Travel Journal

Going on safari in Tanzania has been one of the most unforgettable trips of my life! It’s a dream destination for many, and I can’t wait to get back to Africa again.

My adventure was an 8-day fly-in safari through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, all within Tanzania, followed by three nights on Zanzibar, the Spice Island, before heading home.

To make the most of our time and see different habitats, we moved every day except one. The variety of wildlife, scenery, and places we stayed was incredible. We started by flying into Seronera in the central Serengeti. Our guides met us there, and what was supposed to be a 1-hour transfer to camp turned into an all-day game drive! We saw more animals that day than I expected to see the whole trip. Wildebeest and zebra were everywhere, and then we spotted our first lions. An hour later, we saw lions mating, and this excitement continued for the next week. We saw all of the Big 5, the Ugly 5, and some of the Small 5 and Shy 5. In total, we saw over 30 species of animals and countless birds.

We travelled in November, which is when the migration is in the central Serengeti. The weather was perfect, with daytime temperatures around 30°C and dropping to about 20°C at night. This time of year, is also known for ‘light rains,’ which usually meant a heavy shower in the afternoon. Being the shoulder season, we often found ourselves as the only jeep around, quietly watching the wildlife.

The &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas mobile camp had just moved from the northern Serengeti when we arrived. This camp, which moves five times a year with the Great Migration, was my favourite. It had a real ‘Out of Africa’ vibe, with drinks around the fire after our game drive, outdoor bucket showers, and tea in bed in the morning. There are no fences around the camps we stayed in, so we were really part of the environment. At night, we had camp or Masai security escorting us between our tents and the common areas.

We then moved east towards the Nanyukie River to stay at Lemala Nanyukie Camp, where we woke to a family of elephants just outside our tents.

From the central Serengeti, we flew west to Grumeti and stayed at &Beyond Grumeti Tented Camp on the river. With resident hippos and the only area in Tanzania to see black and white colobus monkeys, it was a tranquil setting with game drives starting right from the camp.

After five days in the Serengeti, we flew south to Manyara and headed up to Ngorongoro Crater National Park. Our unique accommodation was the only one on the crater rim, offering amazing views. At &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, we saw an endangered black rhino up close!

Our safari ended at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, set at the end of the lake. We saw tree-climbing lions and were the first jeeps down to the lake in the morning to see flamingos in all their pink splendour.

A typical day on safari starts early. Many animals are most active around sunrise. Morning game drives might start as early as 6 am and last until lunchtime. After a break, we’d head out again in the afternoon until dusk. Back at camp, we’d chat about our day’s sightings with our guides and plan for the next day. Being on safari can be tiring, so ending the trip with a relaxing stay in Zanzibar was perfect. Just a short flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar offers a mix of history, culture, and stunning beaches with clear water, perfect for snorkelling and diving.

If you’re not into beaches, we also visited Gibbs Farm, a historic lodge on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater. Founded in the 1920s as a coffee plantation, it’s an idyllic retreat overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

When planning a safari, consider:

1. What wildlife and habitats you want to see
2. The level of comfort you want
3. Group size
4. How much time you’ll spend on game drives and the quality of guides
5. Ethical impact of the company
6. Climate and time of year

Feel free to chat with us; we’ve travelled through 25 of the 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa!