African Safari in Tanzania: The Final 5-Day Itinerary

We’re all acquainted with the time period “once-in-a-lifetime’. Proper? It’s reserved for these epic bucket checklist experiences that you simply really feel grateful to have even as soon as throughout your life. An African safari in Tanzania is a kind of experiences—and I used to be blessed twice.

From touchdown at Kilimanjaro airport to looking for rhinos in Ngorongoro crater to taking part within the Maasai’s conventional leaping dance, being on safari will likely be surreal whichever stops and experiences you select. However, right here’s my final itinerary for a visit you’ll always remember.

➞ Try my Tanzania Safari Bucket Record of 23 actions to not miss.

About Shadows of Africa Excursions

The Shadows of Africa workforce took me on two unforgettable safari excursions in Tanzania, on two comparable but nonetheless very distinctive itineraries. My first time with them was insanely AMAZING. So, why would I’m going with anybody else the second time round? I wouldn’t. And I didn’t.

Shadows of Africa has many years’ value of expertise in designing and executing the final word safaris and excursions. They’re a well-rated company which makes a speciality of tailoring a safari to fulfill your desires and finances. Plus, they’ve even been honored with Tripadvisor’s Certificates of Excellence, proving that they’re good at what they do.

Their tour choices are various, enjoyable and genuine—there’s one thing for everybody. The businesses adventures aren’t restricted to only Tanzania both, they provide excursions and safaris in additional than ten different locations (how a couple of journey by Rwanda, Kenya or Ethiopia?).

Reserving: As all of their journeys might be personalized to fulfill your wants, you can begin your reserving with them by trying out their itineraries on their web site then sending them a free enquiry by their website for any questions or customizations.

Upon Arrival

Olerai Lodge 

Olerai Lodge is conveniently situated haven about an hour from Kilimanjaro Airport and quarter-hour from Arusha airport for these home flights. After 32-hours of journey time (hopefully your journey will likely be shorter!) it was the proper place to spend the evening after touchdown (and once more earlier than the departing). The lodge, which was opened in 2019, is not only a comfortable place to relaxation your head, it’s lovely too. Initially a house, it nonetheless has that cozy really feel, and the African affect decor solely provides to that—assume darkish masks hanging on the partitions, beaded chandeliers and chunky Dhow wooden furnishings.

The massive rooms have all the trendy facilities with toasty scorching showers, comfy mosquito-netted beds and contemporary ingesting water all the time accessible. Simply be sure to maintain the entrance door closed or else the morning monkey guests might discover their method inside!

The meals served on the lodge have been additionally top-notch. One night there was a tomato, cheese and balsamic discount appetizer that I devoured (and I don’t even like uncooked tomatoes!). Tender rooster with rosemary cream sauce served with garlic potatoes was the principle course and there was a caramel cream for dessert. An effective way to start out our safari! {Verify one of the best charges right here}

Safari Day 1

Nanja Market

There’s all the time one thing fascinating alongside the roads of Tanzania to interrupt up the drive between parks, and hitting up an area market is certainly one of them. There are fairly just a few to select from, however Nanja Market is in Arusha each Monday, and is a pleasant little cease in your approach to Tarangire Nationwide Park. So, in the event you time your Tanzania safari proper you possibly can go to it.

If it’s something like my stopover, inexperienced bananas will likely be plentiful, numerous greens will likely be displayed, the butcher will likely be hanging his meat inside a shed and rows Maasai footwear comprised of previous tires will line the dust floor. You would possibly even have the ability to discover some conventional ugali to eat, which is a staple in Tanzania.

Tarangire Nationwide Park

From Olerai Lodge, it was a couple of 2-hour drive to the gates of our first sport drive vacation spot. Tarangire is a 1,096 sq. mile Nationwide Park crammed with an ample mishmash of animals, together with 550 species of birds. However, what it’s best identified for is having Tanzania’s largest inhabitants of African elephants. In addition to seeing these mild giants of their pure habitat, additionally, you will see proof of  them within the huge trunked Baobab timber. Many of those timber have massive holes within the trunk as a result of the elephants prefer to eat the tender bark.

