A safari & beach break in East Africa

We sent Go2Africa Safari Experts, Jessica LassenMadelein Norval and Megan Vanderwalt on a 16-day journey through KenyaTanzania and Zanzibar island. They did a comprehensive tour, following a popular route that started with safaris in Kenya and Tanzania before hopping over to the tropical African island of Zanzibar for the perfect full-stop on an East African adventure.

Tell us more about your itinerary?

We started in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and the oldest gateway city to East African safaris. From there we travelled to Kenya’s flagship reserves including Amboseli National Park and the famous Masai Mara. We then flew to Tanzania for visits to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. We were also lucky enough to visit some of Tanzania’s lesser-known parks including Lake Manyara and Tarangire.

Driving through Lake Manyara in Tanzania, it was incredible to see the lush groundwater forest of evergreen fig and mahogany trees. Driving through Lake Manyara in Tanzania, it was incredible to see the lush groundwater forest of evergreen fig and mahogany trees.
This is the only place with this type of habitat in East Africa This is the only place with this type of habitat in East Africa
Seeing elephants at Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background was such an iconic safari moment! Seeing elephants at Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background was such an iconic safari moment!
Amboseli is also known for its ‘devil dust winds’. Amboseli is also known for its ‘devil dust winds’.

We topped off our East African journey with a trip to the exquisite island of Zanzibar which is located just off the coast of Tanzania and a 15-minute light aircraft flight from the town of Arusha. It was fantastic kicking back on the beach after an action-packed safari, and flying from the Tanzanian mainland to this exciting African island was quick and easy. Once on the island, we spent time exploring the narrow streets of Stone Town – shopping, discovering old spice plantations, and finding out more about the history, art and architecture of this historic port town. It was then onto some of the quieter parts of the archipelago with stays at Kilindi ZanzibarMatemwe Lodge and Jafferji House.

Zanzibar is an untapped tropical paradise located just a 15-minute flight from mainland Tanzania. Zanzibar is an untapped tropical paradise located just a 15-minute flight from mainland Tanzania.
Taking in the fascinating heritage and some lovely harbor views at Stone Town, Zanzibar’s architectural and historical heart. Taking in the fascinating heritage and some lovely harbor views at Stone Town, Zanzibar’s architectural and historical heart.

What did you eat?

We were treated to delicious seafood and unique fruits in Zanzibar. At Matemwe Beach House, you eat whenever and whatever you decide to. The chef will discuss the daily menu with you and adapt it to whatever special deliveries or fresh fish have come in.

A feast of seafood enjoyed in Stone Town... A feast of seafood enjoyed in Stone Town...
...followed by a lovely sunset as fishing boats come in for the evening. ...followed by a lovely sunset as fishing boats come in for the evening.

As a tropical island, fruit is very popular in Zanzibar and it was awesome trying breadfruit and jackfruit for the first time. Breadfruit has a citrus flavor and jackfruit is a mixture between banana and pineapple – scrumptious! You also get plantain on the island, which is similar to a banana and is served as chips or nachos with a delicious dip.

We loved trying jackfruit, carambola (star fruit) and breadfruit for the first time We loved trying jackfruit, carambola (star fruit) and breadfruit for the first time
At Kilindi, a romantic private dinner was set up especially for our group. At Kilindi, a romantic private dinner was set up especially for our group.

At the safari lodges, there was a fair amount of fish and pork, which was a nice addition to the usual options of chicken and venison. Also, lots of soup as a starter! The food was all very tasty, not too outrageous and generally quite healthy with cooked veggies, potato and rice as the sides. Favourites were Tortilis Camp in Kenya which served amazing Italian-inspired cuisine, and The Manor at Ngorongorowhere we had an incredible 5-course dinner.

A delicious spread at Kichwa Temba Tented Camp in the Masai Mara. A delicious spread at Kichwa Temba Tented Camp in the Masai Mara.

Most lodges have á la carte menus as opposed to buffet options. Lunches were often packed picnics which are popular in East Africa due to the full-day activities. These usually consisted of nuts, a salad, fruit juice, water, a piece of fruit, a wrap and a small pastry or chocolate for those with a sweet tooth.

What were the highlights of your trip?

Being licked in the face by a giraffe! At the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi you can feed the giraffes and even hold a pellet between your lips and go in for a ‘kiss’. Jessica's kiss wasn’t so quick and ended up being a bit of an exfoliating facial!

