Itinerary Advice
 

Hello All,

Long time lurker, first time poster. My fiance and I are taking a 4month long around the world tour..we'll come back poor but, we've wanted to do this for a long time so decided to take the plunge now.

Anyway, all your comments and advice have been so helpful and I was looking for some advice on a Tanzania Itinerary. We will be in Tanzania for roughly 16 days, 6 of those days will be spent climbing (or at least trying to climb) Kilimanjaro. We have 6nights and 7 days availalbe for a safari and I was wondering if you guys could give me suggestions on the following Itinerary. Ideally I would like to reduce the cost by $500 pp, would like a mixed tent and lodge style, flexible on locales(anywhere the animals are, I would like to be :) ), this quote is from Predators. Here it is, let me know your thoughts :


09 Dec: Pick up at Kilimanjaro airport, ex KQ 6726
from Nairobi and transfer to Marangu Kibo Hotel for
overnight (BB).

10 Dec.; After breakfast drive to Tarangire National
Park. Lunch at Tarangire Sopa Lodge. Afternoon game
drive in Tarangire National Park. Dinner and overnight
at Tarangire Sopa Lodge (FB)

11 Dec: After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro
Conservation Area. Lunch at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (FB)

12 Dec: After breakfast drive down and descend into
the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day crater tour (with
lunch boxes). Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro
Serena Lodge (FB)

13 Dec: After breakfast drive to Serengeti National
Park via Olduvai Gorge. Game drive en route in
Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight at
Migration Camp (FB)

14 Dec: After breakfast depart for morning and
afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. All
meals and overnight at Migration Camp (FB)

15 Dec: After breakfast depart for morning and
afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. All
meals and overnight at Migration Camp (FB)

16 Dec: After breakfast transfer to Klein's Camp for
regional air flight, departing at 9:45 AM, arriving at
Arusha Airport at 12 noon. You will be met at Arusha
Airport and transferred to Impala Hotel for lunch.
After lunch transfer to Marangu Kibo Hotel for
overnight (BB)

NETT COST FOR THE ABOVE PACKAGE: US$2230per person.

Much Appreciated,
CapnCanuck

The itinerary looks good, but the drive from Ngorongoro to Migration Camp will be a very long one. You may want to consider Mbuze Mawe which is just about an hour north of the Central area of the Serengeti (versus almost 3 to 4-hrs)... and I believe the prices will be less. Besides, the wildebeest herds are likely to be in/around the area of Mbuze Mawe by mid-December. Also, if using Mbuze Mawe you can fly from the Central Serengeti which will also save a few $$$ then if flying from Klein's Camp airstrip. Inquire about this camp as an alternative.

Thank You Sandi..I will definatley look into that!

In terms of companies anyone done a direct tour with Predators not through 2afrika?

You can also look into the cost of staying at the Wildlife Lodge at Ngorongoro vs Serena. Have you gotten comparison quotes from any other tour operators?

CapnCanuck,

Four months around the world?! I'm too envious to offer you any advice.

I'm guessing it's the nights at Migration Camp that are bringing the price up on this--but based on what I've read it'll be money well spent.

I'd probably opt for lesser accommodations at Ngorongoro, as Patty suggested. I doubt the Wildlife Lodge will bring you down $500 though, even if it may feel like it should! (I've stayed there, so I say that with fondness.)

Not knowing to whom/where else you sent your itinerary, it's hard to say "try x company." But you may want to try another operator.

Good luck! Sounds like so much fun.

Do a search for Predator; I know people here have booked with them. One poster had slight problem with her Predator guide, and another one (I think it's rsnyder, but not sure) had a guide he really liked, Godfrey.

Pretty crazy that I remember that stuff, huh?

Again, best wishes for what I'm sure will be a wonderful adventure!

You guys are great!! Thank You so much for all your info. I have asked to swap out Migration camp and am waiting to hear the drop in price, if not that much cheaper we might just keep it, I hear they have a great honeymoon suite. I will update and let you all know what I hear. To be honest I've tried about 6 operators. 2Afrika is amazing (service wise) but priced a bit high, although their group rates are not bad. We may end up doing the affordable tanzania safari with 2afrika if we decide price is the big issue. Otherwise, this is our dream safari..so we may just spend the extra $$.

Yah 4months...it's all I think about and plan for. The other destinations are Costa Rica, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Thailand, India, New Zealand, Tahiti and the cook islands.. we used airtreks.com to book the flights and they were great!

Hi there! I'm also working on a booking with Predators, and they told me the difference in price between Migration Camp and Serengeti Serena is $60 pp. The Sopa lodges are about $40 less than the Serenas. Good luck with your planning!