Safari and Sand in Tanzania and Zanzibar

Dreams of Tanzania and Zanzibar

Asante Sana Tanzania and Zanzibar for a fantastic experience. The two countries have been on my bucket list since 2012. While skimming through some online photos, I saw a picture of a woman walking along the shore of the Indian Ocean. The beautiful colors of her dress and head scarf and the turquoise water drew me in. Where is this, I wondered? Then I saw the word Zanzibar and immediately thought, “One day, I will visit this place.” Well, twelve years later, my dream trip was realized. 

After two years of the pandemic and surviving breast cancer treatments, planning my bucket list trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar was time. I searched various touring companies that focus on East Africa tours. The tour company Go2Africa popped up, so I researched and read reviews. After completing an online form, I received an email from a representative to schedule a Zoom meeting. The dream vacation was becoming a reality.

I paid for the trip for months and convinced some friends to join me on a safari and beach adventure. Over time, I researched everything needed on this trip. It was a journey to discover what to pack, which vaccines were needed, critical cultural information, and how much money to take with me. Finally, on July 24, 2023, the day of departure arrived. Excitement is an understatement of how I felt. 

Chicago to Ethiopia to Kilimanjaro

Our flight on Ethiopia Airlines left from Chicago to Addis Ababa and then to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The first leg of the flight was over 12 hours, so I decided to upgrade to business class. Fortunately, the upgrade cost was reasonable. My thought at the time was, “You only live once!” While waiting for our flight to depart, one friend and I visited the Swiss Air Lounge to relax. Due to construction, the lounge lacked some amenities, but the snacks were good. 

The first flight arrived in Addis Ababa, and we went through customs. Then, we waited for our next flight to Kilimanjaro. We arrived in Kilimanjaro and met our driver. He drove to Arusha and dropped us off in Arusha at the Mount Meru Hotel for a night stay. After such a long travel day, we were happy to take a long, hot shower and sit down for dinner. 

Although our stay at Mount Meru Hotel was short, the staff was so accommodating and friendly that I hated to leave so soon. There was only time for breakfast the following day, and then we were off for the first safari adventure.

Day Two: Safari in Tarangire National Park

Our jeep pulled up to the hotel, and we met our guide, Jeremiah, and our safari mates, a newlywed couple from Switzerland. The size of our duffel bags was configured and loaded in the back of the jeep. Jeremiah took a photo of the duffel bag puzzle so he knew how to reload after each lodging stop. Know how to pack light! We were on our way. 

We drove through Arusha and then on our way to Tarangine National Park. After a two-hour drive, we saw a savanna filled with baobab trees and home to the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania. Jeremiah drove along the bumpy, unpaved roads as we bounced around in the jeep. All of us were surprised, or maybe shocked is a better word for the rough ride. Jeremiah laughed at us and said, “This is what you booked.” We laughed and shook our heads in agreement. 

We spotted elephants, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles, and other antelopes during our rough ride. A warthog was seen, and we began to name different animals by the Lion King characters. 

Next, our guide, Jeremiah, drove to a quiet spot for us to eat lunch. We had lunch in the jeep. After lunch, we searched for as many Big Five as possible. Around 4:00 p.m., we left Tarangire National Park and headed to Lake Burunge Tented Lodge. Staying at the Lake Burunge Tented Lodge for one night was enough for dinner and breakfast.

The lodge has ten bungalows and 30 tents and is located in Tarangire. We stayed in cottages. They were spacious, had a deck with a table and two chairs, a nice bathroom with a hot shower, and beds with mosquito nets. Walks to and from the dining room were always escorted by staff. Remember, we were in the middle of a savannah. The grounds were lovely, with a swimming pool, dining space, and beautiful sunrises. One of my friends heard the sounds of a nearby lion during the night.

The following day, we ate breakfast, packed a lunch, and left the lodge for the next safari adventure.

Day Three & Four: Safari in Serengeti National Park

After leaving the Lake Burunge Tented Lodge, we packed the jeep and departed toward the Rift Valley. The drive was short to enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We drove up a mountain, stopped at a viewpoint, and took photos of the crater. After taking some beautiful photos, we left to continue our journey around the crater. We drove on bumpy roads and passed Maasai villages while on our way to the Serengeti National Park. 

