Leely

lovetodiscover,

Can't recall how flexible you are in terms of budget/time, but I wanted to let you know that all the other guests at our Nomad Serengeti camp were on a Mahale/Katavi/Serenget/Crater circuit, so I think it's eminently doable. One couple even had Selous in there too!

Our guide was formerly the manager at Nomad's Katavi camp and of course he sold me on Katavi. But then he would, wouldn't he? And as he put it, "well, if you're going to Mahale, Katavi's only 45 minutes away..."

Something to consider.

Patty

Thanks, Eben. I didn't know about the Rwandair JRO-KGL flight. Looks like they've revamped their website too.

What do you mean by "one has to trust the Coastal schedule to book"? Do you mean it's subject to cancellation?

Which of the Katavi camps is owned by Foxes?

MonicaH

Hi all!

I am flying over using United miles. They do partner with South African Airlines, but I could only get as far as Johannesburg and then would have to pay for flights from there (since South African Airlines then code shares with Tanzania Airlines and United does not). Since Nairobi is closer, I will just keep those tickets.

I am going to try and keep the Gorillas and do that first. I arrive into Nairobi at 7:00 at night, so I will just have to catch a flight the next morning or catch one later and sleep in. That will give me a little time to shake jet lag...now if only I could recover from jet lag that fast!

I am also checking out the suggestions for accommodations from Rocco and climbhighsleeplow on the mobile tents. I would rather have a true wildlife experience then sleep in a tent that is ultra luxury (of course, both would be good!).

Thanks again for all your help...I am exhausted and will need a vacation to recover from planning this vacation.

lovetodiscover

Sounds good Monica and better logistically as well to start off with Gorilla Treking.

If you are into a true wildlife experience, Oliver's at Tarangire also offers "fly-camping" which would be very adventurous, but require more days in Tarangire - probably at least 3 nights - but Eben probably knows.


Have fun planning.

Lucia78

I would double check with Rwandair that they still fly to JRO. Last I checked with them (which was a month ago) they were not doing that route, even though it was on their website. The Coastal flight is $650, I believe. If I were you, I'd do the following.

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi 7pm and recover from jet lag. O/n Nairobi
Day 2: 9:45am flight from NBO to KGL arrives 10am (rwanda time). You can buy this ticket from Kenya Air who codeshares with Rwandair. A roundtrip from NBO-KGL should be $350. Tour Kigali and drive to PNV. O/n PNV Gorillas Nest, etc.
Day 3: Gorilla trek. O/n PNV or KGL depending on how early you want to get up the next day.
Day 4: 10ish am flight KGL-NBO arrives NBO 1:15pm. NBO to Tarangire.
Day 5: Tarangire
Day 6: Ngorongoro
Day 7: Ngorongoro
Day 8: Serengeti
Day 9: Serengeti
Day 10: Serengeti
Day 11: Serengeti
Day 12: NBO-California

If that's too many days in the Serengeti than I would add a day in Rwanda staying at Lake Kivu after your gorilla trek.

climbhighsleeplow

Here is the news flash about the Kigali-JRO flight:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200606121205.html

$230 return!

Also, if the budget allows, try to do two gorilla treks visiting 2 families.

On our first day we had two @#$%^ people in our group of 6 who had to be in front with their cameras the whole time. We could hardly take any pictures ourselves without 2 human heads between us and the gorillas!

At some point the two @#$%^ people started screaming at each other (they bumped into each other) and the gorillas looked up in amazement before retreating into the bush! The rest of us were so shocked we weren't even angry - at least not for a while!

Lucia78

Ok. I'm officially tremendously jealous! We changed our plans from Ngorongoro/Tarangire/Serengeti and Zanzibar to Nakuru/Mara because of the pain of not being able to get to/fro Kigali with ease. Now it's actually cheaper! Ahhh...well so is life! Tanzania will be another trip.

waynehazle

I can't believe people argued and scared off the gorillas. What jerks!!

jules39

Oh Eben that is just awful!! Some people are just amazing.

J

climbhighsleeplow

And the best part? I caught the argument on videotape! It doesn't show their faces but you can see the guide frantically trying to calm them down and worst of all, one can see the gorilla family running away

I will post it soon on go-safari as a lesson to stupid/arrogant people to behave better on gorilla treks!

Leely

I was just thinking, "Please post it on go-safari. Please post it on go-safari."

If I had been in your shoes, Eben, I think my head might have popped off.

Patty

I can't wait to see the video.

jules39

I too am going to have to look at that video!
J

MonicaH

I wanted to post what I hope is the final itinerary for our trip in February 2007 (we are in the process of trying to book now). Thanks to everyone that gave great advice (Rocco, Eben, etc.) your feedback helped us put together a trip of a lifetime.

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi
Day 2: Nairobi to Rwanda-staying at Gorilla’s Nest
Day 3: Seeing the Gorillas (I am so excited!!!!)
Day 4: Kigali to Tarangire-Staying at Swala (if we can get in) or Treetops
Day 5: Tarangire
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater area (Ngorongoro Crater Lodge)
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater area (Ngorongoro Crater Lodge)
Day 8: Serengeti-CCAfrica’s Tanzania Under Canvas (we hope).
Day 9: Serengeti
Day 10 Serengeti
Day 11: Serengeti
Day 12: Serengeti back to Nairobi and back to California

The gorilla portion of the trip is EXPENSIVE, but hey, isn’t seeing the gorillas priceless? We are using Volcano Safaris for that portion of the trip (And CCAfrica for the rest). Our agent asked if we could also see Dian Fossey’s grave and we were told we would have to stay an extra day to do that. Does anyone how far the gravesite is from Gorilla’s Nest Lodge? They also originally put us in the new lodge, Volcanoes Virunga, but I thought it was much to far from the park entrance (an hour from what I have read). The place has amazing views and seems so peaceful, but I can’t seem to bring myself to drive and hour each way.

Thanks again!!!!