Grumbo

Ok, I'm back with more questions! Of the 7 companies I contacted 2 did not reply and 4 are still possibilities. I've narrowed down my itinerary quite a bit and would like to ask for a couple of suggestions again on lodging and on outfitters.

To refresh everyone's memory, I am going to Tanzania around June 11 - 22 and visiting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Zanzibar. Since the itineraries I have from each outfitter are very close I need help again deciding between lodging in different areas. Would people give me a recommendation between the places I have listed below (disregarding any price difference)? If the places are roughly equal then I would appreciate that input as well.

Tarangire - Tarangire Sopa Lodge vs. Kikoti Tented Camp

Lake Manyara - Kirurumu Camp vs. Ngorongoro Farm House

Serengeti (2 of the 4 outfitters have me all 4 days in the Central area at the Serena, the other 2 have me one night at the Serena or Sopa for the Central then 1 place for the Western Serengeti) - Mbalageti Lodge vs. Kirawira Camp

What do people think of all 4 nights in the Central Serengeti vs 1 night there and 3 nights in the Western Serengeti? Will going to both places maximize my likelihood of spotting game easier?

Lastly, here are the 4 main contenders. I would appreciate people's thoughts on any of these companies:

Hoopoe
Access2Tanzania
Good Earth
Eastern & Southern

Thanks again!

Bill_H

Tarangire - Tarangire Sopa Lodge vs. Kikoti Tented Camp

I've stayed 3 nights at this Sopa and would rank it as OK but probably the least appealing lodge we've stayed at yet (out of 5 lodges). I think I'd go for the camp, others who stayed there seemed to like it.

Lake Manyara - Kirurumu Camp vs. Ngorongoro Farm House

The Farm House is actually at Karatu, which is maybe 30-40 minutes drive from Lake Manyara. If you are tranferring from Tarangire and stopping at Manyara, then continuing on that night to FH then it's fine, you'll be closer to the Serengeti, but if you were planning on returning to Manyara for more than one game drive then I personally think it's too far away and would pick something closer (we always stay at the Serena and go into Manyara twice a day, something that's a lot more trouble from the Karatu area).

So just one mid-day Manyara game drive on the transfer day I'd say Farm House, but if more game drives are planned at Manyara I'd say Kirurumu.

I would split up the time in the Serengeti, 2 days each area would be a good split.

Bill

Calo

Grumbo, your choices between the Tarangire Sopa/Kikoti and Farm House/Kirurumu are between lodges and camps. Do you have a preference for one over the other? I personally would stay away from the Tarangire Sopa just because I'm not a fan of large lodges. Kikoti is outside the park, so you could participate in a night game drive if you stay there.

I agree with Bill...I'd spend 2 nights in the Western Serengeti and 2 nights central. You won't be disappointed in either Mbalageti or Kirawira.

Grumbo

Calo,

Having never done a safari before I'm not really sure if I would prefer camps over lodges or vice versa. I would like to mix it up with both types over the trip, but don't have a preference for one over the other at any particular location.