bat

Hi Jules:
3 nights in Arusha (school visit one day and day trip to Arusha NP the next)
Crater (Serena)
Crater (Crater Lodge)
2 nights Olduvai
2 nights Ronjo
5 nights Nomad split between Ndutu and Piaya then off to Zbar
Less than 4 weeks to departure now!

jules39

Have a fantastic trip bat!
J

bat

thanks --expect a report late feb.

jules39

Well our itin planning seems to be going well. The only thing I have a concern about is that we are "waitlisted" for Ndutu lodge for Feb 2007! Our op seems to think that the rooms will clear in a few weeks mentioning what has been previously mentioned here in that a larger op may have a group booking. Am I crazy to feel anxious that these room will not become available this far out?
Thanks
J

jules39

Hi not sure if I should add this request for advice to this post or start another. So I will do it this way and see how it goes!
The itin we have set up for FEB is:
2 nights Tarangire Sopa
2 nights Ngoro Sopa
6 nights Ndutu WAITLISTED
2 nignts Serengeti Sopa
1 night Nogoro
Now my question/concern is that the Ndutu is waitlisted?! The op has booked Serengetti camp as a back up. Now I think the camp sounds better but the cost is more. I am not sure whether we should assume most of the Ndutu nights will come through and then we will do a few nights at the camp or whether we should try to restructure the itin now to avoid disappointment later?? I hope I am making sense here!
Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks so much

J

Patty

I don't have an answer for your Ndutu waitlist question but am curious about the Serengeti camp you mentioned. Where is it? What is it?

jules39

Patty the link they gave me for the Serengetti camp is http://www.kirurumu.com/camps%20and%...eti%20camp.htm

J

Leely

You're waitlisted for ALL the nights at Ndutu? Jeez Louise. If you can possibly afford it I think I'd go for the camp and then switch about later if Ndutu gets some vacancies.

Maybe Eben knows about the quality/location of the Kirumrumu semi-perm camp.

By the way, your trip is going to be fab any way you slice it.

jules39

Leely Jeez Louise is right and yes we are waitlisted for all the nights. Although I like the idea of the camp better that extra money is going to the gorillas or at least that was the plan. My hubby is starting to get the this is never going to happen feeling because of the Ndutu thing and beginning to wonder out loud if we should totally switch gears and choose another destination off our "where we want to go list". So we would really love some feedback from folks here.
Thanks again
J

bat

Jules:
All I can tell you about Ndutu is that in my correspondence with them (directly with them, not through an operator)last April, when they were already full, they assured me that their dates would open up. I opted for some place else where I could get an confirmed reservation but I kind of watched Ndutu on and off and it did seem that dates opened.
Re the serengeti camp--it looks nice and I believe it is Hoopoe, which has a good reputation. Who is your local operator? I also noticed on Hoopoe's site that they said they have some new safari vehicles with fridges and inverters.

Since your operator is willing to book the camp as a back up, why not? And I would seriously consider splitting the time between Ndutu lodge and the tented camp because it will be a very different experience--otherwise you are all lodges.

climbhighsleeplow

Kirurumu Mobile Camp is just fine and affordable compared with many others.

Those guys know how to set up camp! Location is unknown. One has to believe they set up according to wildlife movements. I've seen them at Naabi, Ndutu, and Moru in Jan-March.

Frankly, I would choose their camp before Ndutu Lodge which can be a bit cold in terms of service and rather crowded when full. 6 nights at Ndutu Lodge is quite long if the migration and rains stay away as we saw this past Feb.

Leely

Jules,

How much more $ is the Kirurumu? I would find it very strange if some of your nights at Ndutu didn't open up closer to departure. I believe Sonali was suddenly able to get a room at Ndutu in Feb very last minute, although she didn't end up going.

Before your husband starts writing off the whole trip, have you considered shortening the TZ portion in order to better afford the gorilla tracking? Not an ideal solution, of course, but you could still get to all the places you want to visit and revisit.

jules39

The camp is an extra US$300 per night our op says they feel Ndutu will clear but the thing is how far down the track could you get before you find out one way or the other. Could we find out just before departure that we have to pay out more money. I know the trip will be awsome. I guess we are just second guessing but we don't want to be pushed into overextending our budget at the last minute. Sorry to sound to uncertain.
Eben I totally agree with you that the camp would be a better atmosphere they have been my favorite accomidations in the past.
Thanks all
J

bat

Jules:
I think that it will clear (as I said before, the person at the lodge was very adamant about dates opening)--and this way, in the meantime, you can think about whether you might actually prefer a split between the two.

It actually may be a lucky break--because I am with eben about 6 nights at the lodge being a risk. When we stayed at the Nomad camp in the area we stopped by to look at the lodge--and I think that it is nice, and good value, but I would strongly advise trying to mix in some nights at a small intimate camp--especially given your overall itinerary.

jules39

Thanks bat I appreciate your reassurance. Our op also keeps telling us the dates will clear. We are probably going to take a few nights in the camp once we see how the dates open up so we can figure out a good split (hopefully). I know what you are saying about the "lucky break" and also know once I am there I will have forgotten worrying about this!
Oh I also really enjoyed reading all about your trip. Thanks for that. J

jules39

Eben I forgot to thank you for your run down on the camp itself it is good to hear from someone I concider well informed on these things that the camp is good.
Bat our local op is Roy's
Thanks again
J

climbhighsleeplow

Jules

2006 Rack rate for the excellent Serengeti camp is $270 ppn + camp fees and park fees.

bat

eben do you know how much park and camp fees (at a private camp site) are in the NCA and in the Serengeti? Thanks.

jules39

Eben is that the camp I gave you the link to or a different one?
Thanks J

bat

Jules:
Thanks for the feedback on the trip report.
You have probably already thought of this but if you split days and have a choice I would stay at Ndutu Lodge first and then go to the tent camp for 2 reasons--I think that you will enjoy the tent camp more and if it is located at Naabi or Moru where eben has sometimes seen it--those locations would be on the way to your next stop in the central area.