Hi - I have a tentative itinerary for a honeymoon to Tanzania in the first 2 weeks of June 2010. Is there anything anyone suggests changing/adding/deleting?

1-Arrive Dar Es Salaam (only way we could use our frequent flier miles)
transfer to Arusha (could not get a flight to Lake Manyara straight away)
overnight in Arusha
2-transfer to Lake Manyara
o/n Lake Manyara Tree resort
3- o/n Lake Manyara Tree resort
4- transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
o/n Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
5-o/n Plantation Lodge
6-transfer to Serengeti
o/n Serengeti Under Canvas or Grumeti River Camp
(***any suggestions on which would be better?)
7-o/n SUC or Grumeti
8-o/n SUC or Grumeti
9-12-transfer to Zanzibar (lodging TBD)
13-from beach to Stone Town - o/n Stone Town
14-transfer to Dar Es Salaam
15-early morning flight out of Dar Es Salaam

So basically, 1 night Arusha, 2 Lake Manyara, 2 Ngorongoro, 3 Serengeti, 5 Zanzibar (4 beach, 1 Stone town)

I've toyed with the idea of adding Tarangire, but think that too much transferring around may be tiring.

Lastly, any opinions on Serengeti Under Canvas versus Grumeti River Camp?

Thanks for any input!

Looks like a good itinerary to me. Never experienced SUC but I did stay at Grumeti (early Nov.) and I loved it---certainly one of my favorite camps. The hippo pool adds great atmosphere (e.g., see http://thesafariadvisor.com/linked/hippo%20pool.jpg ) and I liked the tented accommodations. June/July at Grumeti is the time to catch the migration. Also, one word for Ngorongoro Carter Lodge: sumptuous.

You'll have a great time, Steve

Nice trip.

My question:
4- transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
o/n Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

5-o/n Plantation Lodge

Are you staying 2 places at Ngorongoro because you want a night at the very fancy and luxurious Crater Lodge, but you think that staying a second night would be too much for your budget? Maybe you will you lounge around the Crater Lodge accommodation and enjoy the "sumptuous" amenities, but actually visit the crater from Plantation? Those plans would make sense as to why you are switching Crater accommodations. Otherwise, that's too much moving around to have two back to back 1-night stays, one at Crater Lodge and one at Plantation Lodge. How many crater visits does your itinerary have?

Congrats on your marriage and you've picked a great honeymoon destination.

Yes, the purpose was to save a little money on that portion of the trip, but still get a chance to stay at the Crater Lodge. But thinking maybe to splurge and just go for 2 nights at the Crater Lodge...

Haven't really thought about how many visits to the crater itself we will actually take. At most 2 I guess. But I'm also very happy to relax!

I responded on your other post of the same title! But basically I said exactly what atravelynn said!! J

This is the response I put on your other post..... have not stayed at Crater Lodge but for your honeymoon & if you can afford it Stay there instead of Plantation Lodge so you have 2 nights at Crater Lodge. NOT because there is anything wrong with plantation lodge but from what frends have told me the Crater lodge would be a good honeymoon extravigance & it would save a night of moving to another accomidation.I totally agree with your idea to keep transferring down. We have not been to Tz in June so cannot give you any specifics on that time of year for specific camps. Congrats on your marriage & have an amazing honeymoon!!!!

If you want to have some funds towards a 2nd nt at Crater Lodge, reduce time at Manyara. While a lovely park and small which can be covered in a few hours, the Tree Lodge is at the farthest end of the park, a 2/hr drive without stops for game viewing.

That said, however, I can understand why on Day 5 o/n at Plantation as next day heading to Serengeti. Will this be by air? If so, easier to get to Manyara airstrip from Plantation than navigating around crater rim and out and back to Manyara. If driving to the Serengeti, easy to drive from Plantation onward as early as you wish, not waiting for the Ngorongoro gates to open.

As to lodging in Serengeti, whether SUC or Grumeti, know that in early June the herds can be anywhere from Central to Western. I'd check with andBeyond, where SUC will be sited as that camp is seasonal and can move (Grumeti is a permanent camp and not moving anywhere). andBeyond will probably determine by mid-May where the camp will be located... and would probably go with SUC.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone! I think we're going to splurge and do 2 nights Lake Manyara Tree Lodge and 2 nights Crater Lodge. It is a once in a lifetime trip for us (most likely) - so I want to make it special!

Still deciding between Grumeti and Serengeti Under Canvas. Has anyone stayed at either and have anything to say that might make this decision easier? I agree the mobile camp would ensure better migration viewing, but the area around Grumeti seems so lovely and unique. And the lodging itself seems a bit more comfortable? That being said, the idea of being more of a tent sounds amazing too!

<i>If driving to the Serengeti, easy to drive from Plantation onward as early as you wish, not waiting for the Ngorongoro gates to open.</i>

I thought you had to drive through the NCA to get to the Serengeti from Karatu?

Here's an excerpt of something I wrote about a recent visit to Grumeti. I had just landed at the Grumeti air strip.

"After deplaning, I was directed to a car for a short hop to the Grumeti River Lodge, a tented camp tucked away in a remote valley in the western corridor of the Serengeti. Those who have yet to visit Africa are advised to forget whatever association camping brings to mind. This is something quite different. Although it offers only canvas walls (and at the same time all the varied magical and romantic sounds of the African bush), Grumeti in all other ways proves luxurious. Consisting of 10 spacious tents on raised concrete platforms set under makuti (palm frond) canopies, Grumeti Camp provides discreetly separated tents, each with a well furnished deck and interior, king-sized bed, overhead fan, electric lights, ensuite bathroom with hand basin, flush toilet and al fresco shower open to the stars and the occasional curious vervet monkey.

