Backpacking in Tanzania: My Top 5 Moments
As I head to Senegal on a secret trip, it seems a lifetime ago that I was backpacking in Tanzania and Ethiopia. It was a trip of a lifetime where I got to feed hyenas mouth to mouth, at dusk, in Harar as well as 4-5 days of hardcore Tanzania safari in and around the Serengeti. It’s a good time to round up and reflect on my top 5 moments from Tanzania, where I toured in 2013 with Shadows of Africa.
On Safari in the Serengeti with Shadows of Africa
1.Visiting Kibowa Orphanage
Any visit to an African orphanage will have you in moments of huge emotion. Here at Kibowa, we got to play football with children, colour in some books and play with them. There is a sadness and a happiness on these visits and I’ll never forget my time in Kibowa Orphange.
The kids at Kibowa
2.Camping in the Serengeti
Imagine sleeping next to hyenas, gazelles and lions on your African Safari. Yes that’s what it was like when I went for some camping in this world famous jungle. I stayed in a much more luxurious tent than I was used to though, and we had an ace barbecue with beers in the heart of the Serengeti ahead of our safaris around the place.
Camping in the Serengeti – my luxury tent in the jungle!
3.Visiting a Maasai Tribe at Rabbatt
We visited a nomadic Maasai tribe village at Rabbatt and it was a truly memorable experience, to witness the singing, dancing performance. On a separate evening, I also joined in with Maasai dancing at our base for the night at Tarangire National Park.
The Maasai Tribe in Rabatt ready for the “Welcome Dance” on our arrival.
4.Visiting Esa School
We got to visit a local school, Esa school, while on tour with Shadows of Africa. I was in the classrooms teaching English and enjoying the company of all these enthusiastic children. It was a sight to be hold and a vivid memory from my time backpacking in Tanzania. I wrote about my visit to Esa School before.
I briefly went back to the role of teacher in Esa School, Arusha, Tanzania.
Loving the enthusiasm of these kids in Esa School – it’s clearly rubbed off on me!
5.Safari in the Serengeti National Park
Finally on the top 5, I can’t ignore the brilliant safari itself, the whole idea of safari holidays! We toured three national parks – Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and all were highlights. However, seeing lions, zebras, giraffes, leopards and cheetahs in the Serengeti was the most exciting of all. Especially the days with binoculars trying to find those elusive rhinos. At least we saw 4 of the big 5!
Safari in the Serengeti – Lions rest by a tree on Day 1.
Annette, Raymond and I at the entrance to the Serengeti.
So I’m excited to be heading to Senegal this time but loving my previous three African jaunts as well! I’m currently typing up all my stories from Senegal on the Gambia and I hope to head to Zanzibar, Somaliland and Cameroon sometime. I have read a lot about Zanzibar Holidays and the tours of Somaliland so it will be exciting!
It’s impressive what Tanzania can offer for the intrepid traveller. It’s been a Top 10 Destination of mine for several years now. Hopefully, whenever I get there, you are in Zanzibar with me for a Thirsty Thursday. 😉
Ray recently posted…The Great 68 – My First Time Watching Jaromir Jagr Play
Hi Ray, I hope so. There is so much of Africa still to explore for me, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. I’ll get to all these places eventually. All in good time and hopefully a beer in Zanzibar with you! Safe travels. Jonyny