Tanzania with Mefi

I LoVe being on Safari.
Absolutely love the feeling of being in the wild, with abundant wildlife and myriad of amazing birds, the amazing scenery of this un-spoilt land, and the people. 

My smile pure joy and pretty much 'on' the whole time.

My Safari this past May was just that. And I got to share this with two Houston Bloggers Sheree and Natalie. This is my second time taking guests on Safari with me and seeing Tanzania through their eyes has just added to my Safari love affair. 

When my guests travel with Journey To Africa, I plan Safaris where I draw upon the many connections I have in Tanzania from my years living there. I also tap into all the Safari knowledge I have accumulated in the 16 years I have had the pleasure of showing clients my Tanzania. 

And I take my own advice and plan my own Safaris accordingly. 

Natalie and the kids having a good time.

Our first stop was the village of Mkuru with my friend Tati. Tati and I go way back to early 2000 when she and Paul Oliver used to run the original Oliver's Camp. The Oliver's Camp that was a mobile camp before the current luxury glamping. 

She has started a project where she works with an Italian jewelry designer to create modern jewelry using traditional methods, each hand-crafted by Maasai women at the village, or at her store in Arusha. 

The day was spent with the Maasai ladies and their children who showed us how they live in a lifestyle that is so different from our western ways. Having grown up in Tanzania, their lifestyle is not surprising to me, but observing from Sheree and Natalie's perspective was an eye opener.

We had lots of discussions on this difference. I feel we need to come to terms that just because it is different, it does not mean it does not work. That lifestyle works for most of them and those that seek change, have options like work shops and teaching colleges. We can not force change on anyone unless it is desired.

Trying out original Maasai necklaces.

This day also presented many commonalities. Jewelry. Sheree and Natalie got to indulge with fashionable accessories worn by the Maasai women themselves as well the jewelry that is Maasai-inspired. A fun day.

Then ...  a glorious Safari. Ah! My favorite activity. 

Our first stop was Tarangire National Park. For Natalie, her request when we met in Houston, Texas for our pre-Safari planning was she wanted to see elephants since she missed seeing these mighty giants in South Africa.

Well, her wish got fulfilled - over and over again. Sheree, her eyes were just lite with awe. Her first ever Safari and any animal that moved made her jump with delight. Pumped me up to be with a first timer on Safari.  We were serenaded by birds, amused by elephants, babies and young ones as well, given a show by monkeys, peeked by giraffes and more. Tarangire, as always, did not disappoint. 

There is also the people connection you make on Safari. Natalie had brought in a bag full of under garments from Peach. We got to hand deliver the bag to our friends at Rift Valley Children's Home. This home is truly a special place for the many children who would have had to struggle but instead found love, support, shelter built warmly by Mama India and Peter. Asante for all your do guys. We support you!

Our Safari Life. Pretty Amazing.

Ngorongoro Crater was our own little park. The advantage of going in May is that high season is not in full swing. Besides Sheree showing us her ninja moves and flamingo dance, Natalie taking a post breakfast nap, we got to spend time with the endangered black rhino, three lion cubs just a few months old, zebras, flamingoes and more. Fazo, our guide, helped out Mama Simba, the local Crater researcher, in updating her on the new cubs. We just chimed in on how we thought those little goobers were so darn cute. 

Sheree, co-piloting.

Our last stop, mighty Serengeti. Sheree flew us there, well, almost. She used to be a pilot about 20 years ago and she has not forgotten. The pilot let her handle a control or two and Natalie and I held our breath when she pulled the knobs. Suffice to say, we landed safely.  :)

Serengeti! Serengeti Shall Never Die. Really, this place never disappoints.

The different habitats gifted us with a range of wildlife. Cheetahs in the plains near Namiri, Wildebeest and Zebra Migration in the tall grass around Central Serengeti, elephants in the savannah bushes, giraffes near the acacias, lions on the kopjes warming themselves, 100 + smelly hippos that we were so lucky to see, baboons and so much more. And birds, don't over look birds. These beauties were everywhere. Sheree would draw upon her Colorado birding knowledge and Natalie, I have to work on her some more for our next Safari together. 

The Crew at Dunia Camp. We were sad to leave on our last day.

Besides amazing wildlife, birds, landscape, on Safari there is friendships to be made, dancing to be enjoyed, lots of stories to be shared with people from all over this World and Tanzania. 

This is why I love my Safari Life. I encourage you to come on a Journey To Africa Safari.
There is so much to explore in amazing Tanzania. 

