My wife and I are planning our first safari..yippee. I need to be in Ethiopia for some aid work in late January so our safari dates are quite fixed and we would start a safari about January 24th. Any help in deciding where to go that time of year would really be appreciated and any recommendations on tour operators would also be appreciated. So far I am thinking Tanzania and my wife is thinking Botswana. Other criteria would be:

*higher end but not ultimate luxury
*smaller groups (less than 6 say)
*see the big 5
*about a 10 day trip
*compact area with less driving

Thanks a bunch folks.

Rookie Safari Guy

Allthough Botswana would normally be my first recommendation, your time frame argues strongly in favor of Tanzania. I'm sure others will way in on this but late January and February is the wildebeest birthing timeframe and often provides some of the most exciting game viewing in all of Africa. If you were asking the same question but would be traveling 6 months later, I would recommend Botswana, but I would not safari in Botswana in January.
Jon

Compact! Is relative. If arriving from Ethiopia it'll be into Kilimanjaro/JRO which is the starting point for northern circuit safari. From here it's a 45/min drive to Arusha. Then you can visit Tarangire (not always the best in January, but those who visit still find the park amazing)... a 2/hr from Arusha. Or to Lake Manyara, also a 2/hr drive from Arusha or 2/hrs from Tarangire.

From Manyara via Karatu (1/hr) to Ngorongoro Crater (1.5/hrs). Then onto the Ndutu area of NCA or SESerengeti for the migration (about 2.5-3/hrs) drive. From here you can fly back to Arusha/JRO for homebound.

Roads are fairly good, with tarmac from Arusha to Ngorongoro, then you're on gravel and direct roads when in the Serengeti.

You can do a side trip between Manyara/Ngorongoro to Lake Eyasi to visit with the Hadzabe or Datoga tribes who live the old way where you can go hunting with or relax along the lake side.

There are any number of tour operators, in-country or in your home country that can assist in planning. Doing a search on this forum for Tanzania Tour Operators will bring up many of the names often used with success. Most of these will be glad to prepare an independent trip just for the two of you, where, for how long, place you stay vs with a group that is a pre-planned routing and no choice in lodging - prices for private vs group can be comparable.

Jan/Feb is peak-season in Tanzania, with many properties already booked, so I wouldn't wait to be assured of accommodations.

I agree with Tanzania based on your dates.
Sandi mentioned a typical itinerary that would work well that time of year. If it is not "compact" enough, you could fly instead of some of the driving and have a vehicle meet you. That would up the cost considerably. Most people drive, but might fly back from the Serengeti at the end to make a flight.

*higher end but not ultimate luxury
Check Roy's or Good Earth for starters. There are many good Tanzania companies.

If you wanted a tented camp in the Serengeti, there are some now that aren't real expensive. The nice permanent tented camps usually cost more than the safari lodges.

*smaller groups (less than 6 say)
Why not just the 2 of you? A private trip for two is very common, and not much more than many group trips. Then you design the itinerary and can call the shots on the trip.

*see the big 5
The tough ones of the Big 5 are the leopard and the rhino. In Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater provides a chance to see rhino. Leopard can be anywhere but are tricky to see. However, Botswana would not have been a Sure Thing Big 5 destination either. To see rhino in Botswana, you must visit the very expensive Chief's Island or else a rhino sanctuary that does not easily fit into most itineraries.

*about a 10 day trip
Arusha 1
Manyara 2
Lake Eyasi 1
Crater 2
Ndutu area of Serengeti 4

You could fly out of the Serengeti and be on an evening flight home.

*compact area with less driving
mentioned above

"Jan/Feb is peak-season in Tanzania, with many properties already booked, so I wouldn't wait to be assured of accommodations." Bears repeating.

I am going to be there in Tanzania in early february and I agree with the above posters (great info as always).

I was able to get the Ndutu Lodge for only night in early feb...nothing was available in Jan-Feb timeframe except maybe the tented camps near the Ndutu area (Olakira is one where I will be staying for 2 nights). The cost of the trip went up significantly ...due to that. But, I guess, I will get to enjoy lodging/lux camping at the same time....120 days to go..woohoo !

Btw, I did my bookings 3 months ago...