Safari in December

[Race2the Redline]

Have 2/3 weeks for a trip to South Africa over December from around the 16th, hopefully a hybrid Safari/beach trip. The recommendation at that time seems to be Ngorongoro crater followed by Zanzibar, anyone here support that view having done the same or have any alternatives I should consider/research please?

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[GT03ROB]

I've not done safaris in Tanzania before but I have heard Ngorongoro is excellent.

I have done Kenya & Zimbabwe though. Obviously try to get in as small group/tour as you can afford.

I went to Zanzibar 2 years back & its well worth some time. Some great history to the place particularly in Stonetown. Also look up Cheetah's Rock. The airport departing can best be described as a nightmare. Think what you are currently hearing about Manchester only less organised with on a/c in tropical heat!

[Race2the Redline]

GT03ROB said:

I've not done safaris in Tanzania before but I have heard Ngorongoro is excellent.

I have done Kenya & Zimbabwe though. Obviously try to get in as small group/tour as you can afford.

I went to Zanzibar 2 years back & its well worth some time. Some great history to the place particularly in Stonetown. Also look up Cheetah's Rock. The airport departing can best be described as a nightmare. Think what you are currently hearing about Manchester only less organised with on a/c in tropical heat!

Thanks Rob, duly noted about the airport, I'll allow for extra time. Did you do either of your Kenya or Zimbabwe trips in December?

[GT03ROB]

Race2the Redline said:

Thanks Rob, duly noted about the airport, I'll allow for extra time. Did you do either of your Kenya or Zimbabwe trips in December?

Yes, Kenya I did over Christmas/New Year.

Weather was generally good, but we had some very heavy rain whilst in the Masi Mara, With the roads (tracks actually) becoming unpassable to get out we ended up flying out on a DC-3, that landed on a dirt strip.

[Xenobian]

Ive been to most of the parks in Tanzania now, and some of the islands off the coast. Ngorongoro Crater is a great choice and so is Zanzibar. Pemba Island is often overlooked, but well worth considering, if time and funds permit. Lake Eyasi, about 100km south of Ngorongoro.

Definitely take a look at ATR for ideas and planning. It is without a doubt the best resource out there for lodges. It has a really great mapping feature, with almost all of the lodges across Africa. You can also book things through them although I've never used it for that so cannot offer insight. https://africatravelresource.com/

[mikiec]

We booked our Botswana safari through thewildsource.com and are planning Tanzania & Kenya with them in 2024. I’d highly recommend getting in touch with them (generally you have book through an agent for safari camps). They run a number of safaris you can join or do a custom trip for you. Think they operate some camps in Tanzania.