Lions kill Wildebeest in the Serengeti National Park

What a spectacular safari for Rishi Bagaria and family!

Two Lioness pulled down a Wildebeest right in front of them, in the middle of the Serengeti!

Lions kill in the Serengeti

Thirsty lions after a kill in Serengeti

Rishi and his family started at the Maasai Amini lodge between Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, moving onto their first wildlife encounters in Lake Manyara National Park before heading up and around the Ngorongoro Crater to the lovely Karibu Lions paw camp.

They spent a day in the crater, returning to Lions paw again before dropping down into the Serengeti, where they spent two full days, overnighting at magnificently comfortable Ole Serai Turner Springs.

Cheetah and cubs sighted in the Serengeti

Taking a Lion King Safari in Tanzania and Kenya

Celebrating the Lion King

With so many reliving, or seeing for the first time, the fantastic story of the Lion King, it’s time to celebrate some of its characters.

We reckon, from the landscapes, that the Lion King story was based in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro ecosystem and even in the famous Ol Karien Gorge.

Why not come and experience Lion King country for yourself and see some of the films best characters really up close and personal with Shadows of Africa.

The lions, obviously, are a must; Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Sarabi and Scar. Interestingly, and what you might not realise when watching them laze in the sun, is that male lions are highly competitive, and are well known to practice infanticide if they take over a pride of females that have young cubs, ensuring that their genes, and not another’s, are passed onto the next generation.

And then there’s those terrible cackling hyena. Wonderful to see in the wild and additionally one of the most fascinating species, spotted hyena are the most social of all the carnivores. They are also matriarchal, meaning that the females are bigger and are more dominant than the males.

Pumbaa, that plump joker, full of life and laughs, is everywhere when you’re on safari. Tossing his head and running along with his tail held high like an antenna behind him. Warthogs live in burrows in the ground and the mother usually push their piglets in first and then reverse in behind them, able to charge out and protect them from any signs of danger. They really do love to wallow in mud, cooling themselves down from the heat of the sun.

We think the Lion King is fantastic, but the real thing is unforgettable!

A very special place - Africa Amini Life

You’re coming on safari to Africa – so why not immerse yourself from day one, like Shelley Fritz did this month with Shadows of Africa!

The perfect welcome to Tanzania – Africa Amini Life team

Blending into its environment – Africa Amini Life

Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge, located an easy drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport and situated midway between Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, is more than just a bed to rest your weary head. It’s an experience to set you up for the rest of your trip, to celebrate the end of a trip and one to remember for a lifetime.

Your accommodation

Created by mother and daughter medical doctor team, Christine Wallner and Cornelia Wallner-Frisee, as a closely linked part of their NGO Africa Amini Alama, the lodge incorporates a little bit of everything. European style facilities blend with nature and Maasai  earthern houses, solar provides power and hot water, home grown herbs and the extra special ingredients to an enticing choice of international and local cuisine, and activities include cooling off in the pool after spear throwing with a Maasai warrior.

Africa Amini Swimming Pool

Stories and dancing with the Maasai – an evening option at Amini Africa Life

Be assured that every dollar you spend on accommodation at this special place goes directly into Africa Amini Alama, its sister charitable organization, supporting educational, medical and social projects.

Come and feel Africa with us. Book your safari now with Shadows of Africa.

Crossing the Border on Safari: What You Need to Know

Crossing the Border on Safari

If you're taking part in one of Shadows of Africa's many fantastic multi-country safaris, your trip is likely to include a border crossing.

Whether you're flying from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Tanzania's Serengeti or crossing into Uganda from Rwanda for your gorilla trekking, you'll have to go through immigration.

While this can be a stressful experience, your Shadows of Africa driver will be on hand to offer help and guidance.

You'll also find plenty of helpful information on crossing the various borders that stand between you and your safari adventure.

Namanga Border Crossing: Kenya and Tanzania

The most commonly crossed border between Tanzania and Kenya, Namanga lies between Arusha and Amboseli National Park.

Crossing the border at Namanga can be a slow process, as it is a popular border crossing for tourists and locals alike.

With immigration needing to check and issue visas as well as check baggage, you can expect anywhere from 1 - 2 hours at the Namanga border crossing.

Thankfully, you'll have your Shadows of Africa drivers on hand to help you out. No matter what direction you're crossing the border, one driver will wait for you to cross before you meet with your new driver.

As local law forbids Kenyan drivers from driving in Tanzania and vice versa, you'll switch cars here for your onward travel.

Isebania Border Crossing: Kenya and Tanzania

If you look at a map, the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti look close together, but it's not as simple as all that.

Crossing from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti requires either two flights or the long, dusty drive via the Isebania border crossing.

