Tanzania Dec 2007
 

Just now looking at Tanzania or Kenya for late December 2007. Any recommended itineraries and tour companies for 12 days? Is December a good time to go with respect to weather? Should I also be looking at Botswana? Would like to have as many days possible tent camping and maybe a few days in Zanzibar afterwards. Our budget is $30,000 for 5 people (our airfare is taken care of).

Getting from Botswana that is landlocked to Zanzibar isn't all that easy. It's also important to realize that Botswana is expensive, with small camps, so if requiring 2 or 3-tents at a few properties, you have to book soon. December will be hot and humid. If traveling at the end of the month over the Christmas holiday, you will be paying a premium.

Do a search on this board for the Southern African Index - of trip reports to see where travelers have visited. Or search for "Botswana safari" to read itineraries that might be of interest. Or search for "Botswana tour operators" to see what these outfitters have to offer.

Thanks very much Sandi. Do you have any experience with Tanzania or Kenya?

Here is a link to Serengeti weather, followed by a link Tanzania weather
http://www.safarilands.org/np_serengeti.php
http://www.overlandingafrica.com/africa-weather.php#ken
There was lots of rain this year, but who knows next year? Dec falls during the short rains not the big rains.

In general a 12-day Tanzanian itinerary with safari and Zanzibar could include

1 night Arusha-city, probably no tent
2 nights Tarangire-variety of tented options
1-2 nights Ngorongoro Crater, lodge or farmhouse, most likely no tent
4-5 nights Serengeti--I’d do a mobile tented camp that moves with the migration
3 nights I Zanzibar—I know nothing about this

Sandi is familiar with Kenya and Tanzania, google Africa Serendipity. Other companies that have been used by Fodorites include Thomson’s, and Green Footprints, Tanzania specialists, ATR (Africa Travel Resource), Go2Africa, and Africa Adventure.

Lynda’s East Africa Index is http://www.africa-adventure.com/prog...anzania08.html

Atravlyn
that last web site posting is not the trip index by Lynda but a very nice full page add for Africa Adventure Co.
rather expensive I thought

Oops, here's Lynda's new East Africa index:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860283

Thanks for the correction, Geelong2007.

O.k. We have decided on Tanzania and most interested in Northern Circut. Hoping to be there last week of Dec 07.

Can any of you Fodorites advise on best tour companies that can provide for private tour will max amount of tented camping and wildlife?

We are 5 people with budget for land package of max. $5000 per person.

You want max camping so mobile camping in the Serengeti should be part of your trip.

Thomson Safaris is in Tanzania has several kinds of their own camps and they do private safaris. I think they may even house you in their tent at the crater. Usually lodges are used here.

Roy's is in Tanzania and does mobile tented camps in the Serengeti, and tented lodging elsewehere. I've discussed this with them and was impressed with their options and knowledge.

Africa Serendipty coordinates with Roy's and is in the US.

Nomad is a highly reputable name in mobile tented camps. You cannot book with Nomad directly. I know Africa Adventure books Nomad.

Kiliwarriors has camping trips for each month of the year. I've emailed them and they were very helpful. One Fodorite went on a trip with them that went well.

Green Footprints in Tanzania and does camping.

All the above agents have been used successfully by Fodorites.

hkmesssick
the first thing I would do is buy a good travel guide I prefer the Rough Guide but there are others
then find 4 or 5 tanzanina operators and email them for a quote and ideas
once you have this quote and your itinerary then post it on this board for input and suggestions
I would try the following tanzanian based operators
Sunny Safaris
East African Safaris and Touring co.
Predators Ltd
Hoopoe Adventure Tours
Naipenda safaris ( But they have found to be more expensive than most)

I haven't used any of the above listed operators, but just so you know Predators has received very mixed reviews on this forum.

Hello hkmessick,

I've just finished planning my first safari and have to say you'll appreciate giving yourself this much time to plan. I would start with picking up a guide book or two just to help you further decide what it is you want to do and see. From there, I would contact various contractors and request itineraries from each to cover your budget. I would also recommend stating that you have $25,000 as your budget to give you some wiggle room for additional outtings or expenses ie. balloon ride over the Mara or Serengetti, camel safaris, walking safaris, etc. You'll be amazed at all the things you think of after the fact. But FIRST, look up Lynda's East Africa Trip Index (link provided in earlier reply)and get reading.

Juliet

p.s. Everyone here is super nice and extremely helpful.

Hello ,Try this(5 people ,5098$ each,December 07)
I went with them last year and everything went perfect.Lots of information in their web page.
Good luck http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/af...i/lc12dec.html

Dec,Jan and Feb are the hottest months in Tz especially along coastlines Zanzibar in particular also humid,make sure your tour operator fixes you in an aircon vehicle,I know some ppl wont agree with me that you're in adventure,but me no!
Day 1 Tarangire NP
Day 2 Lake Manyara NP
Day 3,4&5 Ngorongoro/Ndutu
Day 6,7,8&9 Serengeti mobile tented
Day 9-12 Zanzibar
Operators;
Thompson safari
CC Africa
African serendipity
www.safaricare.com
Fortes Safari

Thanks All for your comments. Has anyone use African Adventure Company?

I have and all has gone perfectly. They did a Tanzania trip for 3 friends and me on very short notice in 2001 when our Uganda plans with them fell through last minute due to safety concerns. They made all the Tanzania arrangements I requested and it was high season.

They did not make us pay for 12 gorilla permits among us. We had last minute flight changes--different days, different countries--that they made with no charge or penalty. Back then the ground operator was Rangers and now it's usually Tanzania Photographic Safaris.