Hi,
I'm middle aged, so-so cop-on thinking of booking safari/beach holiday in Tanzania/Zanibar directly with local firms/agencys etc. Will I live to enjoy telling the tale

Guess that depends who you book with.

Most--or many, anyway--people on this board have booked with local operators and have had no problems. When are you thinking of going and what is your budget? Do you want luxury, rustic, mid-range, camping or...?

Tanzania is incredible!

Hi, Leely,
I want luxury but my budget is rustic so somewhere in between is realistic going to serengeti with a beach extension 2 weeks approx total
Bye

Well, I'd buy the Bradt Guide to Tanzania and start building a skeleton itinerary. Then do a search here for operators. Your itinerary will be determined in part by the time of year you're planning to travel.

Some popular ones on this board are Good Earth Tours, Roy Safaris...eeek, I can't remember many others. I've seen Sunny Safaris mentioned quite favorable many times on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum, and I think they do pretty reasonably priced safaris.

Your itinerary (without lodging recs) could look something like this:
Day 1 Arrive JRO overninght in Arusha
Day 2: to Lake Manyara
Day 3 and 4: Tarangire
Day 5: Ngorongoro Carter
Day 6: Crater again and walking tour in NCA?
Day 7: to Serengeti
Day 8: Serengeti
Day 9: Serengeti
Day 10: return to Arusha by air, transfer to Zanzibar, overnight East Coast or North Zanzibar
Day 11: East or North Coast beach, Zanz
Day 12: to Stone Town
Day 13: fly home

Of course, once you really start getting into the details it becomes much more complicated, but I think this is a basic Northern Circuit + beach itinerary.

I'm curious: what's with the streetwise subject header?

Good luck with your planning.

Leely -

You've got it pretty much down pat! However, you should do Tarangire first then Manyara so there's no backtracking. But then again, you can also fly out to the farthest point - the Serengeti and work your way back to the Crater, Manyara, Tarangire and Zanzibar (via Arusha).

wexfordwil -

Yeh, what's the "streetwise" all about. When you've got a better idea of what you want to accomplish for safari, post with a heading that will garner attention. And keep all the posts about the trip under this posted thread title so you can find it and responders can keep up on your progress in answering. There's lots of great advise here. Good luck!

Sandi,
So I only get a B+? I was hoping for an A-...

... no marks needed, like an open book test!

Hi. Leely
Not many streets in Serengrti but I wanted replies from people who"knew their way around"as we say over here and your reply was so close to perfect it's a bit scarey so more help please ever heard of Leopard Tours? ,when IS the best time to visit
northern serengeti,how safe are towns for strolling and how much should I allow for extras,drinks snacks etc. Thanks Will

Hi Wexfordwil,
I will answer on your other post so it will be easier for people to follow your itinerary as it develops and offer their advice and opinions.