Travel stories

The feeling of being alone in the world

Our trip began at Kilimanjaro Airport, where we received a warm welcome and drove to Moshi, singing “Hakuna Matata.” At Chanya Lodge, we enjoyed a warm welcome, a delicious chicken curry, and local wine. The next day, we explored Moshi, a vibrant city full of markets and traffic, which caused a bit of culture shock. Then came a rainy hike on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, with a pleasant coffee workshop, lunch, and a slippery walk to a waterfall we had all to ourselves.

There stood George, the most experienced guide associated with Explore Tanzania. A great guy! We had the impressive Toyota Lancruiser all to ourselves! In Tarangire National Park, we saw plenty of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a walking stick insect in a centuries-old baobab tree. Our lodge near the park offered stunning views and a pleasant atmosphere. The next day we took a long drive towards the Serengeti via the misty Ngorongoro, skipping the descent into the crater. Along the way, we enjoyed the landscape filled with Maasai and their herds, and the closer we got to our camp, the more animals we saw.

A unique experience awaited us in the remote tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti: sleeping with a whistle for when we needed to go outside, and hippos as nighttime neighbors. Exciting, but unique. The next morning we were up early for the hot air balloon ride, ready for another unforgettable adventure. The day we’d so eagerly anticipated began early, with elephants and hippos just outside our tent. The sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti was magical and unforgettable.

After a thrilling landing, we enjoyed champagne and a luxurious breakfast. The day ended with lion cubs, thirsty elephants, and a relaxing lunch under a tree. The lack of other motorized traffic made us feel like the only ones in the world in this beautiful country. What an adventure!

The last day of safari brought less wildlife, but breathtaking views over the Serengeti. The migration continued north, but we still saw plenty of animals, though the cheetah unfortunately remained invisible. The lack of other cars gave us an almost otherworldly feeling of silence and solitude. After leaving, we drove through the Ngorongoro Plateau, past Maasai villages, to Karatu. At the lodge, after days of nature, we had to get used to the noisy species again: humans.

After a leisurely breakfast with George, we drove three hours to Arusha Airport for our flight to Zanzibar. Along the way, he surprised us with a story about the clever, poisonous French cotton plant and the butterfly that lives on it. Everything in nature seems to be connected: animals complement each other’s senses. We made a quick stop at a market full of identical shops, which George humorously commented on. In Stone Town, we sat on the rooftop terrace, reflecting on a wonderful trip. In Zanzibar, we decided to do very little. Relax, read books, swim, eat, drink, get a massage, stroll along the beach, and, of course, play dice! And after a few days, that wonderful vacation we’d been looking forward to for so long was over. We’re now enthusiastic about Tanzania!