Calo

I'm working on my itinerary for a second safari to Tanzania in June/July of 2008. I'd appreciate any feedback.

Day 1 - arrive Arusha - overnight Kibo
Day 2 - morning Arusha Nat'l Park
afternoon West Kili
overnight Hemingway's Camp
Day 3 - West Kili, overnight Hemingway's
Day 4 - Arusha - shopping
overnight Kibo Palace
Day 5 - Arusha to Ngorongoro
afternoon crater
overnight Ngor. Serena
Day 6 - morning Crater
afternoon boma visit
overnight Ngor Serena
Day 7 - drive Crater to Mbalageti
overnight Mbalageti
Day 8 - western Serengeti
overnight Mbalageti
Day 9 - Mbalageti to Sayari Camp
overnight Sayari
Days 10&11 - northern corridor
overnight Sayari
Day 12- Sayari to Mbuzi Mawe
overnight Mbuzi Mawe
Day 13- Seronera
overnight Mbuzi Mawe
Day 14- Mbuzi Mawe to Lake Manyara
afternoon game drive, Lk Manyara
overnight Kirurumu tented camp
Day 15- Lake Manyara to Tarangire
overnight Tarangire River Camp
Day 16- Tarangire, overnight River Camp
Day 17- Tarangire to Arusha
day room use Serena Mt Village

Nikao

I think people are usually visiting the different parks the other way round (that's at least what I did last year, and will be doing this year)
First tarangire, then manyara then the crater then serengeti... For me the serengeti was the best, so I like it in this order (save the best for last )

But it sounds like a really nice safari. I've been to Sayari and enjoyed that very much...

sandi

Though many do visit Tarangire and Manyara first, returning from the farthest point by air, you've decided on a drive only itinerary. You've done it the correct way. Especially, waiting for Tarangire at the end when the grasses will be lower.

Though the drives between Mbalageti/Sayari, Sayari/Mbuzi Mawe and Mbuzi Mawe/Lk. Manyara will be long ones.

Good itinerary.

Calo

Nikao - any insight you can give on Sayari would be great. What time of year were you there? How many nights did you spend? What was the game viewing like?

Sandi - I had some reservations about those long drives but we had a few this year that we managed, and I find the time goes by quickly, especially with an entertaining guide along. We loved Tarangire so "saving it" to the end will be a treat. It seems to me I read that it's a favorite of yours too.

annhig

Hi, Calo - hope you don't mind answering a few questions from newcomer to this forum and safaris. i'm researching a possible trip for my family for july/august 2007 looking at kenya and tanzania, through various tour companies - go2 africa, ATR etc.
I assume from your posting that you are organising this all independently - is that better? cheaper? - how do you organise travelling between camps/lodges and hiring a guide?

sorry if these are daft questions, but I'm quite new to this, and any help would be greatly appreciated.
for what it's worth,, your itinerary looks great to me - i may just copy it!

Regards, ann

Calo

Hi Ann - welcome to the forum! You'll find a wealth of information here for planning your safari.

What I'm doing is planning an itinerary to send to my preferred safari company in Tanzania who will ultimately give me a quote, book my accommodations and provide a private guide. It is my preference to book a private safari rather than a group trip. This can usually be done without much (if any) added cost and I much prefer the opportunities and options available in planning my own itinerary. And it's fun to get suggestions and input from others on the forum based on their own experiences.

A good place to start in planning a safari is to consider:
1. when you are able to travel
2. what you want to see and do
3. what your budget is
4. what type of accommodations you want

Once you've pinned those things down you can start researching your options and asking specific questions on the forum.

You should also have a look at the New East Africa Trip Report Index which is a valuable reference when planning a safari: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

Feel free to ask all kinds of questions Ann, and happy planning!

annhig

Hi, Calo - thanks for the reply. may I ask which company you are using?

Calo

Ann, I booked my safari this year with Roy Safaris based on research and recommendations from others on the forum. For my next trip I'm going with the same guide who has left Roy's to start his own company.

raelond

Calo would you know the name of the company this guide has started?

Calo

Raelond, you can find his company at warriortrails dot com. We requested Clamian based on recommendations by others on this website. You might want to read Sharon's account of her experience with him when she and her husband went on safari with Roy's this year. Do a search for Best Safari Driver in Tanzania.

safaridude

Calo, I drove from the Crater to Kirawira in September. It was one of the best experiences ever. The key, I think, is the vehicle. A friend of mine did the same drive in July and had a horrible time. Our vehicle had 8 shock absorbers. We hardly noticed the bumps.

Calo

Safaridude - I loved that drive too when we did it this year, so I imagine that the Mbalageti to Sayari drive will be just as fabulous, albeit a longer day. Good point about the vehicle. I'd add that an experienced, knowlegable driver is also key in negotiating those roads!