Sign up for our newsletter if you want to know when I will be leading a group on Safari to Tanzania or another part of East or Southern Africa. But, with me or not, I encourage you to go - Life Worth Exploring. 

Maasai Village stop on Safari

A journalist with Travel Weekly recently asked me the following questions on why I am including Women Empowering Projects in my clients Safaris to Tanzania. 

Our clients Judy and Kathy with our friend Margaret at the Maasai village. 

Why do you think your clients are interested specifically in these women empowering projects ?

I find that most of the clients who have and are booking this activity are strong women. Women who are paying for the Safari or women who are leading the Safari planning process. They want to enjoy the amazing wildlife Tanzania has to offer but they want to know more about Tanzania and maybe make a difference when they leave. We also hope they continue to support these projects.

The projects we take our clients are not charity projects. They are projects where women are hired to work - hence earning their own money - by making jewelry, art, etc. for the customer both in Tanzania, the traveler in Tanzania as well as international buyer. 

When I tell them they will be visiting these women who are benefitting from being given work skill hence gaining financial empowerment, they want to go more. It helps when I say these are not tourist destinations and you will have a local friend of Journey To Africa guide you. They will get to see how these women are improving their lives, their children's and family in general. Women are making money so they are sending their children to school with some making these decision against their husband's wish but they are the breadwinners now. Water pumps, gas burner instead of charcoal [though some have no interest in changing and we should be open to their decision even though it may not make sense to us], solar lights, etc. these are the improvements our clients can help towards when they purchase commodities made by our Maasai women. 

Why are there more opportunities for them now in the developing world? 

Foreign interest is high. You see designers like Valentino using Maasai huts as background for the clothing ad. US companies focused on women are going on photo shots with Tanzanian landscape, people, art and crafts like Net-a-Porter or JCrew. Fabric, jewelry inspired by African art used in our western world. With direct reference to the Journey To Africa project, the jewelry created by our Maasai ladies is worn by royalty [Princess Caroline of Monaco] and is used in NY Fashion shows. 

I am quite certain this is creating an interest with my clients to go to the source and learn more. Also, there are operators like me who want clients to see more of Tanzania than just wildlife. We are taking them to off-the-beaten path villages, asking them to stop by local schools and charities -- and if they are women run, even better as we women should support each other.  We want to show them as much of Tanzania as we can. And in some case, we want to show them these projects so they can support them once they get back home. 

How much can the travel industry and the revenue it brings make a difference in these women’s lives? 

For the most part, the income generated from travelers visiting makes a big impact. The more the people go to Tanzania, the more buying happens because there is more appreciation and awareness, the more dollars go back to the village. 

For my Maasai project, basic amenities we take for granted like water, electricity are making daily life manageable for the members in the villages. For example, with time saved from doing chores like fetching water, children are instead going to school and women are able to generate income rather then spend time collecting firewood. Eye sight is saved by bring in gas burners instead of charcoal. Note - some women still resist this change but information is given. Doctor visits are becoming affordable. 

Listening to the ladies.

We hope this inspires you to add a day to see the Maasai ladies [we will be happy to suggest other stops should you not have a full day] on your Tanzanian Safari. 

Travel deep on Safari to Tanzania. 

Best time to go on a Safari?

One question we get a lot is what is the best time to go on Safari in Tanzania?
Really, anytime you can make it, is good time for Safari. The wildlife is always present.

Having said that, some people are extremely sensitive to heat and dust.  If that is the case, stay away from December to March as Serengeti can be dry, dusty and hot [90Fs during the day with cooler 70Fs during the evening]. Our camps + vehicles do not have air condition which can be an issue for those with respiratory problems. 

Weather Guideline for your Safari Planning.

• November to December // Short rain season + Hot.
  Sporadic showers will not hinder your Safari. Wildebeest and zebra migration, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth, are heading to Southern to Eastern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Southern Serengeti is the place to be as the lawn-mowers - our wildebeest and zebra - will be coming here. The southern parks like Selous, Ruaha and Katavi will start sprouting up grass. They don't have lawn-mowers. 
   
• January to Mid-March // Can be dry + Hot.
  Birthing season for the Wildebeest and Zebra. Still in Southern to Eastern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tarangire National Park with its resident wildlife and its rivers and swamps will make you fall in love with this park anytime. The southern parks are still wonderful to explore. 
   
