Tanzania safari holiday

Reviewed 17 Feb 2009 by Kathy Miles

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Where do I start, there was so much, it was just awesome.
There was an abundance of wildlife to see and we got really close to many of the animals. I went to Tanzania hoping to see elephants and lions in particular and I saw lots of them, plus cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, baboons, hippos, rhinos (although from a long way away) and so many beautiful birds that I lost count.
We had hyenas visit the camp-site one night and the feeling of lying in your sleeping bag in your tent and listening to the eery sound of the hyena howling just outside is something I will never forget, both terrifying and exciting all at once.
We saw a cheetah chase down and kill a Grants Gazelle. We saw a leopard with her cub, and a cheetah with two cubs. I took hundreds of photos but the most amazing things were the smells and the sounds - unfortunately that doesn't come over in a photo.
We were looked after really well by the guys, we christened them the "J team" (Julius, Japhat, Jackson, Jackson and Joseph). They worked so hard around camp, setting up our tents, getting us hot water for showers and cooking some amazing food - we had a 3 course meal every night! Much better than I was expecting.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Absolute essentials are: Torch - preferably head torch and maybe a spare one as well. Mosquito spray and something for the Tetse flies which were a nuisance. Wet wipes and an anti-bac hand gel. Binoculars and a camera with a very good zoom. Didn't need walking boots, sturdy trainers were good enough.
The tents have insect nets on the doors, the beds were OK I slept well every night. Washing, showering and toilet facilities are very basic but adequate, we were only a small group (7 of us).
Travel light, you really don't need too much. You have to pack up all your kit most mornings to move camp so the less you have the easier it is. Your luggage travels with you in the back of the truck (we had Toyota Landcruisers).
Go with an open mind, be flexible, join in and have a laugh - it will be what you make it.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

We had very little contact with local people other than our tour guides and some stall holders in a market where we stopped to buy souvenirs. Our guides assured us that the organisation they worked for employed only local people. I felt the impact on the environment was reasonable as we were camping and when we moved on all rubbish etc was taken with us.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

I loved it, I would go again in a heartbeat - in fact I've already started saving to go back.
If you want lazy and relaxing then this holiday isn't for you. But if you want adventure and excitement and an experience to remember forever then you will love it.