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Some holidays can change your perspective on life. That’s a big statement but our honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar has done just that.
After a 13 hour flight into Mount Kilimanjaro airport via Doha we arrived in Arusha to spend a day exploring the lush surroundings, and enjoying our comfortable rondavel inspired room at the Serena Arusha.
The following morning, we were excited to meet our private driver, and embark on the first leg of our safari, in the relative comfort of a 4X4.
After exploring Lake Manyara which Jeffrey accurately described as an appetiser for the more well-known parks we had planned for the remainder of our tour, again staying at the Serena Hotel, where we received a typically warm and hospitable welcome, we made the journey to the Serengeti for the main course. Honestly, we were blown away.
There were so many magical moments. The sight of a pride of lions including five cubs making their way purposefully through the golden savannah, and the sound of the cubs mewling for their milk; the sight of a solitary elephant making its majestic way across the horizon; the dazzling flash of bright teal plumage in an acacia tree. The list was never-ending.
A particular highlight came towards the end of our first day when we spotted a leopard and her cub on top of a rocky outcrop and enjoyed watching Mum teaching him how to stay safe. The next day after another tasty dinner and a comfortable night’s sleep at the Hotel Serena Serengeti we returned to a different part of the park and saw countless hippo submerged in the river, whilst a single crocodile kept his beady eyes peeled for prey. We passed countless zebra, giraffe and impala – and spotted buffalo over the terrace grazing just behind our room. At this point we’d already seen four of the Big Five, though quite frankly we followed the excellent advice of Kim who had expertly guided us through a suitable itinerary who told us to just enjoy what nature put in from of us.
Our next stop after another admittedly long and bumpy drive was the Ngorongoro Crater. I had been a little worried that safari would be a bit like a glorified visit to a UK safari park It emphatically is not. We felt as if we were descending into the land that time forgot. Lake Magadi shimmered in the sun as flamingos flew overhead. Luckily we’d invested in some good binoculars and with the expert navigating of our driver who had been conferring with other drivers, we got to see a black rhino.
It’s worth mentioning that the drivers do constantly communicate with each other. On the plus side this means that the hive brain will ensure that if there is an interesting sighting, you are far more likely to get to see it. However, this does also mean that you are less likely to experience the magic alone. If you are feeling at all jaded from the time spent on the road, however, the experience of seeing truly wild animals in their natural habitat will more than make up for it.
On our way back to Arusha for the next stage of our honeymoon, we reluctantly said goodbye to the parks and visited a Maasai village, which had been suggested by our driver. We were shown around their homes, invited to witness a traditional dance and jumping competition and to find out more about the Maasai way of life, and to ask any questions. There were a couple of small concessions to modern life – but it was those concessions which underlined to us that the Maasai way of life hasn’t really changed much over hundreds of years and that we were getting a real taste of life in the village. We paid $50 for the great privilege of visiting, and taking unlimited photographs and it was money well-spent.
Having said farewell to our amazing driver Jeffrey, and after a short flight, we had a private transfer to The Residence Zanzibar. What an idyllic hotel. The rooms are all private villas with their own pool, and we chose a luxury Garden Villa. Frankly we could not have wished for better surroundings in which to unwind and relax after such an action packed few days.
Every care has been taken to look after guests, from pool service to evening turn down. There are even little buggies to run guests from their villa, around the beautiful gardens to the dining room, the lobby, or the beach. We particularly loved the couples massage in the relaxing spa complex – a real honeymoon treat.
The white sandy beach with picture perfect sunsets was the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner cocktail, and we were also treated to a romantic beach dinner with bubbles, surrounded by fresh flowers decorating a sand heart, with the sound of waves lapping against the shore. Bliss.
The vast and welcoming hotel infinity pool was rarely busy, and therefore very restful, and sipping an iced ginger and lemongrass tea, we already felt a long way away from the Serengeti.
That down time gave us time to process what we’d experienced. It challenged us to think about the natural world and how we as humans should best interact with it, and support it. Our experience was truly priceless, and we made memories which will absolutely last a lifetime.
This was our first trip to Africa. As we left Tanzania for home, I had the memory of harmonious Swahili singing echoing around my mind and a phrase you hear many times a day from the wonderfully positive Tanzanian people: “Hakuna Matata”.