Lake Eyasi
 

Background: Safari with my 16 year old son next summer.

I think a visit to the tribes would be a good experience for him (and me) but I'm having trouble figuring out what is a doable jumping off point. Manyara to L.Eyasi, Tarangire to L.Eyasi, Ngorongoro to L.Eyasi?

Could anyone please approximate the drive times for me?

The road to Lake Eyasi is a little past Lake Manyara. So you can visit here after Tarangire and/or Manyara.

You then have to take this road back to Manyara to head to Ngorongoro.

Of course, depending on how you're routed, if you visit Ngorongoro first with Manyara on the way back, you do Lake Eyasi between the two.

Yes, you do go out of your way and there are no short cuts to/from Lake Eyasi.

During the dry season the road shouldn't be bad, but it will be bumpy and dusty. From the turn-off... maybe 1.5/hrs.

I never look at (or wear) my watch when in Africa.

There's a camp at Lake Eyasi called Kisima Ngeda where you could stay. From my understanding, some of the activities happen in the morning.

Otherwise, the closet jumping off point is probably the town of Karatu. Many accommodations here.

Eyasi can fit between Manyara or Tarangire and Ngorongoro.

Thanks- So after Lake Eyasi you would have to go back down to Manyara area, then on to Serengeti?

I wasn't looking for a short-cut. I ask because I was thinking in June it might be better to put off Tarangire until last- although I'm not sure one week or 10 days time will matter much for the tall grass and skipping Manyara altogether for an extra day in Serengeti.

So that would leave me with a Ngorongoro, Serengeti, L.Eyasi, Tarangire. Seems kind of clumsy this way.

I did read about Kisimi Ngeda and it sounds great.

I had some correspondence with Green Footprints on Lake Eyasi. It appeared Lake Eyasi works best before the Crater. I've seen it after the Crater, though, in some itineraries if that was necessary for availability at various accommodations.

Is your 10 days in Tanzania or is the whole trip 10 days? If you give the approx dates in June and the # of days, more specific suggestions can be made.

I believe the turn off to Lake Eyasi is west of Karatu (Karatu is west of Manyara), so you wouldn't be heading back to Manyara in order to get to the Serengeti as you'd already be past (west of) Manyara (if coming from Arusha).

Are you planning to drive both directions or fly one way? If flying one way, the order would be Tarangire-Eyasi-Ngorongoro-Serengeti (based on the locations you listed) or vice versa. In this case, where you have Eyasi before or after Ngorongoro would be dependent on the direction you're traveling. If you fly to the Serengeti and drive back, it would make no sense to go to Eyasi before Ngorongoro from a driving standpoint.

If driving both ways and you prefer to have Tarangire last, it would probably work the way you listed.

... and Karatu is midway between Manyara and Ngorongoro.

Gibbs Farm and Plantation Lodge are located in the Karatu area.

But if going to Lake Eyasi, it's best to stay at Kisima N'geda, a small camp on the banks of the lake.

Decisions, decisions. This park, that park, fly, drive...

Probably first 3 weeks of June. Maybe last 3 weeks. There is no other combo I suppose :).

Awfully close to the rainy season for Tarangire but really I just want to see the elephants en masse and I think the Treetops Lodge would be special for a child (even a teen). It would be nice to fly out of the Serengeti but every penny counts to make this a private safari!

We will probably go to Zanzibar -
but I have Lupus so this might be pushing the envelope for sun exposure. I can't decide...BTW- do all 4x4's have some type of top and if they don't please advice me so I can avoid them - or I'll be the lady with my trusty pink umbrella sticking out of the top of the Land Rover!

I also already take 400 mg/day of quinine for the Lupus and will have to combine that with Larium for the resistant Malaria, so I may be sick to my stomach a lot and ready to leave. I looked at Malaria free areas in June- brrrrr!

Back OT: Lake Eyasi -I was looking at the Kudu Lodge. It's not luxury but it's near the Karatu market and I love that stuff. They offer walks or horseback to local villages/schools. Plus we could do a night drive in Manyara and visit the Tindiga tribes. What do you think?

