Travel stories

We never wanted to leave

We made a very impressive trip in February in Northern Tanzania, where we started by climbing Kilimanjaro. The 9-day trip along the Northern Circuit was breathtakingly beautiful and mostly doable for us. We had some camps to ourselves on this quiet route. The acclimatization went super well because of the extra days and therefore the last hike to the top too, although we will never claim that it is easy! The climb to Gilmans Point was intense and exhausting. Then the sun came up and it literally became easier and we reached the top.

Our team was amazing and felt like family after those 9 days. We learned a lot from them about their lives, the environment and the people and we have a lot of respect for all the staff who carry everything to make the trip a great experience for the guests. What an operation! The food was very tasty and surprising every day, unbelievable how that is possible.

After the climb we made some nice trips around Arusha, before we went on a 10-day trip with guide John through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, South Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It was our first time on the African continent and we were not disappointed; what an overwhelmingly beautiful and exuberant nature. To see so many wild animals walking around in their natural environment made us humble and grateful; wow, that we were allowed to experience this. We heard and saw up close how all animals and plants are connected to each other, need each other to survive and develop wonderful strategies and collaborations to strengthen and/or outsmart each other. Also getting to know the people and learning a lot about the way of life in the countryside and with the Maasai was great. On the Serengeti I got another big surprise; a balloon flight. This experience, including a champagne breakfast in the bush, is also one to never forget. In any case, the mobile tent camp on the Serengeti was our most favorite place, in the middle of the great migration of the wildebeest.

Actually we never wanted to leave there. Beautiful. Saying goodbye to John hurt at the end of the ride, we had a great time with him. So much fun, saw so much, learned many lessons and made a very good connection. He dropped us off at a Maasai lodge, where we really enjoyed these people who enthusiastically shared their culture and stories with us. It was beautiful that we ended here, with a view of Kilimanjaro where it had also started for us.

The last days we spent on the beautiful and quiet Mafia Island. Wonderful, not big, not touristy and with a great atmosphere. There and later at home, we tried to let everything we had experienced sink in. However, that is not so easy; we have seen, done and experienced so much. Tanzania is in our hearts now and we sincerely hope to be able to come back. Explore Tanzania, together with their local partners, ensured that we could make our dream trip carefree and get to know a new world for us. We enjoyed it immensely!