Affordable Migration Safari from June to October in Tanzania (HerdTracker)

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!

Friends of ours worked with Susan at Discover Africa to arrange our trip. We visited Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengetti, and Masaai Mara. The accomodations were all very pleasant, and the service, both at the accommodations and on our safari drives were all wonderful. The food was great. And we saw so many animals (and so many other tourists seeing so many animals!).

We booked our Tanzanian and Kenyan safari through Megan Warrington of Discoverafrica.com. Megan was superb and planned the perfect safari for us. All connections/pickups and accommodations were flawlessly executed.

We started off in Ilkeliani, on the border of the Masai Mara park (you cross a little footbridge next to the tents over the Talek river and you are right in the park) which is professionally managed by Sylvester.

He happily and obligingly dealt with all our requests. We were treated to 3 delicious meals/food boxes per day. The camp prepared food exactly according to our dietary requirements. At night we heard the hippos and hyenas of the park from our perfectly appointed tents.

The highlight of the stay was our safari drives. Our devoted guide Joseph showed us amazing sights ranging from cheetahs marking their territory, a leopard guarding its kill, and lions feasting on zebra. In addition to that, Joseph opened our eyes to the Masai culture.

After that, we flew over to the Serengeti where we spent 5 wonderful days at the Nasikia mobile migration camp in the northern Serengeti national park.

Our game drives by Andrei were an unforgettable experience. Through his patience and insights were experienced several Mara river crossings, one spanning over 15 minutes. We saw all the big 5 including a Leopard stalking gazelles and lions and their pride playing in tree.

The mobile camp is located on the top of a hill, and we were literally surrounded by wildebeest and zebra herds.
The food was deliciously prepared by Martin who took great care of our dietary requirements.

Showers were a little challenge because there is no running water, so they are bucket showers. The tents though were well equipped and very comfortable.

After that we flew over to Karatu where we visited Lake Manyara park (didn’t see flamingoes or tree lions unfortunately, but the park is beautiful) and the Ngorongoro Crater, filled with game.

We would highly recommend Megan and her team at Discover Africa.com.

Living afar and trusting in an organisation with whom you have no previous knowledge can lead to feeling of mistrust and wondering whether what we have paid for actually exists. A little more proactive communication would have eased those feelings.

In the end, it was all perfect. The choice of lodges, the timing of travel, the flights, and the whole experience was worth every single penny.

Thank you so much for such a memorable trip.

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!