Travel stories

What was the moment when you thought, “Wow, I’m never going to forget this”?

There were several moments, more than we expected:

• On our second day in the Central Serengeti, after a few hours of driving and searching, we suddenly saw one enormous line of wildebeest and zebras moving across the landscape. A little later, we found ourselves right in the middle of it.
• The tables dotted around the garden at Isoitok, lit by atmospheric lanterns, where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the evening.
• The walking safari, followed by a gin and tonic and lunch beneath a baobab tree at Olkeri Safari Camp. One of the most memorable lunch spots we’ve ever experienced. It doesn’t get much better than that…
• And of course, the two lionesses in the Serengeti stretched out on a picnic table right next to the ‘Picnic area’ sign (see photo). We decided it might be wiser to have our lunch in the safari jeep that day.

What surprised or moved you about Tanzania? Perhaps something you hadn’t expected beforehand?

Travelling through Tanzania, we found the country much more diverse than we had expected. We had been to Kenya before, where it had felt more like variations on the same theme: mainly watching wildlife. What certainly helped in Tanzania was Explore Tanzania’s suggested combination of locations, highlights and different types of accommodation.

Halfway through the journey, our stay at Isoitok near Lake Manyara shifted the focus towards the Maasai and included a local cycling tour. It brought both variety and greater depth to the journey.

We also found the hospitality incredibly warm. At our final stop, Olkeri, we were thoroughly looked after, while the hospitality and food and beverage at Isoitok Camp were exceptional too, thanks in no small part to the ever-smiling Joseph.

How did you experience meeting the people and experiencing the culture? Think about conversations with your guide, local customs and hospitality.

Entirely positive. We met very friendly, open people with a great sense of humour and pride. Our guide, Musa Charles, was wonderful company and understood us very well. Our Maasai guide at Isoitok also made a lasting impression with his stories about his conscious choice to connect education with supporting his community.

What would you recommend future travellers definitely shouldn’t miss?

I think Isoitok Camp is a real recommendation. It’s genuinely different and quite unique. We were slightly worried beforehand that there might be dancing and that we would be expected to join in with the Maasai, but the visit to the boma was handled in a very respectful way. It was calm, insightful and highly educational.

What are you taking home from this journey, in your head, your heart and/or your suitcase? Something that has changed the way you do or see things, or that will simply stay with you forever.

The stories about how almost 100 different tribes simply live alongside one another. And the refugees from Mozambique who have found a place in the community through their woodcarving, which we encountered during the cycling tour. There is a great deal we can learn from that spirit of living together and letting others live their own lives.