Peter_Joanne

In 5 days we leave for our first safari experince in Tanzania (Northern Circuit). We are very exicted. It wook over a year to plan and this forum was extremely valuable.

I was just advised by our operator that there was a change in our accomodations (2 nights). We are now booked for 2 nights at the Mbalageti Tented Camp as opposed to the Serengeti Serena Lodge, the reason given was that the migration will be in the Western Serengeti at that time (next week!!!). I was told there was no extra cost to us, which I take to mean we have been up-graded. It looks nice, but my wife is not convienced it is a better. She is particularly concerned of mosquitos in the tents. Does anyone have any advice/opinions?
Thanks
Peter&Joanne
Canada

sandi

Mbalageti Chalet/tents in the Western Serengeti is absolutely an upgrade. Take my word after seeing the accommodations, mosquitoes won't be a worry here any more than at the Serena Lodge. The canvas is all treated and the screens are sealed. The chalets are quite luxurious.

Beginning of June may be a bit early for the migration in the Western Serengeti, as we learned last year, but it can change from year-to-year. However, if you're on a private safari and have unlimited mileage with your outfitter you can drive just about anywhere.

Why not post your entire itinerary (# of days, where and accommodations) and do remember - trip report on your return. Happy travels.

santharamhari

While Mbalageti is certainly more luxurious in terms of accomodation, i dont know if the migration will be in the Western corridor by early june (which is next week). All recent reports that i remember to have read indicate that the migration is still around ndutu and the vicinity.......however, the western corridor has it's own resident game.....lots of lions. Are you flying into Grumeti airstrip?

Hari

Peter_Joanne

I just heard back from the operator - we are staying in the Standard Room and not the Tented Chalets at Mbalageti. Sandi does your opinion still the same? As requested, here is the whole itinerary. I do plan on pasting a trip report.

Itinerary

25th May - Arrival Kilimanjaro Airport - Overnight Mount Meru
Game Lodge.

26th May - Tarangire National Park, full day with Picnic lunch. Late afternoon drive to Manyara - Dinner and Overnight Lake Manyara Hotel.

27th May - After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National park for game drive. In PM drive to Mto wa Mbu for cultural tour and visit the Masai village. Late Afternoon visit the Mto wa Mbu Market (it was recommended as the place to buy wood carvings for the best price)- Dinner and Overnight Kirurumo Tented Lodge

28th May - After breakfast Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, also walking ethnic-biological on the escarpment with Ranger. Picnic lunch served in the park. Afternoon drive
to Ngorongoro Highlands VIA Karatu stop at fabric market, Then in the mid afternoon drive up the northern slopes of Ngorongoro Crater - Dinner and Overnight Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

29th May - Early Morning enter to the crater for Game drives with picnic lunch. Afternoon Crater Highland trek with Ranger, visit the Massai village with Maasai guide - Dinner and Overnight Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

30th May - After breakfast drive to Olduvai Gorge. Visit museum and listen to a brief talk on the history of the valley. Afternoon head to Serengeti
stop at the remarkable shifting Sands of the Maasai. Dinner and Overnight Ndutu Safari Lodge

31st May - After breakfast full day game drive in Serengeti National Park, drive to Moru Kopes visit the Golkopjes Game drive towards the area of the Migration herds in Western
Corridor. Dinner and Overnight Mbalageti Luxury Tented Camp.

1st June - After Breakfast full day Game drive in Western Serengeti to see the Migration - Dinner and Overnight
Mbalageti Luxury Tented Camp.

2nd June - After breakfast drive to Seronera Air strip to take the flight to Zanzibar Stone Town - Serena Hotel Inn.

3rd June - Stone Town Tour, City Tour, Mwangapwani Trip and Dhow Trip - Serena Hotel Inn) Dinner and Overnight Serena Hotel Inn.

4th June - Spice Tour visit Jozan Forest Reserve (See Zanzibar Columbus Monkey), visit Changuu (Prison) Island for snorkelling and see giant totoises.

5th June - Transfer to Pongwe Beach Hotel

6th June -Pongwe Beach Hotel
7th June -Pongwe Beach Hotel
8th June -Pongwe Beach Hotel
9th June- Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for flight to DAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to got home

If there are any last minute recommendations, the would be appreciated. If Serengeti Serena is clore to the action, I can see if it not too late to change it back to Serengeti Serena Lodge.

sandi

Peter_Joanne -

At Mbalageti, the standard rooms are not all that different than a room at the Serena... in fact, I believe the rooms at the latter are larger. The benefit of being at Mbalageti though is that it is a smaller property than the Serena; amazing views of the Serengeti which caught our breath.

Honestly, for a standard room, and with the migration probably still not in the area yet, I'd prefer the Serena. I have to believe that there may be some other reason you were moved... maybe overbooking at the Serena. Inquire. Ask if there maybe space at Mbuze Mawe a tent camp about 1-hr north of the Serena; doubt Kirawira or Grumeti River would have any space at this late date. Besided, both of these would be rather expensive.

On Zanzibar, note that you will encounter hot hot and humid humid. You'll do fine at the Serena Inn, but Pongwe doesn't have air conditioning (only ceiling fans); and they don't have a pool, only the beach. If a/c is a concern, even at this late date try for another property. Maybe Blue Bay, Breezes, Zamani - though each of these are larger than Pongwe and probably can't provide as nice a beach, we found that had we been trying to sleep without a/c would have been like being in a sauna (as our bathroom was, where the a/c didn't quite reach).

Let us know if you have any successes.

santharamhari

Or ask them to stick you longer at Ndutu lodge. Game should still be awesome.

Hari

Peter_Joanne

We requested (demanded) that the operator return our reservation to the Serena based on the comments we received (Sandi I asked about is the Serena was overbooked and I got no answer).

They just got back to me asking if they could put us up at Mbuzi Mawe - should we take it?

net_warrior

What about Serengeti Sopa?

net_warrior

Should mention
Sopa would be a downgrade
Mbuze would be an upgrade

Mbuze is an hour from Seronera
M'balageti an hour and a half
Sopa would be nearest to Seronera
It depends were the migration is and that I don't know

sandi

Mbuzi Mawe, 1-hr north of the Serena is a lovely tented camp and an upgrade from the Serena. Sopa which is southwest of the Seronera area is a step down from the Serena, but a lovely property.

There's no saying where the herds will be end-May/early-June. We found many of the wildies in the Seronera area; the zebra were still in Nduto. If you are on a private safari with unlimited mileage you'll be able to drive in many directions, but unlikely as far south as Nduto from Seronera.

Either Mbuzi Mawe or Sopa would be better alternative than Mbalageti at this time. Good luck.

waynehazle

Stayed at the Sopa in October and loved it.
But there was absolutely no migration around at the time.

But I would take a tented experience close to the migration any day over a lodge.