cocco1

Dear Fodorites:

My husband and I are going on first safari to Africa – and we are planning a Mid February – March timeframe in 2006.

We decided on Kenya and Tanzania and we have a total of 21 days with a few travel days leaving us about 18 – 19 days – (we could push it to 20/21) to do a safari.

I was all set to start to begin to look at an itinerary that included: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Masai Mara ect. when my husband decided to throw in a little curve ball.

He insists on going to the Ruaha and Selous areas as he loves of idea of these remote beautiful areas. While I can’t blame him – I am having a hard time coming up with an itinerary for us – this being our first time and all. Is this a good time to visit the Ruaha/Selous area? What will the weather in general be like at this time?

I know we can’t do all of these parks – but what is a ‘not to be missed” and what can be passed over?

We would be willing to do a little flying ( to save travel time) – but would like to mix it up with some driving as well.

Any of your expert help would be most appreciated!

P.S. I should mention that we are not looking for a camping experience but mid range with perhaps one or two ‘deluxe’ camps thrown in.

Thanks so much.

africa_lover

Hi,
We (my husband, myself and our 3 teenagers) were on a safari in Tanzania last summer (july) . We visited all the well known places such as Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Manyara and Tarangire, after which we flew to Zanzibar for 3 nights and then, from Zanzibar to Selous for the last 3 nights.
Selous is really great !
The better know parks such as Serengeti , Ngorongor etc. are very good for game viewing , I mean , if you want to see thousands of wildebeest, even more gazelles, big prides of lions and lots and lots of other tourists. But, if you plan on going to Tanzania, you have to go there.
Selous is the opposite of those crowded parks. It is remote, luxuruous , and really the best of all!
We stayed at the Sand Rivers lodge.
Game viewing is good, we saw lions, elephants, lots of hippos and crocodiles, the usual antilopes, and even !!!!! yes !!!! a pack of wilddogs !!!!
We also did a walking safari of 4 hours on which we saw lions from a distance.
The real 'african safari' feeling !
Should you want more information, I would be glad to give it.
a very good website to view comments on all lodges in Tanzania is :
www.intotanzania.com

hope to have helped you
hilde

birder57

I went to Tanzania in 2003, and if I could select one place to return to, it would be the Ngorongoro Crater. What an awesome experience. The lodge was first class, with first class accommodations and food. We also stayed at Kirawira, a tented camp, and that was really terrific. Wherever you go, enjoy it. The African savannahs are unbelievable beautiful. Susan

cocco1

Thanks for your feedback - we are now in the process of getting prices from several tour operators - I will be sure to share the info that I recieve on this board for your feedback.

Cheers,

kc

alexistar

Cocco1 -- We spent 21 days in Kenya and Tanzania a few years ago and it is still our favorite trip. We were there during the migration, and the vast numbers of animals in the Mara was awesome. It's true there are lots of vans in the Crater, but it's unlike any place you'll ever see and, in my opinion, not to be missed. Twelve of us spent several days in Tarangire, which was not at all crowded and my favorite place of all. It was the closest we ever came to a true safari experience. We stayed in a tented camp that was not permanent, as Sweetwater was. The tents were bare bones -- cots, a small table, no electricity, hot water for the bag showers brought by camp staff -- yet the food was excellent, the game viewing superb, and lying in bed at night listening to the far-off sounds of zebra, elephants and lions was magical. We returned from an early game drive one morning to find a herd of over 60 elephants from wee babies to huge females passing right by our tents! I'd go back in a heartbeat. Have fun!