Mornings on Safari

Getting ready for your Safari? Think about the range of wildlife you will encounter, the experiences awaiting you, and the joy of rising at the same time as the sun to really make the most of your day.

That last part not quite your idea of fun? No worries – we are serving plenty of tea or coffee! Seriously though, I get it – those early morning wake-up calls can feel rough. But hear me out... because that first cuppa on Safari? Pure. Magic.

So, what can you expect? The sky is a swirl of pinks and oranges, and birds twitter enthusiastically all around you as your guide stops the vehicle. You take one look at your surroundings, and you know this spot is special – your guide’s favorite secret to share. Maybe a watering hole already dotted with thirsty animals on the banks or a clearing with a sprawling view of the plains. 

It’s not long after getting settled that you smell the freshly brewed coffee or tea snaking through the crisp morning air, promising a jolt of energy (and maybe even a little extra oomph in the form of a cheeky dash of Amarula –a South African creamy liqueur). The sunlight slowly creeps across the bush, and as the warmth spreads, you might hear a rustle, a grunt, or a distant roar. This is the magic hour, folks. Wildlife is stirring, the bush is alive, and you’re doing more than just watching it happen – you’re a part of the experience. 

These coffee and tea stops are about so much more than just that much-needed caffeine kick before a day of exploring the bush. They are about connection – with the wild, your loved ones, your guide, and yourself. Talk about a way to start your day! 

So, as you’re packing your bags and preparing for your Safari, take a moment to look forward to those crack-of-dawn coffee and tea stops that await. Morning person or not, I guarantee they will be a highlight.

I get asked what coffee and tea are my favorites. I still love my Tanzanian Chai Bora tea. Over the years, I have tried a few different coffee beans and currently using Volcanica medium roast. I also enjoy my Africafe Instant Coffee - I know I know, instant coffee, but this takes me back home, and with milk, this is my go to coffee.

Adventures beyond the Safari vehicle.

I know, the main purpose of going on a Safari is to enjoy wildlife from your safety and comfort of your Safari Vehicle. Done! We got you! But, there are other adventures we can add that will give you a different perspective … and these can be so much fun.

1. Walking Safaris
Walking safaris offer an immersive and exhilarating way to experience the African wilderness up close. Unlike being in a Safari vehicle, a walking Safari brings you into direct contact with the sights, sounds, and smells of the bush. Guided by experienced trackers, you’ll learn about tracking techniques, the behavior of various wildlife, and the intricate ecosystems. It’s a chance to see the smaller wonders of the bush, from insects to plants, that are often overlooked in traditional Safaris.

Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and those seeking a deeper connection with nature. We can add this in almost every country.

On the Ngorongoro Highlands, Tanzania via Entamanu Ngorongoro.

2. Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Experience
Yes, coming face-to-face with endangered gorillas in either Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo’s rainforest is possible – an experience many aptly describe as ‘life-changing’. The same goest with chimps in those areas as well as Mahale Mountains in Tanzania. Watching these human like animals in the wild and observing their movements, relationships, and daily routines is an intimate and profound experience. You’ll learn about their behaviors, their importance in the ecosystem, and the efforts currently underway to protect them. Be ready for long hikes, sometimes through difficult terrains but if you can do this, the rewards are tremendous.

Ideal for: Nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone passionate about conservation.

Mahale Mountains, Tanzania for the chimps from Greystoke Mahale.

3. Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Ready for a new perspective on Africa? Take to the skies on a hot air balloon Safari! Watching the world awaken from up high is pretty special – you can see animals beginning their day and the vast wilderness stretching out as far as the eye can see. Plus, as exhilarating as this experience is, it’s also super peaceful up there. The cherry on top? Landing for a laid-back breakfast in the bush, maybe even with a bit of bubbly or a mimosa to toast your adventure (why not? You’re on vacation!).

Ideal for: Anyone looking for a Safari with a twist and photography fanatics. Really, anyone.

