Predator, I just found your website. (I told you all I do is obsessively search the internet for safari information!) I plan to contact you directly. Hope that's ok!!

c_dot: The Kalahari Summer Special is organized by Footsteps in Africa and the 5 Rivers is a combination of companies but Kwando Safaris has the best camps in that special in my opinion. Neither of them take direct bookings but I'm sure they can recommend agents to you and any agent selling their properties should be able to help assuming they are knowledgable on the specials.

I think your addiction to this board and other safari resources is common when planning a trip and deciding where to go first is always a tough one because there are so many great choices. Most here will tell you your affiliction is just beginning because once you go you will be even more in love and constantly trying to figure out where next and when. Consider yourself warned about the African addiction.

Good Earth Tours have scheduled departures for Tanzania Northern Circuit listed for February 2009. More info here: http://www.goodearthtours.com/index.html

I did the scheduled Tanzania Classic with them in October 2005 and as it turned out I was the only one booked so I had a private safari with my own vehicle and guide. It was wonderful. I believe they guarantee no more than 4 people per vehicle and a window seat for everyone.

This year I returned with 3 safari newbies on a custom itinerary and Good Earth delivered a fantastic safari experience once again.

Happy planning,



Pol

We went with OAT to Tanzania in 2007. They delivered as advertised and we had no complaints except for a few minor inconveniences. We had 12 people and 3 cars with 4 per standard Landcruiser which meant very little personal space. Extended vehicles from other companies looked more convenient.

The camp was great and the lodges were fine but out of the way and we drove many hours every day to get to the parks. In hindsight we wished we skipped Tarangire and the second night at Farm House in favor of more nights in the Serengeti.

I hesitate to recommend OAT for singles as we were all couples.

Pol, thank you. I'm going to check them out.

Gilsomenni, thank you as well. I have some reservations about OAT. I know some people say the accommodations aren't that important, but to me that is a big part of the experience. When I last looked at their trips, the lodgings seemed rather so-so. But, its so hard to tell!

The feedback on this site has been so helpful. Thanks, everyone!

C.

C dot - we just returned from OAT's Serengeti Safari. It was very enjoyable, Kibo did an excellent job. The accomodations were great and the food delicious, even in the Serengeti Tented camp.

It sounds like you are more concerned about the accomodations rather than the experience of Tanzania. If you are looking for 5* lodging then OAT is not for you. Their lodges are nice, comfortable and clean but nothing fancy. They are set in quiet areas and small. This allows you to enjoy your visits and meals with your fellow travelers. No long "buffet" lines in a hugh dining room here! The food is prepared by one chef and a small staff, always excellent (my husband and I are big time foodies) and piping hot!

Lodges: We stayed at the Lake Berungi (sp) lodge and the Tloma Mtn Lodge near the crater. Tloma was my favorite it is a small self sustaining farm (20 cottages) an intimate small lodge, in a beautiful setting, the rooms are good size cottages. Lake Berungi is a Tented Lodge with perminate tents on a platform overlooking the lake. Olasiti Lodge in Arusha where you start your safari is in a private gated compound. As Shay Tay mentions - Tanganyika Wilderness camps - check out their website. The Serengeti Tents are just that, tents with insuite bath & shower. It was amazing how the cook prepared the delicious meals (and the best soups) every night from his little make-shift kitchen. No one in our group got sick.

Be prepared for the africa experience long, bumpy, dusty drives. But is well worth it if you want to really see Tanzania. OAT does empasize the Tanzania culture having several discovery days, when you meet the local tribes and go to the local markets. You also have a nightly meeting to discuss the days activities and what is planned for tomorrow. The guides are very knowledgable in every aspect, are eager to answer any of your questions. You also visit a school and have time to talk to a student one on one.

Someone mentioned a single traveler I do not know if this is your situation. We did have someone that travels all over the world with OAT by herself. We noticed when the rooms were assigned the guides gave her the room nearest to the lodge. She no way felt alone for we all were one big family.

I used to think a Tanzania safari is all about the animals, but now not so. I will always remember the kind loving people that are always smiling,and very proud of their heritage and country.

Safari Nimja
SD

I do not think c_dot wants 5* accommodations!

'My interests are in being as close to nature as possible, without having to pitch my own tent or sleep on the ground.'

Our OAT Serengeti Camp was close to nature and we enjoyed it much more than the other OAT lodges which were tourist accommodations. I looked at the Tanganyika Wilderness Camps website and our tents were more basic than the ones shown so perhaps OAT uses a different camp? We were not looking for luxury and the camp was our favorite.

It is true the OAT safari covers a lot of ground and the roads were very bad. We were not bothered by transfer distances but we expected to be inside the parks and we were not. At Tarangire we wasted a lot of time getting from the lodge to the park and back and the same thing happened at the Ngorongoro. Our guide said we were lucky to be at Farm House because the other OAT lodge was much further from the gate. The views from the edge of the crater were amazing and next time we will choose to stay near the edge.

c_dot also wants to know how to go on safari but not be part of a crowd. In my experience OAT is not a good suggestion.

Sounds like you have a good idea of what I'm looking for Gilsomenni. Thanks for your comments. I don't think sleeping off the ground equates to a 5* lodge. However, I will admit that I like to have my cake and eat it, too. I want a fabulous wildnerness tent, with screened sides, that is niceley appointed with perhaps even a real bed, and has an outdoor shower. Although, I'd sleep anywhere as long as I had a mosquito net and a Maasai warrior to stand guard with a spear. In any event, the issue is resolved because PredatorBiologist has set me up with exactly what I had in mind in Botswana. I'm very excited to be moving forward with my trip! Next I try to figure out shots; and try to keep my fears at bay of things like strange looking bugs, things that fly directly toward your tent at night, curious snakes, rampaging hippos, and accidentally drinking the water. I'm psyched!!!
c_dot

Favorite lodging in TZ--to go back to the original question--probably Kikoti Tented Lodge. Mbuzi Mwawe (sp?) was already booked when we planned our trip three months out. Sopa at the Crater was just fine and the Serengeti Serena excellent. Also the OAT groups always looked like they were having fun and their one guide we talked to was quite friendly and nice. How can you lose going to TZ??? We loved driving up in the dark to Kikoti, being greeted with a tray of stemmed glasses rimmed with sugar crystals and filled with pineapple juice--and warm damp clothes for our faces and hands. Very freindly there--we were the only guests the night we were there. Photos at www.pbase.com/pattyroth

Off to Tanzania tomorrow, the 2nd, and will post a report in a few weeks. Itinerary: Arusha, Tangire, Ngorongoro and E and W Serengeti. Then flight Grumetti back to Arusha and home via KLM. Ciao, L