We didn’t have to attend lengthy after coming into the park to see the very first animal, an Impala. And dozens of others adopted; wildebeest, wart hogs, elephants, baboons, and so forth. Considered one of my favourite sights of the day have been the giraffes (and the mongoose, and the warthogs, and the lions—okay I favored all of them!)

➞ For some additional enjoyable, see what number of animals you possibly can test off my Tanzania Safari Animal Bucket Record.

Lunch

Tarangire Nationwide Park has a delegated lunch spot for individuals on an African safari. It’s a spot with a view and the place the monkeys hang around ready for unintentional droppings, or if you’re not cautious they may simply swipe one thing proper out of your plate!

You hear quite a bit in regards to the “packing containers lunches” on safari, however Shadows of Africa takes this meal up a notch by offering a scorching lunch (not only a sandwich and bag of chips). On our day within the park, this lunch was a creamy pumpkin soup, curried rooster with white rice, pasta and an choice for a glass of wine (you possibly can think about how joyful I used to be about that!).

Ang’ata Tented Camp

We continued on our sport drive for about eight hours (it seems like a very long time, however imagine me, it flew by!) then we have been taken to Ang’ata Tented Camp that’s proper in the course of the park. I really needed to be escorted to and from my room in case any wildlife was hanging round!

I’m the primary to confess that I’m not a camper, however glamping (fancy tenting) I can do! My tent had three beds (I slept on the beautiful animal print one), a rest room, sink and a bathe. Plus, there was sufficient electrical energy to maintain a pair lamps on in case you might be terrified of the darkish.

A pair hundred ft away from my tent, there was one massive gathering tent for wifi, main tools charging, drinks and meals. And also you’d be shocked what they’ll do within the kitchen! On my night there, dinner was butternut squash soup, beef stew and mango with avocado mousse. Yum!

Various Safari Lodge: Osupuko Lodge

Osupuko Lodge is a paradise that overlooks Tarangire Nationwide Park, and the place I stayed on my first safari. The luxurious rooms are totally geared up, with a shocking view of Tarangire, and a risk of an elephant to greet you at your door. The Maasai employees appeared to all the time be prepared to assist—strolling every customer to and from their rooms, transporting the bags, and performing as safety within the night. You’ll be in lion and hyena land in any case!

Most of the scrumptious meals at Osupuko’s out of doors restaurant are accompanied by a welcome dance present that includes the Maasai who carried out their conventional dance which featured neck rings, chanting and a bouncing movement.

The resort is run on a generator, so there was no electrical energy after ten, however you gained’t thoughts in any respect as a result of one of the best time is within the peaceable evening listening to the animal calls.

Safari Day 2

Again to Tarangire Nationwide Park

Because the Tarangire park go lasts 24-hours and never desirous to waste any of our valuable time, we awakened early and did a brief morning drive by the land. It proved to be fruitful—the very first thing we noticed was a lion simply hanging out about 20 ft from us! There have been additionally dozens of elephants, they have been nearly as frequent as temples in Thailand.

Although essentially the most intriguing present on our return to the park was the hyena and vultures preventing over the carcass of a Cape buffalo. The vultures gained.

From Tarangire Nationwide Park we headed in the direction of Lake Maynara for the night, which usually is a couple of 3-hour drive straight by, however we broke it up with just a few enjoyable and fascinating stops:

Marango “B” Bar 

You’ll see loads of small Tanzanian bars alongside the route, and you need to cease at one for a drink. We popped into Marango “B” Bar the place the drink decisions have been a few native beers, Coke or Fanta. It was additionally a spot the place cows or goats is perhaps sharing an outside desk with you.

The music was blaring once we arrived, which added to the native vibe. Our bartender stated that it needed to be loud or else no prospects will come.

Ol Mesera Faculty 

Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Africa is to go to with the kids. I can’t get sufficient of their smiling faces! Our safari itinerary made a cease at Ol Mesera Faculty, which is likely one of the Maasai colleges that Shadows of Africa sponsors. What does that imply? It implies that they’re devoted to offering the kids with further instruments, provides and sources wanted.