Jessica gets a special kiss at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi. Jessica gets a special kiss at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi.
Another highlight in Nairobi is visiting the Daphne Elephant Centre – a sanctuary for orphaned elephants that provides much-needed care, as well as rehabilitation back into the wild. Another highlight in Nairobi is visiting the Daphne Elephant Centre – a sanctuary for orphaned elephants that provides much-needed care, as well as rehabilitation back into the wild.

Hot-air ballooning over the Masai Mara was incredible even from before we took off. After an early morning pick-up from Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp we arrived 5:30am, had hot chocolate and cookies, and watched as they inflated the balloon. First, they used huge fans to blow cold air into it, and they allowed us to go inside and stand in the balloon for photos.

After filling the balloon with hot air, we floated so silently over the plains - seeing all the animals from above was something we'll never forget. At one point, we went really low to the ground to watch a pack of hyenas feeding on a giraffe, and then we went really high, to watch the sunrise. We also saw elephants, lions, buffalo and even came face-to-face with vultures at the top of the trees!

The entire experience was incredible - from watching the balloon inflate in the early hours of the morning... The entire experience was incredible - from watching the balloon inflate in the early hours of the morning...
... to the lovely breakfast that was set up at the landing site. ... to the lovely breakfast that was set up at the landing site.

Another highlight was arriving in the central Serengeti. We landed at Seronera Airstrip and, after driving for only 10 minutes, saw a lioness walking through the grass. We soon noticed another appear, followed by more arriving from the other direction. Eventually when they all came together under a tree there was a pride of 17, 12 of which were cubs of different ages.

Our welcome to Sayari Camp in the Serengeti was a lion pride 17-strong! Our welcome to Sayari Camp in the Serengeti was a lion pride 17-strong!

We then drove towards Sayari Camp but took ages to get there because over the next 90 minutes we had two separate cheetah sightings, a leopard sighting, baby jackals and another lion sighting – all before we even got to our lodge!

Another photo taken on the transfer between the airstrip to Sayari Camp – a baby jackal! Another photo taken on the transfer between the airstrip to Sayari Camp – a baby jackal!
At Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in the Masai Mara we saw two lions stalking & almost catching a warthog. At Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in the Masai Mara we saw two lions stalking & almost catching a warthog.

Snorkelling at Mnemba Island was a real treat. From Matemwe Lodge we headed out for a 3-hour snorkelling trip to the island where there is a pod of dolphins that frequent the area and have become quite habituated to people. They are known to come up and swim with the guests and we heard that there had been a baby dolphin with the pod when they visited the day before. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to be visited – they are completely free to come and go so it’s all up to luck and how they are feeling (please note that Go2Africa does not endorse swimming with dolphins in captivity or dropping in deliberately in the middle of pod – the dolphins must approach swimmers already present and never be chased or followed at any time).

From Matemwe Lodge, we took a boat out for a morning of snorkelling around Mnemba Island. From Matemwe Lodge, we took a boat out for a morning of snorkelling around Mnemba Island.
Views from the rooftop at Matemwe Lodge, Zanzibar. Views from the rooftop at Matemwe Lodge, Zanzibar.

The most thrilling safari experience we had was on our walking safari in Tarangire National Park. We did this at Sanctuary Swala and had a very good guide, Devon, who is also the manager of the camp. The walk was made very interesting by his extensive bird knowledge and ability to mimic calls but things took a surprise turn when we saw two male elephants out in the marsh drinking and splashing around.

Jessica, Megan and Madelein about to embark on their guided walking safari with camp manager Devon, and game ranger, Victor. Jessica, Megan and Madelein about to embark on their guided walking safari with camp manager Devon, and game ranger, Victor.

Devon took us to a bush nearer to the elephants where we were going to wait for them to come closer and walk past us. We weren’t there for very long when Victor, the second guide, signaled that there was a herd walking towards us. We had to get low and leave, following Victor and making sure to keep quiet, unseen and downwind. Walking quickly from anthill, to tree, to anthill with an elephant herd in sight and following closely behind was absolutely exhilarating. It always felt safe, thanks to the very thorough briefing beforehand and expert guidance during the whole encounter. Once at a safe distance and undetected, we watched the herd, which had a weeks-old baby with them, go into the marsh and join the males for a splash around.

Elephants having a good scratch at this baobab tree (also known as ‘The Tree of Life’ in Africa) in Tarangire. Elephants having a good scratch at this baobab tree (also known as ‘The Tree of Life’ in Africa) in Tarangire.
The summer rains had begun and there was lots of new life in the Masai Mara, typical of the abundant ‘green season’ The summer rains had begun and there was lots of new life in the Masai Mara, typical of the abundant ‘green season’

What were your best lodge or resort experiences?

