Tanz, Serengeti in July
 

Damn...just got through typing up my question and it vanished......

I'll be doing Rovos Rail, Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam in July. Don't want to do the pre-arranged post tour, so am thinking of hopping off into the S'getti on my own.

1) What's the best (efficient and -$$$'s) to get from Dar to S'getti?
2) Once there, where do you recommend for the better migration sightings?
3) Since I am using FF miles to get to CPT, ex USA, my return flight is from CPT, so would you simply buy a one way from Dar back to CPT? or...
4) Do you think a few extra days in Kenya worthy and then flight from there to CPT.

I think I know the answers to the last, but willing to hear your thoughts.
BTW. Was last in Tnz some years ago and I took a train from Dar to the Selous, not that keen to repeat that journey.

Cheers.

Hi u can take a flight from DAR to arusha/kili. July u should be in northern serengeti. I would like to spend 2-3 nights each at northern serengeti and the mara so as to not miss the migration. u going late july or early july???

Definitely a flight from DAR to Arusha/Kili.

Depending on time of months, different areas or Serengeti would work. Earlier in the month, the western towards the northern would work. Later in the month, definitely along the border ,i.e., Sayari is good.

But if it's only the Serengeti you wish to do, you'll have to fly to/from, either the Seronera, Grumeti or Klein's airstrips. Some of these routes can be costly round-trip; and, of course, your stay at a camp here.

You'll probably have better options for flights from NBO/CPT than DAR/CPT... but you'll have to check schedules, carriers, prices... which can run $800 o/w.

If you return to NBO for your flight to CPT, there will be a flight from Arusha/NBO (unless you choose to take the public bus... an experience, but cheap, even if it does take about 4-hrs.)

Let us know your success with this.

Sandi,
Thanks for your comprehensive advise.
trip is 2007.
Train journey terminates in Dar on the 13th of July. I suppose the western Serengeti? Which camps would you recommend, I was thinking Nomads, but not sure if they are out that way??

Thanks in advance

Check out Eben's reports on the camps in the Serengeti and where they're located different times of the year. Believe Nomad's is included in his review.

mkhonzo,
We will be using Nomad in Serengeti late June this year. They supposedly have a western-ish camp location although for July wouldn't further north be better? I think Eben and Sandi are probably best informed about migration patterns but of course as you know the patterns are just that--patterns.

So how long is this rail journey?

It's fourteen days, great itinerary, passes through Vic falls, zambia and so on, some good stopes en-route.
I'll track down ebens comments.

Hi mkhonzo

Mid-July is tough to call!

The good thing about Nomad is that they move their camps to be in the best positions so us (the clients) don't have to try and predict animals movements from afar!

However, they are not the only ones so the best spots may well be booked by competitors during your visit!

The Nomad Serengeti camp is what you want, although they may well be at Bologonja (near Kleins) by mid-July. In June/early July they normally camp at Seronera, the Grumeti area or even Moru, before moving north to the Mara by mid-July.

Your agent may push you to the Loliondo camps in July, but I suggest you stay inside the park instead.

CCAfrica's roaming camp will also be in the Western Corridor in July!

The ultimate luxury migration safari in mid-July would be combining Sabora Plains, CCA Mobile and Sayari! And with special permission to drive to the Masai Mara after the Sayari stay - and stay at IllMoran!

CHSL.
Your last paragraph piqued my interest, particularly: "special permission to drive the drive the masai mara." Are you suggesting that a crossing from S'geti to the Mara for a tourist might be possible?

Will look into those camps, no agent involved at this stage, so reckon I'll be guided by the savvy travellers in this forum.

mkhonzo:
Did you book the Rovos Rail directly? If so, how. Thanks.