Finally, we continued our trip to the Seronera Area in the central part of the Serengeti.

Soon, we saw the Serengeti National Park sign. I felt like that nerdy kid who watched all the nature shows on the National Geographic channel. It was a surreal feeling to see the Serengeti in person finally. 

Again, we hit dusty, rocky, and rough roads, but the sights and experiences were worth every moment. We saw Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Pumbaa, and Shenzi. For those who have never seen The Lion King, we saw lions, lionesses, baboons, warthogs, and hyenas. Other sightings included hippos, giraffes, impala, gazelles, water buffalos, wildebeest, ostrich, vultures, crocodiles, elephants, and birds. What a day and an experience! Later, we drove to the Kati Kati Tented Camp for two nights. 

Arriving at the Kati Kati Tented Camp, we were tired and dusty. It was dry season, so the roads in the park were dusty, too. The staff welcomed us with a cool drink and wet towel. It felt great to wipe my dusty face. While waiting to check in, the staff informed us of the camp’s do’s and don’ts. The base is in the wilderness, and animals roam close to the tents. One night, hyenas were seen walking throughout the night. 

The guest can watch the sunset each evening while sitting around the campfire. I’m not a camping girl, but the setting is lovely, and I marveled at nature. One can hear what animals were seen during the guests’ safari rides. Dinner and breakfast were served under a large dining tent. One exciting thing about staying at the camp was the bucket shower. Each guest could only use two buckets of water for their shower. One bucket to wet and soap your body. Another bucket was to rinse off the soap. You will learn to be frugal and conserve!

The following day, we headed back to the Serengeti National Park. We left the camp early because most of the big cats or predators were out during the morning. Our day was filled with more animal sightings. We saw all of the Big Five but the rhino. Our guide, Jeremiah, informed us that rhino sightings are rare because there are only about 150 remaining due to poaching. Day Four ended, and we spent another night at the camp.

Day Five: Safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The journey was from the Serengeti back to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. We left early in the morning. When we reached the crater’s edge, we were awestruck. The crater is a World Heritage Sight and seasonably home to over 25,000 animals, including birds, hyenas, and the Big Five. Out sightings included flamingos, lionesses, zebras, wildebeest, buffalos, hippos, and birds. The crater was such a peaceful scene, with all the animals in their habitat living as nature intended. The feeling is difficult to explain on paper because you must experience it. 

Following, we drove to Karutu in the Ngorongoro highlands to spend the night at TWC Ngorongoro Farm House. The setting was tranquil and natural. The grounds have a vegetable farm where coffee, bananas, green vegetables, tomatoes, and more are grown. The harvest from the garden is used during breakfast and dinner. 

The Ngorongoro Farm House has 52 chalets. Each one has a lovely veranda for outdoor sitting and a fireplace in the room. The rooms are very comfortable. An outdoor swimming pool is available for guests. Our stay was for one night, but I wanted to stay longer. 

Day 6-7: Stone Town Zanzibar

We said goodbye to our guide, Jeremiah, and Swiss safari mates. He drove us to Arusha to fly to Zanzibar. Our flight was on Precision Air, and we arrived in Stone Town and stayed at the Serena Hotel Zanzibar for two nights. During our drive to the airport, the streets were filled with traffic. The streets were a maze with no street names posted or traffic lights. I’m glad I wasn’t driving because I would be dangerous to myself and others. Saying a little prayer to the driving god helps!

The Serena Hotel Zanzibar is a beautiful building with fantastic woodwork throughout. It sits on the shores of the Indian Ocean and is ideally located to watch gorgeous sunsets. The staff was exceptionally gracious and friendly. There, we had delicious seafood dinners and a filling breakfast. We participated in a walking tour of the city during our second day in Stone Town. 

For two and a half hours, we visited the Christ Church Cathedral, slave market, fish market, and spice and vegetable market. Our guide, Barack, took us through a maze of streets as he explained the history of Zanzibar and Stone Town. He explained how the different shapes of the ornate wooden doors represented the Arab, Asian, and Portuguese influences of Zanzibar’s history. It was a magical two hours filled with information to help us understand the history and culture.

