Traveling through Tanzania

Best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration where two million grazers circle the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park in search for fresh pastures, Tanzania is rightly famed as one of the finest safari destinations in Africa.

Our Karo was fortunate enough to embark on a familiarization trip through Tanzania after attending the annual Karibu-Kilifair one of East Africa’s biggest Tourism event organized to be an international tourism & industry fair, promoting and presenting companies based in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania, East Africa, and Central Africa. As Habeeb Akande once said: "All work and no play will make you sad and grey!"

A visit to the Lake Manyara National Park was the perfect way to start the first leg of our journey through Tanzania. Just under a two hours drive from Arusha, the Lake Manyara National Park is a great pit-stop as you head towards the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. On the way we visited the little town of Mto Wa Mbu that lies at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park, bustling with a variety of cultures from around Tanzania. The town is famous for its crops of rice and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is known for, and a sampling of the local banana beer is guaranteed to add a unique taste of local flavour.

Upon our arrival at Lake Manyara National Park we set off in the company of our guide and tracker in an open 4×4 safari vehicle to explore the diverse habitats of the park, stopping on the lakeshore to admire the different bird species and traverse through a mosaic of acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains and tall forest in search of wildlife, including Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions. For lunch, we were treated to a picnic at lake Manyara's shores, while taking in the amazing scenery which may at times include flamingos.

Our day came to a close at Kudu Lodge located in the heart of the northern Tanzania safari circuit, amidst mature trees and gardens and home to a myriad of birds — the perfect base for wildlife safaris. This lodge is the epitome of spaciousness, friendliness and African hospitality.

The next day we descended into the Ngorongoro Crater, a lush highland forest, with magnificent birdlife to be spotted among the different tree species. From June to mid-August the Ngorongoro Crater is veiled with fog that is very thick in the morning and it only disappeared upon further descent.

Once on the grassy crater floor, we discovered a large variety of grazing herbivores, as well as the predators that are attracted by this abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingo around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippo. Upon our ascent, we came across a Buffalo lying alongside the steeply increasing road seemingly taking a breather from the difficult climb yet determined to conquer it.

After Lunch, our journey continued to the Serengeti National Park. As a resident of South Africa where National Parks are connected by roads, towns and settlements, I was in awe that the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are essentially next to one another and are not connected by motorways or towns, except by nearby Maasai Villages that visitors can also visit.

When entering the Serengeti National Park we were hailed by Giraffes along the road and a Pride of Lions met us a little distance later. The Serengeti, is known for its famous migration with six million hooves pounding the plains as Zebra and Thomson’s gazelle travel alongside millions of wildebeest looking for fresh grazing. The Serengeti offers unmatched game and predator versus prey viewing.

Upon our arrival at Ole Seria Luxury Camp Turner Springs we were treated to a traditional Maasai welcome, with singing and dancing. The spectacular and secluded location of this camp boasts all year round game which choose to graze around the camp due to its lagoon type contoured landscapes. There are also large acacia trees spread sparingly across the camp which adds on to create a tranquil feel of the camp and also helps provide natural shading assisting to keep the tents cool during the hot summer months.

Upon our arrival at the launch site our senses were awoken by the sound of roaring flames and the sight of a balloon being inflated before our very eyes. We received a briefing from the crew while enjoying a cup-a-joe before dawn broke and shortly after our flight was ready to take off. As you rise slowly above the Serengeti, you’ll appreciate the vastness of the landscape and the great vantage point you now hold. Enjoying this totally new perspective, wildlife viewing, and photo opportunities become a priority.

Whilst we've been up in the air the ground crew have been keeping tracks on us and once they've worked out our landing location, they created a traditional end of flight meal. Whilst the balloon flight itself is of course magnificent, the chance to have a champagne breakfast on the plains is very special in itself. We were greeted with a glass of fizz, and the opportunity to watch our scrambled eggs being freshly cooked, and load our plates up with toast, bacon, beans, fruit, etc, while admiring the view around us.

But wait - It's still not over. The rest of the morning was spent slowly taking in all the wildlife before being treated to a unique hot lunch perfectly set on a beautiful Savanna grassland of the Serengeti under a Acacia Tree proving a wonderful natural ambience. This experience provides an unforgettable combination of hospitality and most of all spectacular scenery of dining with the animals.

At last, it was time to make our way to the Western Side of the Serengeti National Park. Our day came to an end at Ole Seria Luxury Camp - Moru Kopjes, this Luxury Camp is ideally located around the vicinity of the famous Moru Kopjes and Lake Magadi. The Camp site is perched between the Rongai Hills & Nyaroboro Hills, a few metres away from the banks of the Mbalageti / Seronera River having an abundant variety of resident wildlife (including all the Big 5) as well as a Hippo Pool located only a few metres away from the camp.