Aloha All,
To all of you who have traveled to Kenya and Tanzania
Just out of curiosity --when and where would you go if you could choose any time of the year to travel and areas to visit? Where would you stay if you wanted rustic but comfortable (and not too crowded or horribly expensive) places to stay?
Thanks for your feedback!

September, Kenya

Will limit my comments to Tanzania as limited experience in Kenya. For northern circuit would like to visit in Feb during wildebeest calving season. More crowded and probably higher rates then. Would like to see Ndutu area say in January when much more lush than what we saw in recent Nov trip. Stay at Ndutu Safari Lodge (limited capacity so fills up fast!). Have had great trips in May/June and Nov seeing wildebeest migration both ways. Even w/o seeing the migration, plenty of resident wildlife to makes things interesting. The N. Crater is simply great no matter when. Always used the Sopa there simply as a clean place to rest our heads, great sunsets and close to access road for at least one part of entry/exit. Tarangire NP is excellent in say Oct/Nov when vegetation is on the sparse side. Saw numerous lions and leopards in November. Toss up between Kikoti Lodge and Tarangire Safari Lodge (less intimate, close tents but river overlook makes for great viewing).
For southern circuit particularly Ruaha NP would like to return say in August when water becomes less plentiful and game is more concentrated. Or, maybe in Jan or later when bird nesting is well underway. Have used Ruaha River Lodge but understand other reasonably priced lodging is also available.
In one sense particularly for the northern circuit any time is good, some just a bit better than others.

I would again go in Feb to Singita Grumeti! All the reserve almost for us alone, great resident wildlife incl. leopards, lion and mating cheetah plus plains game!
Fantastic experience. Particularly Sabora Tented was awesome - great vista into the Serengeti.............could not have asked for more.

SV

SV - Singita Grumeti?
The OP asked for not horribly expensive... and you suggest the most expensive.

elizabethj -

Tanzania is great - Jan-Mar for migration in Ndutu or Southeast Serengeti; June-July in Western Serengeti; Aug-Oct in Northern Serengeti

Kenya also great - July-Oct for migration in Masai Mara; rest of country is also great during this time.

Always depends on interests, how much time you have and your budget. Those periods mentioned are peak season, so expect prices to match.

Putting my money where my suggestions are...I'm doing Kenya in Sept and if you wished, you could add on the gorillas. I'm not this time. Parks: Aberdare, Meru, Shaba, Samburu, Mara. Rustic, comfortable, not too expensive could include Fishing Lodge in Aberdare, Kinna Bandas in Meru, Sarova in Shaba, Serena in Samburu (but you could choose a tented camp for similar or a little more), and in Mara there are many options. Less expensive = Serena, Keekorok, Sarova, Fig Tree, for example. This is the least expensive option of those I'll suggest.

Putting my own plans where my suggestions are...I'm planning on Southern Tanzania next Aug or Sept. That would include Mahale (chimps) for 4 nights and 3 chimp visits, which I'd recommend if you are interested in chimps, Katavi, probably Ruaha. Flycatchers has some nice itineraries using their own simple tents.

Putting my future hopes where my suggestions are...Southern Serengeti in Feb or March to see the migration. You could choose between Ndutu Lodge and several mobile camps. I think there are a couple new permanent camps that are not inexpensive.

Exciting prospects, whatever you choose.

Tracy, rsnyder, spassvogel, sandi and atravelynn---thanks so much for your responses, sharing of personal experiences and recommendations! You are all helping me and I truly appreciate your feedback. Wish I could say I'm not a bit overwhelmed with all the information I have gained from everything I have read on this site in the past few weeks. But I am the kind of person that likes to spend the time to learn from others, weigh all my options, before moving forward (must be the Libra in me)!
Looking forward to hearing what others have to say as well (HA! so I can get really confused)!!!!

You are welcome from a fellow Libra.

No wonder you have such kind, well balanced and optimistic responses!

Wow! it's tough to narrow it down but I'll try to stay within your criteria. I'd head to Hemmingways Camp in the foothills of West Kili during the dry season to catch the Ambosili elephant bulls that migrate into Tz at that time of year. Remote, rustic (but very comfortable) camp with awesome staff, good food and unbelievable vistas.