tanzania safaris

Best Safari Experience in Tanzania

Something a little different – for the best safari experience in Tanzania

Graeme and Veronica decided to plan their trip a little differently and concentrate on just the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, allowing a little more time in each place to get the best that they could. With Dickson as their guide, it worked perfectly!

Staying at Tukaone Camp in the Serengeti, on the Mara River, nailed the wildebeest river crossing for them!

Moving through to the west of Serengeti Robanda Camp allowed for easy access to the central area of Serengeti and sightings of the cats, including a lioness trying to hunt and a long photographic session with a pair of mating lions.

A night on the Ngorongoro crater rim allowed for an excursion to the lesser visited, but stunning, Empakai crater, before ending the safari of a lifetime with a full day in the Ngorongoro crater.

Tanzania can really offer the best of safari experiences. Whatever your plans are, we can make it work for you at Shadows of Africa!

Big Cats in the Serengeti

This month our Shadows of Africa safari guests have encountered amazing big cats and cubs. They are delighted and the photos rolling in from our guides are incredible.

Here’s just a few to samples to share with you and give you a taster of what Shadows of Africa can offer.

Big cat Serengeti. Lion - Yen Yu Li safari with Edwin Diah - June 2019

Big cat Serengeti – leopard on rock - Michael Morris safari with Edwin Diah, June 2019

Big cat Serengeti – older lion cub – Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019

Big cat Serengeti – lions mating – Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019

Big cat Serengeti – cheetah - Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019

Big cat Serengeti – huge scarred male lion - Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019

Impressed yet?

Take a trip with Shadows of Africa and you will be.

Contact us now!

Making the Most of a One Night Safari – Tarangire, Lake Manyara, or Ngorongoro

Can I Take a One Night Safari?

It’s really possible!

You might be travelling for business in Arusha and only have a tiny window at your disposal, or just want to get out of town and away from city stress, or simply to impress – you need a one-night safari, to see as much as you can, and a gorgeous place to stay.

It can be done! Shadows of Africa just did this last week, covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro!

Starting with a morning in Tarangire with elephants, lion and all the rest of the plains game, you still have time to visit the groundwater forests of Lake Manyara and sample the lakeside wildlife before climbing up the escarpment to the luxury Escarpment Lodge, a view to die for, and a delicious ice cold beverage to sip.

Ready to go early, you climb up the Ngorongoro crater rim, round the top and down into the heart of the caldera. What a blast of East African wildlife awaits – Ngorongoro is amazing!

One-night safari? Absolutely!

It’s on offer, it’s achievable, it’s Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, it’s exhilarating!

It’s Shadows of Africa. Book now!

Tanzania Bans Plastic Bags Effective June 1st 2019

Please help to support Tanzania with this much needed new initiative.

From June 1st 2019 plastic bags are banned in Tanzania and there are restrictions on plastic bottles, which is long awaited and very welcome, new legislation!

What this means for your visit to Tanzania is the following:-

1.  Please ensure that when you enter Tanzania you do not have any of the following items or that you dispose of them as you arrive in the country i.e. at a specially provided desk in the airport terminal:-
   ·         Any single use plastic bag
   ·         Any carrier bag that is not single use but that is made out of plastic. All bags must be made of material, paper, card or biodegradable substances (but not bio-degradable plastic as this will possibly not be recognized by Customs here)
   ·         Any plastic bag used to protect shoes etc. from the rest of the items in your luggage.
   ·         Any plastic wrapping on duty-free purchases made en-route.
   ·         Any plastic used to wrap around/seal your bags for your trip.

2.  Please make sure that you are aware not to accept any plastic bags with purchases made in Tanzania

3.  Please do not bring in single use drink/water bottles.  If you already have a reusable metal/solid water bottle at home, then you could bring one to use for the journey over and on your safari.  Otherwise, Shadows of Africa as well as many lodges and camps give out reusable water bottles as gifts and/or for use while on safari. Please ask for details.

4.  Fines for possession of banned plastics are around TSH 30,000 ($13-$15).
5.  Please see the helpful notice from the Government addressed to travellers and visitors to Tanzania.

Mt Meru - Kilimanjaro’s Stunning Little Sister!

Shadowed by the size of Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, despite being an impressive 4,562m, does not get the attention it deserves.

This scenic volcanic shell of a mountain, the surrounding Arusha National Park, the beautifully kept route and mountain huts are awesome!

Starting our climb we walked, like a dream, into a grassy meadow and ambled past giraffe and cape buffalo, peacefully watching us at close quarters, bemused by our enthusiasm and sprightly pace. The back drop was the spectacular (active but dormant) volcano we were aiming to summit, bust open at its centre, with only the ash cone left as evidence of its majestic past.

The walk to Miriakamba, through giant cedar trees and olives, is truly lovely. Paths are well maintained and the climb was surprisingly pleasant with sightings of bush buck and red duiker en route. Although out of breath, we managed just fine arriving, in the sunshine, at the inviting wooden chalets that would host us for the night.

