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| Any tips regarding agencies for Ngorongoro and suggestions to see "real African life"? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jose dP Jose Post Count: 2 Msg: #1 260 days ago, March 6th 2009 | Hi, | I will be spending 10 days in Tanzania from the 17th to the 27th of March. I like to organise things as I go along but would definitely appreciate a few tips and suggestions. I am spending a few days in Zanzibar and was thinking about a 3-day safari (on the cheaper side) in Ngorongoro. That leaves me a few days left that I would like to use to explore more remote locations, where I could get a good feel of African life, and was thinking about the mountain region between Dar Es Salaam and Ngorongoro. I would really love to hear your opinions on: 1) reliable, professional and economical agents for the safari, 2) Best places to choose for the "real African life" 3) best way to move around (hire a car with driver/bus?) and/or 3) should I change my plans altogether if my idea is not really all that good. Thanks everyone!  The Travel Camel Shane Dallas Post Count: 1024 Msg: #2 260 days ago, March 6th 2009 | Hello Jose and welcome to the forum! | I visited Ngorongoro Crater last year - it was just sensational - this was my favourite wildlife viewing area in East Africa! The Serengeti is supposed to be amazing too, but you need to invest some time there (2 days minimum). The cheapest way to organise tours is just to turn up in Arusha in the north of the country, fight off the touts and find a good deal. The tourist office has a notice board where a single traveller can join a group. To give you an idea of price, I asked in Nairobi what it would cost me for a return trip from Nairobi to the Crater, which would include 2 nights accommodation away, and they told me $1,200! However, by organising my own transport to Arusha and scouring the tour companies there, I completed the same trip for under $300. [Edited: 21:31 - The Travel Camel ] Jose dP Jose Post Count: 2 Msg: #3 257 days ago, March 9th 2009 | Thanks Shane, really helpful! I will definitely look for some options in Arusha. You won't remember by any chance which company you ended up using? Did you rent a car to get to Arusha, or did you use public transport? | Thanks again! The Travel Camel Shane Dallas Post Count: 1024 Msg: #4 256 days ago, March 10th 2009 | The tour company I went with was called "Golden Eagle" or something similar, I am sure it had the word Eagle in it. It is on the main roundabout, just across the road from the convenience store. I have the card somewhere, but haven't been able to find it. | Many of the tours from Arusha visit Lake Manyara before the Crater - but almost everyone who visited there was a trifle disappointed. The fornicating monkeys was supposedly the highlight. What I negotiated (and for a cheaper price) was to spend the afternoon in the little town of Mto Wa Mbu, where I took a Cultural Tour, including the obligatory stop with some craftspeople to buy some goods. I didn't pay the safari company for this tour, I organised it once I had arrived. The group that runs the tour is in the Lonely Planet. Haggle on price on everything, I was able to negotiate a cheaper price for both tours by doing so. If you wish to read what the experience to Ngorongoro was like, please read my blog: I've Joined a Gospel Choir! [Edited: 08:33 - The Travel Camel ] Gogo11 Adams Bash Post Count: 3 Msg: #5 213 days ago, April 22nd 2009 | If you go don't forget to visit Maasai village near ngorongoro crater is fab. | juliemartel Julie Martel Post Count: 3 Msg: #6 75 days ago, September 7th 2009 | Hey Jose, | I also just returned from Norther Tanzania. I was there for about a year working in Arusha. Its a perfect place to start a safari or other travels. Theres quite a few really good reliable and cheap companies around there, but unfortunately a lot of them will charge extra if you book in advance from over-seas. <snip> Good luck! [Edited: 10:59 - Mell ] Number of Users: 4 | Number of Posts: 6 | ||||||||||||||
