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-   -   Tanzania, ideas? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sub-saharan-africa/tanzania-ideas-11375)

DougieB 25 May 2005 17:32

Tanzania, ideas?
 
Hi,

I am going to be in Tanzania around August and will be meeting up with someone who's flying out from home for a few weeks. We'll be based in Dar. Naturally the idea of a safari is appealing. But logistics...

I'll park the motorbike somewhere as it's not practical for two-up travel any real distances (and getting into NPs is probably unlikely anyway). Anyone have any suggestions on safari trips? Is it worth the expense of an organised trip? Can you go straight from Dar? Is it good value? Would the money be better spent on other things?

cheers,
Doug

RichLees 26 May 2005 13:39

I left my bike at the YWCA for a few days. they have a secure garden.
my tanzanian highlight was Kilwa Kissiwani - an island half way from Dar to Mozambique.
they were building a road 21 months ago, but I also met an Ozzie on a GPz750 who was weaving his way south in the sand so you'd get there if you fancy it.
Arusha is supposedly the safari capital and you can take the bus there from Dar for about $5 as I recall. truly terrifying buses. mind you, they're scarier still when they pass you at 120kmh on bike. enjoy.
how are you getting to TZ from Togo?
Rich

Jerome 26 May 2005 16:03

Tanzania and Botswana are the best places ive seen game.

Arusha is the main entry point for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.

Safaris can be very pricey but one day in the Ngoro would give you a good idea and you should see many anmilas. If you like it you could do more.

I think the best is a walking safari. No noise , no vehicles, just walking. It is very exciting.

Kenya is cheaper but the game viewing is not so good and more crowded eg several minibuses surrouding a sleeping lion.

You generally get what you pay for so it depends how much you want to do a safari.

I'd suggest either :
- going to Arusha and checking out a reputable agent - there are many touts there so be careful
- book it in Dar using a reputable Dar agent

good luck.

Grant Johnson 26 May 2005 20:59

WE used Hoopoe Tours in Arusha for our game drive - that was a long time ago though, 1997, so they may not be around, but they were good and had been going for some time. Check out our story here. They also had secure parking for the bike, although someone apparently "tried it on for size" and fell over with it, scratching the cases up. No biggie.

Our experience was that the first safari with an experienced guide was very worthwhile - we learned a lot about the animals and how to spot them.

We then did our own safari in Etosha, in Namibia, and that was even better - no one else's schedule to get in the way. Highly recommended. See our Namibia/Etosha pages.

And don't let the expense get in the way - it's worth every penny, and you'll kick yourself big time later if you don't do a safari.

DougieB 28 May 2005 18:20

Hi,

thanks for the useful replies. Heading into Benin, Niger (to the very east) then drop down briefly into Nigeria, transit Cameroon and into Chad. Hopefully get a flight from there to Addis. Well, that's the idea. Having a few issues getting out of Togo at the moment...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Matt Roach 30 May 2005 18:29

Secure motorcycle parking is available at some of the guesthouses in Arusha near the stadium (all are listed in the Lonely Planet), although you would struggle to fit in a 4x4.

Very happy to recommend Justin and Mike (driver & cook) as safari guides. Both are independent, but work with Kilimanjaro Crown Bird Safaris in Arusha. A decent low end camping safari for the Serengeti or Ngorogoro will cost you about US$90 a day.

Make sure you pop into the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which is based in Arusha, while you wait for your safari. Fascinatingly inept display of how not to run an international court, which costs millions and convicts very few.

Poa 14 Jun 2005 10:06

Dar es Salaam: A great place -cheap and spectacular beach- is called "Kipepeo". It's accross the ferry 10 south of Dar. It's a common stop over for adventure bikers and drivers. The food can be pricey but there are markets near by and local food is available just up the sandy road whre it meets the tarmac to town. Kipepeo (butterfly in swahili) is a must if you have to spend too much time in Dar.

Happy trails,
Poa


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