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, located on a private reserve near the Mara Triangle, was modern with stunning tented suites and shared areas. Its pool area was especially enticing, located under a big tree and overlooking the Masai Mara plains.

The beautiful pool area at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, located on a private conservancy in the Masai Mara. The beautiful pool area at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, located on a private conservancy in the Masai Mara.

Also located on a private concession in the Masai Mara is Naboisho Camp. The management team and service is really special here. The location also feels like you could have lions or something equally exciting walk past your tent at any moment!

This cheetah cub was sighted at Naboisho Camp. The camp has a remote and private location on the Naboisho Conservancy so you can have wildlife sightings all to yourself! This cheetah cub was sighted at Naboisho Camp. The camp has a remote and private location on the Naboisho Conservancy so you can have wildlife sightings all to yourself!
The Highlands at Ngorongoro Crater has unique and luxurious dome-type suites. Being so high up it’s quite chilly so the rooms have fireplaces that get lit for you & comfy gowns in traditional Maasai colours. The Highlands at Ngorongoro Crater has unique and luxurious dome-type suites. Being so high up it’s quite chilly so the rooms have fireplaces that get lit for you & comfy gowns in traditional Maasai colours.
On the rim of Ngorongoro Crater & the Crater floor where the morning mist has yet to rise. On the rim of Ngorongoro Crater & the Crater floor where the morning mist has yet to rise.
The Manor at Ngorongoro, also located near the Crater, had incredible gourmet food & Cape Dutch-style décor. The Manor at Ngorongoro, also located near the Crater, had incredible gourmet food & Cape Dutch-style décor.

In the Serengeti, we stayed at Sayari Camp. Its suites were beautiful and very spacious so can comfortably accommodate three adults. Serengeti Pioneer has an upstairs lounge area with the most incredible views of the Serengeti. Set on a rock face, there are little hyraxes that come and hang out with guests just an arm stretch away.

The beautiful Sayari Camp in the Serengeti is the epitome of luxury tented safaris. The beautiful Sayari Camp in the Serengeti is the epitome of luxury tented safaris.
Spotted hyenas in central Serengeti, poking their heads out of their den. Spotted hyenas in central Serengeti, poking their heads out of their den.

The suites at Kilindi Zanzibar are like private little villas with two plunge pools and incredible views. When they took us down for a dinner at the ocean’s edge, I (Jess) really wished I was there with my fiancé because I could not think of a better place for couples.

Beautiful views from my suite at Kilindi Zanzibar. Beautiful views from my suite at Kilindi Zanzibar.

What are your top travel tips for East Africa?

Take binoculars with you, especially if you are going to visit national parks where it is not permitted to drive off-road. This means that there are times when you can’t get very close to the wildlife so your own binoculars come in handy. In private reserves and conservancies this is not usually a problem as 4x4 vehicles are permitted off-road.

Ask your guides questions and interact with them – they are all very knowledgeable, and generally lovely people with interesting stories. The more they get to know you and what you like, the better your safari will be.

Returning from the afternoon game drive in Amboseli. Returning from the afternoon game drive in Amboseli.

Save that little bit extra and do as much as possible, like a hot-air balloon ride. The chances are you will not visit the same place again and an experience like this will be something you will never forget.

Feeling on top of the world after experiencing a beautiful sunrise and breath-taking views of the Masai Mara in a hot-air balloon. Feeling on top of the world after experiencing a beautiful sunrise and breath-taking views of the Masai Mara in a hot-air balloon.

Try the not-so-obvious activities that are unique to the destination you are in. For example, I did a spice tour in Stone Town. Like me, you might not be particularly interested in something like this but these activities usually end up taking you pleasantly by surprise and often the locals’ and guides’ infectious passion, knowledge and lively personalities play a big part in this.

We had a great deal of fun on our spice and fruit tour in Zanzibar... We had a great deal of fun on our spice and fruit tour in Zanzibar...
...and yes, that is one of our guides climbing a coconut tree, and yes, he made it to the top and down again! ...and yes, that is one of our guides climbing a coconut tree, and yes, he made it to the top and down again!
Here one of our guides shows us a type of litchi – the original lipstick! Here one of our guides shows us a type of litchi – the original lipstick!

Last but not least, be sure to take all the appropriate clothing and gear for being in an open-sided vehicle during the day, and for the ladies - the roads can be bumpy so be sure to take a sports bra!

Megan, Jess and Madelein toasting another beautiful day in Africa. Megan, Jess and Madelein toasting another beautiful day in Africa.

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