Planning for 2012 or 2013
Mar 11th, 2012, 01:13 PM
#41
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I rarely (probably last flight 13/yrs ago) fly thru London... hate the airport and the taxes in/out of the UK are the highest and continue to skyrocket.
However, you decide to fly, do your utmost to have all issued as one (1) ticket, preferably even one (1) carrier, as if delays... the airline is then responsible to see you get where you're going... even if a hotel is required. With multi-tickets/carriers, you're often on your own. Why some people build in a day on arrival.
Just read that Emirates is scheduled soon to be flying out of Seattle SEA, if that works, know their fares can be very competitive. Long flight into Dubai (12/hrs), but they fly over the Pole so no longer than if from NYC, then it's only 5/hrs to Nairobi; they also fly out of DAR if concluding on Zanzibar.
However, you decide to fly, do your utmost to have all issued as one (1) ticket, preferably even one (1) carrier, as if delays... the airline is then responsible to see you get where you're going... even if a hotel is required. With multi-tickets/carriers, you're often on your own. Why some people build in a day on arrival.
Just read that Emirates is scheduled soon to be flying out of Seattle SEA, if that works, know their fares can be very competitive. Long flight into Dubai (12/hrs), but they fly over the Pole so no longer than if from NYC, then it's only 5/hrs to Nairobi; they also fly out of DAR if concluding on Zanzibar.
Mar 11th, 2012, 01:58 PM
#42
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The easiest flight schedule would be to fly to Amsterdam (AMS), connect with the KLM flight to JRO, then fly KLM back to AMS from DAR. The only other airline going directly into JRO and out of DAR is Ethiopian Airlines. They are now in the Star Alliance (partners with Air Canada), but you might be more comfortable flying through Amsterdam.
No, it shouldn't be humid on the safari, although in February it can be hot. Elevations are the key... 3500' in Arusha, 7800' on the Crater wall, and about a mile high in the Serengeti. You can have thunderstorms during February, but they don't make it humid. Ponge's bungalows do get sea breezes, but you'd want to ensure that you have one of the front ones, as they have a few that are set back a little ways and those few feet can make a big difference. KathBC has a nice recommendation, too. I've also stayed at Shooting Star, which has AC, but I don't like their beach area as much. The lodge is set on a cliff above the beach and you have to go down stairs to get to it. Also, the beach is fairly narrow and much of it is under water during high tide.
No, it shouldn't be humid on the safari, although in February it can be hot. Elevations are the key... 3500' in Arusha, 7800' on the Crater wall, and about a mile high in the Serengeti. You can have thunderstorms during February, but they don't make it humid. Ponge's bungalows do get sea breezes, but you'd want to ensure that you have one of the front ones, as they have a few that are set back a little ways and those few feet can make a big difference. KathBC has a nice recommendation, too. I've also stayed at Shooting Star, which has AC, but I don't like their beach area as much. The lodge is set on a cliff above the beach and you have to go down stairs to get to it. Also, the beach is fairly narrow and much of it is under water during high tide.
Mar 12th, 2012, 10:00 AM
#43
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Hello, again.
I just received another quote and itinerary. It seems to be almost the reverse of the Duma one but I'm not sure about some of the locations.
Edge East Africa Safaris
Day 1: Arusha - Tarangire National ParK - Tarangire Camp Site
Day 2: Tarangire National Park - Tarangire Camp Site
Day 3: Tarangire - Ngorongor Highlands - Karatu Camp Site
Day 4: Ngorongor Conservancy Area - Lake Eyasi - Karatu Camp Site ( This day includes time with Bushmen - morning routine of the settlement. Is it worth it? Itinerary desctibes it as "an extraordinary cross-cultural experience." Accurate or hype?)
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater - Karatu Camp Site
Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area- Olduvai Gorge - Serengeti Nationl Park - Seronera Camp Site
Day 7: Serengeti Nationl Park - Sereonera Camp Site
Day 8: Serengeti Nationl Park - Lake Natron - Natroni Camp site
Day 9: Lake Natron - Lake Manyara Nationl Park - Manyara Camp Site
Day 10: Lake Manyara - Arush - Zanzibar
Days 11- 16: Pongwe Beach - doing tours from there
Day 17: Depart for home
Price pp for 2 $4320.
