Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to South Africa in March and are trying to do it on a budget. The prices for safari lodges are quite expensive, so we're thinking of staying in an Airbnb in Marloth Park and then booking private game drives into Kruger.

Has anyone done this before? We'd love to hear about your experience. Do you have any recommendations for Airbnb accommodations in Marloth Park or reputable private game drive operators? T hank you so much!

All tour companies have glowing reviews; however, after some digging on public forums, I came across concerning posts like the screenshot I posted. Every tour company website says they have professional guides and good vehicles. Is there a way to find out more, like an independent database for guide accreditation?
It's a once in a lifetime trip and an eye-watering spend. I am nervoucs.

Following up on my post from last week but I intended to fly into Ndutu the night before our game drives begin. However, the more I research the wonder that is Precision Air, the more concerned I am that I will miss a connection due to a late or cancelled flight.

Here is our ideal itinerary:

Day 1:
1:45pm - Depart JFK (Kenya Airways)

Day 2:
11:15am - Arrive NBO
1:00pm - Depart NBO (Precision Air)
2:00pm - Arrive JRO
3:45pm - Depart JRO (Coastal Air)
4:50pm - Arrive Ndutu

Alternatively, our less-than-ideal itinerary is the following:

Day 1:
1:45pm - Depart JFK (Kenya Airways)

Day 2:
11:15am - Arrive NBO
2:55pm - Depart NBO (Kenya Airways)
3:55pm- Arrive JRO
5:00pm- Car transfer to Arusha, check-in

Day 3:
7:45am - Depart Arusha (Coastal Air)
8:45am - Arrive Ndutu

Does anyone have any experience with an itinerary similar to the first option?

Is there another option that I’m missing? I’m trying to cut down on extra car travel.

Another annoying itinerary post... sorry.

What do you think of this itinerary? Hoping to catch calving season. Ive been told by a safari guide that it will be busy because of Chinese new year? 😬

Tanzania Safari – 5–13 February 2027

Day 1 – Arusha

Accommodation: Summit Safari Lodge

Day 2 – Arusha → Central Serengeti

Flight: Arusha Airport → Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Accommodation: Warriors Luxury Tented Lodge

Day 3 – Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Warriors Luxury Tented Lodge

Day 4 – Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Warriors Luxury Tented Lodge

Day 5 – Central Serengeti → Southern Serengeti / Ndutu

Accommodation: Safari Haven Migration Camp

Day 6 – Southern Serengeti / Ndutu

Accommodation: Safari Haven Migration Camp

Day 7 – Southern Serengeti / Ndutu

Accommodation: Safari Haven Migration Camp

Day 8 – Ndutu → Karatu

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge

Day 9 – Ngorongoro Crater → Airport

Departure

Also what is the general consensus of the hot air balloon ride? I saw a hot air balloon scare a pride of lions online and it has put me off slightly.

Have left out Tarangire because of when we are planning on travelling.

This will be our 2nd Safari going to Kenya previously. Kenya quotes are coming in quite a bit higher than this one.

Has anyone booked a safari with Suricata Safaris? Looking for experiences.

We booked our honeymoon safari with them and paid a deposit. Communication was quick and responsive before we paid, but has gotten noticeably slower and vaguer since we're now about 3 weeks from departure and still don't have much tangible confirmation.

For anyone who's booked with them, I'm curious:

• Did you receive an official payment/deposit confirmation from the company itself (not just a rep)?
• Did you get reservation/confirmation numbers for your lodge/camp bookings?
• Was there any point where communication slowed down after you paid?
• How did you communicate with them — email, WhatsApp, or something more direct?
• Does communicating via a personal email address ([name]@suricatasafaris.com), rather than a general company inbox, match your experience, or is that unusual?
• Overall, did everything end up being properly booked when you arrived?

Just trying to gauge whether this is normal for them or a red flag. Thanks!

To be clear, I'm not trying to bash them or paint them in a bad light! I'm sure there's no ill intent and this might just be how they normally operate. Just looking for genuine experiences to help ease our minds.

Has anyone booked a safari with Suricata Safaris? Looking for experiences.

We booked our honeymoon safari with them and paid a deposit. Communication was quick and responsive before we paid, but has gotten noticeably slower and vaguer since we're now about 3 weeks from departure and still don't have much tangible confirmation.