Our entertaining Serengeti Balloon Safari Captain Mohammed. Serengeti, Tanzania.

4. Star Gazing in the Wilderness
Ever gazed up at a sky so clear you feel like you could touch the stars? That’s what stargazing and star bathing in the African wilderness is all about. You’ll learn cool stuff about constellations, maybe hear some local myths about the night sky, and, if you’re lucky, spot a shooting star or two. So many of my places-to-stay partners know how to make this experience extra special – think sleeping on the deck of a treehouse, removable roofing in your tented suite, or even spending the evening in a stargazing dome.

Ideal for: Night owls, space enthusiasts, and the romantics.

Olmara Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania

5. Dhow & Mokoro Safaris
Think of a mokoro Safari as the ultimate way to explore the Okavango Delta’s winding waterways and Dhow Safaris as a fantastic way to explore the beautiful islands of Zanzibar. You might spot elephants taking a dip, hippos lounging in the shallows, or birds flitting through the reeds. It’s like watching a nature documentary unfold, but way cooler because you’re actually there. And the best part? The tranquillity. It’s just you and your guide, the dhow, and nature. No engines, no crowds, and no distractions.

Ideal for: Nature buffs and anyone looking for a relaxing adventure.

Okavango Delta, Botswana.

So, there you have it – a sneak peek into some of Africa’s most unique adventures. I can’t wait to help you discover these hidden gems!

Feeling the call of the wild? Ready to swap the everyday for the extraordinary?
Let’s chat! I’m super excited to design your Safari beyond the Safari vehicle, tailored just for you. Whether you’re exploring solo, a family on an epic adventure, or a group of friends seeking new horizons, I’m here to make it happen.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo!

What, Republic of the Congo!! The reaction to why there was met with a little alarm. I had to assure people it was Republic of the Congo and not the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is usually in the news with strife.

I was taking this Safari with my friend and fifth time Journey To Africa Safari-goer Alisa. I have been planning Safaris for her since 2005 - she has been to Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Namibia. We had been talking about taking a Safari together and when I heard about Congo Conservation Company in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo, I was really curious and when I suggested this to her, she was game.

Republic of the Congo
To my guests who have been on Safari before to Eastern and Southern Africa, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park [Congo Basin] is nothing like what we are used to. Honestly, it took a while for me to adjust to the fact that I will not be seeing an abundance of wildlife because the terrain is so different. But once I wrapped that around my head, the experience will forever be unique.

How was the Odzala-Kokoua National Park different:

Lots of walking.
We sat in the vehicle for short amounts of time - just to head to the river dock or once for 2 hours to transfer from camp to camp. The rest of the time, we walked. Trekking through the dense forests using the animals path [harden by their walk otherwise the ground was soft], the elephant corridor in Lango Camp which was beautiful with lilies and was waist deep [had me pause for a bit], speed walking early morning under the guidance of master trekker Zephran to see the lowland gorillas from Ngaga Camp [located right outside Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Ndzehi Forest], walked to get from Mboko Camp to Lango Camp after kayaking. You get the idea - it was definitely an active Safari.

The lovely elephant corridor from Lango Camp

With Zephran - master trekker

Lowland gorillas.
I must admit, I was looking forward to seeing Neptuno, the alpha male gorilla. We passed this opportunity to the local mayor of Mbomo who took that trek which in itself is great because now we have a local Congolese invested in protecting these amazing species. We did see lots of wee ones who were eager to show off and entertained us for a solid hour we were with them.

Forest elephants.
In Eastern and Southern Africa, you are used to see the elephants in large herds in all areas. Here, because of the terrain, you may only see them in the bai’s [open areas] but when you are walking in the forest or boating on the Lekoli River, you may see only a few. And when you do see them, it feels special.

Forest elephant

Other animals.
You hear them, but you may not see them easily. Of course this depends on the time of the year, luck, etc. but for example, we heard a hippo, saw the treks, but did not see the hippo. We were also there in Sept/Oct and the rains were coming so animals are away from the open bai area.

