BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm going to Tanzania (and probably also Rwanda and Kenya) next month for my first trip to East Africa (flying into Kili and out from Nairobi). I am interested in both nature/wildlife and culture. My first thought (still dominant) was to choose a safari either in northern Tanzania or perhaps Kenya (if the migration has moved there after I arrive in mid-July). But I'm wondering about the advantages of instead doing a safari in Selous or somewhere away from the main northern Tanzanian circuit. I can probably afford only one safari although my whole trip will be 5 weeks. I would miss the migration, but it sounds as if this would get me away from the more crowded, touristy northern areas. I wonder what people think of the tradeoff. It does seem a shame to miss the Serengeti, but in my travels I generally prefer less touristy things. Any thoughts?

I can't offer a comparison for you, because I skipped the northern route and went to Selous instead. I loved every minute there and don't regret not having gone to the northern circuit.

It is quite a drive to get out there (but I enjoyed the landscapes and all the children waving at us and yelling "Mzungu, mzungu!"). I also suspect we may not have seen quite as many animals as we would have on the northern route, but I was still amazed at how much we saw and how beautiful the landscapes were. One thing we rarely saw were other safari vehicles and that really did add to the experience.

In short: go for it. You will love Selous.

Jill

I do suggest that we must be fed up with this congested circuit.

I do prefer the western cicuit, with mahale and gombe and Katavi
look at this link it might help you
http://www.lipiadventure.com/pages/mahale.html

Good luck