Hi there,

Does anybody have any information about Silela? we've been offered the option of spending a couple of days there, doing walks and bike tours, in a private concession.

The alternative would to spend those two days in Suyan Camp, which also sounds wonderful. Anybody knows how these two areas compare in terms of remoteness, landscape and animals?

Thanks a lot for your help.

It's great to hear about camps away from the tourist routes!

Suyan vs. Silela Forest Camp is not a typical comparison. Both are in Maasai lands and offer cultural interactions of various types. But Suyan does offer a bigger chance to encounter wildlife. Even wild dog has been seen in the area. And it is more luxurious.

Silela Forest Camp is just north of E Unoto, in the little green patch (which is actually Silela Forest) just underneath the "oe" in my last name on this image:
http://www.go-safari.com/images/NCA.jpg

It is a populated area and better known for Maasai interaction than wildlife. And any hikes up to the top of the escarpment are steep and a bit challenging!

So it is hard to compare these two very different camps without knowing the rest of your itinerary and your interests.

Thanks a lot for the input, climbhighsleeplow.

Here is the rest of our itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival - Onsea House
Day 2: Lake Manyara - Kirumuru
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater - Plantation or Farm House
Days 4&5: Serengeti - either Ndutu Lodge or Olakira, or private camping in Ndutu area
Days 6&7: Either Suyan or Silela
Day 8: flight to Zanzibar

Either Suyan or Silela would be a good way to "break" the driving and do some hiking, biking and maasai visits. Would it make sense to replace the day in Lake Manyara (Kirumuru) for Silela (just one day), and then do Suyan in days 6&7 our would this be too tight?

Thanks!

I've recently been to Olakira and then to Suyan, and I can definatly recommend it.

If you're fond of Wild dogs, definately go to Suyan. They are spotting the pack almost daily!

for my full trip report see:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34948304

Nikao,

Do these two camps- Olakira and Suyan change locations every couple of months?

Thanks,
Hari

Camp movement maps are here:

http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/Suyan.htm

http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/Olakira.htm

Salce, when is your trip?

Hi climbhighsleeplow, my trip is from the 13th to the 20th March. The concern I have about Silela is that whether the landscape and experience will be a bit similar to Lake Manyara, which I am already visiting at the beginning of my safari... what do you think?

Looking at your itinerary and dates I think Suyan wins by a mile!

You need a bit more time in the South in March and while Suyan may require a bit of driving to see wildlife, you have a far better chance than Silela Forest. And there is the small matter of WILD DOGS!

You can arrange Maasai walks at Suyan and even fly-camping if you want the Silela experience.

Scenery-wise Silela is a bit similar to Manyara with fewer wildlife - lions will be very rare for example and elephants will be shy.

Are you talking 2007 I assume? I may see you at either Suyan or in the Ndutu area! I will be in the same area from March 12-26!

Is there a way to recognize you?

Hi climbhighsleeplow,

Yes, I am talking about 2007, so right around the corner (can't wait).

To recognize me: I wear pink framed glasses and have a strong Spanish accent!

Salce

I will look out for you!

I have longish blond hair and will likely be in khaki short pants and short sleeves! My green Landcruiser has a long Maasai spear welded vertically to the back!

When we spot each other the password is "WILD DOG" !!! Let's hope we see them!

Eben