Walking Wild Africa

When i decided to embark on my Tanzanian adventure, choosing G Adventures was a no-brainer. Known for their strong commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, they ensure that every step of your journey gives back – to the land, the people and the wildlife that make Africa so extraordinary. Their Geluxe Collection perfectly blends adventure with comfort, so you can experience the wildlife without sacrificing a little luxury.

Arusha: The Gateway to Adventure

As soon as I landed at Kilimanjaro Airport, the warmth of Tanzania and G adventures set the tone. Their representative greeted me with a smile, and on our hour-long drive to Arusha, we passed open plains, bustling villages and glimpses of Mount Meru.

Our first night at Serena Arusha Lodge was a gentle welcome to Tanzania, and that evening we met our small group of fellow travellers which was just four of us on this departure which immediately made the journey feel intimate and personal. I shared a room with another traveller, which not only helped with costs but was also a great way to connect from day one.

Mto wa Mbu Village: Culture and Connection

The next morning we set off for Mto wa Mbu, one of the most culturally diverse villages in the country, home to represenatives from almost all of the 120 Tanzanian tribes. Here we learned about everything from banana farming to rice cultivation, tried local banana beer, and even joined a Swahili cooking class, preparing traditional dishes over an open fire.

One of the most captivating encounters here was the Makonde people, originally from northern Mozambique. The Makonde are renowed throughout East Africa for their exquisite woodcarving skills, a tradition passed from generation to generation. Boys begin learning as young as seven, starting simply – using sandpaper to smooth wood, learning patience and respect for the material. By fifteen, they are able to make figures like giraffes. The greatest artistic achievement is the Tree of Life carving – a complex twisting sculpture depicting human figures climbing on and supporting one another. It symbolises unity, cooperation, and the interdependence of all people living together peacefully. To carve a Tree of Life is to reach mastery, a mark of a true Makonde artisan.

Ngorongoro: The Cradle of Wildlife

That night we stayed at Tortilis Ngorongoro Camp, set in the forests near the Ngorongoro Crater. After dinner, the team treated us to an energetic performance of singing and dancing before we enjoyed the rest of our evening around the fire.

The following morning we began with a guided hike led by a ranger with a Maasai security guard leading the way. The views stretched endlessly across the plains and over Maasai villages, the guide’s knowledge of plants, tracks, and traditions brought the landscape to life.

After our second night we awoke early, were waved off with a packed breakfast and headed for the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most beautiful parks i’ve visited with it’s crater walls creatingi a natural amphitheatre. Teeming with wildlife including elephants, lions, black rhino’s, zebra’s, pelicans and flamingo’s, this ancient volcanic caldera creates an almost natural sanctuary for the animals. There’s only one road in and another out, the sides are so steep that no animals aside from elephants and the more agile big cats can leave once entered but it also makes it a safe haven from poachers and other human activity so the animals are very relaxed around the vehicles.

We visited in October so it didn’t have the crowds of the summer months but it can get quite busy, especially in the morning so head there in the afternoons for a quieter less crowded experience.

Serengeti: The Great Plains

From Ngorongoro we drove the 2-3 hours to the Serengeti National Park, and the land opened up into vast plains dotted with acacia trees. Along the way we passed the turning to Olduvai Gorge, made famous by the late Louis Leakey and his famous work in the field of paleoanthropology, finding some of the earliest evidence of human evolution and fossilised remains and stone tools here. We didn’t have time to stop but it would be a worthwhile visit should you find yourself there.

From the moment we entered the gates to the Serengeti we were treated with scores of wildlife although we were transiting to our camp and didn’t have a lot of time to game drive we still had an upclose encounter with a cheetah, saw a lion relaxing under some bushes and even got to watch a serval cat, hidden amongst the grasses these are very elusive creatures and only the third time i’ve seen one.

Our lodge for the next two nights was the beautiful Mbali Mbali Serenegti Lodge with it’s panoramic vews over the Serenegti. The lodge has beautiful spacious rooms, outdoor showers, an infinity pool, huge dining and relaxing area all with incredivle sweeping scenery.