Our guide Lucy saw a leopard when she was coming to pick us up from the airstrip, so they are there, but sooo elusive. Lucy has been in that area of a year and that was her first encounter.

The smaller things.
We were definitely in-tuned to foot prints on this Safari as you are now looking at the small things. The smaller animals like the ants and the adulterer tree - you have to go there to hear this wild story :). The stunning fungi! So many different varieties to observe - eye opening.

The most common walking path

Stunning mushrooms of different variety

Boating and kayaking.
This was fun. We got to get on the boat and cruise down Lekoli River. This is when we saw the a few forest elephants on the banks and one crossing the river. They are pretty skittish - as soon as they smell you, they walk away. We also got to enjoy kayaking from camp to camp. You don’t have to do this but if you like, you kayak down from Mboko Camp to Lango Camp. We got to see the flock of green pigeons as soon as we parked our kayaks. Some of the best landscape views when boating and kayaking of the Congo Basin.

Kayaking from one camp to the other

French speaking.
This place reminded me of Tanzania about 20 odd years ago. We were starting off and our lodge crew spoke mostly Swahili and only a few could speak English. That has changed and majority of the people you will encounter will speak English.

At the camps, the crew spoke very little English besides the Camp managers. We could not ask them their stories without getting help from the managers. In Brazzaville, the capital of Republic of Congo, we enjoyed chatting with Dan, our local guide in English who gave us a good insight about the country.

Who is this Safari for?

I would say, this is for someone like Alisa and I who have been to Eastern and Southern Africa and want to experience the ‘something else’. This was the ‘something else’ for sure.

Having said that, we met a couple from New York who were there and they had not been on Safari before but loved their time here. They were truly disconnected [not much wi-fi here], enjoyed every encounter thoroughly, enjoyed the small things, great food, hardly took pictures, and brought a film camera - so there, if you are like them, you will love this place.

Does this sound like up your ‘corridor’? Let’s chat and see how we can get you here.

Unique Experiences to add to your Safari in Tanzania and Kenya

All Safaris are unique. Nothing quite like being on Safari in my personal opinion.

However, sometimes, we find that we are adding a few experiences that just take your Safari to the next level. Some of our favorite Safari experiences to consider when deciding on your Safari. These are experiences that enrich the soul and give your Safari even more excitement.

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Chimpanzee Trekking in the Mahale Mountains, Western Tanzania

A jungle Safari, on the shores of the tropical lake shores of Lake Tanganyika, to see some the world’s largest protected population of Eastern Chimps.

The Mahale Mountains, home to approx. 800 Chimpanzees. Only one group of about 60, the “M Group” is semi-habituated to humans, so they are the ones that are visited.

The Mahale Mountains National Park lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania’s Kigoma region. Your base will be Greystoke Mahale, an exclusive, award-winning camp that is truly one of the most beautifully simple, and luxuriously castaway places to stay on the planet. Your days will be spent Chimpanzee trekking with some of the most experienced guides and trackers in the world who know every Chimp’s personality and characteristics. Some days it will only take a couple of hours to find the group, and other times you can spend the whole day trekking the forrest. This is part of the charm of real tracking. If the Chimpanzees haven’t already blown you away, your base at Greystoke Mahale certainly will. This little Camp set right on a sandy beach overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, with the Mahale Mountains as a backdrop is truly one of the most unique, stunning locations on the continent. Time spent at Greystoke isn’t just Chimp Trekking, although that is the main attraction. Spend the rest of your days lazing on the beach, snorkeling in the tropical lake waters, kayaking, and enjoying the shabby-chic luxury of Greystoke.

The main area of Nomad’s Greysoke Mahale. An exclusive, hidden gem in the remote Mahale Mountains.

