grannydesta

A friend and I are considering a safari with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) to the Serengeti with an extension to the Masai Mara. Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater are also included. We want to see the greatest concentration and variety of animals, and would love to see part of the migration, at either end. Is this more likely in late June/July, or in Sept.? We've heard that in the dry season the Serengeti is "empty" - but when is that considered to be - and is it true?

Has anybody traveled with OAT? We're also wondering if we should consider a private safari instead - any opinions? Many thanks!

aby

Hi grannydesta

Since you are going to Mara in addition to Tanzania (title misleading...) it is easier for you to watch the migrating herds
in either side of the border

September is Mara time!
Serengeti better as early as possible = June to ensure you'll see the migration.
(since generally herds cross the border to Kenya in July, better have a "margin"...)

It depends if you are having a permanent camp/lodge or a movable camp (basic or Luxury) following the migration

Remember, in September you'll have over 20 camps/lodges you can use in Mara
During July-August there are very few sites in Serengeti to give you a good chance to see the migration

aby

atravelynn

GrannyDesta,

Aby has covered the month and location question with sound advice.

There was a thread on OAT canceling trips:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=35087243


Here is some general discussion on OAT itineraries that might include their Southern Africa trip too.

This one resulted in the couple chosing to do their own private safari instead of OAT.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=34954868

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=34960960

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34828547

These links are for a report and pictures from Ann NYC who has actually gone on the East Africa. You’ll see it was a good experience.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34897294 report

http://www.winkflash.com/photo/publi...?u=ajennerjahn pics

I think you should consider a private safari instead of OAT if you would prefer not to travel in a group, would like control of your own itinerary, are booking far enough in advance so you have a good selection of available properties (June is getting close), and can spend a little more $ than OAT. Private safaris are not a lot more than group trips, but with OAT including international air, it is hard to beat that price.

For agents, you could try Africa Serendipity, Eastern & Southern Safaris, Roy’s, Good Earth, Sunny, orKiliwarriors to name a few. Though I have not traveled with them, they get good reviews from others who have gone with them.

Check this East Africa Index prepared by Lynda S for ideas.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=35085119

If you still decide on OAT, it will be an informed decision.

Please post again as your trip takes shape.

grannydesta

Thank you so much for these 2 really helpful responses. The links are fabulous and so informative - I've gone through the OAT thread, and am now working my way through Ann's report of her marvelous OAT trip.

I have several friends who have traveled with OAT, though not to Africa, and they uniformly sing OAT's praises. So I was shocked to read all the negative responses, and appalled at the tales of last minute cancellations due to overbooking. When I called OAT this morning to question this practice, I was told that it can happen with any of the trips where there is a cruise component (like the cancelled Egypt trip), but that it doesn't happen with land trips - they are not allowed to overbook those! HUH??? I simply don't understand the difference. In any case, my eyes are now open to this issue.

I'd love to arrange a private safari, but I'm thinking now that the required research time and extra expense will preclude that option. I'm leaning toward OAT, based on the rave reviews of my friends (and Ann) and in spite of the negatives, and am thinking mid-June might be the best time, as aby suggests (although the OAT agent said that last year the migration occurred really late - end of July and into August - I guess I'll just have to accept that I might not get to see it, since the timing is so unpredictable).

Thanks again for your input!

lenlu

I was in Tanzania in early June with a different company and we saw everything! It was fantastic. Serengeti was just fabulous and so was the Crater. The only disappointment for us was Tarangire. We saw two owls, elephants and buffalo. The migration hadn't come by yet and that's always a risk. We stayed at a wonderful place and just relaxed so I'm certainly not sorry. Next time I'd cut out Lake Manyara and shorten my trip to Tarangire. Still, it's a lovely park.

atravelynn

GrannyDesta,

The detail about the cancellation affecting cruises but not land is an interesting one and not something I had seen before.

If you had an interest in a private trip, there is no need to start the research from square one. Just shop the OAT itinerary around. It is informative to hear what agents will say about it and suggestions to alter it. You can always post those comments for further feedback.

Good luck.