Trip planning update.....
 

Thanks to all who have patiently answered my questions. Here is my intended itinerary for an early Dec 2007 trip.

So far, the best quotes have come from Good Earth.. Has anyone used them? Roy's was about $300 more expensive than Good Earth for a private tour. Good Earth was cheaper by $550 for a group tour, promising not more than 4 people in vehicle max.

Green Footprint didnt respond. Neither did Leopard! I will try ATR next.

Suggestions welcome..

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Day 1 (Dec 1st 2007): Leave SFO for JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
Day 2: Arrival Kilimanjaro
Met on arrival in Kilimanjaro airport, and transfer to hotel in Arusha, The Mountain Village Lodge
Day 3: Arusha / Lake Manyara National Park
We drive to Lake Manyara National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The park is home to tree-climbing lion, colorful birds, elephant and hippo. (AM & PM)Game drives, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge B,L,D.
Day 4: Lake Manyara / Ngorongoro
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater, (PM) game drive, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, B,L,D.
Day 5: Ngorongoro / Serengeti
Morning (AM) game drive in the Crater, then drive with a picnic lunch to Serengeti, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, Ndutu Lodge, B,L,D.
Day 6: Serengeti
(AM & PM) Game drives in the Serengeti, in search of large predators and gentle herbivores in which they feed. Ndutu Lodge, B,L,D.
Day 7~8: Serengeti National Park
We will spend more time in the Serengeti, and this time in central Serengeti for (AM & PM) game drives, exploring the rolling plains of Serengeti National Park in search of the large predators and the gentle herbivores on which they feed. Serengeti Serena Lodge B,L,D
Day 9: Serengeti / Z’bar
(AM) Morning game drive as we go to the airstrip in the Serengeti for a flight to Z’bar (via Manyara/Arusha), met on arrival in Z’bar, and transfer to hotel in East Coast of Z’bar, Matemwe Beach Village, B,D.
Day 10~11: Matemwe Beach Village, B,D.
Day 12: Transfer to Z’bar aiport for a flight to DAR, connect your return flight from DAR, B.
Day 13 (Dec 13): Arrival SFO.

You say this is cheaper..do you mind telling us how much you are paying?

I'm not sure I understand - I didnt say this itinerary is cheaper. I said Good Earth had the cheaper quotes for the same itinerary.

(I dont know the rules of this message board while giving away pricing info.. Can I share pricing info for various operators on the board? I could email you the quotes....)

it's perfectly o.k. for you to tell us how much you paid.

It's fine to post prices of quotes you received (not against any rules). It may be helpful to others.

Ok. So here goes. I havent paid anything yet, but here are the best quotes that I have.

GoodEarth - 2695/person (group of 4)
GoodEarth - 2785/person (private tour)

African Serendipity - 3184/person (private tour)

ATR wants me to use camps - so I pushed back.

Green Footprint - no reply (yet)
CCAfrica - no reply (yet)

Thats it...

appears you are doing exactly what you should do - shop around. I assume you are comparing "apples to apples" (the same places on the same nights with same mode of transport between). Keep it up!

Yes - apples to apples. I am a bit surprised that CCAfrica and Green Footprint have not replied at all.

Sometimes I think international email can be problematic and messages don't go through. I had problems not long ago communicating with an agent in New Mexico due to AOL troubles.

If you're looking at Good Earth, I cannot imagine opting for the group of 4 over a private safari for that difference in cost.

You can do a search on GE. Many responses have been highly favorable. One or two complained that the properties had been switched on them.

Is that the price for all the way to Zanzibar too or is that an add on you are doing yourself? it looks very good though.

The price for GE includes travel to and from ZNZ.

Here is the final deal - I'm opting for a private safari and more "luxurious" stay in ZNZ, thereby bumping up the price.

Dec 1st, 2007: Leave SFO for JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport)

Dec 2: Arrival Kilimanjaro
Met on arrival in Kilimanjaro airport, and transfer to hotel in Arusha, Impala Hotel

Dec 3: Arusha / Lake Manyara National Park
We drive to Lake Manyara National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The park is home to tree-climbing lion, colorful birds, elephant and hippo. Game drives, Lake Manyara Hotel, B,L,D.

Dec 4: Lake Manyara / Serengeti
Today we leave Lake Manyara for Serengeti, game drive in Serengeti, in search of large predators and gentle herbivores in which they feed, Ndutu Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 5: Serengeti
More game drives in the Serengeti, Ndutu Lodge, B,L,D.

Dec 6~7: Serengeti National Park
We will spend two full days with morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti exploring the rolling plains of Serengeti National Park in search of the large predators and the gentle herbivores on which they feed. Seronera Wildlife Lodge, B,L,D

Dec 8: Serengeti / Ngorongoro
After breakfast, we will drive to Ngorongoro, with optional ($50/group) visit of Masai Village, and optional ($3/person) visit to Olduvai Gorge. Arrive in Ngorongoro for afternoon game drive in the Crater, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge B,L,D.

Dec 9: Ngorongoro / Arusha
Another game drive in Ngorongoro crater, then we drive to Arusha, Impala Hotel, B,L.

Dec 10: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for a flight to Z’bar, leaving JRO at 10:50am, arriving Z’bar at 12:10pm. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel in East Coast, Breeze Beach Club (Deluxe room), B,D.

Dec 11~12: Breeze Beach Club (Deluxe room), B,D.

Dec 13: Transfer to Z’bar aiport for a flight to DAR, connect your return flight from DAR, B.

Dec 14: Arrival SFO.

Price = $3,010/person

Price includes:
-PRIVATE safari for 2 people
-Arrival and departure Kilimanjaro / Z’bar airports transfers
-Accommodation as indicated (2 people sharing a double room)
-Meals (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) as indicated
-All park fees, and government taxes.
-Services of Professional English-speaking driver- guide.
-Game drives in Land Rover/Cruiser with pop up roof!
-Bottled water while on safari
-FLIGHT: JRO to ZNZ including taxes
-FLIGHT: ZNZ to DAR including taxes

My regular travel agent was able to set me up with this tour operator Tanzania Safari Wonders who quoted $2500 per person for the same quote....

I trust my agent, but havent heard anyone use them in fodors. They appear to be a small outfit based in Arusha..

http://www.tanzaniasafariwonders.com/contact.html

Any ideas?

Just curious, did you ever hear from CCAfrica?

It may be possible that the reply from CCA got caught up in your spam?.....they are very very professional and prompt with emails. It's very unlikely that they didnt just ignore your email....

Hari

Yes - finally heard today. And instead of quoting a price for my itinerary, theyre seemed more intent on selling me on their itinerary. So I'm not going to work with them.

CCAs first responsibility is to themselves, to sell their own properties, then other high-end properties. They really don't do or encourage Serena/Sopa/Wildlife-type itineraries.

Posted in another thread - but applicable. For the price difference, go with the private tour; well worth it.

I just went on a climb and safari with Good Earth this fall. I was generally pleased with their service. The vehicles aren't the newest ones out there, but seem to be kept up well - good condition, very clean. Our guide was actually helping out to repair some other company's landcruiser. I believe Good Earth has good guides who treated us and our interests well. I believe Good Earth only has 10 vehicles or so, making them one of the smaller companies to book with.

My only issue with them was on our climbing portion and an itinerary change. I'd just recommend you confirm your itinerary (and bring a copy, in writing) a month or so prior to departing.

Even with our issue, I wouldn't have an issue endorsing Good Earth. Hope that helps.