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Walking with the Hadza Tribe, Northern Tanzania

This is one of my favourite, and accessible Safari experiences that you can do on a Tanzania Safari. The Hadzabe, or Hadza People are Tanzania’s last Hunter Gatherer Tribe, and some of the most incredible people on the planet. Walking with the Hadza is a must on any trip to Tanzania.

The Hadza or the Hadzabe people are one of the last Hunter-Gatherer tribes in Africa that still largely keep to their traditional way of life. They live around the Lake Eyasi region of Tanzania and their way of life is truly remarkable. Unlike other tribes in Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa, they have no livestock and they don’t grow their own food. They thrive by hunting with bows and arrows and foraging for plants and berries. There are only around 1200 of the Hadza tribe left in the world, so to walk and learn from them is a truly remarkable experience. We all have a lot to learn from their way of life, their connection to their surroundings and the way they view the earth. There is a great article on the how the Hadza are some of the healthiest people in the world here.

I try to make time to walk and talk to the Hadza, it is truly one of the best experiences you can get from your Tanzania Safari and where you will learn about a simple world.

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Go on a Night Game Drive

The best time to see all the predators of the night and the action that is usually missed whilst your asleep!

Heading on a night game drive is one of the best wildlife experiences you can have in Africa. After dark is when predators do the majority of their hunting so you can expect to see Lions out on the hunt for unsuspecting herds of Impala, or a Leopard stalking its next prey. At night, the wilderness is filled with nocturnal creatures and this is when a lot of action takes place. There is something exhilarating about being out in the wild in the dark in your Safari car, you can’t see far but you can hear rustling in the bushes, and pairs of eyes.

My favourite places to head out on a night game drive are in the Tarangire in Northern Serengeti, Ruaha and Katavi in Southern Serengeti, Mara North Conservancy, and Borana or Lewa Conservancy besides other areas. South Africa, and Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe also offer many night game drive opportunities as a lot of the lodges are in private areas.

You never know what you will see around the corner.

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Go on a Walking Safari

This can be easily incorporated into your Safari and most of the Camps and Lodges I use will have the option to head out on foot with a experienced guide and ranger. This is the best way to explore your surroundings and truly feel part of the wilderness.

My favorite walking Safaris I have been on are in the Ngorongoro Crater from Entamanu Lodge. With your Masai guide, you will walk down the crater escarpment towards the Serengeti plains and be met by a Safari car at the end of your walk that will have a picnic breakfast ready for you. It’s also a great way to keep active and fit on Safari!

The kids enjoying their walking Safari and learning about every detail of their surroundings. The best playground!

If you want to go on a full walking Safari where you walk everyday between Camps and walking is your only mode of transport through the wild, then heading to Zambia is best. The Luwanga Valley is known as the “home of the walking Safari” with some of the best guides and trackers in the industry. However, Northern Kenya is also a great contender. The private and community run conservancies in the rugged North make it a great area to explore on foot with the a Samburu warrior to guide you. Have a look at the Best Places to Stay in Northern Kenya with your family.

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The Migration’s Birthing Season, Southern Serengeti Plains

The Migration is famous for its River Crossings between July and October, but my favorite and most underrated part of the migration cycle is the Calving season at the beginning of the year.

Birthing Season is really incredible!

I have mentioned before how February is one of my favorite time to visit the Serengeti. This is because of the wildebeest calving season that takes over the Southern Serengeti plains and Ndutu region. You will see millions of wildebeest giving birth to new life, and with this, the various dangers that come with the vulnerability of young calves and their weak mothers. It is a remarkable time of year to see big cats and other predators, whilst the lush green plains are a beautiful backdrop for your safari. It’s a time of new life, and new cycles and it really immerses you in the delicate balance of the Serengeti and Masai Mara eco-system. Visiting the Southern Serengeti at this time of year also means much lower visitor numbers, which will make your Safari even more special. There is a whole other blog post that goes into detail on the Top 3 Reasons to Visit the Serengeti in Green Season, which includes birthing season.