I haven't been able to find the camp sites on line so I've asked them to send me links. However, I wanted to check on the itinerary. I've found several maps of Tanzania. When I put them together, I think I have a better idea of the "lay of the lnad." This itinerary seems to do some backtracking, if I have my map layout right. However, I don't know about roads etc. Is this a logical itinerary?
I really do appreciate all the info you've been giving me. I'm going to check out the Mchanga Beach Lodge. Is it near Pongwe?
I just received another quote and itinerary. It seems to be almost the reverse of the Duma one but I'm not sure about some of the locations.
Edge East Africa Safaris
Day 1: Arusha - Tarangire National ParK - Tarangire Camp Site
Day 2: Tarangire National Park - Tarangire Camp Site
Day 3: Tarangire - Ngorongor Highlands - Karatu Camp Site
Day 4: Ngorongor Conservancy Area - Lake Eyasi - Karatu Camp Site ( This day includes time with Bushmen - morning routine of the settlement. Is it worth it? Itinerary desctibes it as "an extraordinary cross-cultural experience." Accurate or hype?)
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater - Karatu Camp Site
Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area- Olduvai Gorge - Serengeti Nationl Park - Seronera Camp Site
Day 7: Serengeti Nationl Park - Sereonera Camp Site
Day 8: Serengeti Nationl Park - Lake Natron - Natroni Camp site
Day 9: Lake Natron - Lake Manyara Nationl Park - Manyara Camp Site
Day 10: Lake Manyara - Arush - Zanzibar
Days 11- 16: Pongwe Beach - doing tours from there
Day 17: Depart for home
Price pp for 2 $4320.
I haven't been able to find the camp sites on line so I've asked them to send me links. However, I wanted to check on the itinerary. I've found several maps of Tanzania. When I put them together, I think I have a better idea of the "lay of the lnad." This itinerary seems to do some backtracking, if I have my map layout right. However, I don't know about roads etc. Is this a logical itinerary?
I really do appreciate all the info you've been giving me. I'm going to check out the Mchanga Beach Lodge. Is it near Pongwe?
Mar 12th, 2012, 10:23 AM
#44
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Day 4 - only 1/day to go to Eyasi and return to Karatu? Brutal.
And, where/why did Natron pop up (did you even ask for this?)... which is way northeast of Serengeti, for 1/nt and then south to Manyara... tiring for sure If Manyara is the destination after Serengeti, you can simply drive south and on coming upon tarmac road, drive to Manyara. This can even give you another day in the Serengeti or 2/nts at Eyasi and not so rushed with only 1/day there.
And, where/why did Natron pop up (did you even ask for this?)... which is way northeast of Serengeti, for 1/nt and then south to Manyara... tiring for sure If Manyara is the destination after Serengeti, you can simply drive south and on coming upon tarmac road, drive to Manyara. This can even give you another day in the Serengeti or 2/nts at Eyasi and not so rushed with only 1/day there.
Mar 12th, 2012, 06:43 PM
#45
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Hi, Sandi.
I did not ask for Natron. I wasn't even sure where it was. I'm still not but have a better idea. This is the reason this forum is so great. One can't ask for a change in itinerary if one doesn't know there's anything wrong with it.
With changing the Natron stop to another day in the Serengeti, would this itinerary be equivalent to the Duma one? I assume Karatu is not on the edge of the crater, staying there is a better use of time is it not?
I did not ask for Natron. I wasn't even sure where it was. I'm still not but have a better idea. This is the reason this forum is so great. One can't ask for a change in itinerary if one doesn't know there's anything wrong with it.
With changing the Natron stop to another day in the Serengeti, would this itinerary be equivalent to the Duma one? I assume Karatu is not on the edge of the crater, staying there is a better use of time is it not?
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