Kenya & Tanzania Safari Review: 10-Day Classic Adventure
Dreaming of Africa? Thinking about, like, lions roaring, zebras racing, and the sun setting over the savannah? A combined Kenya and Tanzania safari, very specifically the “From Nairobi 10-Day Classic Safari,” is quite often spoken of as the ticket to get you there. Yet, planning a trip such as this can also be a little stressful. I mean, what can you really expect? Where should your expectations be? Well, this review is supposed to give you, like, a clear look at what to anticipate, what to maybe get excited about, and possibly some gotchas you will very definitely want to look out for before you book your flights.
First Stop: Nairobi – Arrival and Settling In
Your plane is, very typically, going to touch down in Nairobi. So, once you make it through customs and grab your baggage, you’re more than likely going to be met by someone who represents the tour. At least that’s what happened to me, anyway! A friendly face holding a sign is basically just the first step into your safari experience. So, you will then be whisked away to your hotel in Nairobi. That hotel might just be the Nairobi Serena Hotel or something that’s rather similar, giving you some time so you can chill after your flight. Now, Nairobi traffic? Yes, it’s real. Very real. So, just try to settle into your ride and gaze out at the city. Getting, like, a good rest that first night is something that is going to make all the difference, due to the fact that the real excitement will begin in the morning.
Day 2 & 3: Masai Mara – Witnessing the Great Migration
Picture this: It’s really the next morning, and you’re, you know, heading to the Masai Mara. This part? Well, this bit, in particular, is commonly referred to as the heart of the safari. That drive itself? Oh, it’s rather a treat. You get to, in a way, view the landscapes changing, from bustling city views to the wider, much more sweeping, savannah plains. When you finally get there, it’s possibly straight into a game drive. What that basically means is that, more or less immediately, you get your eyeballs on those famous African animals. Imagine lions relaxing just a little way off in the shade, maybe elephants are moving slowly towards a waterhole. That being said, though, it’s really the Great Migration (depending on when you are there) which is, honestly, the real showstopper. Watching uncounted wildebeest, zebra and even gazelle thundering over the plains can, potentially, be a moment you won’t ever, ever forget. You could also stay at, like, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, that’s where I stayed! What is really is, is luxury combined with awesome views, I promise. Remember that mornings and evenings tend to be cooler out there. Packing, just a little, layering can make you happier.
Day 4: Serengeti – Tanzania’s Wildlife Paradise
Now, leaving the Mara, you find yourself flying over to the Serengeti in Tanzania, really. You will probably find that the Serengeti and the Mara are, kind of, similar landscapes. The Serengeti actually feels, like, even bigger, even wider! So, the endless plains stretch out just a little way further than the eye can see, creating what seems to me like a never-ending stage for anything with four legs! This park actually gets a lot less crowded sometimes. That means you could very easily end up experiencing what feels like a very private game viewing session. I saw a pack of cheetahs hunting! My safari guide explained just a little that it was somewhat unusual. Keep an eye out for the rock formations (they are sometimes called “kopjes”). These always seem to attract cats who use the elevated view for keeping watch or maybe to hide as they plan, too! Staying in the Serengeti you can usually end up at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or some other very similar, rather lovely place that’s completely built to deliver you top comfort surrounded by untamed wilderness.
Day 5 & 6: Ngorongoro Crater – A Natural Wonder
Prepare for something fairly unique. Next you might very possibly visit the Ngorongoro Crater! This actually used to be a giant volcano. Over a rather large number of years it, in a way, collapsed on itself. The result is, pretty much, this remarkable area. Inside there is a diverse range of different eco-systems: grasslands, forests and a lake. In all seriousness? The Ngorongoro Crater teems with so very much wildlife! What it definitely includes are, quite possibly, some of the last remaining rhinos of this earth, that are seriously hard to view. The descent into the crater can just be a little steep but you can rest assured; the ride down to that amazing concentration of wildlife is actually pretty gentle and fairly safe! This visit really will, typically, require more than just one day for the sheer reason that there’s a fair bit to see and that going up and down the walls of the crater takes a fair bit of time! For lodging? You could actually try the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. The views are fairly expansive!
