Thanks @Osibek for choosing us despite the initial to and fro. I'm absolutely delighted that the trip was worth it (indeed the trip of a lifetime).
This couldn't have come at a better time for me when @TravelBluez account suspension risks a major business setback.
Thanks again!
15/ One safari hack:
Choose bush lunches whenever possible.
We never returned to the lodge for lunch.
That meant more time in the wilderness and more sightings.
Best decision we made.
16/ Bring binoculars.
Every guide has them.
You should too.
You'll spot leopards in distant trees, birds on far branches and predators long before they come close.
17/ If photography matters to you:
Bring a zoom lens.
A proper one.
Your phone will get some amazing memories.
A camera with reach will get the shots you'll frame forever.
18/ Most safari vehicles have pop-up or open roofs.
Stand up.
Look around.
Feel the wind.
It's one of the great joys of safari.
19/ Accommodation surprised me.
Excellent food. Massive buffet spreads. Comfortable rooms. Warm hospitality.
Most places had great facilities and surprisingly good food after long safari days.
20/ One thing you absolutely want:
Turndown service.
Not for luxury.
For insects.
Trust me.
21/ Tanzanians are some of the kindest and most polite people you'll meet.
The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and patient.
The hospitality is exceptional.
22/ Tipping is common:
💰 Around 10,000 TZS for porters 💰 Around 50,000 TZS per day for guides
More if you feel they've gone above and beyond.
23/ Final thought:
Safari isn't Disneyland.
You can't schedule a leopard at 10:15 and a lion at 11:30.
You surrender to nature's timeline.
And somewhere between the dust, the sunrise, the elephants, the birds, the endless plains and the long roads...
You remember how small and beautiful this planet really is.
Tanzania is not just a trip.
It's a life-changing experience.
And if you're planning one, having a partner like @amarkedia that helps you choose the right route, the right lodges and the right pace makes a huge difference.
🇹🇿❤️
Happy to answer any Tanzania safari questions.
@TravelBluez thank you again
1/ Tanzania is not a vacation.
It's an expedition.
You'll leave your lodge around 7 AM, return around 6 PM, spend hours on rough roads, stand in moving vehicles, eat dust, wake up early and get exhausted.
And you'll love every second of it.
2/ First things first.
A huge shoutout to @TravelBluez@amarkedia
From helping us choose the right circuit, recommending fantastic lodges, coordinating transfers, guiding us through paperwork and answering dozens of questions before departure, they made the entire process seamless.
The difference between a good safari and a great safari is often the planning.
@TravelBluez nailed it.
3/ If you're travelling from Mumbai, the easiest options are usually via Nairobi or Addis Ababa.
✈️ Kenyan Airways via Nairobi ✈️ Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa
Both work well, but Ethiopian was consistently recommended to us and generally has a stronger reputation for punctuality and connectivity. The plaza premium is a decent lounge, with re check-ins every 2 hours.
4/ Worried about paperwork?
Don't be.
✅ Tanzania e-Visa is straightforward ✅ Yellow Fever vaccination is simple to obtain and widely available
Both were far easier than we expected.
5/ If you're doing the Northern Circuit, my recommendation:
📍Arusha 📍Tarangire 📍Ngorongoro 📍Serengeti 📍Arusha
OR
📍Arusha 📍Tarangire 📍Lake Manyara 📍Ngorongoro 📍Serengeti 📍Arusha
Lake Manyara is beautiful, but if time is limited, that's the park I'd skip.
When you can't compete/argue logically, disrupt!
Some low life reported @TravelBluez for inauthentic behaviour and X has suspended it.
At this point, I don't even know what inauthentic behaviour means. X policy suggests usage of bots, spam, etc, which we don't indulge in.