A review of Tanzania Honeymoons, Safari Holidays in Tanzania, Serengeti Safari,
Tanzania Safari Specialist, Tanzania Walking Safari, Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania,
Zanzibar Diving, Mafia Diving, Zanzibar Honeymoon, Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Selous,
Zanzibar and Pemba by our Product Manager, Ali
Tanzania Honeymoons, Safari Holidays in Tanzania, Serengeti Safari, Tanzania Safari
Specialist, Tanzania Walking Safari, Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Diving, Mafia Diving, Zanzibar Honeymoon, Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Selous, Zanzibar,
Pemba
A review of Tanzania by our Product Manager, Ali
A journey to Tanzania is always a pleasure and I’ve lost count of the number of visits I’ve made over the years but each and every trip brings new and exciting experiences. Old safari hands will tell you to expect the unexpected.
Sitting on the verandah, gin and tonic in hand, savouring a tranquil scene as an elephant and a couple of waterbuck refreshed themselves at a nearby watering hole, we studied our schedule wondering how to sneak in some safari time between lunch appointments and lodge inspections. It’s a tough job but I’m happy to face the challenge. A little juggling and a few dawn starts and we managed to engineer a full day in Tarangire one of my favourite national parks. But beforehand there was work to be done.
We left camp at first light and set off into the park for a breakfast appointment at one of the lodges. Tarangire is enchanting and is perhaps the closest approximation to people’s expectations of Africa. The clusters of baobabs and acacia stands silhouetted in the dawn light are a sight to lift the spirits of the most weary lodge inspector. It wasn’t too long before we came across mama cheetah returning from an early morning hunting expedition, an unusual sight in Tarangire, she paused at the edge of a clearing and shortly after two fluffy little cubs came gambolling out to greet her. Reluctantly we hurried passed a small pride of lions, assorted ungulates (!) and a magnificent martial eagle in order to make the first appointment. After breakfast and an update on one of our regular camps we set off for our next appointment…yet more food, lunch faraway on the eastern side of the park. By now it was late morning and the sun was high. We were making good time when a puncture put a stop to things, never mind its all part of modern life in the bush. We had conveniently come to halt under the shade of a tree and not paying much attention we set about changing the wheel, as the jack was put in place I glanced up to see the meanest leopard looking right down on us. We hurriedly completed our task and continued on our journey.
The afternoon brought more fabulous encounters. We watched a playful herd of elephants excitedly make their way down to the river, the youngsters were actually diving and splashing each other, elephants definitely have a sense of humour. A tiny, tiny youngster was carefully introduced to the water by a loving mum and aunt, such tenderness from these huge animals was very touching. Tired but elated we finally made it to our night stop in the neighbouring Tarangire Conservation Area well after dark. Our camp hosts, certain that we would decline after such a long day, politely enquired if we would like a night drive, YES PLEASE, let’s face in you can sleep in the next life! So at 10 pm we set off into the Lolkisale Conservancy.
For us humans sunset marks the end of the days activities but this is the time when many animals and birds are on the move hunting and feeding. I love night drives, especially listening to the sounds of the night; giggling hyenas, snorting hippos and lions calling as they prepare for a nights hunting. We crawled along scanning the bush for eyeshine and soon found the usuals; galagos, genets, a night jar and a scops owl. Then the icing on the cake, the elusive striped hyena! We returned to camp tired but elated. We’d notched up some fabulous sightings all in a busy working day. It’s all about being out there, never miss an opportunity to get out into the bush on a safari activity, there is always something to be seen and a good enthusiastic guide who can communicate their love of the wilderness is priceless.
Click here to see Ali's recommended Tanzania itineraries.