Daisy’s Tanzania Trip Report: After many months of safari-deprived longing, Daisy was finally able to go on my much anticipated Tanzanian trip after being postponed twice since 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. Excitement was high and with my negative PCR test in hand, she arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport, where they got screened and went through immigration and passport control. She had a warm welcome by her driver guide who was waiting, with a bottle of cold water for me, ready to take me to Rivertrees Country Inn for their overnight stay.
The next morning, along with the other select travel advisors in our group, they made our way to Tarangire National Park in our closed-sided safari vehicle, a custom-designed Landcruiser. Once they entered the vast endlessness of this renowned eco-reserve, th were stunned by all the baobab trees and large herds of elephants.
She went for a site inspection at Lemala Mpingo Ridge with its amazing vistas of endless plains, before heading to Asilia’s Oliver’s Camp, where she was happily welcomed with refreshing pomegranate juice while listening to the Tarangire Lion Research Initiative representative teaching us about the complex intricacies of keeping the lion prides safe.
LEMALA MPINGO RIDGE
ASILIA’S OLIVER’S CAMP
TARANGIRE LION RESEARCH INITIATIVE
The Tarangire Lion Project works to monitor long-term lion populations, mitigate human-carnivore conflict and educate communities to drive awareness around lion and wildlife conservation. Asilia works with TLP to support new field equipment like GPS collaring and staff operations and training.
After a good night’s rest, the group headed out on an early morning game drive with a delicious bush breakfast, before continuing on the game drive and then on to do a site inspection at Sanctuary Retreats’ Swala Camp.
SANCTUARY SWALA CAMP
The next morning they travelled on towards Karatu for a site inspection at Marera Mountain View Lodge before heading on to Gibb’s Farm for a site inspection and sumptuous lunch.
GIBB’S FARM
Refueled, they continued towards The Highlands in the Ngorongoro Crater region, passing many local Maasai villages and making a stop at one of the traditional Maasai bomas, where they were introduced to the culture and traditions of these beautiful semi-nomadic, pastoral people.
MAASAI VILLAGE VISIT
THE HIGHLANDS
They had an exhilarating early morning start with a dramatic descent into the Ngorongoro Crater and game-driving on the crater floor, viewing lions, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, flamingos, and a thrilling variety of birdlife. In the afternoon they had a very rewarding walk up the Olmoti Crater with endless views across the Highlands and cascading waterfall.
OLMOTI CRATER
NGORONGORO CRATER GAME DRIVE
The next morning, after goodbyes the group made their way around the crater rim for a site inspection at andBeyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and Nomad’s Entamanu Ngorongoro Camp, before leaving the highlands of Ngorongoro and continuing on a game drive through the famous plains of the Serengeti towards the Ubuntu Migration Camp in the Southern Serengeti.
&BEYOND’S NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE
NOMAD’S ENTAMANU NGORONGORO CAMP
UBUNTU MIGRATION CAMP
After a brisk breakfast in the camp, they continued across the Serengeti towards Elewana Pioneer Camp for a site inspection before ending up at the all-female Dunia Camp for lunch and learning about their Twende Porini program where they involve children from local communities so they can experience what a safari is all about and the importance of tourism.
From here, they continued eastwards towards Namiri Plains where they stayed for the night.
ELEWANA PIONEER CAMP
DUNIA CAMP
NAMIRI PLAINS
The next morning, it was time to head for the airstrip for our shared light-aircraft flight to the Northern Serengeti, where they were met by a camp vehicle that took them on a phenomenal game drive to Sayari Camp for a two-night stay.
SAYARI CAMP
They were woken up in the quintessential safari way, with a steaming hot beverage and biscuits which were brought to the rooms, before heading out for a morning game drive and a delicious bush breakfast picnic. Site inspections had been arranged at Kaskaz Mara Camp and Lamai Serengeti before continuing with the game drive.
KASKAZ MARA CAMP
LAMAI SERENGETI
Dasiy and the group departed the Northern Serengeti for Zanzibar via Arusha on a shared light-aircraft flight. At Zanzibar Airport, they were met by our friendly driver, who took them to the Covid testing station for PCR Covid tests done, before continuing to the north-western part of the island, where Matemwe Lodge, Beach House, and Retreat are situated. That evening, they enjoyed an intimate private beach dinner, with tables and lanterns magically dotting the beach.
The last full day was packed with activities, starting with snorkeling with dolphins and on the coral reef, followed by lunch, a reef walk, and afternoon sailing on a local dhow! The day was ended with a seafood barbeque on the beach.
MATEMWE LODGE
MATEMWE RETREAT
Before hopping on the return flight the next morning, the driver and knowledgeable guide picked them up for our morning tour of Stone Town. Visiting Stone Town, with its fascinating buildings full of history and ancient stories was an absolute highlight! They visited the grand old Cathedral, legendary Slave Markets, the colorful fruit and vegetable market, the Old Arabic Fort, the Sultan’s Palace, Tip Tip’s House, and of course, the famously beautiful Zanzibar doors in the small narrow streets – and definitely not forgetting to walk reverently past the apartment where Freddie Mercury grew up.
Tanzania is an incredible destination – the lodges, camps, and the amazing people. The spectacular game viewing and once-in-a-lifetime experiences were the cherries on top!
