A couple of comments about Michael's questions and
experiences in South Africa, as compared to east Africa..
I think you must have a guide no matter whether it is
mandatory or not. Their experience in the reserves is the
strongest asset they bring to your trip; you could easily
get disoriented in the Serengeti and have a hard time
just finding your way back to your lodge or camp!
If you want to see the migration, and can get to Tanzania by
June- then you will have a good experience there - except for
one factor that's out of your control: the lodges are heavily
booked and it will not be simple to string together an
itinerary that will satisfy you.
Do not go to Kenya in July expecting to find the migrating
herds there. Late August through October would be the most
reliable period for that.
A reasonable cost for your own guide & vehicle in Tanzania
would be (in US dollars) $175 per day. Could be a little less,
but you get what you pay for. A 3 to 4-star lodge the time
of the year you are considering will total $300 a day for
2 people, full board. Some places are considerably more
expensive, and there really are not a lot of lodges in the
Serengeti.
Kenya costs from July 1 onward are similar.
Park fees in Tanzania are $50 per person per 24-hour day, and
rise to $50 in Kenya July 1.
If all of this sounds discouraging, I don't intend that.
But, here at the end of February, it is very late to initiate a trip
to Tanzania at the time the migration is still there, and do
it without difficulty. Even Kenya in September is already
very heavily booked.
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