Kambi ya Tembo
Kambi ya Tembo
Momella -Arusha NP(canoe ride)
Morning drive thru Manyara
Kudu Lodge - Karatu market & night drive Manyara (fee good for 24hrs correct?)
Kudu Lodge - visit to Hadzabe tribe incl. hunting, afternoon walk or horseride to villages.
Ngorongoro Sopa-
AM crater visit transfer to
Mbalageti tented
Mbalageti tented
Seronera Wildlife
Seronera Wildlife
balloon ride am drive to
Tarangire treetops (long drive right?)
Arusha end.

What's the cost difference between flying out then flying to Zanzibar vs. drive to Arusha then flight to Zanzibar?

tinlizzy2-

Some of your questions may be answered in the continuation of my trip report just posted. For a unique cultural experience I think you would be happy with Lake Eyasi. Our videos of the Datoga dancing is like something from a National Geographic show. Let me know if you have any more questions and yes, Kisima Ngeda is lovely and worth the detour. The drive out back to Plantation Lodge was just shy of 2 hours.

Here is a current report you may find interesting by QueenofDaNile. She may be able to answer some of your Lake Eyasi questions.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35090526

She makes a comment about preferring 2 nights at Lake Eyasi.

You can get a top on your vehicle.

What is your reasoning for including Zanzibar? If beach time, then I'd skip it. If historical/cultural then it makes more sense and you may be able to avoid the sun more than if it is beach time.

There are alternatives to Larium. I no longer take it and I never had a problem or reaction. Ask your doctor about other malaria prevention options.

I think Wildlife lodge to Tarangire would be a huge haul.

Then this part doesn't seem like it would be possible. I didn't think Manyara and the Hadzabe tribe were close enough for a night drive in Manyara and and early start for hunting with the Hadzabe the next day. If that works, it adds more possibilities to itineraries.

<i>Kudu Lodge - Karatu market &amp; night drive Manyara (fee good for 24hrs correct?)
Kudu Lodge - visit to Hadzabe tribe incl. hunting, afternoon walk or horseride to villages.</i>

I see QueenofDaNile found your post too.

Thanks for the trip report link!

I don't mind the Larium but it has to be ON TOP OF the 400 mg of anti-malarials I already take daily.

I found this tonight and posted about it on tripadvisor because of all the locals and backpacking set on that forum.
http://www.meso-tz.org/programs/index.htm

I think I could easily spend several days doing all these activities and probably will - then start a wildlife safari afterward for Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.

Yes, Stone Town and then maybe to Jambiani village to see the seaweed farms (the professional photos are stunningly beautiful) Bwejuu to stay at Robinson's Place
http://www.robinsonsplace.net/rest_frame.html - they have a Robinson Crusoe treehouse room or Kwenda Rocks http://www.kendwarocks.com/rooms/rooms.html
on the north side that from what I read $4 hr. massages :0, and a full moon party on, you guessed it, the full moon (or the closest Sat. night :) that includes fire-eaters (that would be a teens perfect night). Prison Island and the Galapagos turtles. Kizimkazi for the swim with dolphins (BTW- if you're pregnant you are guaranteed a swim with dolphins because they sense the second heartbeat and come over immediately).

Then there is Dar es Salaam- the arts centre, Nyumba ya Sanaa http://www.igougo.com/travelcontent/...?EntryID=30723
Kivukomi fish market, Kipepeo Beach camp and a dhow ride to Sinda Island http://www.authentictanzania.com/dekezadhows.htm
and for the very adventureous a one day tour of the real Dar es Salaam on bicycle http://www.afriroots.co.tz/darcycle.htm

Not to mention The Rose Garden and the Badminton Institute for great food.

I need a couple months for vacation and will have to pare it down but for now it all looks great. Anyone visited these places?

There are also these similar tours offered by the Tanzanian Cultural Tourism Coordination Office in the TBB. http://www.earthfoot.org/tz.htm

Kambi ya Tembo - &quot;Camp of the Elephants&quot; - is located on the Tanzania side/opposite Amboseli - you will find ellees here. I wouldn't then also visit Tarangire, especially not driving from Seronera all the way to this park and then 1/hr farther where Treetops is located; it will take most of a day. Treetops is also very expensive. One or the other, I'd suggest.

For cultural and other activities, the area around Manyara, Karatu and Lake Eyasi - good, but I would definitely spend the overnight at Lake Eyasi for the Hadzabe/Datoga experience... not as a daytrip.

Yes, for visit to the Crater, then out to the Serengeti. If July, then the Western area (Mbalageti is good); if August, then you should be heading North to area of Sayari Camp, close to where the Mara River enters Tanzania and where there are still large herds of wildies with crossings probable.

