From Dubai to Big Five!

Last week we had guests from Dubai to Big Five Safari, UAE. Yevgenia and Ilya decided to have an adventurous vacation this year. They visited four national parks, including Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

They also  visited Africa Amini Maasai Lodge for a night of relaxation and activities with the local Maasai.

Yevgenia and Ilya were lucky to see the Big Five, with some highlights including watching how lions stalk zebras and even witnessing the thrill of a leopard killing a wildebeest!

Of course, it means lots of great pictures and unforgettable memories! Just look at these photos, they are really good photographers, aren’t they?

Unguja Lodge and Its Monkeys

Have you ever been in love with a hotel?  That what happened to us after visiting Unguja Lodge in the North East of Zanzibar.

Unguja Lodge was a big surprise for us. If you compare it to all classic hotels with usual all inclusive packages, Unguja will look very different. The lodge’s villas are located right in front of the ocean, with some of rooms having strategically missing sections of wall or roof to bring you closer to nature.

The resort’s grounds are home to a lot of monkeys, so you’ll need to be sure to keep your room locked to fend off these cute thieves. Don’t be surprised to come back to your lodge and find that you’ve got a furry guest!

Unguja’s stretch of beach is perfect for swimming with dolphins. You can ask the hotel to take you there by boat and enjoy meeting these fantastic creatures. If you want to go deeper and explore the marine wonders of Zanzibar, Unguja also has its own diving center. So you can even get your PADI certification there.

Of course, this place is not for people looking for parties, but it will be perfect if you prefer to enjoy the serenity of nature in full.

Impressive Tulia

Pongwe is one of the most beautiful areas of Zanzibar. It’s the perfect location for a luxury hotel such as Tulia.

Julia and Lesia from our team  recently checked out Tulia, a new hotel in the North East of the island. Villas in this resort are all about good taste and boast a nice mixture of modern and Zanzibari style. They are spacious and full of light. We were impressed by the design and the charming colour palette.

One of Tulia’s selling points is that it is the only  hotel in Zanzibar which has water slides! Though the hotel is very peaceful and relaxing, you can still have some fun. You can also take a dip in the beautiful pool with ocean view or admire the resort’s colourful and picturesque garden.

Of course, Tulia also boasts a high level of customer service. This means you  can really forget about all of your troubles, enjoy an ice cold drink, relax, and fall in love with the gorgeous Indian Ocean.

Active Safari with Empaakai Trekking

If you are active and fit, the best option is to mix your safari with Active Safari Empaakai Trekking. Our clients from Russia, Anna and Ivan had a really impressive itinerary!

They explored four national parks, had Active Safari Empaakai Trekking with the Maasai tribe, and did trekking to Empaakai Crater in just six days!

They started from Arusha National Park, where they had a walking safari and went canoeing in Momella Lake. That was a really remarkable experience that allowed them to see wild animals upclose. They’ve met giraffes, hippos, and buffaloes.

Later, they spent the night at Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge, where they spent time with the tribe and enjoyed a night in a luxury Maasai style hut. The next day, Anna, Ivan, and our guide, Loma went to Tarangire National Park for a game drive and enjoyed watching herds of elephants there. And of course, they didn’t miss Serengeti National Park to spot lots of predators.

They also had a night in the Ndutu area, where the Wildebeest Migration takes place at this time of year. The Ndutu region is close to Ngorongoro Crater, so the best option was to continue their safari there.

One day they had a game drive in the Crater and the next one, they trekked to the beautiful Empaakai Crater. That was a perfect experience for the end of the trip. A walking safari is a great way to get a really immersive feel for the natural beauty of Tanzania.

Our breakfast on the roof of The Seyyida Hotel & Spa

The Seyyida Hotel & Spa is very cosy and sophisticated. The style of rooms there still reminds you of Zanzibar with some fresh and different details. It is light and welcoming, perfect for travelers who want to enjoy the real atmosphere of Stone Town.

Julia and Lesia from the Shadows of Africa team had  breakfast on the roof of the hotel and they really felt like they were at home there.  The atmosphere of the restaurant is very relaxing and service is attentive without being annoying.

Breakfast includes fresh fruits and pastries, aromatic coffee, and perfectly made omelets and French toast. As per local culture, the food was served in a simple yet appetizing way. The best part of the breakfast there is the ocean view. You can see dhows going for their morning fishing and ferries heading to Dar es Salaam.

Our tip before choosing this hotel is to check which view you will get from your room. Best of all is to choose ocean view, these rooms have the best view and the most natural light.

Javed Jafferji & His Boutique Hotel

If you are tired of the usual hotels with the usual design, Stone Town can offer you a very special option for your stay. Jafferji House is a small boutique hotel with lots of interesting ideas. The founder of the hotel is a talented local photographer, Javed Jafferji, and you can find lots of his spectacular works decorating the hotel.

