We are in the process of planning our Feb 07 Tanzania trip. Here is our itinerary so far:

Jan 29th - Drive to Crater, game drive – Serena lodge
Jan 30th - Game drive, Crater
Jan 31st - Serengeti Serena lodge or a Camp- any suggestions?
Feb 1st - Serengeti
Feb 2nd- Ndutu Lodge (waiting on confirmation)
Feb 3rd – Ndutu Lode


After this, what would you suggest?
Fly to the Mahale for 3 days or
Masai Mara for 3 days?

Is the Mahale worth it for three days and is Feb a good time of the year to do so?
Are there flights that we can take from the Manyara strip directly to Mahale or do we have to go through Arusha?
Has anyone stayed at the Park’s house in Mahale? I heard that it is not a luxury lodge, but what are your thoughts about this place. has anyone stayed there and do you have any pictures?

Thanks

Any suggestions?

Just spend more time at Ndutu. It will be fabulous at that time of the year.

I dont know about Mahale for that time of the year...but, you will spend lots of time travelling to get there and not worth it, for such a short time span.

Mara. It takes time to get there....and you rather just spend more time at Ndutu, instead.

Hari

Yes, you can fly from Manyara to Mahale! There is an extra pickup surcharge because the flight starts in Arusha and has to make an extra stop!

Do you mean the Park Bandas at Mahale? I've visited them. They are very basic but functional and you have to bring everything yourself (food, etc). Here are some pics:
http://www.go-safari.com/Mahale/mahale.htm
http://www.go-safari.com/Mahale/Bandas.htm

Your question is interesting because Mahale and Masai Mara are SO different. The Mara is open plains with herds and predators, seen mostly from a vehicle. Mahale is forest with chimps, viewed mainly on foot.

The Mara would be similar to the Serengeti. Mahale would be a totally different experience.

I've only been to the Masai Mara, and in August, not Feb. Feb should be very good in the Mara, but the Serengeti should have more herds in Feb. I've read that Feb is a nice time for Mahale, with a good chance of clear skies making the mountains visible.

Serengeti Serena en route to Ndutu is good.

Sorry, can't answer your other specific Mahale questions. There have been a few Mahale reports. Try typing Mahale in the search box to find them.

Thank you so much for all your replies. The reason we are considering Mahale is that it will be a different experience after the Serengeti. It seems like an awesome experience to watch the chimpanzees interact. Thanks for the info on the lodges. Greystoke Camp looks really nice.
We are currently having a little problem with the Ndutu reservations. We are on the wait list and are hoping that we will be confirmed soon.
What are the other options around that area? What do you suggest we do in the event our reservation does not go through?

Thanks

Sorry to be so late, was in Zimbabwe and Botswana! Mahale is fabulous..I would go to the Nomad camp, called Greystoke (sp?)It is lovely, great guides, well run, on the lake, a trip of a life time..best to try and book three nights there--as it takes a while to get there--boat and plane...and then you get two full days to see the chimps, snorkel, sail in the afternoon, and the third day you usually leave about 9 or 10am, so no time to find the chimps (we had a long flight out of there, so maybe it depends where you are going)

It will totally different than the Mara, but you sill have seen the Serengeti...