Fuelled with steaming soup, hot porridge, pancakes and bananas we set off upwards and onwards, climbing high up out of the montane forests and into the Afroalpine heath zone. Stopping for lunch on the way, again we reached our next port of call, Saddle hut, feeling strong.

Well informed by our guide we ate lots and rested early and woke at midnight. Armed with torches we struck out, determined to summit. The climb is long, its challenging but my goodness its rewarding.

Reaching the top at dawn was stunning, and tripping back down the knife edge that we had climbed in the dark, with the views of the crags and caldera and its cone were breathtaking. Absolutely unbeatable

Shadows of Africa, you surpassed our expectations with Mt Meru. Kilimanjaro bring it on!

Copious Cats in the Serengeti

Serengeti never ceases to impress experienced Shadows of Africa guide, Ukadi Msuya, and this time was no less incredible! What an amazing visit for his guests Guido and Mariana! Cheetah, lion, leopard and one of the most stunning of the smaller felines – a serval cat, in just two days.

Seldom seen, serval cat are shy cats with enormous ears which they, interestingly, use them for echolocation to detect their prey. It’s a special day when you get to hang out with a serval cat.

Staying at the incredibly stylish Melia hotel throughout their time in Serengeti, Guido and Mariana could have been forgiven for choosing just to relax and look at the spectacular view! Electing to explore instead, they were well rewarded not only with the cat sightings but with views of the expansive migration of wildebeest and zebra as well as hippo, Nile crocodile, klipspringers, buffalo, topi and many other plains game.

Safaris to Serengeti National Park are often combined with visits to both Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater and this was no exception. Guido and Mariana wisely complimented their amazing wildlife experiences with some of the best accommodation in northern Tanzania.

Lucky to have Ukadi’s expert eye they spent their day in Manyara amongst elephants, lion, baboon, blue monkeys, black faced monkeys, monitor lizard, hippo, zebra and wildebeest, not to mention the birds and the stunning groundwater forest.The evening was enjoyed winding down and recollecting while looking down over Lake Manyara from the comfort and luxury of the Manyara Escarpment Lodge.

Ngorongoro was no less enthralling with still more lion sightings, finally getting to see a black rhino in the wild and both golden and black backed jackals gracing their path. The Acacia Farm Lodge in Karatu always compliments a crater visit, and allowed Guido and Mariana the choice to stretch their legs around the calm of the gardens and farm or to simply sip a glass of wine and enjoy the quiet to reflect on their amazing trip!

All photographs by: Guido Heijblok

Can’t wait to experience a safari for yourself: contact us today!

Combining Wildlife & Cultural Experience

Our adventurous customers, David and Carol decided to include the most interesting spots in Tanzania in a short time. They started with a walking and canoeing safari in Arusha National Park, which is a perfect option to add to the usual game drive.
Of course they didn’t miss famous Tarangire National Park, where you can find huge herds of elephants this season. After overnighting in Tarangire Safari Lodge with its amazing view of the Tarangire River, they continued with a game drive in Serengeti National Park. They really loved it and were lucky to see lots of predators very close! Lions, cheetahs, and even a leopard showed up during their game drive. Stunning Ngorongoro Crater impressed them even more with its gorgeous views and variety of wildlife.

After a tiring safari, the travelers and our guide, Bashiru visited Amini Life Maasai Lodge for some well-earned relaxation. It is a perfect place to explore Maasai culture and even participate in some tribal activities.

Before coming back home, David and Carol had a chance to get closer to Kilimanjaro. What a perfect option before the flight! Instead of sitting at their hotel, they had a tour to Marangu village, learned about Chaga culture in the ancient caves, trekked to a beautiful waterfall, and tried fresh coffee on the local coffee plantation.
We agree with our customers that you need to explore different sides of Africa and combine your tour with lots of cultural experiences! It gives you the opportunity to experience the real lives of local people.

Nature Trails in Arusha National Park

Walking Safaris and Day Hikes On Arusha National Park Safari

Arusha National Park has it all when it comes to hiking and trekking! On safari to Arusha National Park there are more than enough oppurtunities to add a little activity to usual game drive from safari vehicle.

Following are the existing nature trails that are worth a visit during safari to Arusha National Park.

Momella Gate to Itikoni and descend back to Momella gate. Hike duration is 4 hours.

Kitoto View Point to Njeku View Point then descend through Meru Crater back to Kitoto View Point:Hike duration is 4 hours.

Momella Gate to Tululusia Waterfall and back to Momellla gate. Hike duration 1.5 hours Tululusia Waterfall is beautiful small waterfall with height of 28 meters!

Ngurdoto Crater Rim walking trails:

Laitong to Buffalo 5 hours

Buffalo  to Kaitong 6 hours

Your Guide to Additional Things to Do on Tanzanian Safari