Sundowners on Safari.

The word sundowner is making me excited about heading back on Safari.
If you have experienced this glorious time on Safari, let’s exchange our Safari stories. If not, I will try to explain this but words will not do justice. You have to go.

What is a sundowner? Via British dictionary; “an alcoholic drink taken after completing the day's work, usually at sunset.” In the US, we’d say happy hour.

My definition:
It’s that magic time of day you and your family/ friends and maybe new friends you have made while on Safari celebrate the end of the day. It’s the time where your guide and possibly the Safari Lodge crew will set up ‘an outdoor bar’, make your drink of your choice [does not have to be alcoholic], while you are enjoying the magic of the landscape.

A great time to reflect on what you have seen, what more you will see, the serenity of being on Safari in Africa, what is important in life ++ whilst having a nice cocktail watching the golden hour /sunset - I can’t think of a better way to end my day.

You owe it to yourself to experience an African sundowner, at least once in your life, if not more. My experienced sundowners, where to next for your sundowner drink?

Let’s chat.
Cheers!

Night Game Drive on Safari

When on Safari, you spend a lot of time out searching for game during the day time. The best times are usually early in the morning when the temperatures are still cool and the animals are active… searching for breakfast. As the weather warms up from late morning to early afternoon time the animals, and maybe you too can enjoy some good siesta time. If siesta is not for you, go out and you will still find animals grazing or ‘lazing around’ – still enjoyable to witness. Of course there are some animals who can not rest – never a dull moment. They will get active again late afternoon when the weather cools down.

Most National Parks close around sunset. Private conservation areas don’t have any restrictions and you and your guide will decide when you want to enjoy a night game drive - this can be a last-minute decision. A few National Parks [Tarangire and Katavi, for example in Tanzania and most parks in Zambia] do not have those restrictions either but you do have to have a permit and we have to book a ranger hence we need to know in advance if you want to enjoy this experience.

My first night game-drive was in dark, stormy night of November 2011 in Tarangire National Park at Oliver’s Camp.

Covered in our raincoats, armed with a ranger and a brave wind-bearing spotter in our vehicle driven by Alex the camp manager at that time, we drove out looking for animals. We had night vision goggles to aid in our viewing. We saw three male lion brothers who were later heard roaring around the camp, vultures feasting on an elephant carcass, jackals and more. If it was not pouring, we would have had a two-hour ride heading towards the Silale swamp. Ours was cut short because of the rains. Still, oh what a thrill! 

I have had many more night game drives since then. It is not so much about the wildlife that is easier to see during the day, but the anticipation of spotting the wildlife and the sounds that accompany it in the night. And the rewards can be pretty spookily beautiful.

Take a spin with us at night.
There will be a few surprising things to stare at on your night game Safari. 

Capture the Golden Hour.

On every Safari we plan with you, we know you can't wait to experience the amazing wildlife, the people, and much more on your Safari to Tanzania. 

I am going to share another experience on Safari that you will come to love. Natalie and Sheree, two Houston Bloggers who joined me on Safari, and I have some great memories of this epic time. 

The Golden Hour.
What is this hour? If you are a photographer, you know. For those who are curious, it is an hour after sunrise and before sunset.  The light around this time is just amazing. If you are not a morning person, it will make you a morning person on Safari. In the evening, you will eagerly anticipate this time.

In Tarangire.

My two Safari stories, where I got to capture Natalie and Sheree with the golden light are:

One. In Tarangire,  we were driving back to Oliver's Camp from our late afternoon game-drive when Julie, the camp manager flagged us down. She had a nice spread of drinks and yummy banana chips with salsa for us to enjoy while we captured this enchanting moment. A family with 5 children from Tennessee where also there with us who entertained us with some cheerleading and football. Not to be outdone, we also danced to Toto's, The Rain's Down in Africa under Sheree's dancing instruction - we have videos to prove. 

