My first safari a few years ago was one trip that I won’t forget. We initially went to Tanzania for a friends wedding and decided why not make a trip out of it. Looking into Tanzania soon realised there was so much natural beauty.
We got researching and we got details from a local friend on a good safari tour operator. We ended up using Takims who were very professional and very reasonably priced. Looking back at our itinerary I would have stayed longer in places like Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti, but even so we got so lucky with our 2/3 days on safari. Also we went during April which is rainy season, but got lucky as the rain hadn’t started yet. We got even luckier with the animal sightings and got to see the big five including one of my favourite, the leopard.
To top it off we ended up in Zanzibar for a few days of relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.
Itinerary:
Day 1 fly out to Dar Es Salam, Tanzania from London, UK
Day 2 Fly out to Ngorongoro Crater
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and depart for Ngorongoro for crater tour with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight Ngorongoro Sopa
Day 3 Serengeti
Depart for Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge with picnic lunch. Game viewing en route to the lodge. Dinner and overnight Serengeti Sopa
Day 4 Lake Manyara
Depart for Manyara with picnic lunch. Game drive in Manyara. Dinner and overnight Kirurumu.
Day 5 Mount Kilimanjaro
Depart for Marangu - Climb through the fascinating rainforest of the Mountain for 3/ 4 hours.
Fly out to Zanzibar from Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 6-9 Zanzibar
Day 9 Fly to Dar Es Salam
Day 10 Fly back to London, UK
What To Pack:
Neutral coloured clothes
Medicine, such as paracetamol, stomach sickness, plasters
Insect repellant
Water proof jacket
A couple of warm items mainly for evening and early morning
Malaria tablets
Snorkelling gear
Swimming clothes
Sunscreen, sun hats and sunglasses
Hotels we stayed at:
Safari:
Ngorongoro Crater:
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: https://sopalodges.com/ngorongoro-sopa-lodge/the-lodge
Serengeti:
Serengeti Sopa Lodge: https://www.sopalodges.com/serengeti-sopa-lodge/the-lodge
Lake Manyara
Kirurumu Lake Manyara: https://www.kirurumu.net/manyara
Zanzibar:
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar - Nungwi
https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/tanzania/doubletree-resort-by-hilton-hotel-zanzibar-nungwi-ZNZDTDI/index.html
Camera Equipment:
Tripod
Zoom lens 200-500mm lens on full frame camera
Zoom lens 18-200mm on a crop camera
DSLR/mirrorless
Wide angle lens
Multiple battery charger
Underwater Camera
Organised Excursions and Taxis:
All internal travel and safaris were organised by Takims Holidays
https://www.takimsholidays.com