Frustrated Tanzania scheduler

Hi,

As we are only six weeks away from departure, I don't feel close to a general plan for the Tanzanian portion of our trip through East and Southern Africa.

We are climbing Kili first, then going to Zanzibar for a week right after.

Between Zanzibar and Kampala I would like to do some walking/trekking through some villages viewing wildlife, but the organised trips are being quoted at $4,000 or so for just 5 or 6 days, most of which are in thye back of a Land Cruiser anyway.

My wife has never been to Africa, so should see some lions and Elephants, but can we do it without the formality of outlandish organised tours?

After Tanzania we will be travelling through Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, so I suppose we could see animals in any of those places (rainy season notwithstanding) but there must be some nice, off the beaten track trips in Tanzania that we can sign up for?

Is hooking up with an outfit in Mwanza for a trip into Serengetti a good solution to wanting a low risk/high reward Tanzanian wildlife experience?

As always suggestions would be most appreciated,

Nigel

There are nice, off-the beaten tracks options in Tanzania for seeing wild-life, e.g. the southern parks. However, they are not going to be any cheaper (if anything more expensive) than the northern parks. What makes Tanzanian Safaris expensive are the park fees, not really whether you do it independently (if possible) or not.
But the prices you were quoted sound very high, I guess they come from an international agency? If so, try to find a local tour operator to cut down on costs.

Hi Nigel,

I think you should seperate you aims of walking/treking though villages and viewing wildlife. Villagers and wildlife don't mix that well on the whole.

What you could do is after your trip to Zanzibar is head to the Usambara hills and do a few days trecking there. 100's of villages dotted along paths covered by virgin forest. It'll cost you about $20/day for a guide and you'll see few if any other tourists. Lushoto is a good place to start (good accomodation and you can arrange a guide there). No lions but a worthwhile 'off track' experience nevertheless.

If your schedule isn't set in concrete you'd be better doing this in between Kili and Zanzibar as it's on the way.

Then book a safari for the wildlife.

You'll also see plenty of elephants / lions in Namibia and Zambia (probably in the parks though and of course you'll pay for the privilage) Zambia you can do walking tours (in parks) if you don't like car safaris.

Jim and Stefo,

Great stuff and exactly what I was looking for.

I'll look at Usambara Hills right now! Damn, this board is terrific!

Thanks guys,

Nigel

Nigel -
I concur with JimR1. Usambara are gorgeous, ancient forests, full of small villages and towns, and well worth a few days hikes. The guys are Afriroots can take you (http://www.afriroots.co.tz/) . their awesome, reliable, and all their workers are local so your tour money goes to good causes. Plus Mejah and Tenday are just really nice guys.

Also, if your going to Lushoto, Mullers lodge ( 11 KM outside of the town) is fantastic, with excellent soups. They can arragn a 2-5 day hike along the ridge line out to the overlooks of the Masai Marra. Breathtaking.

Enjoy.

Look very carefully into every bit of advise we give you.
We recently visited Tanzania and found the Safari and the Kilimanjaro experience to be first class. Yes , the safari cost $ 3900 usd per couple may be high to you but that is the price of nicer lodging in remote poor places. The Toyota Landcruiser for TWO is the only was to go..can not knok that. Zanzibar in our view was the sh...ts , not nice. Although the snorkling away from the Zanzibar beaches was very nice. Along thier beaches I never saw anyone swimming. Stone town was an experience and enjoyable if you really are prepared for to witness extremes.

My advise is to understand very well what you like because the poverty sights in Tanzania are extreme. Tanzanians may wish but may never get to be a a third world country, it has a ways to go.

Now, the people are something else, the most pleasant and most helpfull. Must say there is lot of begging . They have no understanding of the niceties tourist often want, not backbackers, I mean the not on budget travellers.

Have a nice trip.

C'mon Roberto, Zanzibar is beautiful. Dripping with history, tranquil and relatively hassle free. Stonetown isn't exactly slumvillle and Zanzibar beaches can be excellent.

The west slope of Kilimanjaro (called 'west Kili') is also a nice off-the-beaten track place for walking and viewing savanna wildlife for a couple of days, especially during the wet season. There are a couple of enthusiastic local guys trying to develop cultural tours in the area, which would give you a chance to walk and visit Masai bomas. Unless you're really on a shoe-string budget, you'd probably want to stay at the Peter Jones ranch which is the only permanent touristy place to stay (and very nice). you could easily organize that, along with a vehicle for getting there (~2hrs from moshi or 2.5 from Arusha) through a tour operator in Moshi or Arusha, and it would cost you MUCH much less than the 4000 bucks.

Tom,

This looks very interesting, and I'm sending them an email to establish contact. Thank you.

Jerkfish, I have an email off to Mullers Lodge to see if they can accomodate us with rooms and treks. However, Tom's recommendation might delay our arrival at Mullers by a couple of days.

Thanks again to everyone,

nigel