The design of the hotel puts you in mind of the house of a passionate traveler. You can find furniture and decorations  from all around the world: Morocco, Afghanistan, India, Mozambique, and much more. Despite this eclectic descoration, it still looks very Zanzibari.

Each room is different, so you can choose the one for your own tastes. We really liked the Moroccan styled bath and diverse colors of the suites. The painted walls  remind you of Moroccan streets, but the style of decoration will give you the feeling of being in an ancient sultan’s palace.

We were invited for a breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to find that in addition to your order, you get a basket with fresh pastry, some local fruits, fresh juice, and a pot of natural coffee. We really appreciate when a hotel is taking care of guests by offering them some extra things.

The hotel also has a roof with a view on the Stone Town; you can even request your breakfast to be served there.

With Sales Manager

We recommend Jafferji House for people who wish to experience a cocktail of cultures and appreciate unique interior design. This place will inspire a creative person, and we would suggest stopping there for a couple of days.

Our Visit to Maru Maru Hotel

Maru Maru Hotel in Stone Town is priced as a medium property, but their service is definitely closer to luxury.

Julia and Lesia from the Shadows of Africa team visited this hotel with a site inspection and were treated as valued guests. That is one of the ways you can check the hospitality at the hotel. Upon arrival, they were greeted with fresh towels and drinks, a sure sign that this place knows how to greet guests.

Maru Maru is very careful with small details and you can feel it from the first step when you are entering reception and breathing in the fresh lemongrass aroma. The hotel keeps a classic Zanzibari style, carefully adding some modern things like elevator.

The hotel has its own bakery and we can confirm – their bread and cakes are delicious.

Maru Maru is probably most famous because of its rooftop restaurant. It has one of the most stunning views of the city, and it is often used by local television for this reason. When we visited hotel, one Zanzibari celebrity was giving an interview at one of the restaurant’s tables.

Maru Maru’s restaurant is also very popular for the nice food and the romantic atmosphere in the evening. Our team tried some Indian dishes there and everything was perfect.  The local chef followed all of their preferences, catering to their vegetarian diet to a tee.

Dinner on the roof with Alok Gupta - Sales & Marketing Manager of Maru Maru

We really recommend Maru Maru for its value of price and personalized service!

Great Big Five Safari!

What an amazing safari experience!

Our clients, David & Jessica were so lucky to see lots of groups of predators starting from Tarangire, all the way through Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

It was truly a Great Big Five Safari adventure.

They spotted twelve cheetahs during their safari, as well as a number of leopards and even a pride of lions who had just finished hunting. Isn’t that great?

They were also lucky enough to see rhinos up close in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Even our driver, Edwin was impressed and took lots of pictures! You never can predict what exactly you will see on a +, but in Tanzania, it is never boring!

Kubu Kubu Tented Camp in Serengeti NP

Kubu Kubu Tented Camp in Serengeti NP

Kubu Kubu Tented Camp in Serengeti NP

Great Trip to Selous National Reserve!

Are you a real adventurer?  Then this post is definitely for you!

Jake & Natasa from our Shadows of Africa team had a trip to one of the most virgin parks in Tanzania – Selous National Reserve safari. Four times larger than the Serengeti National Park, Selous’ northern regions can be difficult to get to by car.

Due to the extreme distance, the best option for a Selous National Reserve safari is to take a flying safari. Close to the airstrip you will find the luxurious Azura Camp, where our team spent two nights. The camp is located near the Great Ruaha River, famous for lots of hippos.

The amazing thing is that you can find a pride of lions called the ‘Azura Pride’ within ten meters of the camp! Jake & Natasa were so lucky to follow the hunting of these gorgeous predators. It took them around two hours driving and it seemed to be a real adventure.

They also saw lots of impalas, giraffes, and even two leopards, but the most interesting thing for them was to meet a herd of wild dogs. These animals are very rare on Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and you have more chances to see it here in the South of Tanzania.

Our team recommends spending at least three to four nights in Azura Camp so you will have enough time to explore the most interesting parts of this huge reserve. The camp offers game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, and fishing. You can even request a night game drive for additional cost.

Natasa & Jake admired the amazing work of the chef in the camp. They really enjoyed each meal created by the Azura team. The camp also has free Internet, but it’s not crazy fast because of the location. Though you can still be connected while surrounded by wild nature!

Selous National Reserve safari in this Southern part of Tanzania is mostly for people who really prefer a private safari. You won’t find the usual tourist crowds in Selous. While the size of the reserve means there will be longer drives between game viewing locations, in the end, you can always combine a safari in Southern part  of Tanzania with some time on the famous Northern Circuit! You cannot compare these two destinations, they are too different, but you can visit both!