Thorn Tree travel forum

Best location to view migration in 1st week of Dec 09

Hello,

We are planning a week long tour of the Northern parks in Tanzania (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti). Due to the shortage of time, we plan to spend 2 nights in each place. I understand that the Serengeti is a vast area to cover in two days so we plan to pick a lodge near the migration path (reverse migration).

Some research on the Internet indicates that the Wildebeest are still near the Mara river and may reach the South East parts of the Serengeti NP by the 1st week of December. So is the Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp (Serena group) a good base to catch the reverse migration action? Is it also a good place to view other wildlife?

Appreciate any feedback from previous travelers to this camp or have visited the Serengeti in early December.

Thanks & Cheers,
Ray

Edited by: raytara

Kenya - Tanzania Transportation

We are planning on visiting Kenya - Tanzania and January and I am trying to piece together an itinerary. Can anybody comment on costs / modes of transportation between:

1) Tsavo - Arusha or Serengeti

2) Arusha - Pemba or Arusha - Zanzibar

3) Arusha - Dar, Dar - Arusha

4) Arusha - Lake Tanganyika or Lake Tanganyika

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Dar Airport

Hi All,

Will be arriving aroung midnight at airport; can I stay there until morning and get public transport into Dar?

Thanks for info,

Jim

Best Time to go and best value companies, is it safe?

Hi

I was doing some research on Tanzania and alot of the Safaris seem to get mixed reviews and are expensive, is there any decent non rip off companies, that are clean, give good tours and you won't sleep in flea invested sleeping bags?

What is the best time to go, alot of books say December/Jan but thats seems to be most expensive to fly.

Also there is alot of weird stories coming from Tanzania, like they are eating Albino people and having protests at tourists, is it safe or is there better countries to go to in Africa for a Safari, culture and relaxation?

Safari Company to Avoid (and one to consider)

I took a trip with Sunny Safaris based in Arusha. I would suggest giving them a pass. They failed on the little details which is really what makes all the difference (all the tour companies basically offer the same thing).

Problems:

• Sleeping bags were full of fleas, dirty and torn to bits
• Tents were in bad shape (had to use my socks to tie bits into place during the night; missing parts; etc.)
• Didn't supply the amount of water promised (a small thing, but like I said, it's the little things that really make the difference between tour companies)
• Unfriendly admin staff. At first, the staff seemed fine, but when I went back to discuss the problems my group had, they were unhelpful and uncaring (they had our money)

Sailing Pemba

Next July, we'll probably go to Tanzania/Kenya. Two weeks safari and of course top it off with relaxing and diving Zanzibar and/or Pemba. What is the best place for diving and how good is it? We would like to go to Zanzibar, then Pemba, then from there sailing to Mombasa (and further on to Nairobi to go home). Does anyone know if this is an option? A liveaboard is also an option.

Thanks in advance!

accomodation on/near Mafia Island

What's the best place to stay if we want to snorkel around Mafia Island. I saw a couple of places on the internet but they are extremely expensive. What about Mafia Island lodge, which is obviously the most affordable ? Have you been to or heard about other places ?
Thanks. Véro

Joiners for Ngorongoro 5 day 4 night

Hi there,

My fiance and I are looking for 2 people to join our 5 day 4 night -- camping hiking safari. We are Canadian 33 and 35 years old - but don't feel that age!!! Our trip is booked with LipiAdventure and it starts on Monday the 21st of December and Ends on Friday December 25th. The trip is currently 200 per person per day, but will drop to 150 per person with 1 - 2 more joiners. - we are hiking the volcano as well!

The itinerary is below if anyone is interested!

All the Best,
Christine

5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS

DAY 01:20/12/2009
Depart from Arusha at around 0830am and drive via Mto wa mbu and
Engaruka village to Lake Natron crossing the Manyara escarpments.
Visit the Maasai village at Selela and the Engaruka ruins. Though you
may see game in the area, particularly in the wet season, this place
is not so much about game viewing as experiencing the awe-inspiring
spa... more »