Violeta Ayala & Amy Armstrong in Tanzania

We made it safely to Kilimanjaro Airport, arriving at around 1:55pm, where we were warmly welcomed by Ephata, our private Tanzanian Guide, who transferred us to Rivertrees Country Inn. After settling in, we were joined by Reuben and Edna from Ranger Safaris for dinner, which was such a nice way to start the trip and connect before the adventure officially began. We turned in shortly after, ready for our first full day ahead.

Day 1 began with a 7:30am start as we made our way toward the Ngorongoro region. Along the way, we enjoyed a number of really special stops that gave us a great introduction to Tanzania. We passed Lake Manyara, which is absolutely massive and stunning to see in person, and drove through Mto wa Mbu, where Ephata introduced us to red bananas, which were such a fun and unexpected treat. We also visited the Tanzanite Experience, which has a beautiful garden and a lovely space to relax with a coffee after exploring the shop.

As we continued on, we stopped at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint, which completely takes your breath away. We were incredibly lucky and even spotted a leopard right as we arrived. From there, we continued on to Crater’s Edge, where we enjoyed dinner and settled in for the evening, turning in early ahead of our 6:30am wake-up for our crater descent the next morning.

Day 2 was truly unforgettable. We descended into the Ngorongoro Crater early in the morning and spent several hours game viewing. We did not see any other vehicles for 3-4 hours, which made the experience feel incredibly exclusive. The density of wildlife here is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. The landscape was incredibly green and lush, and the weather was perfect, sunny with a cool breeze throughout the day. We enjoyed a picnic lunch out in the crater and continued exploring before making our way back up. In the afternoon, we stopped for a site inspection at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp before returning to Crater’s Edge for one last evening. After dinner, we packed up and got ready for our departure to the Serengeti the following morning.

The next day, we set off at around 7:45am toward the Serengeti and arrived at Serengeti Plains Camp at approximately 2:00pm after some phenomenal game viewing along the way. After checking in and taking a bit of time to freshen up, we headed out again at 3:30pm for an afternoon game drive. The sightings did not disappoint, and to top it all off, the team surprised us with a sundowner out in the Serengeti, which was such a special and memorable moment.

Back at camp, we freshened up for dinner and were treated to a beautiful bush dinner under the stars, which made the evening feel even more magical. After a full and exciting day, we turned in for the night, ready for more adventures ahead.

The following days in the central Serengeti were just incredible. We made our way to stay at Wilderness Collection’s Warangi Ridge, which was a beautiful base for exploring this region. From there, we explored extensively, enjoying both the wildlife and the landscapes, while also doing a few site inspections, including Siringit Serengeti and Nimali Serengeti. Each property offered something unique, and it was great to experience the variety in style and setting. Highlights over these days included another leopard sighting and some amazing time spent watching hippos, who completely stole the show.

From there, we transferred to Seronera Airstrip for our scheduled charter flight to Arusha with Miracle Experience. Upon arrival, we had the opportunity to tour the Miracle Experience Boma Lounge, which was very well done and a great addition to the overall experience. We then transferred to Gran Meliá Arusha for lunch before continuing onward to Kilimanjaro Airport for our departure flight home.

We wrapped up the trip feeling incredibly grateful for everything we experienced and learned. From the crater to the Serengeti, every moment offered something new, and it truly was such a special journey. Asante Sana, Tanzania!