Having travelled extensively around the world, I was thrilled at the opportunity to join a Wild Frontiers Educational to Tanzania!
On the 13th of October a group of agents from all over South Africa met up with our tour leader from Wild Frontiers at OR Tambo for the start of an adventure of a lifetime - a 7 night mobile camping safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti!
After spending the first night in Arusha we got off to an early start to meet up with our Safari vehicle and our guide Ray, who would look after us for the rest of the Safari. We headed out of Arusha for a two hour drive to Tarangire where we spent the day exploring the vast countryside dotted with huge baobabs with their beautiful white flowers and saw loads of Wildebeest. After a picnic lunch we headed for Lake Manyara for our first night under the African sky.
We arrived late afternoon in time for sundowners and a roaring camp fire at our private camp which was all set up by the time we arrived. Tents were spread out, spacious and featured hot- water bush showers and on-suite loos! We enjoyed a fantastic 4 course dinner under the stars amazed by what the chef could cook up in the middle of nowhere!
The next day was spent exploring Lake Manyara in search of the elusive tree climbing lions. We spotted buffalo, lions, elephants, giraffes and thousands of pink flamingos that skirt the lakes shore and an abundance of interesting birds. We were also lucky enough to spot a Giant Eagle Owl catching forty winks in a tree above us!
Leaving Lake Manyara we headed off to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area up to the top of the crater rim where we had spectacular views of the crater below us. We then journeyed down into the Crater itself where we spent the day game viewing and in awe of the abundance of wildlife.
That night we spent the night in our new campsite which had been moved to the crater rim and was all set up for us when we arrived ready for another scrumptious meal under the stars.
On the fourth day we visited Olduvai Gorge and a Maasai Village before making our long journey to the Serengeti. On arrival the long bumpy journey was quickly forgotten as we entered the park, cold Serengeti beers in hand and took in the amazing vastness and beauty of the Serengeti. We were rewarded with a pride of lionesses resting on the side of the road five minutes into the park!
The following two nights were spent at Wild Frontiers’ Wilderness Camp, eco –friendly camping at its best in the heart of the wilderness! The large tents offered solar lighting, comfortable beds, en-suite toilet and shower. There was also a dining and lounge area with comfy couches and places to relax in between game drives. Evenings would begin around the campfire with a G&T and everyone sharing their top stories of the day’s game viewing.
Apart from all the amazing animals and scenery we saw, the highlight of my stay in Serengeti was a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the vast plains followed by an amazing champagne breakfast which is magically set up in the bush wherever the balloon chooses to land!
On the last day, camera memory cards full, we took a light aircraft from Serengeti back to Arusha with the chance to see Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro from the air and the spectacular scenery across the Ngorogoro highlands.
We also popped in at many of the lodges along the way, so if camping is not for you the same itinerary can still be done and I can recommend various lodges from 3 to 5 stars depending on your budget. The itineraries are very flexible and can be tailored to suit you.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my trip as much as I loved it. I can highly recommend it for anyone looking for an authentic bush experience with a touch of luxury under African skies!