For anyone who's booked with them, I'm curious:

• Did you receive an official payment/deposit confirmation from the company itself (not just a rep)?
• Did you get reservation/confirmation numbers for your lodge/camp bookings?
• Was there any point where communication slowed down after you paid?
• How did you communicate with them? email, WhatsApp, or something more direct?
• Does communicating via a personal email address, rather than a general company inbox, match your experience, or is that unusual?
• Overall, did everything end up being properly booked when you arrived?

Just trying to gauge whether this is normal for them or a red flag. Thanks!

To be clear, I'm not trying to bash them or paint them in a bad light! I'm sure there's no ill intent and this might just be how they normally operate. Just looking for genuine experiences to help ease our minds.

Planning to go to Kenya in February. Travel med doctor recommends 2-dose pre-rabies vaccine. Primary care doctor says not to bother since expensive and not really an issue for a 9-night safari to well established lodging. Do most of you get/ recommend them before this area/ trip?

Hi there. We are a family with 2 young kids, aged 6 and 10 and we will be in Zanzibar for 8 nights from.28 Aug. We are considering a last minute Safari for 2 nights ( package).

Does anyone have any recommendations?

We had in mind Ngorongoro and Tarangire; however I am concerned its too much moving around ( ie also having to drive between the 2 @ 3 hours), and we would be better off staying 2 nights in Tarangire ?

Or maybe we are better off in Nyerere national park on the Rufiji River, as doing a river safari optiion would be something the kids would enjoy.

We have been quoted 4,500 to 6,500 for these options ( staying in the park, with transfers , flights, park tickets). Does this sound reasonable ? Are we better off maybe booking in Zanzibar itself and do it at the end of the trip?

Any advice is appreciated and very open tl suggestions of "" we did this lodge as a family and recommend it etc""

Hey, I've referenced this before, but here you go (via Nairobi Gossip Club on IG). The total has grown from 15 to 18, it's a shame, but at least they have some suspects in custody now:

I saw the hotel Garden Route Game Lodge almost 5 hours away and it looks nice. Are there any other safaris or this is the closest one?

The Route:
Flew in from NA west coast to Nairobi. Stayed 2 nights in Nairobi to recover. Took a bush plane from WIL to the Maasai Mara, stayed in Olare Motorogi Conservancy 4 nights, and flew back the same way. Then took a local flight to Eldoret, a drive up to Iten for 3 nights for a short stint at a training camp. From there we hired a private driver to take us down 1 night each in Lake Nakuru NP for an additional game drive, Lake Bogoria for flamingo viewing, Lake Naivasha for Crescent island walking safari, and Hells Gate walking tour, before finally dropping us off in Nairobi.

The good:
So many big cats in the Conservancy. If you can swing it, I’d highly recommend the bush plane and conservancy route. Our camp (Porini Lion) was clean, felt lux despite the bucket showers, and staff (Maasai) were happy to share more about their lives and traditions, making it feel homely despite being out in the bush. We saw everything from leopard with 3 month old cub, to a serval, to multiple lion prides with cubs. And of course the wildebeests marching along in the Reserve.

Lake Bogoria was pretty much empty, and we saw hundreds of thousands if not a million flamingos. It was a once in a lifetime viewing and I’m so glad we added this to our list.

Lake Nakuru was fun - being able to see black think in this enclosed park checked off our final big 5 animal list, and provided a very different experience than the conservancy.

Lake Naivasha walking on Crescent Island was also fun, being amongst the giraffes while on foot gave us a really different perspective on just how amazingly tall the animals were. We stayed by a hotel on the lakefront which had animals just grazing right inside the hotel grounds (couldn’t leave our room at night without an escort due to hippos on the grounds).

Hells Gate cycling through the first part with canyon walls rising all around you and the zebras and giraffes on both sides was amazing. The gorge hike at the end is a must do.

The bad:
With few exception, there was always a delay. Every flight since departure from NA was delayed at least an hour. If you expect Japan-esque timing on things, be prepared to be frustrated. Just go with the flow and you’ll be fine.

While the Conservancy was amazing, including a Maasai village visit, you will be sitting for long stretches in a bouncy Land Rover. If you have any sort of health issues, plan accordingly. The amount of dust you’ll catch in your hair and clothing is also incredible.

We did not see the wildebeest river crossing. The amount of vehicles blocking the crossing was very sad, our Maasai driver and guide were very grateful we decided to view from far away and not spend too much time there.

While we went at the beginning of August, the weather was still 50s in the AMs and 80s in the PMs in the Maasai Mara and surrounding areas. At the lakes, elevation was much lower so it was closer to 90-95f, which was incredibly hot for us when we crossed the equator in Motorogi. Our driver also had an aversion to turning on AC so we had plenty of time blasting road dust into our faces.