• Mid-March/April to May // Long rain season + Warm to cool.
  Showers can last a few hours but when it clears, fresh skies. If you don’t mind being adventurous [plans may change but we always have a Plan B] this is a great time to visit and get some amazing deals on lodges.  Paul Oliver, a specialist guide calls this the secret season – less crowd but awesome wildlife. Tarangire National Park, with tall grass and abundant water everywhere allowing wildlife to spread out, has black cotton soil which is tricky to drive on when it has rained hard but as we mentioned, get ready for an adventure. Ruaha will also have tall grasses and wildlife will have spread out but that surprise eye peaking out will make you scream -  but don't - they walk away. 
  
  Some lodges also take this time to close and work on their tents and give the crew training. Never fear, there is always a Safari Lodge open. 
   
• June to July // Dry + Cooler months.
  June is green after the rains. Enjoy the sea of wild flowers. Migratory animals are roaming from Central to Western Serengeti on their way to Northern Serengeti. Wildlife from the surrounding areas are about to enter Tarangire National Park.
   
• August to October // Dry season + Cool to warm during day and cool during night. 
  The wildebeest and zebra population is dispersed in Masai Mara to Northern Serengeti. Mara River crossing is a site to witness. Tarangire National Park is alive with wildlife thanks to its permanent Silale Swamp and Tarangire River.

But, the weather is never predictable. Hence the adventure on Safari. Now, twende, let's go.

Safari Documents

You probably don’t need this from me but never hurts to hear this again.
Here are five items that I carry with me at all time on Safari:

Passport.
A given - this is your ticket home. I also give a copy of my passport to my family in the US. A client had given me a copy of her passport and when they were in South Africa, they lost their passport. I was glad I could help by emailing them their passport copy.

Paper e-tickets.
Print your International Airline tickets before you leave. Don't depend on your phone in case wi-fi is not working or your connectivity is poor. Best to have to copy.

Money.
Keep $100 per person handy [if you are a US Citizen] for the visa should you be getting that at the airport. The rest for tips, drinks, shopping, etc. should be carried with you always. We have detailed guidelines on our Traveling Tips which we share with our clients.

Vaccination paperwork if applicable.
If you are coming from another African country, you will need to get Yellow Fever vaccination. Otherwise, vaccination is your choice. 

Phone Numbers.
This is should Plan B need to go into place.
+ Phone numbers for your Travel Insurance - highly recommended getting insurance.
+ Phone numbers of the ground crew - we will provide this to you.
+ My mobile phone number in Houston. 
+ Phone number of your family/friends at home for me to keep should I need to get in touch.
You never know why you may need to make a phone call. Some examples; missing your international flight, breaking a leg in Amsterdam on the way to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro [fingers crossed will not happen to you], etc.

Let's get you on a Luxury Safari somewhere in magical Eastern and Southern Africa. 
We can help you plan your Safari. 

What is a Luxury Safari?

Luxury is relative to each one of us. 

Are you going to be happy with a perfectly good 5 gallon bucket private shower or do you need endless water and a bubble-bath tub? Can you handle a wilderness tent if it means enjoying a walking Safari away from the main camp? Just you and the open space.  
Or both as isn't travel the place to test our limits as well as indulge. 

We want to know more about your expectations on Safari. We have choices we can offer you on your Luxury Safari.

Whatever your travel style, 4 things you are guaranteed when enjoying a Luxury Safari with Journey To Africa.

1] PEACE OF MIND.
Our Safaris take care of you from arrival into any airport in Tanzania or Kenya to when we drop you off at the airport for your flight home. “Safaris are like grandmothers” – Susan Portnoy, a photographer mentioned. All the care with the warm and fuzzy.

You don't have to worry about opening your wallet when on Safari. All is taken care before you leave for your Safari. From your Safari vehicle with your expert guide, national park and conservation fees, meals, drinks which will be available in your vehicle, local flights, transfers mentioned, etc. You have to take care shopping and tips to the guide and crew. 

What we insist you must do is sit back and relax! You are on Safari.

2] EXPERIENCES AND GREAT MEMORIES.
Many studies show that happy people are those who have accumulated experiences and memories in their lives. We aim to enhance your happiness.
“Travel is my therapy.”

How do we plan on doing that?

• Via our guides and their knowledge, warmth, patience and more. 
  To our first timer on Safari to our fifth timer client, our guides are our backbone. They help make great memories and experiences on your Safari. They are also our ambassadors. They will make you fall in love with being on Safari.
• Attention to details as well as adding memories to your Safari.  
  We make sure all the dots and crosses are checked for your Safari. The adding memories part, we don’t want to give away too much but it’s the little things that make the big memories happen.

3] RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, RIGHT FIT.
We pay lots of attention to the lodge or tented camp we choose for you.
This is a big part of your Safari budget and the selection has to work for you.

Right Place and Right Time.
Crucial. We want you to maximize your wildlife viewing hence the lodges or tented camp has to be in the right place for the time of your travel. We will not go to a lodge or tented camp just because it is beautiful if it is not the right time to be in that area especially in Serengeti where you follow the Wildebeest and Zebra Migration. However, if going there is extremely important for you, we can make that happen or if you have extended time on Safari, sure. 

Right Fit.
We have a range of preferred lodges and tented camps, in different budgets, for us to recommend to you. Are you a family, multigenerational family, on honeymoon or anniversary, friend group, solo ... the lodge and tented camp will be suggested accordingly. The core values can not be compromised - food quality, room amenities, staff service, ambiance of the lodge, etc. Even if you are 'roughing it' with our wilderness camping, the core expectations have to be met for us to offer them to you.

4] LODGES WITH A SOUL.
Our criteria when choosing the lodges we recommend is that they have to have the 3 Cs. Conservation + Community + Carbon off-setting ethos.

Your dollars must help out in a lot of behind the scenes effort. The ability to assist the visiting country, it’s people and the precious wildlife. When picking the lodges or tented camps we recommend, this is a big priority. 

Whether it is wildlife conservation via Honeyguide Foundation with our ground partners or supporting a sustainable orphanage by building a fully equipped bakery like Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge or off setting carbon footprints like our walking Safari partners.

Our lodges also support a lot of families. A staff member in our lodge will take care of 4-6 + family members at home. Your Safari dollars will go a long way on your Safari in Tanzania.

Ask us for more details on each lodge and tented camp and which organization or charity each supports. 

We hope you will enjoy a Luxury Safari with Journey To Africa.

Our Safari Guides know Photography

When on Safari, the most important element that can make or break your Safari is your guide. Our guides make your Safari! It is the reason our guests come back.

Our guides not only know about animal-life, flora and fauna, but they also know photography.

Photography on Safari is vital for our guides to know. We have a range of clients from hobbyists, amateur photographers to professional photographers.

Lighting is crucial. Early morning before the sunrise to capture the first light of daybreak. How to avoid shadows in the hot mid-day sun. Positioning the Safari vehicle in the right angle to capture the golden hour in the evening. Sunset shots are amazing and when you have a wildlife silhouette, dreamy. These little tricks of the trade are taught to our Safari guides. Some of our guides are great photographers themselves like Butati in lovely Greystoke Mahale, Western Tanzania or Daniel at MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa.

If we know in advance what you need, our guides will equip our vehicle with supplies like bean bags for stability. We always carry a few in our vehicles anyway. Any specific need you have, we can work with you.

My Safari guide Reuben with my camera clicking the Wildebeest arriving into Northern Serengeti.

For a hobbyist like me, I let my guides help.  They would help me with lighting, shutter speed, angle, etc.  They got me some good shots while I got to enjoy the experience. The picture above is in Northern Serengeti on our early morning game drive and the Wildebeest and Zebra migration were grunting its way into this beautiful region.

I brought home some great pictures and some shots, I can not take credit for. You decide if you want to do that on your Safari.

Twende Safari – let’s go Safari somewhere in magical Africa. We can help you!

Lake Natron | Tanzania

Why go to Lake Natron Region?
That was what I was trying to discover when I went with my friend, expert guide Paul Oliver on my Safari in Feb-March 2015. Located within the Great East African Rift Valley, Natron is an off-the-grid [not for long though] Safari destination in Northern Tanzania.  I think I know why those who love being on Safari come here to explore.  

Stunning landscape.
This place is for those who want to photograph amazing varied terrain.

Ol Doinyo Lengai with ash on the side.

The most obvious is the glorious volcanic mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai, the mountain of God for the Maasai tribe members. The deep ridges carved from erosion, the spewed lava that comes out every 10 years or so or the depth of vegetation all reflected differently from different angles. This active mountain is very  mesmerizing to watch.

Glorious Lake Natron in the evening.

Alkaline rich Lake Natron and its reflective surface, the many rock outcrops that dot the mirror-like lake, the white soda ash on the shores, and the lovely reeds that create interest. The hills are alive with character. You have to see the many hills with mini peaks that are formed to release the gas from the belly of the Earth.

