Alright, let me tell you about sorting out my trip to Tanzania. It was something I’d been mulling over for ages, seeing all those pictures of the Serengeti and Zanzibar. Finally decided, right, let’s actually do this.
Getting Started: The Dream Phase
First thing I did was just dive into research. Spent a good few evenings just looking up stuff online – what’s the best time to go, what parks to visit, is it better to climb Kili or chill on the beach? Got a bit overwhelmed, honestly. So much information out there.
I started jotting down notes, basically a wishlist. Serengeti safari was non-negotiable. Ngorongoro Crater too. Then Zanzibar, definitely wanted some beach time after all the dust from the safari.
Making it Real: Planning and Booking
Okay, wishlist done. Next up, the practical stuff. Figuring out flights was the first hurdle. I played around with dates on different airline websites, trying to find something that wasn’t crazy expensive. Ended up booking flights into Kilimanjaro International (JRO) and out of Zanzibar (ZNZ) – seemed the most logical way to avoid backtracking.
Then came the safari part. This felt like the biggest piece. Did I want a private tour? Join a group? Which company? I read tons of reviews, emailed maybe five or six different local operators with my rough plan. Got quotes back, compared what they offered. It took a while, lots of back-and-forth emails. Finally settled on a mid-range local company that seemed reliable and covered the spots I wanted.
- Safari booked: Included a guide, jeep, park fees, and accommodation in lodges and tented camps.
- Zanzibar sorted: Booked a small hotel in Stone Town for a couple of nights, then another place by the beach up north. Did this separately online.
- Internal flight: Also booked a small plane flight from the Serengeti area (an airstrip, really) to Zanzibar. Seemed way better than driving all the way back to Arusha and flying from there.
The Nitty Gritty: Prep Work
With the main bookings down, I moved onto the other bits. Had to check visa requirements. Turned out I could get one on arrival, which simplified things a bit, though I double-checked the official government advice just to be sure.
Vaccinations were next. Made an appointment with my doctor, talked about where I was going. Got the recommended jabs – Yellow Fever was the main one they stressed, needed the certificate for entry sometimes. Also got some malaria tablets.
Packing was… an adventure. Trying to pack light but also be ready for hot days, cool nights, dusty roads, and beach weather. Lots of neutral colours for the safari, apparently bright colours aren’t great. Packed light layers, sun cream, insect repellent (lots of it!), my camera, extra batteries, binoculars – the essentials.
Off We Go: The Journey and Arrival
Finally, the travel day arrived. Headed to the airport, checked in, went through security. The flight was long, pretty standard long-haul stuff. Watched some movies, tried to sleep.
Landed at JRO. First impression? Warm air! Went through immigration, got my visa stamp, collected my bag. Found the driver from the safari company holding a sign with my name. Felt like a real relief seeing him there. He drove me to the lodge near Arusha where I’d spend the first night before the safari started properly.
The Main Event: Safari and Sand
The safari itself was just… wow. Woke up early most days. Met my guide, loaded into the 4×4. Driving through the parks – Tarangire, then the Serengeti, down into Ngorongoro Crater. It was bumpy, dusty, but incredible.
Saw so much wildlife:
- Huge herds of elephants in Tarangire.
- Lions just chilling by the roadside in the Serengeti.
- A cheetah watching us from a distance.
- Zebras, wildebeest everywhere.
- Rhinos in the crater (from afar, but still!).
The evenings were spent at lodges or camps, having dinner, looking at my photos, chatting with the guide or other travellers. Hearing lions roar at night while tucked in my tent was something else.
After the safari, took that tiny plane over to Zanzibar. Felt like a different world. Explored the narrow streets of Stone Town, learned about the history. Then headed north to Nungwi beach. Just relaxed, swam in the turquoise water, walked on the white sand. It was the perfect way to wind down after the intensity of the safari.
Wrapping Up: Heading Home
All good things come to an end, right? Spent the last morning enjoying the beach, then got a taxi back to Zanzibar airport. Checked in, flew home. Exhausted, but buzzing.
Looking back, it took a fair bit of effort to organise it all myself, piecing together the safari, the flights, the beach part. But it was totally worth it. Tanzania was amazing, the people were friendly, the landscapes and wildlife were just out of this world. Definitely a trip I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
