30ott6 and I, along with our wives, will be in Tanzania in Sept/Oct of 2006 for a hunting safari. I'd like to arrange for a short pre and post safari tour. I was thinking the Norongoro crater before and Zanzibar after.

Can anybody make some specific suggestions including the name of the facilitator?

Scott,

Do not miss the Crater. I really think it should be the 8th Wonder of the World. It really is that amazing. Definitely do it first and you'll get a look at some real lions, big buff and elepahnts before you actually hunt them.

You can fly to Arusha first and get picked up for your tour and then afterthe Crater take the daily commuter to Dar to start your safari. We of course have our own photo company and could handle this for you. I must warn you though the prices have gone up recently.

Regards,

Mark

SBT, Look at Usangu Safaris website. They offer what I think you are looking for, look under NEW Photographic Safaris. http:www.hunt-tanzania.com/ CHEERS

Ker and Downey is very highly regarded.

I'm taking my family of five for 7 days hunting and three days at Ngorongoro, both with Safari Trackers. It's my first time, but many have told me this is a good plan. My thought is that using the same outfit for both pieces saves hassle, confusion, and potential problems.

citori

Since we own both companies it is a very good plan.

Mark

SBT

My vote would also be to do Ngorongoro Crater as well preferably pre the hunting safari. Start to get the eye in for animals and local light and colour. But the maned lions on the crater floor are spectacular (see small photo below) with fantastic red-black manes.

I haven't been to Zanzibar but was disappointed I didn't make it there. Will do one day. A beach and old city holiday after the safari sounds like a great way to unwind.

The Serengetti Plains in September / October are also worthwhile especially as I believe it is the wildebeest migration which is spectacular to see if you can.

I agree, one day at the Crater and one at Lake Manyara national park before the hunt would be a top way to start the safari, then a few days on Zanzibar would be a great relaxing way to end, I would recommend appox one day in Zanzibar town then stay at a lodge at the northern end of the Island to unwind before returning to the rat race.

May I suggest the following if your time allows; leave Arusha and drive to Manyara to stay in the lodge in the park with the "rooms" in trees. The next day drive to the Crater for a day and stay in the Ngorongora Crater Lodge and stay at least a day. Then drive to one of the lodges in the Serengeti, such Kisini(sp)or Klein's Camp. Then you could charter directly into your safari camp or back to Arusha. My suggestion is Ker-Downey Safaris. Try Legendary Adventures website.

what kind of daily rate are we looking at for visting the crater, inc transfers??

SBT,
From Mark's reply, I assume your hunt is in the Selous? If so, you have a great choice right there! The Photographic area of the selous is something spectacular. there are a variety of camps to choose and daily schedule flights to either of them from dar at $120 per person each way. your hunt charter could pick you up from there and take you onwards to your hunting camp at a very slight diversion cost. A few camps to choose from ranked in most expensive/luxurious to least are: sand river, Selous Safari camp, Impala camp and Rufiji river camp.

Good luck!

I am interested in this subject as well.

Why has nobody mentioned Kilimanjaro?

quote:

I am interested in this subject as well.

Me too. This is some good info so far. If anyone else has some ideas to share, please do!

Cheers,
Canuck

Add me to the list, I'll be there Oct. of next year and want to see the Crater. The question I have is what to do with my rifles during all this sight seeing.

One of the highlights in Tanzania for my wife and myself (besides Ngorogoro and Serengetti) was climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai, a live volcano next to Lake Natron. It's a tough climb, and has to be done at night due to the heat, but when you reach the crater rim at dawn, all the hard work and toil to get up is quickly forgotten.

The volcano in the backround:



Inside the volcanos crater. The black lava on the righthand side is fresh. About 8-9 hours old. It was glowing red in the dark when we got up there before sunrise:


Lots of "mini craters" inside the volcano crater. The lava bubbled out of these in big globs:


I'm sure that whoever you are hunting with can organize a trip up here. The best guide IMO to use up and into the crater is a guy named Bora. And you need a guide so you don't go to the wrong places inside the crater and step thru the thin crust into the lava! He's used by Nat. Geographic magazine, TV teams etc when they have made documentories of this interesting place.

Erik

I've been down at the base of Lengai hunting along the lake shore but never thought about the climb. It should be spctacular. That whole volanic/soda lake area there is very special in such a very arid enviroment. We did get up on Galai were we could see the Lake and Lingai. Incredible with the pink strings of flamingos.

Mark