Just Tanzania or Kenya Too?
 

I am going for two weeks in October 2012. Current plan is to fly in and out of DAR. However, I see that Arusha and the Serengheti are actually easier and probably cheaper to reach from Nairobi. Am I better off flying into Nairobi and out of DAR?

My goal is to spend a couple of days in a city, about a week on a safari and a few days on the beach.

Thanks

Read knightriders1950's comments and you will notice that Kenya and Tanzania combined is a perfect choice.

We spent three weeks last March in just Tanzania. We did not want to be in the safari bubble, we also wanted to see a bit of everyday life.

Landed in DAR, spent two nights there, then a bus to Moshi, where we spent about 4 days. Safara out of Arusha for 10 days, then flew Arusha to Stonetown, couple of days, then up island to a small resort.

DAR itself was OK, part of this coloured by being jet-lagged and walking around the city in hot weather. But we saw the city, food market, fish market, went to bank, bouight our bus tickets, and wandered down by the ocean.

If flying into DAR (southern Tanzania) and wanting to visit the northern parks, at Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti, you'd have to bus (10/hrs) to Arusha or a 1/hr flight, to commence safari here.

And for beach - where? Zanzibar? If so, you can certainly arrive NBO, shuttle bus ($35/pp, 5/hrs) to Arusha or fly (about $265/pp, 50/min) to Kilimanjaro/JRO... do the safari, then bus or fly to DAR and onto ZNZ by ferry or fly... and can depart for home out of DAR.

If arriving Nairobi and shuttle bus, you will require Visa for here and Yellow Fever inoculation for entry to Tanzania and certainly for Zanzibar; without, no entry or they give you the jab on arrival @ USD$50.

Or if flying into/out of DAR, consider the southern parks as Selous or Ruaha, 3-4/days each, then to ZNZ and back to DAR for homebound.

The ferries from DAR to Stonetown were chaotic (based on input from people we talked with, and one drive by in taxi) so when it came time to go to Zanzibar, we flew from Arusha to Stonetown, and returned to DAR for international flight via flight from Zanzibar. Price wise, I think we also ened up ahead.

Stonetown is an interesting experience. We stayed directly in Old Town. Getting lost was part of our first 2/3 trips, until we figured out how to get from hotel to Livingstones.

We had some locals walk us back a few times. Our hotel owner said to skip the nighttime food stalls, issues with food quality. We went, great display of food, but no tasting. We also had hotel owner arrange for a snorkeling dive and visit to Prison Island. Saw tortoises, great reef saorkeling, a good day.

We stayed at a ~10 room resort up island. Right on beach, pool, friendly staff and owners. They had a meal plan that we thought was a bit expensive, so first night we walked along beach to another resort to try the food, and it was good. So we decided one night to at least try 'our' kitchen. It was great, some fantastic meals, so we signed up for the whole meal package.

Thanks for the replies. Michel, what did you do in Moshi for 4 days?

If I flew into NBO, the flight would arrive at 1:30 AM. Any safety issues in getting to a hotel at that time?

hi. tanzania and kenya is a great idea. you'll see more and have more fun. where do you intend to stay while you are in the city?

Arriving on Turkish Air at that hour, if you have arranged meet/greet and transfer it should be a breeze (short) getting into NBO for overnight hotel.

If not having someone meet, there are taxis, fare is about $25 into NBO, or about $30 if going to Karen hotel... fares payable in local currency which you can obtain at airport (ATM for best exchange rate) or nearby Currency Exchange Window before heading to taxi stand. Do settle the fare amount with driver before entering taxi.

Trebex,
We arranged a tour via our hotel.
One full day to go to Kilimanjaro, waterfall near K, small village market, coffee plantation, banana plantation,etc.. It was well worthwhile.

Moshi itself does not have a lot. We walked around the town, went to Internet cafe, ate out a couple of times, had some nice lunches at the 'ex-pat' cafe, bit of shopping for some local 'art'.

Small town, so you can easily walk it. You will make a few 'friends' along the way.

Views of Kilimanjaro in town.

Our hotel was an oasis, so to leave dusty hot streets and come back was a pleasure.

Also did a day trip to Arusha to make final payment and arrangemtns for our safari. We had them coem to our hotel to pick us up, which was non-standard.

I would not spend a lot of time in there, but it satisfied one of our desires to see a bit of the non-safari Tanzania.

Thanks for the replies. I came up with two possible plans:

Flying into NBO:
Day 1-2 Nairobi
Day 3-5 Masai Mara
Day 6 Transfer to Arusha or Moshi
Day 7-9 Trip to Manyara and Ngorongoro
Day 10 Flight to Zanzibar
Day 11-13 Zanzibar
Fly out of DAR

OR
Fly into DAR:
Day 1 DAR
Day 2: Flight to Arusha
Day 3-8: Trip to Serengheti, Manyara, Ngorongoro, etc..
Day 9: Day around Arusha or Moshi
Day 10 Fly to Zanzibar
Day 11-13: Zanzibar
Fly out of DAR

The first lets me see Nairobi, which sounds more exciting then DAR. It also gives me a chance to do two separate safaris, with a break in between, so maybe one can be in lodges and the other in tents. It also means only one internal flight instead of two.

The second gives me a more leisurely pace and perhaps some time for exploring a bit off the safari track. And it saves me needing a second visa, although that is a small issue. And perhaps it is better to concentrate on one country at a time.

What do you think?

Funny, we have your first option booked almost to the tee, with a few more days. From what I have read, this should be an excellent choice. Happy decison making.

Did you book as part of a tour group or privately?

We decided to book privately. Looking forward already.

Hello,
Your Kenya-Tanzania combo safari sounds great to me and I would be happy to plan a safari for you. Kindly do get in touch.

Victor.

My goal is to spend a couple of days in a city, about a week on a safari and a few days on the beach."

Either itinerary does that.

First question is on your goal: Why time at the beach? With a relatively short amount of time devoted to Africa, don't you want to experience something you can not get closer to home? Most people can get to a beach nearer their home. Granted beach time is generally less expensive than safari time.

Second question: In itinerary #1, how do you get to/from the Mara? Do you fly? Driving is 5-6 hours from NBO to Mara.

Third question: In Oct the migration that is in Tanzania would likely be in the northern part of the Serengeti. Do you know where in the Serengeti you will be?

Fourth question: Oct is an excellent time for Tarangire in Tanzania rather than Manyara. Tarangire is known for elephants, along with other good wildlife. Can your itineraries be worked to spend 2 nts Tarangire instead of Manyara?

Fifth question: You mention concentrating on one country at a time. Is it likely you'll get back to Africa? If so, that argument becomes more compelling. If this could well be a once in a lifetime trip, I think the Mara in Oct would be well worth your time.

Good luck and have a wonderful safari!