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There’s something special about Africa. Something that’s hard to put into words and something that can only truly be felt. To experience a trip to Africa is a once in a lifetime for many. A Tanzanian safari, a visit to Maasai villages, being the heart of curiosity amongst the local children and walking along the dusty streets, chatting to the local food sellers. Africa is the ultimate adventure.

young boy with cattle, Maasai village Tanzania
A young boy with his herd

Tanzania is a popular country for an African safari as it’s the home of the Serengeti National Park, one of the best places for wildlife viewing in the world. Here you will see the big 5- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Aside from these incredible animals there’s an abundance of wildlife from birds, cheetahs, zebra, impala, baboons, crocodiles and hippos. It literally is like being in a David Attenborough documentary!

Serengeti migration safari Tanzania
There will be hundreds more in the full swing of migration

I booked myself on a Tanzania & Zanzibar tour with GAdventures, which included visiting a Maasai village, a 4 day Tanzania safari and ended in the beautiful Zanzibar. This is a great trip if you want to combine paradise beaches with safari! (Pssstt…I will post a separate post on Zanzibar next week!)

Tanzania safari guide
Excited for safari

Here is what you can expect from a 4 day camping safari in Tanzania. It is a budget option as opposed to the luxury lodges but I actually believe that camping out in the middle of the Serengeti, with no barriers or gates between you and the wild animals is an INCREDIBLE experience. We actually had an elephant walk directly into our camp as we were eating dinner, just a few feet away! More on that below…

 

So lets get started with our Tanzania safari tour shall we?!

 

Lunch at Mto wa Mbu Village

Mto wa Mbu village tour, Tanzania
Learning more about the village

The day before our Serengeti safari, my tour GAdventures tour group visiting the local Mto wa Mbu village, where we learnt about local life. We were shown around the fields, told how they build their huts and grow their own food, seeing many banana trees around!

paintings, Mto wa Mbu village, Tanzania
Paintings and crafts from the local market

We also went to the markets where the locals sell paintings and crafts, mainly for the tourists I think. Although I’m usually dubious about the ‘local stalls with the same reproduced souvenirs you see everywhere’, I have to say that these handmade mixed media paintings and sculptures were actually very good, resulting in me purchasing several items!

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painting, Mto wa Mbu village tour, Tanzania
I bought this!

Later on we ate a traditional lunch of meat and plantains from the village, very delicious and great to try some local food.

Mto wa Mbu village, Tanzania
A fantastic local lunch

Visit to a Maasai Village

Maasai village Tanzania
The Maasai women showing us their traditional dress and dance

Close to Mto wa Mbu village, we visited a local Maasai tribe, all dressed in the traditional clothing and jewellery, full with textures and bright colours (predominantly red). The colour red is believed by the Maasai people that it can warn off lions and so is a symbol of their culture.

huts in Maasai village Tanzania
Being shown the village huts was educational

The woman and children were there to greet us, singing and jumping. I was overwhelmed by their huge smiles and welcoming nature. What a fantastic experience. They even put the white necklaces around us and we joined them jumping up and down whilst they sang.

Maasai village Tanzania
One of the best experiences was meeting these tribes women
Maasai village visit Tanzania
Joining in the singing and jumping

We were then shown around the village and spoken to about the Planeterra project that is working on installing clean cook stoves in these huts. This removes the harmful smoke (that is linked to numerous deaths) and in place removes 90% of the pollution. For the women these stoves are a God send and they were proudly speaking of how it has helped their families.

Maasai village children Tanzania
Those green eyes though

After our tour it was time to say goodbye to the village and it seemed all of the kids ran out to wave goodbye, full of energy. I remember feeling so happy to have had this experience and looked forward to the Tanzania safari to come. And what better way to end the day, sitting by the campsites pool whilst a delicious meal was being cooked up for us by our guide.

Maasai village children Tanzania
All the village kids out to say goodbye
camping safari tanzania, Africa
Relaxing by the campsite pool after an eye opening day

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OK and now for the safari…

 

Tanzania Safari: Day 1 (Arusha to Serengeti National Park)

My tour group woke early for a lovely breakfast made by our guide. Preparing for an 8 hour drive from Arusha, Tanzania into the Serengeti National Park, we eagerly jumped on the huge over-landing vehicle. The group was fairly small so we each got 2 seats to ourselves- what a bonus.

arusha Tanzania safari guide
Driving out of Arusha, Tanzania

We drove past local villages, shops and food stalls before heading into the savannah. We actually saw a lot of wildlife before even reaching the Serengeti, where you will find one of the largest populations of lions in the world.