The following day was our full day in the park, we took a packed lunch with us so we could make the most of our time there. One of our first sightings were two incredible leopards draped across an acacia branch scenes straight out of National Geographic. We enjoyed fantastic views of them as they got up and moved around the branches at one point jumping from one to the other. The best part was how respectful all the game drivers were of the animals, everyone stayed on the road, kept noise to a minimum and didn’t move around too much. There were 30 plus vehicles so it was quite impressive how enjoyable the sighting was with that many cars and i was very impressed.

We also enjoyed a pride of sleepy lions, at times getting up to take turns heading down to the nearby river to take a drink. We watched a lappet faced vulture with her wings out shading the eggs or chicks from the hot sun. Crowned cranes, warthog piglets, herds of elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, gazelles made up the rest of our day. At around 3pm we headed back to camp to cool off in the pool and enjoy Tanzania’s local Kilimanjaro beer with a bowl of popcorn and the bush tv.

Gombe Stream National Park: Walking in Jane Goodall’s Footsteps

From Serengeti we took a private charter flight for the 2 hour flight to Kigoma, the gateway to Gombe Stream National Park. What was so noticable as we flew was the vast untouched land. A significant portion of Tanzania remains wild with forests covering roughly 55% of the mainland and the vast remote wilderness in the national parks its thought that around 70% is natural land which is amazing to see.

From Kigoma airport we were driven by Mbali Mbali driver and guide to a beach with a traditional wooden dhow boat to take the 3 hour journey up the coast line of Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Streak National Park. Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest freshwater lake and is so vast it feels like the sea until you jump in and realise its freshwater. It was also spectacularly clear and you could see fish swimming beneath us, the journey was spectacular with forested hills tumbling down to the turquise water.

Arriving at Gombe, we glimpsed Jane Goodall’s house, standing as it always had been on th shores on the lake. You could easily picture her walking off to find the chimps or playing with her son on the waters edge and imagine what life would have been like for her.

Our accommodation for the next 2 nights was the beautiful Mbali Mbali Gombe, my favourite lodge of the trip and a peaceful place where you really feel like you can hide away from the world. The caged porches to deter the baboons and chimpanzees from stealing food and guests items seem strange at first but this harsh first impression couldn’t be more different to the warm hospitality found inside.

The next morning was the main event as we headed back on the dhow boat for the 30 minute ride to the Gombe Stream main gates where we picked up our ranger who would lead us to the chimpanzee’s. Read all about our experience with the chimpazee’s here.

Aside from the chimp trekking we also visited the old banana feeding station where Jane would feed the chimpanzee’s in order to get medication into them when they were sick, a beautiful waterfall and we had the privaledge of being able to go insdie Jane’s house. Although this has been used as a tourist feature for many years the house still holds many of Janes personal affects and she even stayed there on her last visit to Gombe in May 2025 just 5 months before her passing.

For someone who has grown up readying about Jane and admiring her from afar it was an incredible experience to feel what her life had been like during those years studying at Gombe.

Our final morning was one of my favourite expereinces. Two of us decided to take on the hike to Jane’s Peak. This was where Jane would climbb to every morning so she could look out over the valley to see if she could spot rustling in the trees or hear a chimpanzee’s hoot so she would know in which direction she would be able to find them that day. It was a 40 minute climb uphill but it was so worth it. We even heard the chimpanzee’s calling when we got to the top.

Dar es Salaam: A Coastal Finale

Our journey ended with two restful nights at The Slipway Hotel in Dar es Salaam, the perfect place to unwind after our adventure. Set right on the waterfront, the hotel offered peaceful views over the Indian Ocean with beautiful sunsets. Our time was spend lounging by the pool, refelcting on our expereinces and enjoying freshly grilled seafood at one of the many restaurants. The Slipway complex itself is the perfect base with boutiques, spa, smoothie bar and locally made crafts. One of the highlights is Neema Crafts, a wonderful initiative that supports and employs people with disabilities, creating beautiful handmade textiles, jewellery, and homeware.

Reflections

Traveling with G Adventures had been everything i’d hoped for – immersive, ethical, and full of adventure. From the Serengeti’s vast plains to Gombe’s chimpanzee’s these were bucketlist experiences.

For those seeking a trip that gives back, keeps you active and restores the spirit, Tanzania with G adventures is a special experience full of soul.