Two. After a siesta at Dunia Camp in Serengeti, we set out around 4:30 pm from camp armed with champagne as it was our last night in Serengeti. Our guide found us the perfect spot beside Lake Magadi to capture the magical time while we sipped our champagne. We were all feeling rather emotional at this time. This was our last night together on an amazing Safari in Tanzania. 

In Serengeti.

The evenings are all about those minutes where the light just fires up the Earth. Everything looks amazing. The day is saying good-bye, wishing a good night and promising a glorious day on Safari the following day. 

For me, this time always reminds me to feel lucky I get to be on Safari, my absolute favorite place, surrounded by the precious and ever endangered animals in our fragile eco-system. I never want to take these memories for granted.

So happy I got to share this experience with two amazing travel partners who enjoyed it equally and know they too felt the magic power of the golden hour. 

You absolutely must experience this for yourself.  You will never forget this light. 

Maasai Village stop on Safari

A journalist with Travel Weekly recently asked me the following questions on why I am including Women Empowering Projects in my clients Safaris to Tanzania. 

Our clients Judy and Kathy with our friend Margaret at the Maasai village. 

Why do you think your clients are interested specifically in these women empowering projects ?

I find that most of the clients who have and are booking this activity are strong women. Women who are paying for the Safari or women who are leading the Safari planning process. They want to enjoy the amazing wildlife Tanzania has to offer but they want to know more about Tanzania and maybe make a difference when they leave. We also hope they continue to support these projects.

The projects we take our clients are not charity projects. They are projects where women are hired to work - hence earning their own money - by making jewelry, art, etc. for the customer both in Tanzania, the traveler in Tanzania as well as international buyer. 

When I tell them they will be visiting these women who are benefitting from being given work skill hence gaining financial empowerment, they want to go more. It helps when I say these are not tourist destinations and you will have a local friend of Journey To Africa guide you. They will get to see how these women are improving their lives, their children's and family in general. Women are making money so they are sending their children to school with some making these decision against their husband's wish but they are the breadwinners now. Water pumps, gas burner instead of charcoal [though some have no interest in changing and we should be open to their decision even though it may not make sense to us], solar lights, etc. these are the improvements our clients can help towards when they purchase commodities made by our Maasai women. 

Why are there more opportunities for them now in the developing world? 

Foreign interest is high. You see designers like Valentino using Maasai huts as background for the clothing ad. US companies focused on women are going on photo shots with Tanzanian landscape, people, art and crafts like Net-a-Porter or JCrew. Fabric, jewelry inspired by African art used in our western world. With direct reference to the Journey To Africa project, the jewelry created by our Maasai ladies is worn by royalty [Princess Caroline of Monaco] and is used in NY Fashion shows. 

I am quite certain this is creating an interest with my clients to go to the source and learn more. Also, there are operators like me who want clients to see more of Tanzania than just wildlife. We are taking them to off-the-beaten path villages, asking them to stop by local schools and charities -- and if they are women run, even better as we women should support each other.  We want to show them as much of Tanzania as we can. And in some case, we want to show them these projects so they can support them once they get back home. 

How much can the travel industry and the revenue it brings make a difference in these women’s lives? 

For the most part, the income generated from travelers visiting makes a big impact. The more the people go to Tanzania, the more buying happens because there is more appreciation and awareness, the more dollars go back to the village. 

For my Maasai project, basic amenities we take for granted like water, electricity are making daily life manageable for the members in the villages. For example, with time saved from doing chores like fetching water, children are instead going to school and women are able to generate income rather then spend time collecting firewood. Eye sight is saved by bring in gas burners instead of charcoal. Note - some women still resist this change but information is given. Doctor visits are becoming affordable. 

Listening to the ladies.

We hope this inspires you to add a day to see the Maasai ladies [we will be happy to suggest other stops should you not have a full day] on your Tanzanian Safari. 

Travel deep on Safari to Tanzania.