Tanzania safari guide
Viewpoint over Serengeti
Tanzania safari guide
Our guide by the huge tour bus

Once we arrived at the Serengeti National Park entrance, we stopped for some photos and were basically glued to the windows for the next few hours. I remember when we first saw some zebra, everyone was so excited, we wanted to stop every 5 minutes. Our tour guide told us “don’t worry, we will see plenty more zebra”. And we definitely did.

Tanzania safari guide
We’re here!
Tanzania safari guide
buffalo

After a long day of driving, we had to set up our tents at the basic bush camp. I actually couldn’t believe that there was no gates or anything- animals could walk past our tents of they wanted. Our guide told us of times when they had seen lions footprints close to the tents- pretty scary though but it just makes it more exciting!

sunset, Serengeti National Park Tanzania
First sunset of the safari

We sat by the fire for a while after dinner but all got an early night, ready for day 2 of our African safari. Can’t even tell you how exciting I was for the morning at this point!

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Tanzania Safari: Day 2 (full day Serengeti safari)

So I slept well the previous night after a full day previously, plus there’s something about camping out on the ground, wrapped up in a warm sleeping bag that just sends you right off. We were also delighted to see a group of zebras close to our tents to say good morning to us.

After waking up in the dark, I was soon thankful for the early wake up call as, the most beautiful sunrise slowly lit up the savannah. We headed out early and it didn’t take long to spot an African elephant wandering through the trees.

elephant, Serengeti National Park Tanzania
First animal of the day and one of my favourites ๐Ÿ™‚

After this we saw herds of zebra and impala, a group of female lions (very exciting!), hippos, giraffes, birds and a crocodile. I couldn’t believe the amount of wildlife we were seeing.

Serengeti, Tanzania safari
Impala, hippos, crocodile and a stalk (croc is behind hippos on land- hard to spot)


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Serengeti safari Tanzania
Lions sleep a lot!

We were also very privileged to see a leopard attending to her cubs. They are very rare to see and she was hidden away really well but I could feel my heart beating faster as she popped her head over the rock.

leopard Sergengeti National Park
A rare glimpse of a leopard

We then stopped at a coffee shop- yes, you read right. A small cafe selling coffee and snacks right in the heart of the Serengeti! There were these little creatures walking round that I have now discovered to be called rock hyrax’s and they are seriously cute.

After a coffee break we headed back to camp for some lunch, before heading out again in the afternoon. We spotted ostriches, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, a huge lake full of hippos and at the end of the day, a cheetah walking into the sunset. Yep, that was an adventurous day of safari!

Tanzania safari
Wouldn’t wanna get caught in those jaws
Serengeti safari Tanzania
Seeing a cheetah at the end of the day was the perfect end


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Back at camp we were treated by a gorgeous sunset (cant beat an African sunset) and a beer by the campfire, where our guide told us spooky ghost stories.

sunset, Serengeti, Tanzania safari
One of the best sunsets I’ve seen
Serengeti safari Tanzania
Beer by the fire after a full day of safari- well deserved!
Read more of my adventures in Tanzania:ย Making Jewellery at the Orphanage: Arusha, Tanzania

Tanzania Safari: Day 3 (Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater rim)

baboon, serengeti Tanzania
A baboon searching for food
zebra, Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania
A zebra playing camouflage

Geared up for another morning of safari, today the group had one last wildlife tour in the Serengeti, before heading to the campsite overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater (known for the best wildlife viewings). Yet more wildlife to be seen from baboons, lions, zebras playing in the mud and a cheetah eating a kill. This was incredible to see in person after having watched so many nature documentaries showing this.

Tanzanian safari tips
A cheetah with a kill

Later that day we drove the our campsite on the Ngorongoro Crater’s rim. This was my favourite campsite as the views were out of this world incredible. This is the campsite where a male elephant just walked right past where we were eating, only a few feet away. They really weren’t joking when they said we were out in the wild!

camping at Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania
Enjoying the setting at camp

the big 5 Tanzania

What a heart pumping experience! He ended up walking to some trash by the camp and so we just sat back out by our fire, eating dinner and keeping one eye open on the elephant that was next door- madness!

