Highlight Photos
Highlights Map
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We have been on two safaris before and enjoyed them immensively and always planned to return, the sooner the better. Unfortunately with the pandemic our travel plans were disrupted and it took a bit to get back to a normal scheduling. And now we finally made it back to Africa, this time to Tanzania. With a bonus day in Qatar exploring Doha.
Tanzania is a huge country so even with two weeks we have to focus on a specific area. This time it is the Northern part of the country which holds to most well known parks. Just hearing the names evokes the wilderness to us, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, all of them seen in nature documentaries many times. Qatar is more of an add-on but we route specifically through Doha so we can spend one day, luckily before all the fighting starts just two weeks later.
All the planning is done by us this time after using a safari company previously. We book direct with the hotels and we rent a Land Cruiser separately. We also hire a guide mostly for Ngorongoro where one is required for the descent but also to visit the Lark Plains to see a very rare endemic bird. Overall all goes really well with all the time that went into planning paying off. We see over 300 species of birds but the highlight is our first rhinos, we have looked for them in both previous safaris with no luck.
To learn more click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and follow our exploration of this beautiful part of Tanzania or to learn more about the modern capital of Qatar.
- Picking our car and exploring Arusha
Our long flight is broken up by a complimentary hotel which makes arriving in Arusha and picking up the car easier than we expected - Ngare Sero Lodge and its beautiful grounds
We spend the afternoon at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge recuperating after the flight and exploring the beautiful grounds - Mysterious Engikaret Plains
We start our safari with an exploration of Engikaret Plains using a local guide looking for the endemic Beesley’s Lark and other special birds - Reaching our secluded lodge in Tarangire NP
In the afternoon we make our way to Tarangire and then drive to our lodge deep into the interior finding animals and birds left and right - Pinnacle of luxury at Kuro Treetops
We spend two magnificent nights at Kuro Treetops amid birds and mammals with great food and beautiful views from our elevated luxury tent - Spotting birds and wildlife near Silale Swamp
After a great night, birdwatching in the morning and breakfast we are ready to start our exploration of Tarangire. Our plan is to drive towards Silale Swamp, as much as we can and look for birds and mammals on the way. Then at lunch the plan is to return eat lunch and then relax and leave later in the afternoon […] - Afternoon jaunt near our lodge
We spend the late afternoon exploring the main road around the lodge and finding lots of interesting birds - Turning back towards Matete Picnic Site
From our lodge it is time to return towards the entrance exploring multiple river loops and visiting the very busy Silale Picnic Area - Matete Picnic to Entrance via River Loop
Matete Picnic Area is full so we just enjoy the views before driving part of the Main River Loop and reaching the entrance gate right before our required exit time - Occupying the high ground at Serena Lodge
Two nights are spent at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge on a bluff overlooking Lake Manyara with quite a bad access road - A day in stunning Lake Manyara NP
Today is dedicated to Manyara National Park where we drive in as far as we dare finding beautiful and rare birds and lots of mammals - Turacos on the Elephant Trail
Our day starts with a morning hike along Elephant Trail with a guide and an armed ranger looking for turacos and other interesting birds - Lunch and birding at famous Gibb’s Farm
Lunch today is at the famous Gibb’s Farm preceded by a birding walk through the grounds seeing owls and domestic animals - Staying at the edge of Ngorongoro
Next on our route is Ngorongoro Crater where we spend two nights on the Rim at Lions Paw enjoying a great room and beautiful views - Descent to Ngoitokitok Picnic Area
Our day in Ngorongoro starts with a beautiful descent and then driving to and exploring Ngoitokitok Picnic Area while seeing a rhino, lions and lots of birds - Lunch at Lerai Forest
We eat lunch at Lerai Forest Picnic Area while exploring the savanna and wetlands along the way - Flamingoes on Magadi Lake
We end the day skirting Magadi Lake seeing lots of flamingoes and other birds and even noticing our second rhino between the herds of wildebeests