Hakuna Matata in Tanzania
We just returned from the lush and impressionable country of Tanzania. Our trip started off in the wilderness exploring the Serengeti and then we headed out to a state of relaxation on the island of Zanzibar. We booked our safari during the “rainy season,” but we could not have asked for better weather during our trip!
Just like the gorilla trekking trip, we booked our trip with Shadows of Africa. THE BEST PART about using Shadows of Africa is that you are BY YOURSELF in the safari vehicle. This was so crucial for us because Russell loves to take pictures, so therefore, we did not have to worry about frustrating other people. We could tell our driver when we were finished viewing something or if he could stop for the 300th elephant spotting!
The most important thing from our experience was to have an efficient itinerary. Building your itinerary to minimize the amount of transit time between parks is an important part of planning for a safari. We knew we would spend a lot of time in the vehicle to see the animals, but a good amount of time was wasted transiting from one park to the other. I have shared our itinerary, but included a recommended safari itinerary at the end of the post that I think would limit the amount of time transiting.
OUR ITINERARY
DAY ONE- Arrived late and stayed the night in Arusha
Since we landed at midnight at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), we were transported to a hotel in Arusha to stay for the night before heading out to Tarangire National Park in the morning.
DAY TWO- Tarangire National Park
We woke up immediately, excited for our first park of a safari. The park has a reputation of having the most elephant herds of any of the parks (MY FAVORITE!!). Tarangire has LOTS AND LOTS OF ELEPHANTS as well as various other animals. It was the perfect park to start off our safari adventure.
After spending the whole day at Tarangire we drove about an hour to Karatu, which is right outside of the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. We stayed at Eileen’s Trees Inn, which was where we ended up staying 3 nights during our trip. IT WAS PERFECT. It was a budget hotel, but felt like a medium to luxury accomodation with beautiful landscape and wonderful staff. The Inn provided a fantastic buffet-style breakfast and dinner. Each night was spent sitting by a fire pit while sipping on Savanna Ciders and looking back at pictures from the day.
DAY THREE- Drive to Serengeti National Park
We headed to Serengeti the next morning, but had to drive around the Ngorongoro Crater National Park in order to get to the Serengeti. We spent the early evening driving around the Serengeti and toward our tented camp.
Our experience in the Serengeti is hard to put into words. We understand why it is the most popular park. The savannah terrain is exactly what I envisioned a safari would entail. We spent the next day and a half in the Serengeti, and spent the night at a camp. We suggest staying at a camp out in the wilderness at least once! It is part of the experience. We had talking showers (a man asking us if we needed more water to be pumped during our 5 minute shower) and hyenas laughing right outside our tent in the middle of the night. Again – all part of the experience!!
DAY FOUR- Early hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti and drove around the park for half the day
We also work up early to go on a hot air ballon safari. We both agreed that it would be worth taking the hot air balloon ride during the migration, but we did not really think it was worth the money during height of the rainy season – due to a lack of animals. However, we did enjoy the experience itself – as it was the first time we had been in a hot air balloon. An item on my bucket list for some time.
The experience also included popping champagne bottles to celebrate surviving the balloon safari. We then had a lovely English breakfast in the middle of the Serengeti.
We saw the most species of animals while driving through Central Serengeti. If you can, I would spend at least 2 full days in the Serengeti. There is SO much to see! It was truly unbelievable.
We drove back to Eileen’s Trees for the night in Karatu.
DAY FIVE- Ngorongoro Crater National Park
The Ngorongoro Crater is a massive volcanic crater home to the BIG 5, and various other animals frolicking in the vast piece of land. While driving around inside the crater you are surrounding by green vegetation on the outer edge of the crater. Zebras and wildebeests can be seen for miles as well as a slew of lioness packs feeling comfortable enough to walk right by your vehicle. We were lucky enough to spot a male lion guarding a buffalo from hyenas looking to satisfy their bellies. It may feel a little redundant driving around the crater, but when circling to the same areas we found many new animals. However, you really only need to spend a day there.
DAY SIX – Flew to Zanzibar for a few days of scuba diving and relaxation
REFLECTING ON THE TRIP
The biggest impact of our trip came while reflecting on the vacation. Seeing animals free from cages or crates – embracing their endless space. It was exactly how wild animals should be living. It will be hard to go to another zoo; watching animals stuck in a cage and seeing elephants walk within a 120 yard radius. Elephants can walk miles a day. For 5 days we were driving around in animals’ natural habitats – free from human interaction, processed food, and cramped enclosures.
I have been guilty of going to zoos, riding an elephant, and touching a cheetah. However, after our safari the realizations hit me like a ton of bricks. These animals are not meant to be locked up, ridden, or touched by humans. They are called WILD animals for a reason. It was an impactful vacation.
» Recommended Itinerary:
This itinerary limits the time you spend in your car, providing you more time exploring the bush and searching for animals.
- DAY ONE – Fly from home → JRO (Kilimanjaro)
- Drive to Arusha to stay if you are getting in late (if not drive straight to Karatu to stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn)
- DAY TWO – Tarangire National Park
- Stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn again
- DAY THREE
- Wake up early and head to Ngorongoro Crater National Park
- Stay somewhere in the park
- DAY FOUR & FIVE
- Wake up early and drive to Serengeti National Park
- Stay at a tented camp at least one night
- DAY SIX
- Fly from Serengeti (SIA)→ Arusha → JRO → Back Home
**If you want to try another park, then maybe check out Manyara National Park before going to Tarangire.
♥ & xx
