Safari in Tanzania was beyond my WILDEST expectations.

In order to boost fundraising this festive season my e-book 'Scaling the Dragon's Back.' memories of my trek of The Great Wall is on 50% sale (at £2.50 that's less than the cost of a high street cup of coffee).

All proceeds from books sold (after publisher fees) will be donated to continue my support of Dementia care.

The book is available from Amazon for Kindle, Barnes and Noble for Nook, on Kobo, all other formats from www.theendlessbookcase.co.uk.  Also available from Beezeebooks.com

For more years than I care to remember I had wanted to go on a safari to see the wild animals in their natural habitat.  Always life issues got in the way and it never happened.  Until that is I took a deep breath decided to go for it and plan to take that safari. 

  
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do” Mark Twain

North Serengeti river crossing

In particular I wanted to see the great Wildebeest migration, a river crossing, and of course lots of wild animals; particularly for me elephant.  But, which country to visit? I was daunted by the prospect of visiting the continent of Africa. I had previously been to Africa only once when on a family holiday to Tunisia.  As I would be a solo female traveller personal safety and security were very important concerns for me.  When researching my options I stumbled upon the Yellow Zebra Safari Company. Their advice and guidance to this nervous safari novice was invaluable. They put together a tailored personal safari for me based on my wish list.  The safari country chosen was Tanzania.  I was told I was guaranteed to see lots of elephant in the Tarangire National Park.  To see the wildebeest migration, a river crossing and to have the best chance of seeing the ‘Big 5’ it had to be the Serengeti.

My top tip – Go on a private safari if you can afford it, it’s well worth it. Your guide gets to

Elephants cooling off at a water hole.

know what you particularly want to see. There is no negotiating with others in the vehicle who might only want to see the big cats for example. If you wish to spend an hour watching elephants at a water hole or spend the morning watching the courtship ritual of leopards as I did then you can.  Also a private safari allows you to set your own pace and as you have the vehicle to yourself you are guaranteed to have the best seat from which to get the best photographs.  I opted for a private safari in the Serengeti and had a vehicle, guide and spotter to myself for the duration of the safari. As luck would have it by default in Tarangire I again had a guide and vehicle to myself.  On the third day in Tarangire I admitted to my guide that I was puzzled by the occupants of some other jeeps staring hard at our vehicle and at me in particular.  I had to laugh when he said that they probably thought I was both rich and famous to have such a vehicle all to myself (a luxurious open topped cruiser)!

I stayed at the Swala Camp, Tarangire

My outdoor shower while at Swala camp

Which is outstanding, the setting superb! My accommodation was clean and luxurious, and even had an outdoor as well as indoor shower. The staff were very friendly and the food always excellent. The Askari escorted me to and from the main buildings after dark.  The watering hole in the camp allows you to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Africa, I awoke on my first morning to the sight of elephants, zebra and gazelle drinking at the water hole which was located close to my tent.  The big cats come to drink there but unfortunately I saw none drinking during my stay, although I was told they had been in camp whilst I was out on a safari drive.  Monkeys scamper across the top of your tent and play on the veranda and in the many trees around camp.

At Alex Walker Camp, north Serengeti

 

I was warmly welcomed when I landed at the local airstrip by my guide and spotter.

Rudely awakened by hyenas in camp

When I got to the camp I found the staff courteous and friendly.  After a long days game drive evening begins with drinks by the camp fire under the stars.  Dinner was a communal affair offering the opportunity to talk to fellow travellers and exchange stories of the days safari drive.  Being escorted back to my tent by a Masai warrior this time it was a nice touch to find a hot water bottle in the bed.  This was not the only lovely touch there was, coffee was brought to your tent at your wake-up call in the dark of the very early morning and hot water delivered to your shower when you returned from your days drive.   And I managed to sleep despite the noise made by wild animals wandering past my tent and being woken up one night by hyenas in the camp.

Amazing to be able to get so close to the animals

I had a wonderful time on safari which did indeed turn out to be the holiday of a lifetime, a dream come true for me.  I could not believe how close I was able to get to the wild animals.  And, I was so lucky I saw the big five, well the big nine in actual fact.  And, I also got to experience 3 river crossings, including one zebra crossing, rare in Tanzania more common in Kenya I was told. Not least I met so many interesting people along the way.  I would have to say this was by some way the best overall holiday experience I have ever had and one totally unfamiliar to me. In fact I may never be able to go on safari again as this one was just so perfect.

I intend to publish further blogs of my safari experience covering; solo female on safari, time spent in the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks, the fight against poaching and my impressions of Tanzania.