Safari

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Photo of the week

Don showing a little boy his own image. The smile on the boy is precious!

Don showing a little boy his own image. The smile on the boy is precious!

When on Safari, clients get to enjoy some cultural interactions. Whether is it spending time with your Tanzanian guide, going to see the Hadzabe tribe around Lake Eyasi, visiting a local school or stopping at a Maasai boma, these interactions for a lot of clients bring great joy. They are an eye-opening experience.

Don got to enjoy a lot of smiles from Tanzania. He stopped in the town of Moshi, base of Mt. Kilimanjaro first to meet with a girl he sponsors. On Safari, he and his friends got to spend time with the Hadza as well as Maasai tribe.

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Photo of the week

Taken by client Reggie and Bill Hepp in Ngorongoro Crater.

Taken by client Reggie and Bill Hepp in Ngorongoro Crater.

Beautiful black rhino, with a peaking crested crane, in Ngorongoro Crater.

To save our rhinos from poachers, please remember to never buy rhino horns. Their horns do not aid in fertility, give you strength or aid in fever reduction.  Horns are actually made of keratin, the same material our human fingernails and toe nails are made off.  Do not buy artifacts with rhino horns. Say no to bracelets or daggers made out of rhino horn.

The only place a rhino horn should be is on a rhino!

For more information and help, visit //
http://www.savetherhino.org/
https://biglife.org/

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Specialist Guides on Safari

Our Safari guides are fantastic! We feel incredibly lucky to have some of the best trained guides working with us.

Sometimes, some clients want something different. They want to dig a lot deeper as they crave more knowledge of the animals and the land. They want in-depth answers to the what, why, how, when, why not, what if, what now, what more. Specialist guides will have your in-depth knowledge soar.

What makes them specialist guides?

  • Guides that have been guiding for more than 20-25 + years.
  • They train other guides.
  • They are friends/mentors with other specialist guides.
  • They cater to clients who already know a lot about the land, its people and wildlife.
  • Guides who are in the news as they have done research or have been part of research teams or organizations.
  • They are into photography and have articles published or are mentioned in articles.
  • They care about conservation and are our public voice. They have access to a larger platform.

But above all, they want you to come and enjoy being on Safari. They will have you love our country as much as they do. Twende [let’s go] Safari. There are fantastic memories to be made.

Stunning capture of zebras fighting.

Stunning capture of zebras fighting.

Paul Kirui.
We were first introduced to him in 2005 when we were on Safari in Masai Mara. Our luck we crossed paths with him. Paul, who has a gold standard certification, has been a source of information. He was involved with BBC’s Big Cat production as well as Disney’s African Cats.  He has been on many top Safari guide list. A Safari with him would be equal to winning a lottery.

Paul Oliver.
You have head of him many times on our blog. He has been our mentor when we first started Journey To Africa. At that time he operated Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire. Today he divided time between Tanzania and Australia. His passion for guiding is unwavering. He is an avid birder. He and his trusty land-rover can take you from Northern to Southern Tanzania. Get ready for a witty time.

Paul Oliver birding in Southern Tanzania's Katavi National Park

Birding in Southern Tanzania’s Katavi National Park. Taken by our friend Paul Oliver.

Jo Anderson and Mark Baker. 
Jo and his business partner Marc, started an organization in Tanzania called Carbon Tanzania. They have teamed up with local community and together with lodges and Safari companies, off-seat your carbon footprints.  They are deeply involved in conservation and going on a Safari with them will want you doing more for Mother Earth.

Why so many elephants in Ngorongoro? Poaching in other regions have them taking refuge here.

On his May Safari, Jo counted 350 + elephants in Ngorongoro? Not normal. Poaching in other regions have them taking refuge here.

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Life worth Exploring. ™
Make memories on your Journey To Africa Safari.

Get in Touch //
Email us – Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com
Toll Free – 1.877.558.6288 
Outside of US – 1.713.592.6228
Form – Request Information

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Photo of the week

alisa thomas

Taken by client Alisa Thomas

Alisa Thomas, a five time Journey To Africa took this beautiful Elephant mama and mtoto [mother and child] in Lake Manyara  National Park in 2004.  Stay safe precious elephants.

 

Our Guides

One of the biggest reason we have many repeat clients and clients sending referrals is our guides. Our guides will always make your Safari special. They will help you fall in love with Tanzania and Kenya and get you hooked on being on Safari.

“We had a fantastic time. It all started with Ayoub. He was a fantastic guide. He was very articulate and spoke multiple languages. Kate Bartell had told me to request him. We got him by accident. He made the days truly memorable and outstanding. I made him an honorary Texan. If I ever do this again, I want him, and I would highly recommend him to your future clients.”
Carlos Mata – July 2011 and June 2013

Carlos went on Safari both times with Ayoub. He has made a friend in Ayoub for life.

