jules73

Hi all,
Could anyone offer me any further advice on my honeymoon plans for next year. I had posted a previous message on which many of you had given some great advice, but it seems to have gone missing.

I was wondering am I trying to fit too much in? I had hoped for an extra night in Tarangire.
Is there too much travelling in the northern safari schedule?
I don't want to shorten the relaxation of the beach to finish.
I have considered cutting out Mahale which would be a crying shame but also solve a few problems with buget!
Any comments?
So far looking to go with Roys. Exclusive sarafi mainly mobile semi-luxury in private/special campsites with a nights lodge in Tarangire (any advice on which on??)
Price quoted ~$6000pp

rd July - Arrive in Arusha. Drive to Tarangire
4th July - Central Serengeti (via Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands)
5th July - Western Serengeti
6th July - Western Serengeti
7th July - Drive to Ngorongoro
8th July - Ngorongoro
9th July - Drive to Arusha. Overnight at Impala Hotel (BB)
10th July - Fly to Mahale. Greystoke Camp
11th July - Mahale
12th July - Mahale
13th July - Return to Arusha. Overnight at Impala Hotel (BB)
14th July - Fly to Zanzibar. Overnight in Stone Town (optional afternoon excurions - Stone Town Tour or Spice Plantation tour)
15th July - Drive to Matemwe Beach Village, overnight at Asali Suite (FB)
16th - 19th July - Matemwe Beach Village
20th July - Transfer to Zanzibar airport for flight to Dar es Salaam

Many thanks,
Jules

chrisamg

I too am off to Tanzania ffor my honeymoon in late June next year then on to Zanzibar after. Also with Roys but I can't decide how too go on safari for and how long beach. Your itinery looks great. You may still catch the Migration at that time of year and so perhaps a day or two longer in the Western Serengeti may be advisble. Also some of the camps have special accomodation for Honeymooners which may be of interest. I am close to booking my Honeymoonand try to keep you posted.
Chris

sandi

jules73 -

I know how it is when you have one particular stop stuck in your mind (Mahale) and hate to give it up. But this is the most costly part of your trip. And if you already feel you're moving around too much, you might be. Also, because of the Mahale segment, you have two nights in Arusha due to flight schedules. I'd rather use these for something else.

By eliminating Mahale (air r/t and daily rates) you have extra money and days to "slow down" a bit, spend more time and add "a little romance" - I believe guys can be romantic!

You can add another day at Tarangire which is my favorite and that of so many others. And a perfect time to be visiting here. Camping here is fine and the food prepared is outstanding and the crew with you are lots of fun and an interesting experieince with good conversation over the fire. If you can get 1-nt at a permanent tented camp - Swala or Kikoti (have private honeymoon tents) - check price; then continue with semi lux camping.

In the Western Serengeti - semi-lux camping is fine, but Kirawira or Mbalegati for night would be a bonus - and "romantic"

You don't mention where you'll be staying in Stone Town. There is, of course, the Serena Inn, but on the expensive side. Also, Emerson & Green, Tembo House and Dhow Palace. But there is a small 6-room, rather plain building across from the Serena Inn - the Beit al Chai (B&B only) but charming interior good size rooms and not expensive. Something to think about.

But you have to decide whether Mahale is the "must" - otherwise you can't afford the permanent camps and romance.

Try this:
Day 1 - Arv JRO - o/n here
Day 2 - Arusha - canoe safari Arusha NP; afternoon Il N'gresi Cultural Tour - o/n Arusha - this will be a relaxing first day after your flights.
Day 3 - To Tarangire - o/n Kikoti or Swala
Day 4 - Tarangire - camping
Day 5 - To Ngorongoro - camping
Day 6 - Ngorongoro - camping
Day 7 - To Central Serengeti - camping
Day 8 - To Western Serengeti - camping
Day 9 - W.Serengeti - camping
Day 10- W.Serengeti - Kirawira or Mbalageti
Day 11- W.Serengeti - Kirawira or Mbalageti
Day 12 - Fly to Arusha to Zanzibar
-o/n Stone Town - Beit al Chai (Tea House) or E&G (some of their smaller rooms might not be as expensive)
Day 13 - Stone Town
Day 14 - Early drive to Matemwe
Day 15 - Matemwe
Day 16 - Matemwe
Day 17 - to Dar for homebound flight

This way you start with a bit of romance and end with some while on safari... it also slows down the itinerary. Just some things to consider, but you've got to decide and soon.