Sergengeti National Park
Making dinner with elephant in background

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Tanzania Safari: Day 4 (Ngorongoro Crater)

sunrise Ngorongoro Crater jeep tour
Yet another beautiful sunrise
Ngorongoro Crater jeep tour
Getting the jeeps loaded for safari

We woke up to another stunning sunrise, the sun reflecting off the morning mist that was rising up into the sky. Today was when we explored the Ngorongoro Crater, where there is always lots of wildlife due to there being a permanent water supply here. We drove down into the crater in big jeeps with open roofs.

safari, Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania
Stunning views from the Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania
Lions!

The Ngorongoro Crater looked a lot more green than the Serengeti and the stunning backdrop of the mountains and cloud formations were beautiful. The wildlife were everywhere- we literally drove through herd of zebra and wildebeest.

Tanzanian safari tips
Driving through the wildlife
lions Ngorongoro Crater
A lioness with cubs (you can see a couple either end of the rocks and 1 climbing in the middle)

Again we saw numerous wildlife like lions and another cheetah. It felt lively with herds of zebra and wildebeest stampeding around running after each other. The photo opportunities are just everywhere here.

zebra Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Crater was so green

There’s a swamp section where we saw hippos and an area covered with trees, where we saw elephants roaming. We even saw a rhino in the distance. The whole safari experience was completely incredible and what a fantastic way to end this adventure.

lion, the big 5 Tanzania
Lazy lion

Best time to visit the Serengeti?

The good news is that you can go on safari any time of the year. I went in March during rainy season which is sometimes not recommended but we had perfect weather. If you are looking to see the best of the great wildebeest migration then go in June to September. January and February are when the wildebeest give birth to their calves. March to May is considered low season due to the rains. But really every season has something different to offer. P.S- The migration happens throughout the year, track it here with this helpful map.

ngorongoro crater elepahnts
Elephants in the Ngorongoro crater

african safari packing guide

What to wear on safari?

Many safari’s, especially camping safaris will have a luggage restriction so try not to over pack. Finding clothing that mix’s and matches well is a great idea. You also need to make sure you pack neutral, earthy toned clothing and avoid bright colours (which may scare off the animals). Try to avoid darker colours, particularly anything blue as this attracts the tsetse fly (a disease carrying insect). Anything white will be likely to get dirty as safari’s get very dusty!

ngorongoro crater safari Tanzania
Enjoying a safari in Ngorongoro crater

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Where can I stay in the Serengeti?

There is an abundance of accommodation types suited for most budgets. Basic camping is the most budget friendly and then the permanent tents or glamping is the next step up. From there you have hotels to luxury lodges. The list is endless!

camping Serengeti safari Tanzania
Camping out in the open

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Hope you enjoyed this post on what to expect on a Tanzanian safari, it really is a bucket list experience and I would thoroughly recommend Tanzania as a whole. There’s plenty more to see and do from visiting coffee plantations in the mountains or lazing around on a tropical beach in Zanzibar (more on that to come).

Don’t forget to pin this post and sign up for your free printable packing list for safariย below!african safari packing list and guide

The diversely beautiful country of Namibia is situated on the Southwest coast of Africa. I was surprised how different it looks to other parts of Africa, from the white dust of the National parks to the fairly built up German towns that feel quite European.

Namibia has plenty to do and a variety of landscapes from desert to rivers and the coast. Here are 15 things to do in Namibia and why it should be next on your list of places to visit…

 

1. Deadvlei: Reason Alone to Visit Namibia

deadvlei, namib desert

The dunes of Deadvlei are located in the Sossusvlei area, in the Namib desert and are one of the biggest reasons why people travel to Namibia. This place is like no other and a photographers paradise. The 900 year old camel thorn trees are scorched black by the harsh sun- creating stunning images again the white sand and red dunes. Add this to the top of your list.

deadvlei, namib desert

2. Stroll Over Fish River Canyon

fish river canyon

The impressive Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world after Grand Canyon and is seriously impressive. I went at sunset, a perfect time with the low sunlight illuminating the canyon an intense orange colour. There is even a challenging 5 day hike into the canyon that can only be completed from May-mid September due to the burning heat. For day trippers it’s an easy stroll along the outside with various viewpoints to take some stunning selfies!

fish river canyon Namibia

3. Get Close to Wildlife in Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha National Park has a variety of terrain and it’s huge salt pan can even be seen from space. The landscape I saw was hugely vast with white ground and dust filling the air. With my tour group I camped out inside the park where it even had its own watering hole.

sunset, Etosha National Park, Namibia

The animals are still completely wild and all gather to this watering hole at the same time! Elephants, giraffe, hippos, lions-ย  you name it. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to just sit by this watering hole for hours- even into the night and watch the animals come and go.