Day 7 & 8: Tarangire – Elephant Haven
Tarangire National Park is a fairly pleasant surprise awaiting safari visitors. Its landscapes tend to feature noticeably more baobab trees compared to the other places. These definitely do add something special when viewed from a photographer’s perspective. Now, elephants are another attraction. Tarangire tends to host really, really big elephant families. If you just love watching these great beings in groups as they interact then, chances are, this may just be your favorite stop! Birdlife is also fairly plentiful here and you might find it really does add another, perhaps unexpected, layer for your viewing experiences. Tarangire Treetops offers a chance for something just a little more unusual in that they feature lodging actually in the treetops; it may give you fairly interesting viewing vantage points!
Day 9: Arusha – Cultural Insights and Coffee Plantations
Arusha can, apparently, provide just a small cultural break right in the safari. You can see, maybe, the coffee plantations there to, like, learn about how it’s all made, beginning with those small, pretty red berries all the way right through into your finished, beloved cup! If you would really love getting something of an immersive cultural interaction, visiting a nearby town could very possibly open your horizons beyond that of seeing just animals in game parks. A day relaxing within Arusha can offer the opportunity to, kind of, regroup a little, so that you’re rested up before traveling homewards.
Day 10: Departure – Saying Goodbye
Well, the trip might, pretty much, wind down rather quickly. It may simply involve just going to the airport to head back. Saying “goodbye” may not feel that nice; on the other hand you’re carrying what could easily be described as an experience that will live with you for the rest of your days. Consider using your moments while you wait at the airport so you can think back on all you have viewed, such as lions basking, vast skies stretching out so incredibly widely, and, you know, the rich African sunsets. With the many photographs you take, and all the little stories to retell, that journey may be just that special “something” that can, honestly, stay inside you for forever!
What Makes This Safari Stand Out?
Combining the Kenya and Tanzania sides can really make it something, well, unique! What with hopping, or perhaps gliding between parks? Doing things this way can give you a rather full idea of what East Africa is, more or less, all about. Then again? What you should seriously think about would include that all transport, lodging and most of your meals is likely going to be pre-booked and carefully scheduled for you, just like having this done in a certain way that seriously will cut all that possible traveling headache right out!
Things I especially thought were fairly cool about this trip:
- Seeing just so very much wildlife at such exceptionally close quarters.
- The pretty good accommodations made for when you felt tired after very long days viewing them, they are really refreshing.
- How amazingly well those many logistics did always, literally always, seem to be handled so easily.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Safari
Before going you should think seriously about getting all those travel inoculations for that area, those definitely will give greater peace. If it really can be, get those premium camera lenses! Take into consideration the photo possibilities are so big they could blow your mind. Plus that clothing in neutral colours actually is more than advisable because not only might it allow you to disappear when the bugs start making an entrance, you might start believing that those natural surroundings would very literally appear to be blending you right in with their settings.
Is This Safari Right for You?
Safari such as this might easily offer pretty ideal ventures given they happen to value wildlife viewings combined side-by-side accompanied very beautifully designed traveling arrangements. People especially that might wish those arrangements to come totally well prepared, may really very much think such carefully and beautifully designed venture really probably would fit them remarkably. However if getting down close culturally constitutes most essential, possibly they might also think those more completely engaged ventures better. Either way: think thoroughly!
FAQs
Is this a physically challenging trip?
Usually no. A certain drive and what bit there usually means, being always sat at windows plus walking only might mean fairly those less challenging, really though.
What’s the best time to go on this safari?
What are seriously better months for those usually include July-October throughout such that these periods would just come by whenever viewings are very very best since animals have that bit gathering for the sources with streams! Dry is good!
What should I pack for the safari?
Do always get such sunscreen products there accompanied always along these lines: very well made hat alongside any decent sunglasses. If you’re doing fairly keen viewing with photography, maybe think always over the best lenses with their camera.