when to go
 

Pls.hlp. 3 of us want to take our mother(70) on a safari. We are having a problem finding a date that we all can make. we are hoping for the serengeti, Ngorongoro crater & 1one more suggestion. Right now the best time would be mar. Maybe late Feb. IS rain a big problem and any suggestion what Com to help 3 totally uninformed people. Appreciate any suggestions. what would be the next best time?

If I could pick any time to go to the Serengeti it would be late Feb!

The weather charts, located 2/3 down the page in these links, are not centered, but you can piece the months and #s together. Here is weather, including rain, in Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
http://www.safarilands.org/np_ngorongoro.php
http://www.safarilands.org/np_serengeti.php

As you’ll see, it is not as dry as July or August, but not the wettest. The rains just prior to Feb have been heavy these last couple years making driving muddy. One poster even mentioned the term “mudding” when the vehicle does a 360 in the stuff. The crater road can get a bit harrowing. But who knows next year?

The reason Feb is a good time is the migration is usually in force in Southern Tanzania and it is often when the baby wildebeests are born. This year the babies started coming in March, but Jan and Feb is more common timing.

The next best time, in my opinion, is when I have gone—late July. No tse tses or regular flies then and lovely weather. Because it is the dry season, the animals congregate near the available water.

Check out this chart for the best wildlife viewing times throughout Africa.

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

See this site for the “best safari & perfect itinerary” in primarily Tanzania for any month. Months are listed along the left.

http://www.kiliwarriors.com/

For the one more camp to add to the crater and Serengeti, first be sure you spend at least 3 nights up to 5 nights in the Serengeti. Where in the Serengeti depends on when you go. If you still have more time after the crater and Serengeti then in Feb-March spend 1 or 2 nights in Manyara. In the dry season spend at least 2 nights in Tarangire.

Which companies? Here are a few Africa specialists that have been used by Fodorites with success.

In Tanzania & US:
Good Earth www.goodearthtours.com

In Tanzania:
Kiliwarriors http://www.kiliwarriors.com/

In Florida, US
Africa Adventure Company
http://www.africa-adventure.com

In New York, US
Africa Serendipity www.africaserendipity.com

In UK:
ATR (Africa Travel Resource) www.africatravelresource.com

There are many 70 year olds on safari. Have a great trip.

feb is a faboblous time to go to the Serengeti!

If you're going at this time a year, I would leave out Tarangire unless you really like to see elephants.

Rain is unpredictable, shouldn't be a problem at all after december. But this year prooves that nature is unpredictable ;)

As far as companies go I'd like to suggest Green Footprint Adventures (www.greenfootprint.co.tz) in addition to the onse atravelynn already mentioned. The company is Tanzania (Arusha) based, and owned by a dutch woman (my sister in law) and a south african guide (and TV-star hehe ;) )
But the company you should choose is very dependend on your whishes; Are you opting for a budget/group safari or do you want to taste the real african experience to the max and do you want to do a private safari. Tented camps or lodges?
Many possibilities you should consider.

What are you thinking of when it comes to the type of safari?

Tks for all the pointers. We will want a private group. we want mid range. No camping.

and what are your particular interests?
elephants? go to Tarangire.
Wild Dogs? go to Suyan
etc, etc.

big interest is elephants, rhino but know that will be just luck.

ok..then Id definately go to Tarangire for the elephants.. and you have a big chance of seeing Rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Last time I was there I saw 12 (most of them in a fair distance) of the total population of 19 (am I correct about this number?)

If the "one more suggestion" can be in Kenya as well, then Samburu or Amboseli for large herds of elephants. I believe the elephants are not concentrated within Tarangire in Feb (someone correct me if I'm wrong). We saw many herds in Amboseli in Feb. However if you don't care about seeing large numbers of them, it's unlikely that you'll miss seeing them regardless of where you go.

Again in Kenya, Lewa, Sweetwaters, Nakuru or Solio for rhinos with Solio having the largest population. All except Nakuru are private reserves.