4. Horse-riding into the desert

I booked a horse-riding tour with a couple of others from my GAdventures tour group which left straight from the Spitzkoppe Campย we were staying in. This camp is awesome btw- right in the middle of nowhere!

So after getting adjusted on the horse we literally rode off into the sunset. We had the place to ourselves and the setting was incredible. They cater for all levels also.Horse riding namibia

Horse riding namibia

5. Climb up Dune 45

Dune 45 sits at 170 meters and takes around 40 mins to an hour to climb up (reasonably easy). Another one for the photographers here with vast views across the Namib desert. Also once you reach the top you can run back down again which is quite exciting.

More on Africa:ย A Girl’s Guide to Marrakech, Morocco

6. ย Enjoy the Drive

Although it can take a while to get from place to place, there’s plenty to see along the way. We stopped numerous times to snap animals in the road or just for the scenery of mountains and desert. If you are road-tripping be sure to stop at Solitaire town- a tiny desert town with abandoned cars by the roadside. Perfect for that much needed coffee break.

7. Snap a Photo at the Tropic of Capricorn

Visit namibia blog

This is a popular photo spot situated about hour after the town of Solitaire, heading towards Walvis Bay. This marks the spot (approximately) of one of the 5 circles of latitude, running parallel to the equator. It’s really just a photo spot but interesting to see.

8. Quad Bike Through the Desert

quad biking namibia

Swakopmund is the place to book a quad biking tour. For the adventurers this activity will surely get your heart racing. Driving up and over the dunes, wind in hair and flying over the sand was some serious fun.

9. Visit the Petrified Forest

This strange place is formed of huge fossilised tree trunks estimated at about 280 million years old. ย The Petrified Forest sits at what was once an old river channel with ancient trees preserved and turn to stone. It’s something different to visit – perfect for those who like a bit of history.


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10. See a Fascinating Shipwreck

shipwreck namibia

Namibia is known for its shipwrecks that can be found along it’s coast. I visited Zeila shipwreck right on the beach. There is something so eerie about an abandoned ship and the stories that go with it. The birds taking up residence on what’s left of the vessels frame are kinda creepy don’t ya think?!

shipwreck namibia

11. Take a Desert Tour

desert tour namibia

A lot of Namibia is desert and although it may look deserted there are plenty of animals that thrive here. Take an insightful tour over the dunes and find out about the animals that live here and how they survive. There is also fantastic photo opportunities at sunset, the suns golden glow creating a beautiful soft light over the landscape.

desert tour namibia

desert tour namibia

12. Canoe along the Orange River

Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp is situated on the Orange River that forms part of the border with South Africa. From here you can hire out canoes and cruise along the still river. Go as fast or slow as you like as you drift along the scenic landscape.

canoeing orange river south africa

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13. Shop at Local Stalls and Explore the Villages

Whilst driving along you will see arts and handicraft stalls run by the local women. These are great places to grab yourself a unique souvenir and to chat with the locals.

Road trip Namibia

There will always be friendly children waiting to greet you- all very excited at the prospect of meeting a foreigner. There are also tours that take you into local villages and schools, giving a glimpse into the life of the locals.

14. Indulge in a steak at Joe’s Beerhouse

joes beerhouse namibia

Joe’s Beerhouse in Windhoek is famous for it’s steak and oh my I can’t even tell you how delicious it was! You can get everything from zebra, kudu, springbok and crocodile. It’s a meat lovers paradise and the decor is amazing too. The waiters are super nice and even remembered our entire tables order of around 15 off my heart!

15. Enjoy a Simple Campfire

camping namibia

One of the best parts about my trip was setting up camp every couple of nights and sleeping under the stars. It makes for a true adventure and enjoying a beer by the fire after a long day is a welcome break. It’s great to sit back by the campfire out in the open, eating dinner and chatting about the day. Be at one with nature ๐Ÿ™‚

Nambia campfire

More Reading:ย Botswana: 8 Adventurous Reasons To Add To Your Bucket List

 

Hope you enjoyed learning more about Namibia. It truly is a unique destination to add to your bucket list. If you enjoyed this post don’t forget to share it along to Facebook or Pinterest. You can also sign up for a free 4 day guide on solo travel confidence building.4 day free guide solo female travel