th, 2019, 07:05 PM
#25
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OH..thank you about that! and where is the best crossing? I didn't want to go to Arusha..all the organizers were sending me to Arusha to start the Tanzania portion
but I dont want to spend a day in a hotel in a city
WHat wud the itin bebest for you starting in Nairobi?
thank you
but I dont want to spend a day in a hotel in a city
WHat wud the itin bebest for you starting in Nairobi?
thank you
Oct 12th, 2019, 07:09 PM
#26
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OK will change that!!
2 nights then at Serengeti..avoid Masai...
how about
Nairobi to ambosoli first? then go to the Crater and Serengeti..and thats it?
Zanzibar is not included in this itin by the organizer..but I will organize it myself at the end.. when I arrive NBO or Arusha
Thank you for your advice!! hope u dont mind sending me another feedback
Cheers Dolores
2 nights then at Serengeti..avoid Masai...
how about
Nairobi to ambosoli first? then go to the Crater and Serengeti..and thats it?
Zanzibar is not included in this itin by the organizer..but I will organize it myself at the end.. when I arrive NBO or Arusha
Thank you for your advice!! hope u dont mind sending me another feedback
Cheers Dolores
Oct 13th, 2019, 09:14 AM
#27
Dolores, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are in Tanzania. Amboseli and the Mara are in Kenya. My guidance to you, if you are limited to 7 days, is to pick one country. You do not have time for all the border crossings and transit between these locations. With 7 days, if I was planning it myself, I would land in Nairobi, overnight there (if you arrive late evening as many flights do) and the next day head out to the Mara, spend 3 nights in the Reserve and 4 nights in a conservancy. If you MUST add another location, then do 3 nights Ol Pejeta or Amboseli and 4 nights in a Mara conservancy. I would not attempt to do two countries in 7 days. No way. I think the places you want to go in Tanzania are too spread out for only 7 days. Normally people do the northern circuit which include Tarangire, the Crater and Serengeti but you need 9-12 days for that since it's all driving.
Oct 14th, 2019, 12:58 PM
#28
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Dolores, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are in Tanzania. Amboseli and the Mara are in Kenya. My guidance to you, if you are limited to 7 days, is to pick one country. You do not have time for all the border crossings and transit between these locations. With 7 days, if I was planning it myself, I would land in Nairobi, overnight there (if you arrive late evening as many flights do) and the next day head out to the Mara, spend 3 nights in the Reserve and 4 nights in a conservancy. If you MUST add another location, then do 3 nights Ol Pejeta or Amboseli and 4 nights in a Mara conservancy. I would not attempt to do two countries in 7 days. No way. I think the places you want to go in Tanzania are too spread out for only 7 days. Normally people do the northern circuit which include Tarangire, the Crater and Serengeti but you need 9-12 days for that since it's all driving.
But look= my flight arrives midday in Nairobi...I am coming from Southamerica with 2 stopovers in SAO and Addis A.... arriving 1330 plenty of time to go to Masai
spend the night and cross to Serengeti early morning or later
YES, IT takes I see 10 days, not 7 and I WANTO go to Serengeti and the Crater...I was going to do only Tanzania until I discovered that coming from Southamerica
arriving Arusha would be doing BUE SAO JNB in Johannesburg connect to Dar El Salam..night in Dar and next day fly to Arusha..no way I am doing that!
Arriving NBO is only 2 stopovers.. and I arrive at a good time. 1330hs..to avoid staying in Nairobi doing nothing in a hotel
So let me see if you give me thumbs up on this
DAY 1 arrive NBO go to Masai
DAY 2 cross to Serengeti any time suitable (I checked online the time for crossing and peak hours at the most is 1 hour so I could stay morning for a game drive)
DAY 3-4 at Serengeti - a balloon ride here
DAY 5 go to the Crater - maybe visit a village on the way... not a prepared touristy thing..immerse on the real-life
Day 6-7 Crater
Day 8 go to Ambolosi
Day 9 in Ambolosi
Day 10 go to the nearest airport
how about this?
Thank you for your time!! and knowledge
kind regards, Dolores
Day 10 go to nearest airport
Oct 14th, 2019, 01:07 PM
#29
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Dukey,
I agree with the answer that "No, there is no best."
I have mostly been during the dry or winter season and really liked it--few mosquitoes, little rain, cool temperatures and some babies (but not as many as other time of the year).
I have been on several game drives in South Africa (4 parks) and Tanzania (2 parks, but not Serengeti). I enjoyed them all. But if I were to give advice to a first-timer choosing between those two, I would recommend South Africa and the greater Kruger area.
First, the private reserves in greater Kruger offer off-road driving (by guides) to get close to the animals wherever they are. They offer night drives and most offer short walks too. There are a wide range of lodging options to serve different budgets. The wildlife is fantastic.
Second, South Africa offers a variety of other activities (as has already been detailed). Cape Town is a great city to visit. Penguins and whales are nearby. Further are massive wildflower blooms in spring. The Panorama route is described above.
Third, the ease (and cost) of air and road transport. One can move from one part of the region to another relatively easily. One can arrange transport among the airports and lodges easily.
Fourth, because SA is more developed, I think it provides an easing into Africa. The electricity and other services are more reliable than in some other countries. One can still get out into villages and the countryside, interact with locals etc. to get a cultural experience.
I worked with an in-country travel agent to book my lodges, transfers, air etc. on my first trip based on recommendations here, safaritalk or in guidebook (I don't remember which). After that, I book directly or hire a guide directly.
I agree with the answer that "No, there is no best."
I have mostly been during the dry or winter season and really liked it--few mosquitoes, little rain, cool temperatures and some babies (but not as many as other time of the year).
I have been on several game drives in South Africa (4 parks) and Tanzania (2 parks, but not Serengeti). I enjoyed them all. But if I were to give advice to a first-timer choosing between those two, I would recommend South Africa and the greater Kruger area.
First, the private reserves in greater Kruger offer off-road driving (by guides) to get close to the animals wherever they are. They offer night drives and most offer short walks too. There are a wide range of lodging options to serve different budgets. The wildlife is fantastic.
Second, South Africa offers a variety of other activities (as has already been detailed). Cape Town is a great city to visit. Penguins and whales are nearby. Further are massive wildflower blooms in spring. The Panorama route is described above.
Third, the ease (and cost) of air and road transport. One can move from one part of the region to another relatively easily. One can arrange transport among the airports and lodges easily.
Fourth, because SA is more developed, I think it provides an easing into Africa. The electricity and other services are more reliable than in some other countries. One can still get out into villages and the countryside, interact with locals etc. to get a cultural experience.
I worked with an in-country travel agent to book my lodges, transfers, air etc. on my first trip based on recommendations here, safaritalk or in guidebook (I don't remember which). After that, I book directly or hire a guide directly.
Oct 14th, 2019, 02:42 PM
#30
Dolores, how do you plan to get to the Maasai Mara on day 1? Best case scenario, you’ll get out of the airport by 15:00. Whether flying or driving, you do not have time to get to the Mara that day (last flight out is usually around 15:30). I’ve already given you my opinion on 2 countries and multiple border crossings on this itinerary. But to only go to the Maasai Mara in order to cross into the Serengeti is crazy. You can follow this itinerary at your own risk, but I think you are losing out on the opportunity to settle in and actually see wildlife rather than just tick the box to say you went to various locations. You will spend too much of your time moving around and not enough seeing animals. But you seem set on this, so good luck!