PalmSpringsDeb

Just my thoughts, but if this is a region you plan on ever returning to in the future, try to get in as much alone time as possible. After the flurry of the wedding passes, you'll really need R&R. You can always plan a trip back to "sink your teeth" in to your adventure then...

lisa

Jules -- If you click on your name, you can find your other thread.

jules73

Hi,
Just back from holiday, R& R on a Greek island, so sorry not replied to all your helpful advice earlier.
Sandi as ever fantastic advice, and during the last week I think i have come to the same conclusion...Mahale can wait for another time. Other suggestions sound great. I'm on to them later today.
Lisa, thanks! I'd like to think I'm not so slow most days!
Chris look forward to hearing more!
Julian

chrisamg

Hi Jules,

Another 1973'er, great year. Although it does make us 32 now.
Here is my provisional itinery. I would love some feed back.
June 2006
19 arrive Ars o/n Mt village(BB)
20 Ngorongoro o/n Ngo Crater lodge (North/south camp) FB
21 Kirawira (FB)
22 Kirawira (FB)
23 Mbalageti (FB) - tented chalet (west) or Olakira (Central) (FB)
24 Mbalageti (FB) - tented chalet
25 Mbalageti (FB) - tented chalet
26 Gibbs farm or Ngo Farmhouse
27 mto wa mbu cultural tour + o/n Mt village(BB)
28 fly to ZNZ, trsf to mnemba island o/n FB mnemba island FB
30 Mnemba island FB
01 july: trsf to ZNZ island. end of services.
We found that Mnemba is not so highly priced if you go before the beginning of July.
We don't fly back to the UK until the 9th July so I thought 5 nights chilling somewhere cheap perhaps in Nungwi and then 3 nights at the Asali Suite at Matembwe Village and our last night in Emerson in Stone town.
Please advise of any changes or extras you may think of.
Many thanks Chris

Leely

Chris,
You may get more responses if you post your itinerary on a thread of its own. Looks very nice, by the way, but I'm not sure why you would want both Kirawira and Mbalageti?

jules73

Hi guys,
I'm still not fully decided on my trip believe it or not!
The good news is that it is provisionally booked, although I've just requested some changes after reading amfs's recent honeymoon report. I'm trying to change Maternwe beach to 2 nights Chumbe/ 5 nights Pongwe.
I've just re-read your advice Sandi and I realise I probably should have followed it to the word, with what I know now!
I'd be interested particularly in opinions on the camping and the sites. I've gone for Swala at the start and then figured we can re-coup in Zanzibar after the camping. I opted for 2 nights in central Serengeti to avoid any "one-nighters" though I appreciate the action will probably be in the western corridor. Is this the right option to take?
Here's is latest itinery

3rd July - Arrive in Arusha. Drive to Tarangire. o/n Tarangire Swala Camp - OK
4th July - Full day Tarangire. o/n Tarangire Swala Camp - OK
5th July - Game drive in Tarangire. Overnight at Gibbs Farm - Waitlisted for now, booked Plantation Lodge as stand-by option,
6th July - Drive to Ngorongoro. SLC in private campsite. (Tembo B SpecialCampsite)
7th July - Ngorongoro. SLC in private campsite. (Tembo B SpecialCampsite)
8th July - Central Serengeti (via Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands). Semi-lux camping in private campsite (Turner B Special Camp)
9th July - Central Serengeti. Semi-lux camping in private campsite (Turner B Special Camp)
10th July - Western Serengeti. SLC in private campsite (Kirawira 1 Special Camp)
11th July - Western Serengeti. SLC in private campsite (Kirawira 1 Special Camp)
12th July - Fly to Zanzibar with 10h05 Regional Air flight, arriving in Znz at 14h00 met & transferred to Emerson & Green for (The Keep Suite, BB) - OK
13th July - Drive to Matemwe Beach Village for overnight at Shamba Suite HB)
14th - 19th July - Matemwe Beach Village (Shamba suite HB)
20th July - Transfer to Zanzibar airport for P/Air flight to Nairobi. Departing Znz at 12h30, arriving Dar at 12h50, departing Dar at 15h15, arriving in Nairobi at 16h30.


TOTAL AMENDED PRICE = US$5165pp (with Roy's)

Thanks for your help hopefully for the last time before I put my money where my mouth is!

Jules