Traveler’s Corner – Family Holiday Safari in Tanzania

Africa Adventure Consultants’ travelers the Steimel family traveled for three weeks over the Christmas holiday. Jean, David and their two sons (ages 11 and 14) spent two of those weeks on safari in Tanzania followed by one week relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar. They explored Tarangire National Park with its beautiful scenery and amazing elephants; Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and incredible bird life; discovered a more off-the-beaten-path side of Tanzania with cultural tours and forest hikes; then visited the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge along with the majestic Serengeti.

Their guide Alfred was “a true passionate professional with extensive pride in his work and his country.” He was able to show them all of the wildlife they could dream of seeing as well as astounding endless landscapes.

A few highlights from their safari include…

• Descending into a fog-filled Ngorogoro Crater as the sun rose over the rim
• Swimming in the infinity pool at Maramboi Camp while giraffe, zebra and ostrich strolled by
• Listening to hippos grunt all night long outside their tent at Lake Masek
• Watching a herd of elephant romp and play in a lake at Tarangire
• Having their first takeoff attempt at a Serengeti airstrip abruptly halted for giraffe crossing the “runway”
• Spending Christmas day mostly relaxing by the pool except for a sundowner drive where they saw a baby cheetah catch a monkey

“All the lodges provided exceptional service making sure all our needs were met. The food was plentiful and delicious and the accommodations as comfortable as they were beautiful.

Our family will never forget this holiday together.  It was a fantasy come true in so many ways. We could simply do the typical Christmas gift exchange but instead decided to create memories as our gift and we’re so glad that we did.  This was a trip of a lifetime.”

– J. Steimel