The youngsters don’t see too many outsiders, so once we arrived they have been excited (so was I!). They crowded the home windows and spilled out of the doorways attempting to get a peek on the foreigners. They slowly warmed up, joking and laughing, and surrounding me to get a selfie carrying my sun shades.

On our go to we spent somewhat time in every classroom to see what was be studied, and I even discovered some Swahili!

Ol Mesera Maasai Village

Residing in northern Tanzania and Kenya, the Maasai are identified to reside a semi-nomadic life-style, usually taking residence close to nationwide sport parks. Their traditions, customs and garments have made them internationally identified.

There are many Maasai villages in Tanzania, you’ll usually see their grass and adobe huts in the course of sparse fields. If that doesn’t give it away, then their vibrant pink and blue wardrobe will. We visited the Ol Mesera Maasai village, a spot the place most of the faculty kids we had simply visited referred to as residence.

On this tribe there was one chief (who has since handed away). He had 8 wives, and a whopping 50 kids! We have been greeted by the chief’s sons and welcomed us into the inside circle of their dwelling quarters, which consisted of about eight small huts. There was one for every spouse and their kids, plus one for the husband who alternated which lady stays with him every night. Not solely was their polygamist life-style fascinating, however so was their farming capabilities, minimalist dwelling and tradition.

After a tour of the small village the entire tribe gathered round. We have been instantly welcomed by the residents with a energetic dance, which consisted of chanting together with the lads leaping excessive and the ladies performing in a rhythmic bouncing movement. I used to be introduced into the middle of the group to take part into this custom. There was numerous singing, dancing and laughing (largely the Massai laughing at my lack of dance expertise!).

➞ Be taught extra: The Tradition & Traditions of Africa’s Maasai Tribe

Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge

From the nice and cozy Maasai welcome to the infinity pool to the gorgeous views over Lake Manyara, Kilimamoja Lodge is one thing particular. The principle lodge actually seems to be like a film set with its excessive ceilings, zebra patterned couches and crystal chandeliers.

My fairly bungalow room was pure luxurious. It boasted three showers (certainly one of them was outside!), a clawfoot tub, comfortable mattress and the proper patio for watching the sundown over the Rift Valley. My solely remorse is that I used to be not there lengthy sufficient to completely take pleasure in! So, undoubtedly save your self some additional time.

Safari Day 3

Ngorongoro Crater 

Ngorongoro Crater (aka: Ngorongoro Conservation Space) is the place I turned hooked on wild animal selfies. I simply couldn’t imagine how shut they got here to our jeep! Within the caldera you will have an opportunity to identify all of the Huge 5, in addition to marvel on the sight of flamingoes by the Lake Magadi. On the whole, there are over 120 mammal species might be discovered within the space. The spotlight nonetheless, are the 20 to 30 black rhinos, an endangered species. On my first Tanzanian safari I didn’t see any of those elusive animals, and on the second I noticed 3!

Ziwani Lodge 

It’s fairly loopy how one can be on an African safari in the course of nowhere after which there’s a wonderful lodge that additionally pops up in the course of nowhere! That’s just about what occurs each evening whereas on safari, and a keep at Ziwani Lodge was no totally different. The safari lodge was a complicated oasis on the shores of Tanzania’s Lake Eyasi, and overlooking the Swift Valley. There are 7 cottages that every one appear to be little castles and are adorned with a Moroccan affect.

Not solely is it lovely, it’s also environmentally acutely aware. The eco-lodge is run solely by photo voltaic and wind energy, plus it’s 100% plastic free. Even the utensils for picnics are manufactured from sugar cane.

Safari Day 4

Lake Eyasi Hadzabe Bushmen

One of the crucial fascinating stops on safari was a go to to the Lake Eyasi Hadzabe bushmen. The Hadzabe, consisting of almost 2,000 people, reside in huts close to Lake Eyasi and proceed to stay dedicated to their rugged hunter-gatherer life-style origins. Every day begins with the lads getting collectively to debate the place to hunt and the ladies figuring out the place to collect.