Day 8-14: Sand in Zanzibar for Relaxation

All bumpy roads lead to paradise! LOL! The following morning, we transferred to Breezes Beach Club and Spa Zanzibar by private van. The six kilometers is a ninety-minute drive that’s exceptionally rough and bumpy. The roads are in pretty bad shape, but we saw some road construction projects in progress. The drive through several villages allowed us to see more of Zanzibar and its people. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the safaris, I needed rest and relaxation. Despite the rough roads, we entered the perfect setting for peace and tranquility. Breezes Beach Club and Spa’s location is on the island’s southeastern coast and sits on a white sandy beach. Seeing the beach brought me joy. Amenities include spa treatments, swimming pool excursions, water sports, yoga, and fitness center activities. 

The beach is tidal, and we participated in the reef safari one morning. During the morning, the water recedes over a mile out because of the tide. With a guide, we walk on the ocean floor as he describes various sea creatures, urchins, and plants. Each person must wear water shoes and use a stick for balance. It was a mandatory safety precaution. I enjoyed the reef safari and was amazed at everything hanging out on the ocean floor. 

We did not do any other excursions because it was all about relaxing. Our modus operendi was Sleep. Eat, Beach, and Repeat! Hanging out at the pool, pool bar, and seaside was it for us. All of us had massages to work out the bumpy road kinks. One friend had two massages because they were that good! Morning beach walks and swimming got us moving and exercising. Each walk was two miles and a chance to meet and talk with the people of Zanzibar. The sand was soft, white, and not hot. 

Breakfast and dinner were a part of the hotel package. Lunch and all drinks were invoiced to your room and paid at checkout. The resort’s setting and the staff’s attentiveness were exceptional. We were well taken care of during our stay; however, all beautiful things must end. On day 14, it was time to head back to reality. We flew from Zanzibar to Ethiopia to Dublin (fuel stop) and then to the United States. Wow! What a time we had for two weeks!

Planning a Trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar

When you plan your trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar, check with the CDC for up-to-date medical, necessary travel vaccines, and health recommendations. Be cautious and do not drink the water or brush your teeth. Use bottled water. Also, follow guidelines when eating raw fruits and vegetables because they can be washed and cleaned with tap water. One of our travel mates became ill due to using tap water to brush their teeth or eating raw vegetables. Fortunately, we had the appropriate medications to get them better rather quickly. 

A passport and visa are necessary to enter Tanzania. The visa can be purchased online. Exchange money when in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Also, bring small bills for tipping. Trust me, there’s a lot of tipping going on! This next piece of advice is for those with U.S. dollars. Banks will only exchange dollar bills in series 2013 and higher. If your dollar bills are older than series 2013, they will not be accepted. 

Using a duffel bag rather than a hard case suitcase is best for the safari. During the safari, the duffel bags are packed in the back of the jeep. Duffels are easier to mold and squeeze into tight spaces. Using packing cubes will make your life easier. Ensure you have all your prescribed and OTC medications, toiletries, and insect repellant. It would be best to have comfortable clothes, but don’t overpack or overthink it.

Zanzibar is pretty laid back. I’m sure there are some turn-up areas, but our resort was quiet at night. After 9:00 p.m., nothing was going on but sipping and conversation. The dress was casual, but men had to wear long pants at the Breezes Beach Club and Spa Zanzibar. Be mindful and respectful of their rules. 

Most importantly, do your diligence and research essential facts and information about the history, culture, and traditions. Travel should be a learning experience and understanding the world outside your realm.

The Wellness Factor

My Tanzania and Zanzibar bucket list trip has a wellness factor of 4.8. The scale consists of 0ne is the lowest and five is the highest. Below are the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

• Physical 4.5 -Rough roads affected the score)
• Emotional 5 -My sense of joy in the moments and spaces kept me happy.
• Intellectual 5 – I gained new knowledge about both countries that I did not know. Also, I was able to experience the unknown in person.
• Spiritual 5 -I felt attuned to the space we were in. I was thankful for the opportunity. The vibe was one of gratitude and grace.
• Social -4.5 -Spending time  with close friends on a dream trip was fabulous; however, everyone needs some alone time.)
• Environmental 5 -Being in many natural environments made me feel physically and mentally healthy.
• Financial 4.5 -It’s a costly trip but well worth the $$$. Upgrading to business class was another hit to the pocket, but I deserved it.
• Occupational 5 -I was on vacation! That is all!

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