On a recent site inspection in Tanzania, I was reminded just how great a value our 5-day group Tanzania safari, at US$1,845/person, really is. We have scheduled departures throughout the best times to go, including December through February, which is migration time in the Serengeti, plus June through October, when the peak elephant migration in Tarangire National Park happens.
Taking a break at Halisi Serengeti
While the group safari size is limited to 6 travelers max, the trips often run with only 3 or 4 people, making the safari almost a private experience, which is excellent for wildlife viewing and photography. That kind of experience is incomparable, making the value especially stand out. The minimum group size is only 2 travelers, so all it takes is just one couple to book a departure and it will run.
The accommodations can be characterized as budget or mid-range but they are so superior to basic camping and much less expensive than private luxury safaris, making them a perfect compromise for value-minded travelers looking for quality accommodations (e.g. en-suite bath, hot showers, good beds, proper linens, etc.) but not needing the frills of luxury camps and lodges. Lodging is such an important part of any safari and not everyone can afford Klein’s Camp, Gibbs Farm or Tarangire Tree Tops, luxury options offered by Adventures Within Reach. On our 5-day group safari, you’ll be staying in Endoro Lodge, Serengeti Halisi Camp, and Rhino Lodge, all excellent choices for the money.
Standard room at Endoro Lodge
On Day 1, after the game drive in Lake Manyara or Tarangire (whichever park has better wildlife viewing at the time), we overnight at Endoro Lodge. With just 20 chalets, the lodge feels very cozy and intimate. A welcome sight can be the pool, which is a great place to relax with a drink in hand after a day out in the bush. Lush green views of the Ngorongoro highlands envelope the hills around the lodge. It’s a serene, quiet place with the primary sound being birdsong. It’s easy to imagine spending more time at the lodge but wildlife viewing is most definitely the priority on the group safari.
Taking it all in – a standard tent at Halisi Serengeti
From there we move on to the famous Serengeti and overnight at Serengeti Halisi Camp. My first sight on reaching my tent was a cute family of elephants in plain view just 200 yards away, reveling in a mud patch, coating each others’ hides and taking in the mineral-rich soils. I watched this for about 30 minutes from my front porch! The camp offers a classic mobile-tented experience which is something not to be missed on a safari. The feeling of being in a comfortable, fully-catered tented camp surrounded by the sounds and sights of the African bush is a must for every passionate international traveler.
Attractive views abound at Rhino Lodge
After 2 nights at Halisi Serengeti camp, the group has options to visit famed Olduvai Gorge and an authentic Masai village before reaching the Ngorongoro Crater. Our clients can choose to upgrade for a nominal fee to the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or Pakulala Safari Camp, but I was impressed with the Rhino Lodge, which is the standard lodge on the safari. From the back deck of one of its 24 rooms, I watched a huge lone buffalo grazing in a bush maybe 20 yards away. In front of the property, a herd of waterbuck lazed in the grass. The views of the vibrant green highlands were all around us as we relaxed in the spacious public areas having a cold drink. Colorful flowers line the paths. The rooms were large and whatever they may lack in top-shelf decor is more than made up in the professionalism and friendliness of the Rhino staff.
Rama, one of our top Tanzania safari guides
Your guide on the 5-day group safari is also going to be excellent, and that’s another vital part of a great safari experience. Each of our highly trained guides has years of guiding experience yet they are as enthusiastic the day they started. That kind of enthusiasm mixed with professionalism and experience is invaluable for a successful safari.
There is still space on most of our 2016 trips, so we hope you discover the real Tanzania on a real value safari with Adventures Within Reach!