Marloes and Ellen on a camping safari – a study trip
The versatility of Northern Tanzania – a camping safari.
In order to be able to advise and inform our travelers well, we regularly go on a study trip to Tanzania. This way we experience the activities, accommodations and areas ourselves and we stay informed about our offer in Tanzania.
On November 4, we, Ellen and Marloes, leave for Tanzania to experience our camping safari ourselves. In this blog you can read more about our adventures!
The fertile slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 m.) is an expedition that is on many people’s bucket lists. For those who do not have that ambition, but still want to catch a glimpse of this majestic mountain, there are beautiful walks and very interesting activities to do on the green, fertile slopes ….
After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha, we drive to our atmospheric lodge on a coffee farm at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Waking up with a cup of coffee in hand and a view of the snow-capped peak is immediately impressive!
We start the day with a coffee tour on the first “certified organic coffee farm” in Tanzania. No chemicals are used on this farm and everything from the coffee bush is used.
Boosted by a delicious coffee and tea tasting, we drive to the caves, where the Chagga tribe used to hide when there was a war with the Maasai. Fortunately, all the tribes in Tanzania now live peacefully together and the caves have now become a historical site.
A delicious local lunch fills our stomachs and then a beautiful walk to the Ndoro waterfalls starts. We walk right through the local Tanzanian agricultural life, with enthusiastic waving children, after which we descend into a lush “jungle” ravine. Once down, we enjoy the cool river and can’t get enough of the waterfall and surrounding green nature. So idyllic!! 😊
Mount Meru and a green oasis
The area between the mountains Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru (4566 m.) is very authentic with local villages and markets in a flat, dry, African landscape. Surprising is the green oasis that suddenly appears at the Kikuletwa spring. We drive to a green palm grove with a clear, blue pool, which is fed by the water source and where you can swim wonderfully.
After a refreshing dip, we continue our journey to our homely lodge, located next to the green Arusha National Park at the foot of Mt. Meru. We are speechless by the view – what a place!
From the lodge – with which you support the surrounding villages and charities – we take a beautiful walk on the edge of the park. Along the way, we learn from our guide about the medicinal uses of the plants. As icing on the cake, we see buffalo, zebras and giraffes in the distance. Beautiful!
A camping safari – enjoying back to basics
If you go camping, a safari can be much more budget-friendly than staying in fixed camps or lodges, while you can also sleep in beautiful locations in or near the national parks. Our camping safari starts from Arusha.
We are picked up in the morning by our private guide and 4WD jeep, with which we will go on safari to the Tarangire and Serengeti National Park in the coming days. In Arusha we make a stop to pick up the camping equipment, to pick up our cook and to do some last shopping. All meals, water, coffee and tea are included during a camping safari, but we do like some snacks, soft drinks and beers.
After a two-hour drive we arrive at the Tarangire NP – one of our favorites! Immediately after the entrance we spot the first buffalo, impalas, zebras, wildebeest and elephants. Yes, we are on safari! 😊
At the public campsite in the park, the cook sets up our dome tents. We sleep on a comfortable mat, including a pillow and sleeping bag for the next few nights. At the campsite, there is a building with toilets and (cold) showers. At the public campsites in the national parks, you are not allowed to eat outdoors, so right in front of or in the “dining room” of the campsite, we enjoy cook Juma’s fresh, tasty meals. The location of the tent, waking up in the middle of the wilderness, the sounds at night and all the animals we encounter during the jeep safaris with guide Sam are fantastic!
After Tarangire we drive up the Rift Valley, enjoy the view over Lake Manyara National Park and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. We drive further – past Maasai villages – to the endless plains of the Serengeti. On the way we encounter endless animals: wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants, lions (cubs), cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, monkeys, baboons and many beautiful bird species. Not only the animals are impressive, the varied landscapes and views never bore.
Once in the Serengeti we stay one night at a public campsite in the middle of the park and the second night at a public campsite in the remote north of the park. That part is beautiful! With few cars, rolling green hills, rock formations, the mass migration of thousands of wildebeest and in every valley many antelope species. We can’t get enough of it… A safari doesn’t get any better than this!
Impressive Lake Natron & the volcano Ol’Donyo Lengai
We leave the safari area and drive via an original route, far from the beaten track, to the alkaline Lake Natron. This dusty, rugged area lies at the foot of the Rift Valley and the volcano Ol’Donyo Lengai – the sacred mountain of the Maasai, who also live in this area. A rugged place where you can enjoy the views, the flamingos at Lake Natron, walks through gorges to idyllic waterfalls and the authentic Maasai culture.
Conclusion
We can only conclude that this trip emphasizes the beauty and versatility of our beloved Tanzania. For anyone looking for an adventurous safari experience and who loves the charm of the ‘camping life’, camping is a great way to travel back to basics.
Because no matter how often we go there; every time we experience it differently and discover something new and special. Tanzania never bores!
