jules39

Liz you may already know this but we were there just a week ago and as far as local currency in concerned the best rate we saw in Tanzania was at JRO airport as we flew in and best rates were for $50 & $100 bills. In Kenya the rate at the Forex offices in Nairobi was better.

Have a wonderful trip

Liz_Frazier

Thank you Jules, we have noted that helpful information. We're not going to change but a couple of hundred to TS and then if we have any left we can include them in the driver's tip. We'll use mostly US bills but some of the drinks, etc. we would use TS.
Could you tell me about the weather and temperatures. I don't remember if you've posted your trip report yet, I know some have but I mix up the names people post under and I can't see them right now. Appreciate anything you have to tell me. I haven't been to Tanzania for 10 years and Kenya we will only be staying overnight and then on the way out we come back to leave from JKIA and have dinner. Thanks. Liz

jules39

Liz

Yes we actually changed about that much and used the left overs in our drivers tip.

While we were there the weather was in about the 80's during the day and cooled down to good sleeping temps at night. It was cool on top of the Ngorngoro rim at night I definately needed a long sleeve shirt at night and would have put on a windbreaker if I hadn't moved inside. Every where else I just had a long sleeve shirt on in the evenings which I tend to do all the time because of bug possibilities.

No I haven't done a trip report yet. We got back a week & a half ago and within a few days I had a tooth flair up which yesterday had to have an emergency root canal done on because I was hurting bad! So now I feel like I can start to catch my breath and think about things like trip reports. We did have a great time in Tanzania. Caught some migration activity in Western Serengeti. I will have to go back and find your itinerary because I now can't remember were you are going. But basically we had an incredible day in N Crater. Tarangire was wonderful as was Lake Manyara.
Any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Safe and Happy travels

J

Kavey

We humans are funny creatures... even the most experienced, independent and confident of us doubt ourselves sometimes and seek reassurance from others!

Of course, if we're smart, we learn to find like-minded individuals from which to seek it so we're not constantly told we're crazy!

"You want to spend HOW MUCH to see a bunch of ANIMALS?"

"There's nothing to do except game viewing?"

"You have to get up at six in the morning???"

"There are no toilets out there?"

Etc etc!

So we're glad to give a little reassurance to our fellow Africa Fodorite friends!

Liz_Frazier

Kavey-
Glad you understand Liz

Liz_Frazier

Jules-
Great post, Thanks!
I'll be looking forward to your trip report. Good news about Tarangire, for some reason I thought I'd read that it is just a long drive across the park and with the weather, not worth it at this time of year. After reading your comments, I'm glad we're going there.
Yikes! You saw some of the migration in the Western area? I really AM glad that we chose to go up there for look-see. I wish we'd have had two nights to spend there. It looks like a neat area and since its new to me, I think that it will be a good experience. I know some of the wildies do stay there year around, but you sound like you saw more than that.
The weather report really sounds good. Its so darn cold this winter where we are that I will love having warm days for a while. Hope your tooth lets you get some time now for us and sharing your report. Lots of details please, and since we leave early next week, SOON please! Thanks. Liz.

jules39

After reconcidering & checking with my hubby it was actually up in the 90's some days. As you say a lovely break from winter.

Liz_Frazier

Jules- Where did you end up eating your last night in NBO? If it was Tamarind, how was it and what was it?

sandi

Kavey -

I believe the dedicated Africaphiles have heard every version, and then some, of those you list. All the more reason for us to get keep heading off to Africa.

jules39

Do you know Liz that in the end we did not end up having a big dinner that night. We got back to Nairobi and just had some lunch at the Intercontinental as that was were we had arranged to meet a guide to take us to the Karen Blixen house & Giraffe center. By the time we had finished with all of that it was nearly 6pm and the guide said he was taking us out for our final Kenyan coffee & icecream on the company. So we did that and that was plenty and we relaxed over that until it was time to head to the airport. It was a good decision for us as we are not huge eaters and on safari life does seem to rotate around gamedrives intermixed with breakfast lunch & dinner so we weren't really craving a slap up dinner right before the flight. But I have heard good reports about Tamarind. In fact our guide in Kenya told us he was a real seafood man and loved Tamarind.

Now for a correction that I hope doesn't make you too sad. I did in fact see migration in the Eastern Serengeti and yes there were thousands & thousands to be seen. Sorry for that mistake. Even if you don't see that though it is always just so good to be out there. I am always amazed at how much I enjoy even the slow days for game because I just love being there driving around and seeing and feeling it all.

Kavey & Sandie you are so right people either understand or they don't. I also adore travelling in Asia and people have asked me "why on earth did you go there" re Vietnam and "how can that be called a vacation" re trekking for 30 days in Nepal. But that is why we love these places. But each to our own and that is what keeps the world interesting!

J