pegtrek

We're planning this safari for Oct, 2007:
Day 1-Arusha--Arusha Mountain Lodge
Day2,3Tarangire National Park--Tarangire River Camp
Day4-Lake Manyara-Manyara Serena Lodge
Day5,6-Ngorongoro Crator-Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day7,8-Serengeti National Park-Serengeti Serena Lodge
Fly Serengeti, Arusha, Nairobi, Mara
Day9-11 Massai Mara- Kichwa Tembo Camp
Day12-Fly to Nairobi-home
Cost $5450/pp
Is this a good itinerary and is the price about right?

stakerk

Have not been to Tanzania but would suspect would be better to cut out Serengeti because you will see many more animals in the Mara. I would fly up from the Mara to Samburu instead. Just my guess.

Others more expert will weigh in shortly with better advice.

Kevin from California

MyDogKyle

When we were planning our Sept/Oct 2007 itinerary to Kenya and Tanzania, our Tanzanian operator (Green Footprint) suggested we skip the Serengeti and concentrate on the Mara and Tarangire at that time of year. I got some positive feedback about that idea from this board, but since I haven't been there yet I'm no expert! It depends on how important going to the Serengeti is to you, but since the Mara/Serengeti is the same ecosystem, it seems like the Mara is more the place to be that time of year.

FYI, we booked our Kenya and Tanzania portions of the trip through different companies, but we're paying about $3000pp for 10 days in Kenya with Eastern and Southern Safaris, and $3800pp for another 10 days in Tanzania with Green Footprint Adventures. Our itinerary goes to:
Nairobi
Serena Mountain Lodge
Samburu (Intrepids)
Sweetwaters
Lake Nakuru
Mara (Serena)
Arusha NP (Karama Lodge)
Tarangire (Oliver's Camp)
Lake Manyara (Kirurumu)
Ngorongoro Crater (Serena)
Zanzibar (Emerson & Green and Pongwe)

Those prices are for a (mostly) driving safari for 2 people, with internal flights from the Mara to Arusha, Arusha to Tarangire, and RT to Zanzibar. Hope that's helpful for comparison.

atravelynn

I agree with Kevin on removing the Serengeti, unless you specifically want your trip to include a stay in the famous Serengeti.

Now, as to what to do with those 2 days--if you choose to remove the Serengeti, I would want to know how many days you have in the Maasai Mara.

It looks like there are 4 if you are getting to the Mara on Day 8. Or do you o/nt in Nairobi on Day 8 and leave for the Mara on the 9th, spending 3 nights?

pegtrek

Atravelynn
Thanks for your reply. It looks like we leave serengeti in the morning on day 9, fly to arusha to nairobi to kichwa tembo. I guess that would take most of the day? Then we're there days 10 and 11, and leave after an early morning game drive on day 12. Are all the animals gone from the serengeti in Oct? If we remove serengeti, should we spend 2 more days in Mara, maybe move to a different area of the Mara? Again, thanks for your help!

Blue11

hmmm...I thought the migration would be returning to the Serengeti from the Mara in October? We just booked a Tanzania trip for mid-October:

2 nights Migration Camp
2 nights Serengeti Serena
1 night Serengeti Crater
1 night Crater Lodge
2 nights Tarangire Treetops

sandi

The herds usually start their return to the Serengeti sometime in October... one drop of water and they start to move south. That one drop stops and they turn around. They're very confused animals.

That's not to say that in October, some of the herds remain in the Mara; for as many who stay, as many are on the move.

Always weather dependent, so one can't actually guarantee where the herds will be. This year, the herds made their way down to Ndutu almost 1/mo-6/wks earlier than usual because of the rains. They don't like all that water under their feet... some disease can infect. Who would have thought, the reason so many visitors were booked in the Central area in December, where generally the herds would be.

Areas from Migration Camp north are good positioning for October, besides your game drives will be in all directions during your stay - likely north.

atravelynn

Pegtrek,
I'd make sure you have 3 full days in the Maasai Mara.

The earlier in Oct you are going, the more inclined I'd be to trade the Serengeti for the Mara.

It is hard to predict the patterns since everything is so weather dependent. At least you'll see some animals the Serengeti, regardless of the migration. The Central Serengeti has residents that remain. And the Mara ranges from very good to outstanding.

Here are some links to the migration.

http://www.ultimateafrica.com/Wildebeest_migration.html

http://www.kenyatravelideas.com/wild...migration.html

http://www.thesafaricompany.co.za/Ma....htm#Migration

waynehazle

pegtrek

I did the Mara & Seregenti in October 2005. I missed the HUGE migrating herds in both parks, though I saw plenty to keep me happy. For me it was personally important to go to both parks.

But in topography and animal count they were similar & perhaps the Mara was a tad better.

Unless it is very important for you to do both parks, I agree with everyone else. Use the websites, find the best estimation of where the migration will be and choose one.

Either way don't miss the Crater.