cumar

Hi all,

V are visiting Ndutu in last week of Feb. for 3 days and NGO for 1 day.

Just wondering whether it is worth going to Serengeti/Seronera region for a day and Tarangire for a day. Main focus of this trip is photography. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Senthil

HariS

Hi Senthil,

I have been to Serengeti only once, so not an expert. But, i do believe the Seronera warrants a few more days than just one. Ndutu is meant to be good for this period, and if your interest is photography i would suggest add one more day to Ndutu. If you interest is photography, the more time you spend in one area the better your chances to capture something good.

Tarangire - i have never been to.

Cheers
Hari

Maurice_M

Hi Senthil, see this link http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35101102

regards

Maurice

sandi

At this time of year the 3/dys Ndutu and 1/dy Ngorongoro is ideal especially for game viewing.

You might want to spend one of the days while in Ndutu driving north thru the Kopje (granite boulders) of the Serengeti towards Seronera. But you will have to pay another park fee. Ndutu is in NCA, Seronera in Serengeti.

As to Tarangire, the park is lovely, but not at its' best for game in January. It's likely to be quite dry (it is summer), but the landscape with baobab trees is lovely.

If you have the time, returning from Ngorongoro, stop at Tarangire for a day before heading back to Arusha.

cumar

Thanks folks for the replies. Maurice from your other posts, it looks like you are primarily there for more serious photography. 3 of are going there for just the same.

I am confused - the way my trip is setup now is

1 day at Tarangire, then 1 day at Seronera, then 3 days at Ndutu and 1 at NGO on the way back to Kili airport.

I think I might be able to add day to the trip. Where should I bet and try to add? Another day extra at Ndutu, Seronera or NGO, to give more chances at catching big cats hunting?

Appreciate your suggestions,
Senthil

cumar

And how long does it take to drive from NGO to Kili airport?

Cheers,
Senthil

Calo

Cumar, you might want to consider a visit to Lake Manyara at that time of year. Otherwise Ndutu and Southern Serengeti are where you want to be (along with the Crater, of course).

Drive time from Ngorongoro to Arusha is approximately 4 hours, then another 45 minutes to Kili.

sandi

Tarangire to Seronera is a very very long drive... can be 6-7/hrs. Seronera is easily 3.5/hrs from Ngorongoro which you have to pass.

While drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro is long, it's doable with an early start to be at the crater in time for an afternoon crater visit.

From Ngorongoro to Ndutu is about 2/hrs.

If you're not going to fly to/from the farthest destination (Seronera), then it's suggested you break up visiting these areas with somewhat more sensible drive-times.

Arusha-Ngorongoro - 4.5-5/hrs.
Ngorongoro - Seronera - 3-3.5/hrs (max) w/o game viewing along the way
Seronera - Ndutu - 2-2.5/hrs
Ndutu - Tarangire - 4.5-5/hrs
Tarangire - Arusha - 2-2.5/hrs
Arusha - Kili/JRO - 45/min-1/hr

All dependent on traffic, road conditions, stops along the way.

crassman

As a serious photographer why are you spending so much time on the road in transit? Try to minimise your one night stops.

pixelpower

Strange and extremely short itinerary!!

I've visited all parks there, so here's my view...

- If you have to choose between 1 day Manyara and 1 day Tarangire, I'd opt for Tarangire, as it has huge herds of elephants. A sight which you will not see in any other park onyour list, and for a photographer... elephants ARE on your list, right? ;-) If you pick a lodge in Tarangire, try to get one at the entrance of the park (ic mimimize your drive time to Serengeti!). also, Manyara is much smaller (you can see the park in half a day), and it has very little that makes it stand out. Some are gona say "water birds", but I don't know... they are far away most of the time, so perhaps you're better off at Ndutu lake, or in the Ngorongoro crater.

- 3 days in Seronera is cool. Not much, but OK. Seronera river is always flowing so gamedrives are always good. In februari, the migration should be in the east of Serengeti (around the kopjes), so that's between Seronera and Ndutu. You'll see plenty of animals!

- Hence I also understand staying at Ndutu for one day. Definitely worth it.

- But what I absolutely don't understand is that you skip the Ngorongoro crater while you're there. Arguably the highest concentration of predators in the world. You sure you wanna miss that??

Ciao,

j.

pixelpower

With "miss" I mean; I know you go there for one day but... one day surely is very minimal.

cumar

Thanks pixelpower.

V r going to Ngorongoro for 2 days now. Still not finalized Manyara. Had Tarangire instead of Manyara; then changed to Manyara because it is going to be dry there, with dearth of animals, as Sandi above.

Another option is adding that day to serengeti, and skipping both Tarangire and Manyara.

Still confused...

BTW - What would the fee be for the crater for the whole day from early morning to sunset? I read somewhere that the entry fee is valid only for 1/2 day. Is it true?

Cheers,
Senthil