Tanzania: Days 1 - 3
Plan of the Day: Travel Day, Time to adjust at the Arumeru River Lodge
Our Itinerary: February 2012
14th: Depart Naples, Italy
15th: Arrive Kilimanjaro, Africa *Transport to Arumeru River Lodge, Arusha (adjust for jet lag)
16th-17th: Tarangire National Park
*Stay two nights at the Kikoti Camp
18th: Lake Manyara National Park
*Stay one night Ngorongoro FarmHouse
19th-21st: Ngorongora Crater
Stay one night Ngorongoro SopaLodge
Stay two nights (20th-21st) NdutuCamp
22nd-23rd: Serengeti National Park
*Stay two nights the Soroi SerengetiLodge
24th: Depart Serengeti National Park for flight back to Seronera Airstrip and transfer to Kilimanjaro airport
25th: Arrive Naples, Italy
Planning a trip of a lifetime requires thorough research to avoid potential pitfalls, especially when there are so many enticing options on a continent like Africa. Just like I tell my kids, do your homework. I dove deep into the world of safaris, spending hours scouring the internet and vetting around 50 companies. This painstaking process whittled down our choices to five, then interviewing three, before we finally settled on one. Along the way, we considered sharing a jeep with another couple to cut costs. However, my love for photography, our travel agent convinced us to go alone taking the entire jeep. Our agent said that squeezing into a shared jeep wouldn’t save us enough to justify the hassle, so we opted for a solo guide and jeep. In retrospect, this was undoubtedly the right choice; having our own guide allowed us to dictate our adventure. I found myself frequently calling out for the jeep to stop, back up, or turn off the engine so I could capture the perfect shot. The following pages detail our journey—born from hours of planning, scouting, and seizing the moment. I hope you enjoy our adventure as much as we did.
After a full day's travel with a layover in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, we finally landed at Mount Kilimanjaro Airport and eagerly awaited our transport. Our driver, Justin, greeted us warmly at the airport, but we quickly learned that our luggage had not made the transfer, adding a bit of unexpected chaos to our journey. Nonetheless, we were whisked away to the Arumeru River Lodge, a stunning resort that truly felt like something out of a movie, designed to help us adjust to the jet lag. After checking in at the lodge we headed to our room. As we strolled along the walkway, we passed a series of charming one-room cabins, each more inviting than the last. When we reached the back of the complex, we were amazed to find that our lodging was a complete house, it was at this time we realized we might have overpaid (compared to the quaint cabins that surrounded us). Dinner at the lodge was delightful, and the next morning we were warmly welcomed by Anthony, our guide for the next nine days, ready to embark on this incredible adventure together.
15-Feb-2013 Arumeru River Lodge
After landing, we waited for our driver, only to quickly realize our luggage was lost. We immediately started wondering how long it would take for it to catch up in the bush. Our drive was just 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, arriving on the outskirts of the vibrant town of Arusha. The lodge offered a peaceful interlude, ideal for beginning or ending a safari. Wildlife was discreetly present—dik-diks, chameleons, and vervet monkeys blended seamlessly into the scenery. After checking in, we were directed to our room, passing many small buildings with one or two rooms designed for overnight stays. But as we walked to the rear of the complex, we suddenly found our "room"—a whole HOUSE. Clearly, we’d paid way too much for this adventure, but somehow, it felt totally worth it.
16-Feb-2013 : Kikoti Camp (Day 1)
Leaving the town of Arusha, we embarked on an exciting four-hour journey to our first destination: Tarangire National Park. As we drove, I couldn't help but draw a vivid parallel to that iconic scene in Jurassic Park when they first laid eyes on the dinosaurs. Our anticipation soared as we climbed to the top of a hill, where we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of hundreds of elephants gracefully meandering along the river and sprawling plains. It was a moment we'll never forget! However, our joy quickly turned to bewilderment when we returned to the jeep, only to find that all of our snacks had mysteriously vanished. Despite having locked the doors and rolled up all the windows, those clever monkeys somehow broke in. The incident remains an unsolved mystery to this day!
The Tarangire National Park, our first park, gave us our first WOW moment. The Tarangire one of the best parks to see elephants and we were not disappointed. I am sure most remember the first time they see the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park and your jaw drops open, tr is just like that except you are there. We crested the hill and instantly saw 50-60 grazing elephants. It was spectacular. The Tarangire is also home the enormous baobab tree and over 300 different species of birds.
17-Feb-2013 : Kikoti Camp (Day 2)
After that stop, we continued our game drive, excitement bubbling as Anthony led us to another stunning overlook. The view stretched for miles, a canvas of sweeping landscapes, where the horizon met the sky in a perfect blend of colors. We perched ourselves on top of a large boulder and enjoyed a delightful lunch, savoring the flavors as the sounds of the wild enveloped us. Refreshed and invigorated, we climbed back into the vehicle, continuing our journey to our lodging. By evening, we checked in, the day’s adventures etched in our minds, eager for what tomorrow would bring. Our first full day in Kikoti Camp had been nothing short of magical, and we couldn't wait to see what other wonders awaited us in this enchanting corner of the world.
Day 2 brought more spectacular experiences as Anthony transformed into Crocodile Dundee. While driving at about 20 mph, he suddenly stopped to point out a lion's track, stating it had been made just a few hours earlier. How he spotted it at that speed remains a mystery. We stumbled upon what Anthony enthusiastically called the rare red elephant. We were all in awe, thinking we’d hit the jackpot with this extraordinary sighting. Cameras at the ready, we couldn't believe our luck! However, the joke was on us when Anthony later revealed that the “rare red elephant” was nothing more than a regular elephant that had frolicked in some vibrant red clay. Our excitement turned into laughter as we realized that sometimes, the most remarkable moments are simply a matter of perspective—and a bit of mud! Next he demonstrated his caring side by assisting a turtle across the road, cleverly explaining how to determine its sex. We felt incredibly fortunate to have a biology teacher as our guide. With two books in the front seat (one mammals and the other birds), he could identify an animal's age and sex at a glance, sharing fascinating details about their characteristics. He was equally knowledgeable about birds, guiding us through a world with only around 30 mammals but over 1100 species of birds!
And Then There Are Always The Birds
Tanzania is a wildlife treasure trove, boasting approximately 430 mammal species and over 1,100 bird species. Around 20% of Africa's large mammal population calls Tanzania home, including iconic animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, wildebeest, and zebras. The birdlife is equally impressive, with over 1,100 species recorded, making Tanzania one of Africa’s premier birding destinations. Among the diverse avian population are albatrosses, black eagles, bustards, cranes, flamingoes, jacanas, and ostriches. Notably, Tanzania harbors over 30 bird species found nowhere else in the world, highlighting its unique biodiversity and importance for conservation.
So, while you concentrate on finding the big 5, don’t forget about the many different birds..!