Weighing in at anywhere between 10 and 12 hours, the Isebania crossing is not one we recommend unless you're on a tight budget. It is not only a long, boring day of driving, but it also eats up an entire day. You won't be seeing much (if any) wildlife during your drive.

Like Namanga, you'll need to go through immigration and customers when crossing the border. You'll also need to switch drivers.

Migori-Tarime Border Crossing: Kenya and Tanzania

For those wanting to experience both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, flying between the two is the best way to avoid a wasted day in the car.

Crossing the border when there are no international airports on either side means landing and making a land transfer, but the process is much the same as other border crossings.

You'll land, transfer via shuttle to the border crossing for immigration, and then continue onwards to your second flight.

While flights between the two parks can be quite expensive, we always recommend it for those who can afford it. The Isebania drive is an unpleasant one.

Rwanda - Uganda Border Crossing

Due to the higher prices in Rwanda, more and more people are choosing to fly into Kigali and do their gorilla trekking in Uganda.

While there are a number of different border crossings between Rwanda and Uganda depending on where you are trekking, the process is the same at each.

Unlike Tanzania & Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda do not forbid drivers crossing the border, so you'll have your guide on hand at all times to help if you run into any snags.

Just make sure you have an East African Visa if you are planning to cross back into Rwanda after you've finished your trekking, or you'll need to pay for a second Rwandan tourist visa!

How to Speed Up Crossing the Border

While some things are beyond our control when crossing a border, there are certainly ways to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

1. Have your visa already

While Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya can all process visas on arrival at border crossings, this can be a major time drain. Get your visas in advance either online or through your local consulate to avoid the long visa on arrival queues.

2. Have Your Vaccination Card Ready

When crossing into Tanzania after having spent time in Rwanda, Uganda, or Kenya, you will be required to present your Yellow Fever vaccination card.

It is possible to get this vaccination done at the border for an additional fee, but this can be time-consuming (and a tad painful). Have your Yellow Fever vaccination card ready and you'll breeze straight through!

3. Pack Smart

The Isebania and Namanga border crossings both have extensive customs and security checks for your luggage, so you'll need to carry everything with you and wait for staff to search it.

If your bag is a jumbled mess, this may take the security staff longer to check.

Be careful not to travel with plastic bags, animal products, or any other forbidden products. Local laws can be very strict and tourists are not exempt!

4. Don't panic!

It can be nerve-wracking dealing with the crowds and the bureaucracy at a border crossing, especially on your own.

Just remember, you've got Shadows of Africa drivers waiting for you on both sides of the border and our head office is just a phone call away!

You're perfectly safe at border crossings, so it's just a matter of following the signs and you'll be on your way in no time!

5. Avoid scammers

A number of enterprising locals have made a cottage industry out of helping tourists carry their bags from security to their safari cars.

While these people are not likely to steal from you, their charges can be a tad high. Don't be afraid to give a firm but polite "no" if you don't want to tip $10 USD for their services.

Food available at the border is also similarly high-priced, so we would advise skipping those bags of cashew nuts or dried peas unless you've got a powerful hunger.

We've Got You Covered

Regardless of where you're crossing the border, the Shadows of Africa team is on hand to help out.

While you may not be able to immediately grab your driver's attention during immigration, you'll have the contact number for our head office as well as your booking agent.

Don't hesitate to give us a call if you are confused or held up at immigration. We're not going to leave you high and dry!

The Ilchokuti’s of Ngorongoro Conservation Area

While you wonder at the incredible wildlife in the Ngorongoro crater and the beauty of its large landscape, at the lions with their golden eyes looking more massive than you had imagined, stop to consider those who live as their neighbors and how they manage to co-exist.

Lions of Ngorongoro. Photo credit: Kope Lion

Ngorongoro is unique in that it blends wildlife together with the Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe tribes that live in the area. Of course, it’s not easy, especially when making a living for most is through pastoralism. For the lion of the crater highlands, together with other predators, livestock is an easy target and there’s plenty of great places to hide.

Additionally, lion killing is traditionally seen as the ultimate show of bravery for the Maasai warriors, earning you a lifetime of respect and admiration.

Working together with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority is the Korongoro People’s Lion Project, or Kope Lion as its more usually referred to. Kope Lion work together with twenty Ilchokuti, or Lion Guardians, well respected members of their community who track the lions on the ground daily to warn the herders where the lion are in their vicinity, preventing unnecessary conflict. They also assist to find lost livestock, and to repair and strengthen the fences protecting the livestock at night.

Ilchokutis of Ngorongoro - tracking lion on the ground. Photo credit: Kopelion

Ilchokuti in the vast expanse of Ngorongoro. Photo credit: Kope Lion

Without killing the lion these warriors still earn their respect from their community, working bravely and tirelessly to protect their communities and the lion they share their history with.

