Hi all. Thanks for all the advice so far. I usually get very involved in my vacation planning, but this trip takes it to a whole new level! I'm really trying to narrow it down for Tanzania in mid-December (leaving before the holiday rush and surcharges). This is what I've got so far. I'm sort of more or less settled on the first half, it's the last 4 days I'm having trouble with. Opinions please.

Thank you in advance!

Day 1 - Tarangire National Park - Boundary Hill Lodge
Day 2 - Lake Manyara National Park - Gibb's Farm
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater - Ngorongoro Serena
Days 4 and 5 - Serengeti National Park - Olakira Camp
Days 6 and 7 - Serengeti National Park - Serengeti Serena.

Traveler07, I'll give you my 2 cents to top this thread for you although others who've traveled in December can likely add more.

It might help for us to know why you're questioning the last 4 days. If it were me, I'd be inclined to leave Olakira to the end because it'd be a great way to finish off your trip. Please note that this is coming from someone who is partial to small camps as opposed to large lodges. Suyan, Simiyu, or Kirurumu Serengeti Camps would be nice options to the Serena...all are mobile camps.

Thanks Calo. The original plan was to spend Days 4 and 5 at Ndutu, then finish with Olakira on Days 6 and 7, but Olakira wasn't available on those days and was available the two days before that. I guess we could do Ndutu on Days 6 and 7, but it's further from the airport we're leaving out of, and then I started questioning whether it even pays to go south that time of year (mid-December), and now I'm just utterly confused!

Unless they've changed the flight schedules if you end at Ndutu, there is a flight from here to Arusha. So, no need to be up near the Serena to fly out. Have your agent check this out.

Thanks Sandi, I'll look into that. Can you tell me what airline/charter?

It should be "scheduled" (not charter).

See http://www.regional.co.tz/docs/regairsched.php

There may be other carriers that serve Ndutu too. In the past, I think there have been temporary closures of Ndutu airstrip if there has been heavy rain.