PRaffen54

I've spent a couple weeks researching tours and operators. Every time I think I've found "the one," it doesn't work out.

We are currently looking at LUXURY TANZANIA EXPERIENCE through Lions World. Has anyone every done this tour or used Lions World? Any feedback would be appreciated.

I am concerned about the driving time between accommodations on this tour but my husband hates small planes so I'm not sure flying between locations would be agreeable to him.

All advice welcomed!

amyb

My first safari was to Tanzania, and we drove the entire loop, until it was time to fly back from the Serengeti to Arusha to head home. It was very comfortable in the vehicles, with reasonable drive times between locations, and we covered the common Northern Circuit Arusha-Tarangire-Lake Manyara-Ndutu-Serengeti loop that most people do in February to see the wildebeest migration in Ndutu/Serengeti. My trip report from that is on here (click on my name to find it). I went with Access2Tanzania, who worked with our budget and our timeline and paired us with their guide who matched to our personalities just perfectly. I am going with A2T's sister company to Rwanda next year, I liked them that much. You should be able to find reviews on Trip Advisor as well. You might want to take a look at them, and let them know about minimizing flight time. Karen at A2T is worth talking to and letting her know your likes/dislikes and hopes for your first safari.

abram

We also did a drive out/fly back safari: Arusha NP, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, fly from Kogatende back to Arusha.
We used EASY TRAVEL and couldn't have been happier. They were very accommodating to our wishes, and gave us the benefit of their expertise without making us feel like they were just trying to make the sale. It really seemed like they wanted us to have the best possible experience, and we did.

TC

We did a wonderful luxury safari in southern Tanzania a few years ago. We stayed in two different areas....four camps. We did a combination of fly drive. Here is my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...and-selous.cfm

I hope this helps and would be happy to answer any questions.

Cheers.

Brussig

I just returned last week from an incredible safari (northern circuit of Tanzania). I would highly recommend that you contact Earthlife Expeditions. They are a small, Arusha-based company that provided my family with extremely excellent service: during the planning phase, on the safari with our superb guide Paul, and even after safari was over. Yes, after we were done with them, they came to our rescue. Click on my name for the trip report. This wonderful favor they did for us occurred on Zanzibar after the safari was over. You can't go wrong with them (but like any smart traveler, contact multiple T.O.s to compare).

Simply put, I will return to Tanzania and travel with Earthlife again. My entire family loved it.

Brussig

Also! don't fret too much on the driving distances. My kids are 11 and 12 and I was concerned, but these are game drives, so you can do many things on them, see many things on them, and go at your own pace.