Southern Tanzania Wildlife and Chimpanzees

Honestly, this review can’t even possibly come close to expressing what this trip meant to us! I have taken a bit of time to write this review. We went back in July-August 2024. It has been hard to write a review that would do this trip justice, but I am going to try.

From start to finish, it was beyond our dreams! So let’s start at the beginning. We started working with Antoinette with Discover Africa in December 2023. Lucky for us, we found her by accident doing some research. We talked to others but really connected with Antoinette and decided to take a leap of faith in her. Thank goodness we did! She was the “Queen” of this trip, if you will! If it wasn’t for her, this experience would never have happened. I can’t express enough thanks to her and her team! She NEVER got impatient with us. Even with all our “stupid” questions. She answered all of our questions patiently. She never lost focus. She is a source of incredible knowledge and personal experience. She designed a fantastic bucket list trip for us! Every detail was thought out! She is a gem, and if you are lucky enough to get to work with her, you will not be disappointed!

Our trip was focused on the country of Tanzania. What an absolutely beautiful country and beautiful people! From the landscapes to the people and the animals, you should see this amazing country! (Kenya has nothing on Tanzania!)

We started our adventure in Kilimanjaro. We were picked up by Freddy, an Anderson and Harvey representative. He had the most smiling face to welcome us into the country. After a 30+ hour journey, it was well received! We asked him for a coffee place, and he took us to a stand since he is a tea drinker; he was a little at a loss but was very tasty. Onwards to our lodge. Stayed at the Kaliwa Lodge. Very pretty in the treetops over looking the river. With the abundance of foliage, it was hard to see the river but could hear it. Food was incredible, and staff were really nice and attentive. We tried to “hike” Kilimanjaro, I use this word loosely, to the first base camp. We made it halfway. It was a wonderful experience. Our guide was Kester who works with the lodge. He was so fun. I think he was a bit worried with us but we made it! We learnt about his life and what movies he liked. Great way to kick off our trip.

We were picked up from Anderson and Harvey transfers and met Charles for the first time. On the way, Charles treated us to a “respectful” coffee! He was such a delight. We loved talking politics to him. Learnt about his family and his job.

We met Charles a few times throughout the trip. He was a great representative for Anderson and Harvey. He brought us to Siringit Villa. That place is incredible! Beautiful grounds. The food is 5-star! People come from all around to eat there. The service was impeccable. The spa and the golf were fantastic. We spent one of our days visiting the Arusha National Park with Allen from Anderson and Harvey. The brush is incredible and thick. We had a picnic lunch and just a great conversation getting to know Allen and seeing the park and the animals. Really a nice relaxing stay to get ready for the push through to the Serengeti.

Next on our stop was the Arusha Coffee Lodge. Unfortunately, only 1 night at the Arusha Coffee Lodge. I wish it could have been more! The room was gorgeous. We were treated to an excellent dinner. And the breakfast was incredible! The arts and crafts are fun to watch them make and to shop.

Enjoying our trip immensely to this point, as I reflect, this is the point where our adventure really began!

We meet Penuel. He was our guide for the next 11 days. Starting from the Tarangire National Park, through the Ngorongoro Crater, into Central Serengeti, finishing in Northern Serengeti. That is a statement… meeting Penuel. He is a force of nature. He is an astounding guide! From his incredible sightings to all his knowledge. He is a true ambassador of the culture, environment, and all the creatures. His patience is unparalleled to anyone. His comprehension of the terrain and the roads was stupefying (not like there are road signs). His witty sense of humour and his sarcasm endeared him to us right away. We are in debt to Penuel for forever! What he showed us there are no words. He means the world to us! Thank you, Penuel!

Every place we stayed along the way, mentioned below, was beyond belief! From the service to the food and drinks to the breathtaking rooms! You do not want for anything! They surpassed any expectations that we might have had! We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our wonderful camps.

All 5-star experience:

• Elewana Tarangire Treetops
• Melia Collection Ngorongoro
• Nimali Central Serengeti
• Nimali Mara Northern Serengeti

Our trip ended in Zanzibar at Essque Zalu Zanzibar. This island is very cultural. Be respectful! Had a nice time unwinding from the rush.

If you made it this far, thank you! Spectacular Trip!

I had an amazing trip thanks to Discover Africa. I stayed 4 days on the island of Zanzibar and 9 days on the Tanzanian mainland. Meghan initially contacted me, and we scheduled a zoom call. I explained what I was interested in doing and a few days later she had a proposed itinerary with an estimated cost. We coordinated the trip through emails, and she was very diligent in getting back to me right away to answer my questions.

