Adam’s Top 10 Experiences of Tanzania Part 2

Here's part 2 of yesterdays blog, detailing the adventures of Mahlatini's Adam in Tanzania.

6. People of Tanzania

Everywhere we travelled in Tanzania we met locals who were friendly, helpful and genuinely pleased to meet us. One particularly memorable experience took place in Zanzibar. Whilst driving the southern part of the island our guide realised we were getting hungry and thirsty. He took us to meet his friends who had a small fruit stand on the edge of one of the plantations. We enjoyed tasting their huge range of delicious fruit and getting to know these interesting characters. When we went to leave we tried to pay for what we had eaten but they refused to take any payment, they had simply wanted the chance to show off their product.

7. My ‘Under Canvas Experience

Serengeti Under Canvas camp is a mobile camp providing an authentic back to nature experience with nothing but canvas separating you from your surrounding landscape. This was a first for me and it certainly did not disappoint. I will not forget the nights spent lying in the pitch black listening to the sounds of Serengeti. On our first night we heard lion killing a buffalo. On the second night the camp was alive with the sounds of hyena including the sound of them passing our tent. There is simply nothing as exhilarating, it certainly makes you feel alive and more in touch with nature.

8. Cheetah vs baboon (interaction)

We had spent our last morning game drive at Serengeti Under Canvas searching for cheetah but had not had any luck. The guide then got word that a cheetah mother and her three clubs were passing through our camp. We rushed back to find them about 100m from the entrance of the camp. Whilst this sighting was obviously a thrill for us, the local baboons were none too happy about this! The troop of up to 40 baboons chased the cheetah out of the area but we followed them. At one point the cubs became separated from their mother which provided us with the chance to sit with the cubs as they hid in the long grass. It was an unbelievable experience and a great end to our game drive.

9. Coffee Lodges

On the drive from Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater we were able to stop at a couple of coffee lodges – Gibbs Farmand The Manor at Ngorongoro. These provide the perfect setting for a long lunch and a rest for the weary. They are also recommended for stays between safaris. These lodges pride themselves on the food and local produce they use. At Gibbs Farm we were treated to a delicious lunch where all the ingredients were sourced from the farm; the lodge is set within a working farm and hosts abundant gardens. It provides an ‘English country house feel within an African setting. The Manor at Ngorongoro is grandeur personified and with a beautiful balcony overlooking the countryside, for a moment I thought I was in the hills of Tuscany!

10. Swimming the warm waters of Zanzibar Island

After a full safari circuit in Tanzania it is a welcome rest to relax on the beaches of Zanzibar. During our stay at The Residence, I was lucky enough to be staying in a beach villa, steps away from the beach. First port of call was a dip in the sea. Being accustomed to the sea of the North Coast of Ireland I tiptoed into the water but soon realised that it was warm, no actually hot! It was bath temperature. Time to lie back, float and relax!