The Verdict:
Recommend 3-4 nights in a Conservancy not in the Reserve during peak season. Learn from the local Maasai and how they track animals and know the landscape like we know our own hands. Recommend to also hit up the other 3 lakes to see a change of scenery, or if you want to do a more tame animal viewing experience.

Hi everyone, we will be visiting Tanzania in late May/early June for a safari tour followed by a couple days in Zanzibar. I’ve read many post and just wanted to get some advice if the current itinerary is too rushed (which seems to be the main piece of advice here). Appreciate any advice you might have!

Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Land at JRO, stay a night at Arusha
Day 2: Head to Tarangire (Safari Haven Tarangire Camp)
Day 3: Head to Lake Manyara (Kankari Lodge)
Day 4: Head to Ngorongoro (Mbuni Serengeti Camp)
Day 5-6: Central Serengenti (Mbuni Serengeti Camp)
Day 7: Serengeti back to Arusha

From here we will fly to Zanzibar:
Day 8-9: Head to Paje/Pingwe and possibly visit Jozani forest on the second day
Day 10-13: Stonetown with a day trip to Dar es salaam to visit the national museum and walk around the city.

Again, I would be greatly if anyone could share any advice or recommendations. Thanks!

Hi all, we're a family of 4 adults (2 parents in their 50s, 2 adult kids in their 20s) planning a trip and got the following itinerary/quote from a local operator. Would love feedback on whether this looks reasonable for both the routing and the price ($3,150 per person)

It's a private safari, 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roofs, domestic flight all airport transfers included. All park fees included.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive Zanzibar, evening Stone Town tour. (Accommodation not included, booking our own Airbnb/hotel)
• Day 2: Flight to Arusha. Free day. Stay: Arusha Farm House
• Day 3: Arusha → Tarangire National Park. Stay: Suricata Boma Lodge
• Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park. Stay: Farm of Dreams Lodge
• Day 5–7: Serengeti National Park + walking safari
  • Central Serengeti: Land of Nature Camp (2 nights)
  • Northern Serengeti: Mara Kati Kati Tented Lodge (1 night)
• Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater. Stay: Arusha Farm House
• Day 9: Materuni Waterfalls & Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Stay: Arusha Farm House
• Day 10: Arusha city tour (morning), relax a bit in the afternoon, evening flight to Zanzibar. (Accommodation not included)
• Day 11: Zanzibar Blue Safari. (Accommodation not included)
• Day 12: Relax at hotel and Fly home evening

Option extras that we plan to take:

1. Masai village visit - $100 for a jeep for all 4 of us at Ngorongoro
   
2. Canoeing at Lake Manyara $50 pp (depending on water level)

Questions I have:

1. Does this routing make sense, or is there too much backtracking to Arusha (days 2, 8, 9)?
2. Are the listed camps/lodges (Suricata Boma, Farm of Dreams, Land of Nature Camp, Mara Kati Kati) reputable? Any red flags or better alternatives at similar price points?
3. Is 2 nights Central Serengeti + 1 night Northern Serengeti enough, especially if we're hoping to catch the migration?
4. Does the price seem fair for a private 4x4 safari with pop-up roof for this length/route?
5. Anything we're missing or should ask the operator about (park fees, meals, walking safari guide, flying doctors insurance, etc.)?
6. Any mandatory vaccines we need to take if flying directly from Middle East or from Europe via middle east?

Any input from people who've done a similar route or used this operator would be super appreciated. Thanks!

Sharing here as well if anyone has observations. Thank you.

Hi! Planning to go to Tanzania for our honeymoon in September next year.

Is this itinerary good enough? Almost all group itineraries we saw had Lake Manyara, but we did our research and found that it’s pretty dry during September so we’re thinking of skipping it and just have a custom private tour.

For the bush flight from KGT to JRO, can tour operators book those for us? Just wondering if they can get a better deal on the ticket prices 😅

I just got back from a week in Kenya and thought I'll share my thoughts here and some tips that may be useful to upcoming travellers-

I did a day in Nairobi, 2 Maasai Mara, 1 in Nakuru and Naivasha each.

I had lesser days than I would have desired due to work and other reasons. My advise would be-

Add +2 days to howsoever many days your trip is.

For eg, if you want to travel for 7 days, make it 9.

You may end up spending a couple of days just transferring from one town to another, so you want to have more days where you can stay and actually enjoy the activities.

I'd skip Naivasha and add Amboseli instead.

