Ok, I know this topic has been thoroughly covered but I figured I'd go into it again to get my exact questions answered.

I'm going to have time for a 5-day / 4-night safari in Tanzania in late September. Most operators seem to have recommended that I spend one day in Manyara, two nights in Serengeti and then a day at Ngorongoro. Is there anything I should drop / spend more time focusing on? Is it worth making a detour to Olduvai?

Ok, accomodation. I'm going with my girlfriend and immediately preceding the safari we're climbing Kilimanjaro. Since I don't want her to kill me I figure that after spending the mountain climbing week in tents we should endeavor to partially spoil ourselves on safari. So I'm looking for good accomodation recommendations.

From reading this thread it seems like Kirurumu is the place to stay in Manyara. What about Serengeti? I've seen people say Seronera Wildlife, is that nice or just in a good location? What about Serengeti Serena / Mbuzi Mawe? Is there a material difference between a Serena and a Sopa? Is there anything else in similar class? I've seen some people mention Kirawira but get the impression that this is very high end.

What about for Ngorongoro? It seems there's much less choice here. Is it best to just stay at the Serena? What's another alternative? I've heard the Wildlife lodge isn't that great.

Finally what about operators? Does anyone have experience with Safari Makers? What about Duma Explorer?

Thanks in advance for your wise responses.

The stop at Manyara is because the straight on drive to the Serengeti will take you all day. Kirumuru here is good.

You can easily stop at Olduvai Gorge on way from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro. It's usually a brief stop to visit the musueum and the site itself... then you're on the way to the crater.

You will probably arrive at the crater in time for an afternoon on the crater floor; and have time to do another crater floor visit next morning if you choose, before returning to Arusha/Kili.

There are Serena properties at Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. You may save some money booking all three. But if you wish a tent experience then go for Kirumuru at Manyara and/or Mbuzi Mawe in the Serengeti, though the latter, if available, will be a bit more expensive than the Serena Lodge.

With such short time, you really can't cover much more and though the migrating herds will still be in the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Central/Seronera area of the Serengeti has lots of resident game and predators.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Sandi
i was wandering whether the proper name is Kirurumu or Kirumuru ?
(though the latter seems more "natural" for our tongue)
Google has a few pages on both (but the score is 11,000 to 70).
Bottom line: the site is KIRURUMU
http://www.kirurumu.com/

To make up for the mess of Kili:
Manyara Serenga, beautiful romantic rooms with a great view

Serengeti Sopa, great rooms, great view FANATASTIC buffet.
Ngorongoro Serena for same reasons.

Hi there...

Kirumuru is fine. I stayed at the Serengeti Sopa and the Ngorongoro Sopa.

Both were pleasant - and the rooms are huge.

I especially liked the Ngorongoro Sopa.

I get it mixed up all the time too - kirurumu/kirumuru, a tongue twister

Either way, it seems to get the point across. I've spelled it both ways, depending on the day and where the fingers hit the keyboard!

Thanks for the replies so far. If anyone is still on this then two more questions: Does anyone know anything about Olduvai Tented Camp or the Ronjo Flycamp?

Thanks again.

bat and Bostongal stayed at Olduvai and Ronjo. Here are their trip reports -

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34760129

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34774854

Rocco stay at Olduvai - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34775997

There are also some more comments in this thread - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34771820