My Time In Tanzania

My Time In Tanzania

One of our senior sales advisors, Julia, has just returned from a fact-finding mission to Tanzania Here’s a brief look at what she got up to.

Arusha

It had been way too long since I had been in East Africa so it was with massive excitement that I recently touched down at Kilimanjaro airport at the beginning of a week on safari in Tanzania, where "Hakuna matata" and wide smiling faces go hand in hand. My first night was spent at Arumeru River Lodge, situated roughly half way between the airport and Arusha, and the perfect property at which to either start or end a safari.

Set on an old coffee plantation and surrounded by rainforest, it has a lovely homely feel to it, with the chalets set in the tranquil gardens. If you have longer than a quick overnight stop it is the perfect place in which to relax, watch the resident dik diks, take a dip in the pool or visit the local village or nearby Lake Duluti, but sadly(!) I didn’t as I was off early the next morning to Grumeti.

Serengeti National Park 

A quick light aircraft flight took me from Arusha to the Ikoma airstrip, where I was met and transferred to my base for the day & night - Grumeti Hills. Situated in the heart of the Wildlife Management Area, on the edge of Serengeti National Park, the camp is built on the highest hill in the area, and because of this it has sweeping views, over the lush surroundings. The tents and public areas are raised on stone terraces and the entire camp is powered by solar energy.

After settling in I enjoyed an evening game drive – in an E-powered 4x4, the very first in East Africa - and a much-needed, thirst-quenching sundowner on the banks of the Grumeti River. Later that evening, just after being escorted back to my tent, there was an explosive roar which broke the silence from just below my tent. Message to self – you are definitely back in Africa! There is also a pool and spa, both with jaw-dropping views over the open plains below, but safari was calling me.

Next morning after an early bush walk and bush breakfast, I headed the short distance to Ikoma Hills, the sister camp to Grumeti Hills. This is a more intimate camp with only 12 tents, but still with its own jaw-dropping swimming pool overlooking the Serengeti. I think it is the perfect place for families or a party travelling together.

I then headed into the Serengeti National Park where I saw my first herds of the wildebeest migration pushing west. In fact there were wildebeest in whichever direction I looked.

After a very busy day game-viewing I arrived to stay at Togoro Plains Camp, which is nestled around two imposing rocky outcrops in the northern part of the Serengeti - this is a favourite area of mine as it has great wildlife year round. The camp’s main area is built in the heart of the rocks and has a warm homestead feel to it, with a large veranda overlooking the plains. My bed was calling though but the wildebeest insisted on serenading me all night long as they pushed through camp continuously throughout the night.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After another early breakfast I was off, game viewing en route to the central Serengeti. I popped into see Kubu Kubu Lodge, a large camp set on an escarpment with a large pool, spa and gym, and then stopped for lunch at Ronjo Camp. Open all year round, this is a very rustic tented camp, solar-powered, without WiFi, and ideal for those seeking more of an authentic stay.

On I pressed though after lunch into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where Olduvai Camp was to be my night stop. This is an older tented camp set against rocky outcrops, right on the migration path, with the best time to visit being December through to March. There is no swimming pool but for those brave enough, the climb up the rocky outcrops are rewarded with amazing views over the entire area. After settling in, I enjoyed a walk passing a Masai Manyatta where the herdsmen were gathering heir animals back in for the night. My sundowner spot was set atop a rocky escarpment overlooking the Serengeti plains – pretty picture postcardy.

A new day dawned to great personal excitement – I was heading to the Ngorongoro Crater. First though was a passing of the Olduvai Gorge, often called the "Cradle of Mankind," and one of the most important paleoanthropological localities in the world. Then it was time for the iconic Ngorongoro Crater – eden on earth. It's the world's largest intact calderas, and is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five. The steep crater walls and diverse habitats create a self-contained ecosystem, just perfect for safaris. On arriving on the crater floor, I encountered hyena and lion arguing over a recent kill which was fascinating to see – each fleetingly standing their own ground before the hyenas relented and whooped off into the nearby distance. My game drive was an absolute treat – I saw rhino, a plethora of bird life, migratory herds of zebra and wildebeest, more lion, as well as resident game from warthogs to elephant.

I also enjoyed a wonderfully surprising sit-down hot lunch, (a BBQ with a wide variety of dishes and salads), in a private secluded area set under some acacia trees. There really is nothing more magical than sitting in the bush surrounded by wildlife enjoying a scrumptious meal.

After ascending back to the top of the crafter I called in at the Melia Ngorongoro, a big, slick five-star property built into the lip of the crater with stunning views over the crater far below. It was then with a tinge of sadness that I had to say goodbye to the Ngorongoro Crater as I headed out of the conservation area to Karatu, a bustling town in the Ngorongoro Highlands for my overnight stay at Bashay Rift Lodge. Located on an old converted coffee plantation, the lodge offers cottage-style accommodation set in lush gardens, and has the bonus that most of the produce used is produced on the property.

Tarangire National Park

My last day on safari was a day which included two National Parks. First I headed to Lake Manyara for lunch at the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, before I descended into the Great Rift Valley and travelled onwards to the Tarangire National Park. My final night on safari was to be spent at Maweninga Camp. Built on top of a granite rock which overlooks Lake Manyara and Burunge, this tented camp sits well within its environment in the Tarangire National Park, which is home to baobabs dotting the landscape, large herds of elephant and a mini wildlife migration which takes part in the dry season.

My final game drive provided me with one final photo-opportunity - a lioness who was straddled between two branches in an acacia tree, sleeping off her full tummy. Perfect.

And then it was all over. After a great nights sleep, a leisurely breakfast and a pitstop for lunch at the Blue Heron Restaurant I was back to Kilimanjaro airport and ready to return to the UK.

I had had a jam-packed week, filled with excellent game viewing, beautiful properties, jaw-dropping scenery and amazing hosts throughout, and Tanzania had delivered on so many different levels. I will be back……