Megan planned everything for me such as making flight reservations, having someone pick me up the airport, hotel reservations in Zanzibar and the 4-day safari accommodations. She gave me her personal WhatsApp number in case I had any questions or needed help with anything. I was traveling solo, so having someone to help me in case I had any problems gave me such peace of mind. Her attention to details made the trip go as planned without any problems whatsoever. The accommodations were just as advertised and the safari amazing.

This trip was supposed to happen in 2020, then 2021. We were finally able to take it in 2022. It was memorable in every way!

Adelle at Discover Africa was so helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive — her communication and accommodation made it easier for us to manage our trip preparation. The trip itself was amazing – accommodations were lovely, everyone we encountered ws so kind and welcoming, the guides and drivers were excellent, activities were fun and interesting, and the game rides were fantastic!

The highlight of our time in Tanzania was a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti — a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The highlight of our time in Kenya was staying at Giraffe Manor — unforgettable!

One of our best trips ever! thank you, Adelle.

Megan did a great job working with me to customize the exact trip that I envisioned. She made recommendations about things that I did not know about and helped me to assure I got the right mix of rugged to luxury.

I was met by excellent guides and drivers that spoke English well and made me feel safe throughout the trip. The transports were arranged from the time I got off the flight to Africa and until I got back on the plane. All legs of the trip were covered and went seamlessly. The guide for Kilimanjaro had been trained by the African National Parks and knew about the animals, the climbing routes and health issues that can occur. He was a wealth of great information and a very competent guide. The driver / guide for my safaris also was trained by the National park system and spoke English.

There was never a time where the drivers or transports were not on time or made me feel like I was not safe and well cared for. The lodges and tent camps were a mix of luxury to rugged and I enjoyed the mix. Megan smartly booked a second night at a lodge before all my adventures began as I was scheduled to arrive late in the evening. Flying to Africa is quite the ordeal so having critical rest time upon arrival is really important to making sure you are prepared for the rest of the adventure.

One thing I wish I had done was book an overnight in Amsterdam on my way over and on my way back. Having 3 flights and 2 of them 8 hour flights that are back to back, having a night to rest in Amsterdam would have been wise for me. I would highly recommend Discover Africa. They are well known and respected in Africa. My luggage was lost on the way to Africa and Discover Africa, while not responsible for this error on the airlines fault, did help me to locate my bag and get it to me before my Kilimanjaro climbing began.

Unforgettable trip!

From our first contact with Karl, by email, to transferring large sums of money, which was promptly acknowledged, to being met by Petrous at Kilimanjaro, this Safari was way beyond our expectations. The moment, soon after arrival, the five of us received a boxed gift of a Masai blanket, each, we knew we chose the right Safari operator.

Discover Africa, you know the way to a tourist’s heart. Thank you. The blankets were used at every opportunity during the Safari and are now washed and ironed, at home, with us in Malaysia. A heart warming ,loved souvenir of our 8 absolutely amazing days in Tanzania.

Our guide and driver was totally committed to ensuring we sighted as many big cats, other wild animals, insects and birds as we could. He stopped to show us a line of Martebelli ants and on another occasion,a dung beetle busily preparing its nest. Nothing was too trivial for Petrous.

Returning to a kopje ,which housed big cats ,sighted in the morning to “ see what the lions, leopards and Cheetahs “were up to,now” was the norm each day; it did not matter that we were driving around for 6-8 hours before that ! We feel very grateful that he was assigned to us. Rational, knowledgeable and calm. He drove skillfully through shocking, terribly muddy ditches. We were impressed and he endeared himself to my husband, our 3 adult children and me.

Accommodation was as expected the first 3 nights but our final four nights were spent in a luxurious, comfortable and absolutely scenic camp – Lemala Nanyukie. Being lulled to sleep by roaring lions was sublime. Food was delicious, the barman Nelson was awesome and staff friendly, warm and hospitable. Leaving the Serengeti was not easy for all 5 of us. We will treasure memories of awesome wild life, trustworthy ,honest ,hospitable people and stunning scenery.

Thank you Karl and Mathys of Discover Africa. May we be in contact again, in the future. S Sushila

We have travelled with Discover Africa during February 2015 and we were looked after by Carel Verhoef, our safari planning was made easy by the wealth of knowledge and wonderful service, care and attention we received from Discover Africa and our safari to Tanzania was as expected, well planned and got us into areas where few others were.

We found the Great Wildebeest migration because of this where many others failed, thanks for a once in a lifetime safari Carel!