"But best of all, the camp abuts a pool that supports a resident pod of hippos and casts an atmosphere of sheer in-your-face Africa. So while the manager advised me of the camp rules upon my arrival, the most important being never, ever leaving your tent after dark without a staff escort, the hippos serenaded with a cacophonous chorus of snorts/grunts/bellows and harrumphs."

Patty - As I recall last we did this, you do drive thru the NCA, but can avoid the area of the crater rim where Crater Lodge is sited.

kml_8 <i>" lodging itself seems a bit more comfortable?</i>

... believe me the lodging at SUC is very comfortable, real beds, etc. not shabby in any way.

<i>As I recall last we did this, you do drive thru the NCA, but can avoid the area of the crater rim where Crater Lodge is sited.</i>

But don't you still have to go through the NCA gate?

We did Lake Manyara for one night at a Serena. We did have a great day of viewing elephants and it's lush and pretty there but I thought one day/night was enough. Maybe your lodge is very luxurious there, I don't know...but if I could do it over, I'd spend more time in Serengeti, the Crater or Tarangire or wherever you have the better chance of seeing the migration. Could just be me. I've heard wonderful things about Grumeti, not familiar with the other. We did stay at Treetops in Tarangire which was our best place next to Mbalageti, both incredible. So, if your tree resort is like Treetops, then go for it. Have a great time.

Some other options for you to consider, kml_8:

For June, you might want to think about Tarangire over Manyara. For luxury, you could stay at Swala which has just been beautifully refurbished. Their website says, "Book a honeymoon at Sanctuary Swala in Tarangire National Park - and the bride stays half price! Conditions apply."

On the drive from Tarangire (or Manyara) to the crater, I'd recommend a stop at Gibbs Farm for lunch.

I've stayed at Kirawira and Mbalageti in the Western Serengeti, and I've visited Grumeti but haven't stayed overnight. Of the 3, I would absolutely recommend Mbalageti for location, staff, food, accommodation (tented chalet), facilities! Having said that, for a first-timer, any of the 3 would be fabulous.

Keep us posted as to your plans.

Patty, I think you're right about having to wait for the Loduare Gate to open early morning. I expect it is 6am, but perhaps someone could confirm.

Hi kml_8,

I'm looking to plan a tour for my honeymoon in June as well, but later in the month. Was curious if you like the tour company you are working with and could pass along the name? Thanks for your help!

The Swala Honeymoon Special and others shown on their site are good till 31st May 2010 only... not once Peak-season starts as 1st June.

Thank you everyone!

Calo - I had heard early June is not the greatest time to go to Tarangire because of high grasses. We really want to stay at the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge - and for the time we're going andBeyond has a 5 nights for 4 special, so we thought we'd add on a free night at the Tree Lodge to relax, enjoy the property, and get over jet lag a bit.

From what I've read, it's best to be in the Western Corridor in early June. But an andBeyond agent told me that both Serengeti Under Canvas camps would still be in Central Serengeti when I'm there (though I thought they would determine their location closer to the actual time period as this would maximize the benefits of the "mobile" feature). Which is why I'm leaning towards Grumeti at this point. Also contemplating splitting my time between the two - or is this too much travel... Too many decisions, but so exciting!

You can drive between Grumeti and Central Serengeti in a couple of hours if need be. If you have 3 nights in the Serengeti, I'd stay put and plan on at least one day with a packed lunch so you can cover the most ground.

kml
I have stayed everywhere you are staying and in fact, the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge was one of my favorite places in the five countries I have been to-probably in my top 3 in terms of accommodations. Just loved it. Sandi is right though-it is a long drive to the lodge and the game drives can cover the same territory a few times over the two days, but we were very lucky to have great sightings, including the tree climbing lions. We were also able to arrange a night drive (there was an extra cost) which was fun. Not sure if you can still do that. Grumetti is also great-very colourful and different from the others. You will lie awake listening to the sounds of hippos-imagine a high school band with all first time tuba players. And as others have said, you will not be disappointed with the Crater Lodge-it is decadent. We were not big fans of the crater itself for wildlife-far to crowded-but boy did we relax and get pampered at the lodge. You are going to have a fabulous time and will be very well cared for at these places.

enjoy!
nj

oops-just saw your question about Grumetti vs SUC. We did SUC and we also did Under Canvas in Savute. In theory, they are great. Wonderful experience to be out under the stars and as sandi says, this ain't your regular camping! (unless you bring plush mattresses and duvets when you camp?) Here's the thing-both times we fell upon bad weather. We were at SUC in feb of 2007-the "dry season" that flooded the Serengeti. So it was a very tough as you are in canvas floor tents (with carpeting though) and there are no manicured paths too and from your tent so it was a bit of a mudfest for us. But then again, even lodges suffered that month! & beyond were moving with the herds when we went-in fact, they had picked up and moved locations early when we stayed with them to make sure they were close to the migration. One thing to consider, when we did SUC they would only put 4 to a truck. If Grumetti is full you are likely 6 to a truck. Not sure that is a consideration or if it still holds true for SUC.

nj