It was one of those weeks where everything seemed to go wrong. Simple little things that add up at the end of the day and seem to cause unnecessary extra stress. So when my friend Quinton reminded me that it was less than a week before we left for one of our African safaris, I breathed a sigh of relief, even if it was just a four-day getaway to Tanzania.
The sunny side of life.
We were picked up from Arusha airport and taken to Tarangire National Park for lunch. Until now, my luck seemed to have changed for the better, but after a week like this, it almost seemed unreal to be able to relax and enjoy the beauty spread out before my eyes. It also helped that one of my dearest friends came along, as Quinton always assures me that when the going gets tough, everything will be alright. I sat down, took a deep breath of the fresh African air and saw before me the Tarangire National Park, more than 2,600 square kilometers of African grasslands and floodplains.
Surrounding the unspoiled wilderness of Tarangire National Park are volcanic mountain ranges that look like purple formations in the distance. The Tarangire River is a magnet for migratory wildlife during the dry seasons and definitely the best time of year to visit this area. Between July and September, Africa offers you a glimpse of its most beautiful and precious wildlife, some of which include herds of around 300 elephants that make their way across the land to quench their thirst.
our accommodation
For our first night’s stay, we booked into the Tarangire Sopa Lodge. A low profile structure compared to many other lodges, but it is as Quinton said, it does not distract you from what you are really here to experience, which is African wildlife and nature. Yes, of course, a hostel whose standards could be compared to the most exclusive 5-star hotels might be excellent, but essentially that’s not why you go on an African safari. It had everything and more that we needed with a view of the Tanzanian landscape filled with baobab trees and the migratory bird life was fascinating.
After a well-rested night in our makuti-style thatched-roof room, we enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing for Ngorongoro Game Reserve. We booked for the night at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, a lodge built on the collapsed rim of a dormant volcano called the Caldera. Very close to the lodge is Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as ‘the birthplace of man’. Olduvai Gorge is one of the most treasured places in the world, as it is the most important prehistoric site in the world and the fundamental tool in expanding our understanding of early human evolution since the 1950s.
Quinton and I enjoyed the fact that at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge it almost felt like you co-existed with the wildlife and the local Maasai tribe that inhabit this specific area. I think a lot can be learned from this tribe, which has a very distinguished way of dressing that separates them from all other African tribes. They seem to have such a peaceful culture that they respect their elders very much, something that seems lost in many Western cultures today.
Lake Manyara
After our cultural experience and a tour of the Ngorongoro Crater, known to many as the “eighth natural wonder of the world”, we ended our stay with a perfect night at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge and the next morning we were on our way to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. . On the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment, this perfectly located lodge was the cream of the crop regarding our tour, and even if this was just a glimpse of the Tanzania we were experiencing, it was the one to really witness. Overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Soda Lake Manyara, it was the best place to watch game. Animals abounded in the park, including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, impalas, and giraffes to name a few.
Our last dinner before heading home was an African buffet, absolutely delicious and for dessert, drinking hot chocolate while sitting on our private balcony and listening to the sound of the African nightlife. Sitting on the balcony, I was celebrating the sanctuary that African wildlife had given me. Quinton and I didn’t say a word because we understood that to really experience the tranquility of the African night, with the stars shining overhead and untouched nature surrounding you, you just need to relax, because there aren’t many places. in this world where you can experience so much tranquility.
