sundowner

I really enjoyed your photots, Rocco (and your trip report!). You are improving each time you go. I especially like the ele scratching (at the beginning) and the lion in the trees (how awesome is that!) and the cheetah on the rock and the giraffe & zebra running across the plain. Very cool.

Roccco

Sundowner,

The really cool thing is that those zebras and giraffe were running from ME as I approached them on foot.


Bat,

I would definitely recommend the Canal House for a multi-night visit.

Patty

sueblue,
Nomad doesn't take direct booking so you would need to contact an agent. They also don't operate in Kenya.

CC Africa can book a combined Kenya/Tanzania itinerary for you, but you'll probably find availability at their camps very tight as well. They operate Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Crater Lodge, Kleins, Grumeti, Bateleur & Kichwa Tembo. They can also book non-CCA properties.

cooncat

Wow - I hadn't finished this until now. First, I am glad you made it home OK and that you indeed did not go septic with that toe. What a drag! I hope you feel like the trip to East Africa was worth it. Sounds like you saw a lot of great action. Like Leely, I don't like baby kills, and I hope to not witness any in Zambia! Seems like Alexsandra really enjoyed it so that's a good thing. I'll go back over the photos later, but I, too, really enjoyed your report!
Sharon

waynehazle

I am a little behind, just readign through The Killing Fields and the baby wildebeest. Ya just had to cross their path huh little one?

"and while they were all nice enough, they were all from the UK"

I love this line

bat

Thanks Rocco
Re the Palms, did your suite have an ocean view?

Roccco

bat,

Unfortunately, although right on the ocean, the rooms do not have ocean views. Because it is a smaller property, all the chalets are formed in a semi circle around the pool rather than facing out to the ocean.

Also, it is worth noting that while the Palms does get the sunrise, the sunset is on the other side of the island.

Each room does have its own private space overlooking the beach and ocean, with a daybed, small table and a couple chairs.

bat

Thanks Rocco:
That is what I thought from the pictures and video but I could not be sure.

Tremizzle

Hi Roccco.

I'm looking for the Nomad Ndutu camp on the ATR website and can't find it. Does it also go by the name Olakira Ndutu camp? ATR suggested staying at Olakira for 2 nights, and I'm wondering if it's the same place that you liked so much. (We are also going in late Feb/early March.)

Incidentally, they also (strongly) suggested Olduvai Camp. I had second thoughts about this camp, which were confirmed after reading your trip report.

Thanks for all the info!

Roccco

Tremizzle,

Olakira and Nomad Ndutu (aka Nomad Masek) will be two different camps. Definitely hold out for Nomad.

www.nomad-tanzania.com

However, where you are possibly going wrong in booking with ATR is that all of your safari PRIOR to reaching Nomad will be done by MKSC and will only improve once you are handed off to Nomad. MKSC would be about the last ground handler that I would ever want to use again after my experience. The experience was not enough to ruin my safari...I am not saying it was THAT tragic...just enough to really be very annoying...two busted windows in the back, a front passenger door that rattled incessantly and even flew open on a couple occasions while driving, uninterested guide (yet very knowledgable, making it all the more frustrating), a proposed charge of $150 per day extra by ATR directly if I wanted a vehicle change, etc.

Contact Sandi at Africa Serendipity, Eben at Kiliwarriors or even some of the other ground handlers directly OR demand that ATR provide you with Nomad ground handling for the duration of your safari but do not make the mistake of allowing MKSC to be your ground handler...I am not the only one on this forum with such issues. ATR is very capable of hiring Nomad to be your ground handler from start to finish and the price should not be too much extra...even if it is $100 per day more, it will be worth every penny to have an expert Nomad guide in a pristine Nomad vehicle!

www.africaserendipity.com
www.kiliwarriors.com
www.nomad-tanzania.com