Building upon a 50-year study of the Ngorongoro lion population, Kope Lion measures and shares their knowledge and the impacts of their efforts on the lions’ population dynamics and tries to understand the human lion conflicts better to enable them to better mitigate.

Kimani. Photo credit: Kope Lion

Ask your Shadows of Africa guide for more information on Kope Lion and while you watch them, appreciate a little while longer these magnificent beasts, their neighbours and the brave Ilchokuti.

Book a trip to Ngorongoro Crater now through Shadows of Africa

Lake Eyasi, Ziwani, the Hadzabe and Datoga

Shadows of Africa recent safari with the Fritz group took in an exciting spread of both activities and lodges. Our skilled safari consultants can match your ideas and aspirations with what’s on the ground.

One desire of theirs was to see not only wildlife but also the different cultures of Tanzania. Lake Eyasi and Ziwani were obvious choices.

Lodge overview: Photo from Ziwani lodge

Ziwani Lodge overlooking Lake Eyasi is a refreshing refuge after a few days of concentrated game viewing in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

Interior. Photo from Ziwani lodge

Ziwani has a style of its own. Created to provide a peaceful escape, fabulous views and the cool that’s required in this sometimes, harsh environment. Ziwani is gorgeous!

But it’s not all about putting your feet up, relaxing by the pool and sipping an ice-cold drink, Eyasi is home to the Datoga and Hadzabe tribes and offers an insight into two different and intriguing cultures.

Hadzabe with bow. Photo from Ziwani lodge

The Hadzabe numbering around 1,000 in Tanzania are hunter-gatherers, living off the land. Using only bows and arrows they have no lasting impact on wildlife populations. They don’t cut trees and they don’t dig water holes, and they don’t ‘own’ things – instead they live in harmony with their environment, and we have a lot we can learn from them.

The Datoga are highland Nilotic pastoralists dependent on their livestock and skilled blacksmiths – often trading their arrowheads with the Hadza in exchange for skins and honey.

Finishing touches on an arrow head – Datoga tribe. Photo from Ziwani Lodge

Step out of your box and discover a culture that’s not your own, that teaches you something different and that makes you appreciate more fully, the diversity of our beautiful world.

Extend your safari and spend a day around the fascinating lake Eyasi.

Get out and take a walk – Ngorongoro Crater, Empakai, Lengai to Natron

Tired of sitting in a safari vehicle? Take a hike, stretch your legs, enjoy the smells and sounds of your surrounds and the most incredible scenery.

One of the most incredible adventures offered by the Shadows of Africa team is walking from the Empakai Crater in the Ngorongoro Highlands down to the soda lake of Natron, passing the classic volcano of Ol Donyo Lengai.

Ngorongoro Highlands

Before you start to walk you have to visit the Ngorongoro crater and take in a chance to see the Big 5. The next day you move onto the neighboring crater of Empakai with its forested slopes, flamingo encrusted lake floor and your first chance to get those legs working.

Refreshed by the beauty of this lovely cultural area you’re now ready to walk a little further. With donkeys to carry your kit, expertly guided by local Maasai, you are freed up to shake your shoulders and skip down the highlands, and out of the chill, to the drylands below.

Flamingoes on Lake Natron

Spending a night camping en route you walk on with the most astounding of views ahead. It is hard to concentrate on the walking with such a distraction.

Ol Donyo Lengai volcano

With choices of climbing Lengai at night to reach the active top and its molten lava by dawn, cooling off in the nearby waterfalls, or taking a drive to get close to the flamingoes at the lake’s edge, there’s plenty to entertain you at your destination.

Waterfalls alongside Lake Natron

Lakeside Natron

Chill out another day, staying at one of Natron’s many options of accommodation, before heading back into Arusha.

Come take a walk with us and book your safari now!

Disney’s The Lion King and Conservation

Since Disney’s The Lion King’s first release 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lions have disappeared.

With the much anticipated new ‘live’ version of the Lion King out of the 19^th July 2019, Disney have initiated a global conservation campaign, Protect the Pride, working primarily with The Lion Recovery Fund to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050.

The Lion Recovery Fund currently support 9 different projects in Tanzania alone, including KopeLion in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Honeyguide Foundation south east of Tarangire National Park.

Make the most of your safari with Shadows of Africa and learn about some of the work that is happening to protect lion in the areas that you visit.

See how you can help support this significant action https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOSE8pb7i8

Follow "The Lion King," Disney Conservation Fund, and the Lion Recovery Fund on social media to stay up to date on #TheLionKing #ProtectThePride campaign and share information with your friends and family about how they can help Protect the Pride.

Come and see a lion in the wild for yourself. Book your safari now with Shadows of Africa.