If you are into landscape photography with the occasional wildlife spotting, this is your place.

Walking Safari.
The area near our camp, Lake Natron Tented Lodge is about an hour walk to the caustic Lake Natron. You have to pass through surprisingly cool water springs, [it was around 90F in February], muddy patches with lots of footprints to inspect from the zebras to the little bird prints, and then the unique crunchy dry soda from the salty lake. 

Walking in Lake Natron.

There is also walking to the waterfall from the Engare Sero village. After your trek during the day, a cool dip sounds refreshing. 

Lake Natron is an alkaline lake with the right ph for the flamingoes to breed. I was expecting to see lots of flamingos but that was not the case as they had flown away further south to Lake Eyasi and east to Lake Magadi in Ngorongoro Region. You could hear them flying at night from my room. Non the less, getting so close to the flamingos by foot was quite special.

Then you have the large count of migratory birds coming all the way from Europe and even Alaska. Paul, who is a birder was clicking away. Wadders were skittish around us and Paul told me about bird netting and bird poaching. Birds are facing a huge problem in many European countries like Italy, Malta to countries like Jordan. Millions of these lovely birds are served as a delicacy to satisfy humans.

Of course, the local birds are every present. We had fun with the Spotted Morning-thrush hanging on the branches of the acacia tree. He and Paul had a good conversation about our lovely ‘Safari life’.

Cultural stop.
Historic footprints have been found here. They calculated the age of these footprints and they are around 120,000 years old, the first modern straight standing man. This area is very close to Oldupai Gorge, were one of the first homo sapiens skull was found by the Leakey family. 

That is homo sapien Paul Oliver leaving his footprints in the fresh spring water.

Who would like Lake Natron?

Anyone who likes to drive through open wide spaces, enjoys a bit of heat [especially from December to March], loves the freedom to take many walks, birds and migratory birds, can stare at stunning landscape and finish off with a cool dip in the fresh spring waters near Lake Natron Camp.

To enjoy Lake Natron, you need to spend a minimum of 2 nights. 
If going off-the-beaten-path it of interest and you have time, adding Lake Natron and the lovely Lake Natron Camp to your Tanzanian Safari will be an amazing experience. 

Food on Safari

One question that I often get from clients booking their Tanzanian Safari is, "What is the food going to be like on Safari"? Yummy! If you are staying in our preferred lodges and tented camps, I can confidently say ::

• Fresh and Tasty. Our chefs will cook you some amazing meals with basic equipment. Think hot and fresh breads + beef and veggie barbeque using a coal grill + organic salad plucked from the garden right around the corner as in Plantation Lodge. They really want you to enjoy their culinary experience.
• Well Prepared. Our well-trained camp chef and crew will come up with gourmet meals in the middle of the bush and they are prepared in high standards. The last thing anybody wants is a sick person on Safari. 

And... besides the food, think beautiful setting.  

Pre-Breakfast.
On Safari you normally start off your day with a wake-up call. You can start really early should you have chosen to go on a sunrise morning game drive or morning Walking Safari. You sit on your lovely patio and have your cookie [biscuits as we say in Tanzania] and sip your hot cuppa tea or coffee listening to the sounds of the wild and watching the sun rise. 

A perfect start to your day on Safari!

Breakfast. 
A good breakfast to start off the day full of adventures. You are going to have an array of options. Cereals, variety of juices, eggs with warm bread sometimes cooked in the bush for a bush breakfast, bacon and potatoes and more.  Nothing like having the most important meal of the day with a great view as you see here from Sayari Camp in Northern Serengeti.

Snack.
When on your game drive, you need a snacks.
Game driving is tough! Our vehicles carry water, soft drinks, juice and snacks which you can enjoy during your game drive. In some areas, like what we are experienced in Northern Serengeti, you can stop, set a table and enjoy your snack with the animals close by.

Don’t worry. Our guides will choose an open area away from the thick bushes. 

Dinner time.
Magicial.
Soft flicker of the candles or lanterns invite you to your table. Here you will chill with a glass of wine or the drink of choice while chatting with other Safari goers or share a meal with the camp manager and share stories that go beyond the parks you are visiting.  Bush dinners are available for those who want a private dinner or just want to sit under the stars. Bon appetite!

And the wonderful cycle begins again for the rest of your Safari.

Doesn't that make you want to be on Safari snacking or having a delicious meal right now?
We can Make It Happen. Life worth Exploring.