Balloon rides are only at the Central/Seronera area and for '08 the prices have gone up quite a bit, in the range of $450-$490/person.

If choosing the beach, even though July/Aug is &quot;winter&quot; on the mainland with cold mornings/nights, the beach will be warm &amp; humid. I would discuss with your physician alternative rather than Lariam if taking meds for Lupus. The newer Malarone may work better if combining drugs.

You can start your trip at Kambi ya Tembo, then fly out to the Serengeti, where guide/vehicle would meet you and do the itinerary from West to East. Once back in Arusha can fly to ZNZ. Then from ZNZ back to JRO, DAR or NBO for homebound flight. If you travel by road from Arusha going West, you'll have to fly back to Arusha, as the drive would take over 1/day from Serengeti.

Vehicles will have (can request) pop-top tops (vs those that come off completely) that will protect from the sun; SPF though is still recommended - on arms, back of neck.

And, finally if this trip is for summer '08, I'd get moving on pricing and checking availability - many places are already fully booked.

Vehicles come with different roof configurations, so you'll want to check with the operator if you need sun protection.

Here's an example of a pop top http://www.kiliwarriors.com/images/Vehicle1b.jpg

Here's an example of an open top http://www.kiliwarriors.com/images/Vehicle1b.jpg

Here's an example of an open top with a canvas cover http://www.kiliwarriors.com/images/safari_vehicle2.jpg

You'll want the first or last one but not the middle one.

Also check if you'll be using the camp vehicles at Kambi ya Tembo (as opposed to your tour operator's vehicle) and what kind of configuration that would be.

I believe a one way flight between Arusha-Serengeti is in the $200 per person range (also depends on which specific airstrip you fly into). In addition, you'd probably need to pay your tour operator for an extra day's vehicle/guide cost to drive one way empty.

Sorry, that second link should be http://www.kiliwarriors.com/images/K...iorCarRoll.jpg

Sandi- Rheumatologist will leave it to the travel doctor for final say about meds. I read that too about Malorone.

Mbalageti would not be ideal for June then? Better to stay Central? Hard telling, I know. This may be full anyway by time I can book. I may end up at the Wildlife - closer to the circuit I read anyway (but the private safari will be the positive!)

Hakuna Matada - all my vacations are well researched so planning at the last minute (Feb.) is easier. My expectations are low so I'm never disappointed.

Patty- Thanks for the links to truck pics.

Anyone - Is there anything wrong with Tindiga Tented Lodge http://www.tindigatentedlodge.com/in...&amp;Itemid=29 in case Kisimi Ngeda is booked?

If you are planning to visit Lake Eyasi you may want to overnight at Kismia Ngeda. We are visiting Lake Eyasi (one night at Kisimi Ngeda), after Manyara and before the Crater in March.

Visiting the Hadzabe near Lake Eyasi can also be done as a day trip. We stayed at Ngorongoro Farmhouse and left VERY early in the morning. We picked up a local Datoga guide and tranlator, who led us to the Hadzabe campsite. We were there by about 7am in order to join them on a hunt. We went on a brisk 6 to 8 mile hike, then had boxed breakfasts in our trucks while the Hadzabe ate their mongoose and spurfowl. We then did some some &quot;shopping&quot; and joined in a dance with them. I don't know that you'd spend more than half a day with them. We then stopped by a Datoga village and visited with them, watching their blacksmiths at work. We made it back to the Farmhouse in time for a late lunch (about 2pm.) The road to the Hadzabes is REALLY bad and is about a 2 hour drive in.

Being that the Hadzabwe's are scattered and nomadic means that they must be found before visiting.

There are some who live on the fringes that are easier to visit during a day trip but to really see them you need a guide who can locate them - this can take some time.
In our case, we stayed at Ksema Ngeda (about 2hrs. from Karatu). The next morning we drove about an hour and then hiked for about an hour to find them.
Keep in mind that the roads can be treacherous during and after rain (which will further slow you down.)

We hunted and hung out with them for most of the day. Great experience.

p.s. Our Hadzabwes didn't offer shopping or dance.

I sent an e-mail off today to the guide Momoya Muhindoi.

I'm glad to hear about the early am trip being feasible, even if at the crack of dawn, from a location farther away.