We enjoy travelling to parts of the world that show us beautiful scenery, other cultures, and general ways of life. We like to immerse ourselves in seeing how people live and eat and the history of the above.
We were certainly doing well visiting northern hemisphere countries, but sadly, we had yet to cross the equator into the southern half.
When considering the South of the equator, we thought of South America, Australia, and Africa.
“Destinations” is an annual travel show in Manchester Central, and we decided to visit it.
All the household name operators, like Trail Finders and Kuoni, and specialist operators covered their country or accommodation.
But in the section described as Africa, there was a small, simple stand with a tall, confident man representing The African and Oriental Travel Company.
“Inspire us I said.”
And that is precisely what Raf did!
Where others expected us to understand the country being represented, Raf brought the adventure and country to life when he spoke of the excitement, the time of year, and the reasons he would not hesitate to recommend that we visit Tanzania and the Serengeti.
What followed was inspiration from Raf and his wife Francisca, people with exceptional patience and a desire to please.
So, in February 2025, we set off on our adventure with friends.
What follows is our itinerary and links to blog posts about our experiences.
I should also add that we booked our flights to and from Tanzania. At the same time, African and Oriental Travel organised the safari, guide, accommodation, and flights out of the Serengeti.
Holiday to the Serengeti & Zanzibar, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya
Day 1
Our first stop was at Manchester International Airport, Terminal 2.
We booked Qatar Airlines from Manchester to Doha and then to JRO Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.
We departed Manchester (MAN) at 14:05 Qatar Airways QR028 from Terminal 2 to Doha (DOH), arriving at 23:55.
I’ve never travelled with Qatar Airlines before but was not disappointed.
Day 2
Our connecting flight from Doha left at 01:50 on Qatar Airways QR1499 to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and arrived at 07:45. After collecting our bags, we made our way to arrivals, met by our guide, Emanuelle from Metambizi Safaris, who then took us to Katambuga House in Arusha.
Day 3
We were up really early and ready to depart for two nights at Kisima Ngeda Lodge, located on the edge of Lake Eyasi.
The drive took several hours in a Toyota Land Cruiser, and this was the start of our safari. The journey took us through Arusha, a shanty town that serves as the gateway to the national parks and conservation areas.
Emanuelle told us our plans needed to be changed because the area we were to see had been flooded, causing wildlife to move to other places. So we went to Tarangire National Park.
Our journey then took us into the Ngorongoro Conservation area, home to one of the largest calderas in the world.
Finally, after a short photo stop at a viewing point overlooking the crater floor, we made our way to the camp, which is located amongst the trees in a quiet part of Lake Manyara National Park.
Day 4
Today, another guide, Frank, joined us. He spent three years living in the bush with the Hadzabe tribe and could speak their clicking tone language. They are a protected hunter-gatherer Tanzanian indigenous ethnic group.
After we finished with the Hadzebe, we visited the Datoga tribe, a protected hunter-gatherer Tanzanian indigenous ethnic group.
Day 5
We departed from Kisima Ngeda Lodge early and headed into the Serengeti to Olmara Lodge.
Entering the Serengeti involves passing through a control point, where our guide paid whatever charges were required and ensured the correct paperwork was in place.
We had arranged to stay here four nights (nights of the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st)
Day 6
Safari day
In the evening, I had arranged dinner for the four of us on the Star Gazer platform attached to our tent.
Day 7
Safari day
Day 8
Safari day
Day 9
We had breakfast before receiving a traditional farewell from the staff as we departed Olmara Tent camp and headed to the local Seronera airstrip.
Our flight to Arusha was with Air Excel aboard a 14-seat Cessna. It departed at 11:05 and arrived in Arusha for a half-hour stop before our 12:15 flight to Zanzibar.
On arrival in Zanzibar, our driver, Serena, met us and took us to the RIU Palace Hotel in Nungwi.
We had arranged to stay here for just 6 nights.
Day 10
We were all exhausted and glad for the much-needed rest.
Day 11
Again, we just rested. Although we had hoped to go scuba diving today, they were fully booked. So we arranged to dive twice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Day 12
We got up early to allow for sunbathing and a swim before being picked up at 12-45, as arranged by Cheetahs Rock. Our experience here lasted for 4 hours before returning to the hotel.
Day 13
Day of rest and scuba diving day
Day 14
It was a day of rest, and I abandoned scuba diving as I had been unwell the day before.
Day 15
Sadly, this was the end of our stay at this lovely hotel. We needed to be up early as the transport was arranged for 06:30. So we checked out and departed the Riu Palace by taxi arranged with booking.com to Zanzibar airport.
Our flight from Zanzibar to Nairobi (NBO) was with Kenya Airways KQ491, which left Terminal 3 at 10:40 and arrived at 12:00.
The Kenyan flight was swift and efficient. On arrival at Nairobi, we were met and transferred to The
Tamarind Tree Hotel by Martin, our Nairobi driver. I had booked Martin on recommendations from TripAdvisor, but on reflection, our plans were over-ambitious as we were all tired, and our plans for our short stay in Nairobi could have been more relaxed. But Martin was fantastic to have with his smart people carrier and took us everywhere we wanted to go.
After lunch and freshening up, we visited the Giraffe Centre, where we came face to face with an endangered Giraffe species and were able to feed them.
That evening we had dinner booked at The Talisman a fabulous restaurant.
Day 16
After breakfast and having extended the use of one of the rooms for luggage and showers, we visited the pre-booked Nairobi National Park and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Sanctuary. By the afternoon, we were all tired and ready to chill before heading to the airport.
The next flight to London Heathrow was with British Airways BA0064 at 23:55 from (NBO).
Day 17
We arrived (LHR) at 06:15 and had to rush to make our connection on our BA flight BA1386 at 07:45 (LHR) to (MAN), arriving at 08:50 Terminal 3.
We were met by a prearranged taxi and home by mid-morning.
This was our trip, but hopefully, now that you’ve got a feel for what we did, you can also plan a fabulous safari.
Don’t forget you need visas, vaccinations and repellant.
