We have had a re think about our trip. Do you think this itinerary and time is better than our first itineray for July. We would leave Australia the first weekend in August 2009. We would then have:

2 nights Nairobi
9 nights Tanzania
4 nights Masai Mara (mid August)
7 nights Zanzibar

Getting to East Africa from Australia is not easy. It looks like we can only use FF miles on economy Sydney to Joahnnesburg. It is way to early to book flights yet but searching for FF flights over the next year have only come up with economy seats. I don't think Qantas offer business seats as they know they will fill them. We would then have to fly to Nairobi. It looks like flying into Dar es Saalam is more expensive. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Looks good. Would you be leaving the very end of July to have the Mara days come up mid-August?

This is what we are thinking but are open to suggestions.

2 Aug Leave Australia and overnight Metcourt Johannesburg

3&4 Aug Nairobi sightseeing etc

5-14 Aug Tanzania

15 Aug Overnight Nairobi if needed

16-19 Aug Masai Mara

20-26 Aug Zanzibar

27 Aug Fly home if we can get a connecting flight otherwise stay overnight Johannesburg and fly home the next day.

Does that sound OK? We could move it forward by a week and leave Australia on 26th July putting us in the Mara 9th August but don't think we can delay the trip any further.

I think the later you're in the Mara the better, so I would not move the date forward. With a combination of the western Serengeti, northern Serengeti, and the Mara, you're increasing your odds of being in the right place at the right time for the migration. I like the itinerary.

Dana_M,
Thanks for the reply. I think we now have the dates set. Now we just have to co-ordinate the safari etc. Your upcoming trip looks great and we are also looking at staying Lemala whilst we are there.

Hi Georgie,
Glad to see you've worked out your dates. Now you can get down to the fine tuning. You will have an amazing time. But of course, you already know that, don't you

I am sure we will have fabulous time not matter what we see. If it is half as good as Botswana and I am sure it will be I will be thrilled to bits. I am now looking forward to the fine tuning and booking but then it will be the LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG wait. How will we ever cope.

For those who have taken the shuttle bus from Nairobi to Arusha. Did you get your visas at the border? Was it easy? I thought I read that Australins needed visas for Kenya but not Tanzania. Does anyone know if that is correct? I will of course check with the embassies closer to our depature date as things change.

I already had my visa.