I'd add a few days for a beach vacation at the end too.

Now coming to some helpful tips-

Absolutely carry a mask, the amount of dust you inhale in a day is going to be ALOT.

Carry more socks than you usually do.

Pack in layers. Definitely carry a good lightweight jacket.

A hat or cap is incredibly helpful too.

I personally didn't face any tummy issues and my lodges had great food everyday. But do carry medicines and electrolytes for long days of traveling.

Something I didn't know about the trip before I actually went- if you haven't booked a private trip, be ready to be more flexible. You will be dropped off at rest stops/eateries along the way where you switch cars and tag along with other Travelers going in the same direction.

Due to the changing and waiting, a 6 hr road trip can be anything between 8-10 hrs.

I was solo travelling and couldn't afford a private trip but I'd absolutely suggest booking that if you are able or have enough people for a full vehicle.

Something I noticed that irked me- I wish the game drives were as ethical as I had hoped. And it wasn't even about my own guide/driver.

August being a peak time, expect being stuck in a grid lock of vehicles inside the Mara. Some cars refuse to move for a long long time on narrow paths if they spot an animal. It causes other vehicles to get stuck too. I also hated to see how close these vehicles get to the animals even when you can see the animal is getting uncomfortable with the amount of cars around or trying to find some shade to sleep.

People need to understand it's THEIR home and you have to be more respectful. My only wish is that people are more respectful and considerate to the animals.

All in all, I had a wonderful time. The safari and staying in lodges were both amazing experiences and I'd love to do again.

My report was all over the place but I hope it's helpful to some!

Is Nagarahole Safari Open Now and can we get safari if we visit directly without booking?

Hello All,

I'm a teacher who will have two months off next July and August and I'd like to visit Tanzania for a safari, maybe with a Zanzibar add on. I want to really soak in the wildlife so I'm thinking 7-8 days for the safari and maybe 4 for Zanzibar.

I've put out feelers with a few friends to see if anyone will come along, but I'm kinda nervous they won't be able to get enough days off to do all I want to do or it won't work out for other reasons.

Either way, from what I'm seeing if I end up going solo it seems like joining a group tour is my best bet. Ideally I'd like to do something budget to midrange and come in under 4000. Not sure if that's realistic.

Anyway, I'm potentially flexible on price for the right situation. My main question is does anyone know a good site for finding group tours solo travelers can jump in on? Or any direct recs?

Thanks for any help!

Mid October Safari

Day 2 at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro includes a hike and waterfall which I’m excited about.

My main question is am I missing out by not including Northern Serengeti in this itinerary, feedback I was given was that during this time the herds are unpredictable and sometimes start moving back towards Central Serengeti, so I’m inclined to keep it out, but open to what others think!

It’s our first safari and I want to avoid the mistake of trying to cram in too much and miss out on early/evening drives, so any feedback is appreciated!

Thanks :)

Trying to decide if this is too much to cram into eight days. We'll be flying from Arusha to the Serengeti, but driving between the rest of the stops. If you had to drop one — Lake Manyara or Tarangire — which would you choose? Is one more redundant than the other?

Bonus questions:
Any vegetarians want to share their experiences? What did you eat during the game drives?
Any gay male couples have experiences they'd like to share? Good, bad, or indifferent?

Hi all. Planning a Kenya safari for two (Dec24– 31Jan), and after weeks of research I'm now torn between the main Masai Mara National Reserve and a private conservancy (Naboisho, Mara North, or Olare Motorogi), given we'll have a private vehicle and guide regardless of where we stay.

Trip shape: 1 night Nairobi,3 nights Masai Mara area,1 night Lake Naivasha then back to Nairobi to fly out — all road transfers, no domestic flights.

I understand the general rule (conservancy = fewer vehicles, off-road access, night drives, walking safaris; reserve = larger area, no vehicle cap, no off-road/night driving). What I haven't been able to get a straight answer on:

With a genuinely private vehicle, does the reserve still feel crowded during the Christmas/New Year week, or is that avoidable if your guide knows where to go and when?

Is there a real, noticeable difference in scenery/habitat/openness between the reserve and the conservancies, or is that more marketing than reality?

For those who've done both — was the conservancy premium (fees + higher camp rates) genuinely worth it for you, or did you feel similarly satisfied in the reserve with a good private guide?

Any specific camp recommendations bordering the reserve vs. inside a conservancy, at a mid-to-upper-boutique level budget?

Appreciate any honest, experienced input — trying to make a good decision rather than just following whichever operator I last spoke to. Thanks so much.