hello all. i am looking for some info on getting from place to place in tanzania and possibly kenya if we book our lodge rooms separately rather than in a safari package.
this is because we just found out we can get some special rates because of a connection we have here at home. so here is what we need:

transport from arusha/kilimanjaro airport to a lodge at the crater.

then from the crater to a lodge in the serengeti.

onward from the serengeti to a lodge in the mara-this could change to one in another section of the serengeti.

then transport from our final lodge back to arusha.

from my research the lodges themselves can't/won't provide this and i believe that flying is outside our budget. so what can we do? any info or opinions will be greatly appreciated. got great stuff from folks before our trip to botswana and look forward to more. thanks in advance.

That's your trade-off, a "deal" on accommodation rates but no way to get between locations, or have a safari outfitter provide the transport (with own guide/vehicle) and accommodations.

Though you indicate you can get better accommodation rates, but do these also include: Daily park fees, game drives, taxes, etc.? If not, you'd have to pay for these separately which can add up.

Transport between Kili/Arusha is about $100. Drive time from Arusha to Ngorongoro takes 4.5/hrs; from Ngorongoro to Serengeti can take 4-5/hrs depending on where in the Serengeti. And, as there is no direct crossing from the Serengeti to Masai Mara, the road trip between both countries can take 8-10/hrs.

A "deal" isn't such a great deal when you figure out all the extras. Suggest you work with a safari outfitter who can coordinate all you need.

Also note that you can't cross the border directly from the Serengeti to the Mara.

I met people in TZ who did a self-drive to the lodges (crater,ndutu, seronera)...then used the lodge's vehicles/guides for game drives. Maybe you want to try that if you want a deal/adventure ?

Other than self drive, you can contact tour operators in Arusha and ask for a quote for vehicle/guide/park fees/etc (they'll need to know where you're going and staying). This may or may not save you money overall. Depends what kind of deal you're getting for accommodations.

If you decide to include Kenya, not all operators send their vehicle/guide into the other country. Instead, many partner with an operator in the other country which means a vehicle switch at the border and entails the extra expense of one vehicle driving back to Arusha empty while another drives from Nairobi empty.

Of course if you fly or self-drive to a lodge or camp, arrangements can be made to go on game drives with their vehicles. Or as Patty explains, maybe an outfitter in Kenya or Arusha will provide guide/vehicle to get you between places (countries or parks within each), and maybe even the fees for park, taxes, etc.

The question though, what kind of rates are you getting at what accommodations and time of year (as prices are seasonal), might not be much of a savings.

You've got lots of comparing to do.

thanks to all so far. we are going this november and have done significant comparison on rates for just the lodges and safari packages for our set in stone travel time. our rate discounts are worth at least trying to make this work. was hoping that someone who has done something at least similar to this would have some info. anybody?

also was looking into where exactly the "convenient" crossing is on the tanzania/kenya border so i could try to work out some mileage distances for our itinerary. anyone able to help with that? thanks.

The closest border crossing to the Mara/Serengeti is at Isebania/Sirari (to the west).

If you do get an outfitter to provide driver/guide & vehicle and using the Isebania border crossing, as Patty mentions, you'll have to pay for your Tanzania guide/driver having to return(1.5/days) to Arusha empty, as well as guide/driver from Kenya, for about same time, driving empty from Nairobi. Vehicle/guide change required at border as few outfitters are licensed to operate in both countries.

Drive time from Central Serengeti (along shores of Lake Victoria) to Isebania is about 6/hrs; from Isebania to Masai Mara is about 4/hrs.