It’s doable to get a glimpse of how the tribe’s day by day life is lived, however be ready. Whereas it’s tremendously intriguing, their life-style might also rush a wave of tradition shock by you. Once we arrived for our go to the males had simply speared a baboon that they have been cooking for breakfast. We watched as they dissected the animal, placing every half on the grill after which providing us a style. I kindly declined.

Although this monkey was the meal on this explicit morning, their food plan consists of just about any animal that may be hunted with a bow and arrow. A few of the males within the group really tried to show me find out how to use the weapon, one thing they expertly shoot daily to hunt for his or her meals. It wasn’t a simple activity—I couldn’t even hit the tree stump goal!

Whereas the lads have been cooking, the ladies sat 100 ft away beading jewellery and making tiny fabric dolls. That they had a small number of items on the market, and I selected two of the little dolls that now sit on my workplace desk at residence.

Datoga Tribe 

After the Hadzabe go to we make a fast cease to a small Datoga village. The ladies greeted us of their fairly rust coloured attire that had a rainbow of beads flowing down the again, indicating they have been married. The group are farmers, however are also called “the blacksmith” individuals, and for good motive. Utilizing just a few warmth, a mould and an historic method they’ll flip hunks of steel into lovely bangles. The ladies put on these copper and bronze bracelets as safety towards evil.

On our go to, we have been invited inside certainly one of their wooden and dust huts to see how they lived. There have been two very sparse dirt-floored rooms. In a single was a make-shift kitchen and a mattress manufactured from sticks. Within the different have been just a few lengthy benches and a office the place two stones may flip grains of dried corn right into a finer flour.

After this village go to, we headed again to the Olerai Lodge in Arusha. This was an amazing place to catch some relaxation earlier than heading to the Arusha airport for the hour flight to Serengeti Nationwide Park

Safari Day 5

Serengeti Nationwide Park

Over 90,000 vacationers go to Serengeti Nationwide Park and there’s no doubt why; it’s gorgeous with its seemingly infinite dusty plains which are noticed with wildlife. Tanzania’s oldest and hottest nationwide park is a spot that simply earns a spot on many individuals’s bucket checklist.

It isn’t solely an UNESCO world heritage website, but in addition residence to certainly one of nature’s grandest spectacles—the biggest migration of mammals on the planet. The annual wildebeest migration is when greater than one million land animals stomp the dry-grass plains in the hunt for greener pastures. The wildebeest don’t journey alone; a whole bunch of hundreds of Thompson’s gazelle and zebras be part of them on this trek, plunging by crocodile-infested waters of their effort to flee dying from starvation, thirst, and predators.

In addition to the migration, the 5,695 sq. miles of Serengeti is blessed with an abundance of animals, plus you possibly can pay a go to to the hippo pool the place a number of dozen are clustered collectively sloshing about. And that is the place we not solely noticed our first hyena on my first journey, but in addition noticed the biggest flying chicken on the earth, the Kori Bustard.

Serengeti Lodging

The primary time in Serengeti, I stayed at Osupuko Camp, a well-equipped glamping spot within the within the coronary heart of the park. And it was nice. The camp sits is on the slopes of Rongai Hills and overlooks the Seronera Valley.

On my second safari, I made a decision to attempt one thing totally different by staying on the 4 Seasons proper within the coronary heart of the Serengeti. It was actually particular, providing a special sort of luxurious and journey. It was such a deal with to spend my final nights in Tanzania there.

➞ You possibly can learn my assessment right here: 4 Seasons Safari Lodge

Ideas for a Safari in Tanzania, Africa

• Deliver rest room paper, 50% of the time you will have it.
• Huge breasted girls, in contrast to me, put on a sports activities bra. The roads are past bumpy and your ladies will likely be bouncing uncontrollably.
• Photographers, don’t overlook to deliver your longest zoom lens. Many good finds, particularly the birds, are from afar.
• Layer your clothes, the climate can differ relying on the park and time of day.

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