New flight option from Wilson non-stop to the Serengeti?
 

I was told that as of 2011 (not sure of the start date) there will be a non-stop flight originating from Wilson to the Serengeti with the Tanzanian customs clearance in Seronera. I don't know the airline or timings. If true this will obviously save a lot of time. Does anyone have any information on this?

Hmmm, intersting.!
I will follow this thread

Nope. Closest so far is Safarilink from Masai Mara to Migori (I believe that's the name) few miles short of the Tanzania border at the West. From here you meet guide/vehicle for transfer at Isebania crossing.

Tarime Hub-Timetable and Routing
The Tarime flight Starts at 06:00hrs in Kigali arrives Mwanza at 08:00hrs (Kigali is One Hour behind), clears custom and immigration and continues to Serengeti at 08:30hrs. Flies to Grumeti, Seronera (where it links with Coastal Flight to Manyara, Lobo and Arusha), Kogatende and Tarime. To reach Maasai Mara, from Tarime takes by Car between 2 and 4 hours, depending on where in the Mara you want to go. The drive from Tarime to Migori, where you can catch the Safari Link flight to Mara, take about one hour. On request Coastal might be able to stop at additional airstrips in the Serengeti.
The flight operates in the opposite direction in the afternoon, that is: Tarime take off at 13:50, Seronera at 14:25 (where it links with Coastal flight from Arusha, Lobo and Manyara), Kogatende at 14:50, Grumeti at 15:40, Mwanza at 16:45 and finally Kigali… on time for dinner

Look at this exciting development described, at least in high season, and if 2 or more go.

http://ebenschoeman.wordpress.com/20...geti-and-back/

I think I'll continue to stick with the principle "one or the other", although new routes are always good news. :-)

Wilson to Seronera would be a surprise as it would mean people like me might decide to go to Tanzania on our next trip, whereas Kenya is still very much in the running as things stand. Why would they do that and keep the border crossing between the Mara and Serengeti closed?

If it's not bad enough that Tanzania hasn't already settled the situation with the Serengeti Highway, do we really need further destruction of this eco-system and animals?

Just fly over it!

Flying from Mara via Nairobi to Kili, connecting to Seronera gets you there about 3:30-4pm in time for afternoon game drive to your lodging. So, it's "one or the other!"

You're right Sandi... what I said makes no sense except to me. :-( I wouldn't be going to Seronora and so it might be four flights and that's a bit much. I meant the new route sounds little better than the old to me, even if a bit quicker for some areas. But I didn't say any of that did I?

And I didn't mean to petition for opening the border! :-0 I actually did not have the impression it was really originally closed to protect the environment, but I have only heard the Kenyan side of that story, so I should probably take it with a pinch of salt. I know the environment is the reason given by the Tanzanian side and I hope it is true (or at least has become true).

What I did mean is to wonder why Kenya would make it easier for people who need to enter the region via Nairobi to get to the Serengeti. It would be an extremely generous gesture to their neighbours (and perhaps the kind of thing they might offer in return for something else, like a border opening).

And such a flight might (very incidentally) encourage me to consider Tanzania and Kenya equally when - like this year and 2009 - I only have time for a very quick visit.

No big point being made here - I have very limited insight into any of this. Just thought I should explain my ravings.

Hey, rambling on is fine.
Talk it out or post it here and feel better.
I talk amongst my "selves" and thankful no one is around when I do :)

I no longer try to figure out why things are the way they are or who made the decision for whatever reason. And that doesn't have to do with only Kenya/Tanzania... it's all over the world! Just everyday living.

You work with what is and if options open up, consider and then decide. It's not brain surgery! And, I'm glad that it's not!

Have a good one!