Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Festive Season in the Serengeti

Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania Safari Route Map

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Ania and Thomas Pustelnik, a Swiss couple from Zurich spent Christmas and New Year on the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania.

Ania and Thomas’s 12 day Tanzania safari – which started on 22 December 2014 and ended on 3 January 2015 – was an experience which they say, they’ll never forget. This is how their trip unfolded.

Thomas and Ania have been travelling to Africa for over 15 years now and Tanzania has always been their favourite safari destination. In fact, they come back every three years!

Why do they keep coming back? They absolutely love the Ndutu region – where Ania says they’re allowed to drive off-road so that they can get closer to the wildlife (with the help of a professional safari guide of course!). They simply love Tanzania’s countryside and meeting the friendly locals – two elements they say give them the feeling they’re experiencing authentic Africa!

Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Day 1 & 2: The Machweo Retreat

Ania and Thomas arrived at Nairobi Airport just after 7 pm and soon found themselves on another flight heading to Kilimanjaro which departed at 10 pm. Soon after their arrival in Kilimanjaro, they were transferred to the Machweo Retreat situated in Arusha, a city based in Northern Tanzania.

The couple spent the entire second day relaxing and rejuvenating at the Machweo Retreat’s luxurious spa and wellness facilities, preparing themselves for the next part of their Tanzanian safari.

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

Day 3 & 4: The Ngorongoro Farm House

Ania and Thomas said goodbye to the Machweo Retreat and spent the morning of the third day on a guided tour of the Kimemo Coffee Farm plantations, which was followed by lunch. They were then transferred to the Ngorongoro Farm House, a cosy lodge which faces the Oldeani Volcano, and their home for the next two nights.

Day four was all about exploring! Ania and Thomas went out on game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater – a deep, volcanic crater which is the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera on the planet. It’s also home to an estimated 30,000 wild animals!

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Day 5 – 7: The Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp

Ania and Thomas spent the next three days (over Christmas) at the Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp, located at the edge of a permanent marsh in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Here, they enjoyed full-day game drives, exploring the Ndutu region, notoriously known as the base for the great wildebeest migration during calving season, a period where the migratory wildlife give birth to their offspring – attracting hungry predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah looking to pounce on the vulnerable calves!

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Day 8 & 9: The Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp

Ania and Thomas rang in 2015 at the Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp situated within the game-rich Seronera Valley, located in a secluded part of Central Serengeti.

The full-day game drives continued here, this time exploring the Rock Kopjes, where they saw some of the big cat families. Cheetah and lion use these giant rock outcrops as observation posts, looking out for a possible meal.

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Day 10: Gibbs Farm

Kicking off New Year, the couple left on an early morning departure from the Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp on a safari drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Gibbs Farm, which overlooks the centuries-old Great Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Forest, for a late lunch.

Ania and Thomas spent the rest of the day relaxing, enjoying the different farm activities and the lush gardens.

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

Day 11 & 12: The Arusha Coffee Lodge

The couple had a quick breakfast at Gibbs Farm before heading back to Arusha, the place where their safari started.

The Arusha Coffee Lodge was Thomas and Ania’s home for the final few days of their trip, but there was still time to experience the sights and sounds of Arusha town, before heading back to Kilimanjaro Airport to catch their connecting flight back home.

Festive Season in the Serengeti - Ania and Thomas’s Tanzania safari

 

If you’re thinking of going on your own Tanzania safari check out this video below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ERkXlovdIs&feature=youtu.be

The trip included: Serengeti Arusha

Why Book with us?

Our safari experts are with you at every step of your journey.

Personalised Advice

Best Price Assurance

Responsible Safaris

24/7 Support

Interesting Reads

East Africa Southern Africa 

The 10 Most Exclusive Villas for an Unforgettable Multigenerational...

A private villa safari promises an unforgettable experience for the multigenerational family....

15 Jan 2025

Cape Town 

The Beauty Of Cape Town’s Coastal Roads, And Iconic...

It’s hard to escape the absolute beauty of Cape Town’s coastal roads...

31 Jan 2024

South Africa 

Top Destinations for a Malaria-Free Safari in South Africa

When travelling with family (especially if you’re travelling with multiple generations, from...

8 May 2026

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We had an amazing safari experience in Botswana thanks to Chrizaan! She planned everything perfectly and was very professional, honest, and helpful throughout the entire trip. She supported us every step of the way and was always available whenever we ne..."

Mojgan Owliaey, Germany18 May 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Google review

"Justin helped craft the perfect honeymoon for us! There are so many options when it comes to choosing a tour operator that I feel so fortunate we landed on Discover Africa. The experience felt seamless from start to finish. Our trip felt perfectly tailored ..."

Alex Dwornik, United States17 Apr 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Chrizaan arranged an amazing safari experience for six of us, who came from the UK and Australia. She secured our booking at a superb Lodge in the Kruger at relatively short notice, tied in the flight transfers and ensured that the whole experience ran smoo..."

Bethany Evans, United Kingdom10 Apr 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I was recommended Discover Africa by a friend who raved about them for their African Safari adventure and they didn't disappoint. From the start the communication was timely, despite the time zone difference, and the advice was thorough and precise. It seem..."

Stephen Suster, Australia18 Jan 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Vihann was responsive and friendly, worked patiently with me as I tweaked my itinerary three times. I researched the camps myself and Vihann supported with his local knowledge so the result was very memorable and extraordinary holiday. I was very happy with..."

Aarti Sharma, Australia10 Dec 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"This was a well organized trip that smoothly transitioned us from one adventure to the next. All our transfers from hotels to airport to safari lodges were professional, courteous, and timely. We loved the places that were recommended and felt the pace of o..."

Jeanne Bryan, United States22 Nov 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

904 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.