>>they also have their own guide in tanzania that meets you at the airport and can take your around.<<

... only 1/guide?

If you've arranged meet/greet on arrival and being taken around or visiting villages, etc... all the outfitters do this.

Thanks Craig and Sandi...Warrior Trails was used by LyndaS on her recent trip which I read about. Both companies are registered with the Tanzania Travel Association and have private guides who will meet us and stay with us the whole trip. However, they are about $1,000 apart in price per person for very similar itineraries.

Rizzuto's insurance, as I read it, seems to be one that would cover all my fears re wiring a check vs credit card.....but
sounds like Am Ex wouldn't cover my costs if I use Warrior Trails....since it's a Canadian/Arusha company.

So would appreciate discovering which company and how to contact Rissuto's insurance contact.

I booked with Access2Tanzania two years ago and was very pleased with them. And yes, they do have more than one guide.

My policy is the American Express Global Travel Shield classic policy. I got it, and compared it to other plans, at insuremytrip.com.

You have obviously received conflicting information in this thread -- that's not especially unusual on the internet -- so now the responsibility is yours to figure out what makes most sense for your situation.

mike is the head guide for access2tanzania in the country. i am sure they have other guides as well. if not, i am sure they subcontract as many companies do that.

craig beal

Just to clarify, Insuremytrip.com (IMT Services Corp.) isn't an insurance company, but a website that compares and sells many different policies issued by many different companies. I can't find anything that says they are owned by AMEX. The policies they compare and sell have varying clauses about financial default, etc. You can read each policy's coverage before purchasing it.

>>However, they are about $1,000 apart in price per person for very similar itineraries.<<

Comparing Access2 and Warrior Trails, both good choices, but the word "similar" doesn't mean "the same", so there might be a very good reason for the price differential. Why not post both itineraries, so we can offer commments - when traveling, from arrival to conclusion, #/day at which park/reserve, accommodations at each, whether driving or flying, cultural visits, etc.

Thanks again for above replies...Here's the itineraries:
Day 1 - Arusha Amnemi River Lodge or #2 Co... Impala lodge
Day 2& 3 -Tarangire-Lake Burunge tented or#2Co River Camp

Day 4 Sopa Ngor. Lodge - #2Co.. Sopa Ngor, Lodge
Day 5 Ndutu Safari Lodge - #2Co Sopa Ngor. Lodge
Days 6-9 Mbuzi Mawe #2Co.-Day 6 Ndutu (for R&R)
#2Co Day 7,8 Mbuzi Mawe
#2Co Day 9,10 N.Serengeti-3choices
Day 10 Fly to Arusha-Arumenu #2Co Day 11 Fly to Arusha-Kia
Day rooms in Arusha before USA flight

The 11 day itinerary is less expensive...And the Ndutu stop was sorta my idea to break up the drive into the Serengeti and to visit Olduval gorge along the way. In the Northern Serengeti, my choices are Lemala, Migration or Bililia..all -within approx the same price range.

Quick glance:
- the lodging choices in North Serengeti are more expensive then staying all that time in Central at Mbuzi Mawe.
- the flight to Arusha from North is more expensive than from Central.
- paying for guide/vehicle to drive back to Arusha "empty" is higher from North with an overnight somewhere vs an all-day drive from Central.

Note: Lake Burunge Camp is quite a distance south outside of Tarangire. River Camp is also outside, but about 2/miles over an arm of the river, up a hill with great views.

Made the decision and booked with Warrior Trails. We arrive JRO October 24 and leave Nov 2...it's our 50th anniversary so maybe you could call it a "honeymoon"

Anyway, we're staying one night in Arusha then 2 nights at River Camp in Tarangire, Sopa at the crater, Ndutu, Mbuzi Mawe, and Migration Camp before flying back to Arusha

We'll visit a Masai village on our way to the crater and have lunch at Gibbs farm.

Any thoughts on what kind of weather to expect, mosquito protection, what special things to bring along, comments on our accomodations, meals and what to expect will be most appreciated.

Thanks so far for all your input and giving us the courage to take the leap and book a private safari.