Carlos and John with Ayoub

Carlos M. and John L. with guide Ayoub on their second Journey To Africa Safari

“Our guide, Luke, in Kenya was very good.  Our guide, Elissa was outstanding.  We enjoyed the company of both men and they made us very comfortable during our safari excursions.  Elissa was always on time and always explained things to us in detail.  We also felt very safe with him.  He also has a great sense of humor.”
– Gayle Thomas – July 2013

Gayle is mother to Alisa Thomas who has been on 5 Safari with Journey To Africa. She and her mother had a mother + daughter Safari to Southern Africa in 2008 and went back to Tanzania + Kenya in July 2013. 

lunch in Ngorongoro Crater

Maria J. with guide Jackson having lunch at Ngorongoro Crater picnic site.

Our guides have to work hard to keep working as guides. During off-season, they have to go through intense training not only in wildlife and plant knowledge but human phycology, astronomy, vehicle maintenance, first-aid, and much more. Trained by renowned guides like Lewis Mangaba, head guide at our favorite Oliver’s Camp, who recently won the Wanderlust Magazine best guide award to fantastic teachers like Richard Knocker, Ethan Kinsey and our friend Paul Oliver.

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Receiving their training certificate from Lewis Mangaba [in shorts]

Asante Sana [thank you] to all the hard-working guys on Safari.

Life worth Exploring! Capture memories on your Journey To Africa Safari.

Get in touch //
Email – Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com
Call – 1.877.558.6288

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Pack for a Purpose

Planning for the Safari is done. Now, the packing fun begins.

For my camera gear, I am renting a 70-300 f4-5.6 L from Houston Photo Rental for my Canon T3i.  I will have about two 32GB cards, flash, my laptop to download the pictures at night and get some work done where wi-fi is available. June is going to be a cooler month [70-50F range] so more long sleeves and pants. Since I am walking in Serengeti [terribly excited] trekking shoes are a must. Can not forget SPF, hat, sunblock and my trusty scarf.

What else? School supplies. A lot of lodges that we partner with are members of this great organization called Pack for a Purpose. They work with the lodges around the world, identifying what they need for their community school and ask us tour operators to let our clients know what they can bring – 5 lbs of supplies or whatever you are comfortable carrying.

Lodges on they are currently partnered with that we will be stopping by :
– Onsea House in Arusha
– Gibbs Farm in beautiful Karatu Region
– Rhotia Valley right outside Ngorongoro Gate
– Sayari Camp – we will pass our supplies to this lovely camp on our way to Olakira Camp
– Ras Nungwi Beach Resort in Zanzibar Island
– Chem Chem Safari between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park

Looking forward to making someone’s day when in Tanzania.
Life Worth Exploring!

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Pre-primary kids playing at Rhotia Valley Tented Camp
[picture taken by Rhotia Valley]

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Happy Earth Day

EarthDayBeautiful Serengeti. Beautiful Sunset.

What can we do daily in our lives for Mother Earth.

Some things I was aware of today that I do that hopefully make a difference.  Driving consciously. I try to line up my errands so I am not wasting gas. Drinking out of my stainless steel water bottle. Turning off lights when leaving the room and switching off the AC on the second floor since the weather is perfect now in Houston. Putting this laptop to sleep mode when not using it. Planting a meyer lemon tree in our yard. Non-toxic cleaner like simple vinegar for cleaning the kitchen and Seventh Generation for laundry. Using an Amazon Kindle device for reading a book.

At Journey To Africa, we are happy to use lodges + camps and ground partners that support solar energy, participate actively in reforestation programs in many areas in Tanzania and supporting our friends at Carbon Tanzania, and in the forefront in conservation of our endangered wildlife via programs like Honeyguide Foundation.

Here is to more beautiful pictures from our beautiful Earth.

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Shanga River House

shanga_houseA perfect place to visit in Arusha for guilt-free shopping. Shanga River House is a for-profit organization that teaches and supports the local disabled who make beautiful souvenirs ranging from glass jewelry [great way to recycle] to fabric products like elephant pillows and bags. They also partner with other local designers / organizations that help the local community or wildlife.

Enjoy lunch after some retail therapy.

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Olakira Camp and Dunia Camp

On my first night back in Serengeti, I will be overnighting in Olakira Camp, one of our favorite camps to recommend to clients and luckily, our clients agree.

Olakira Camp moves between two locations in vast Serengeti. From December to March, it is in the plains of Southern Serengeti where you have close access to the Wildebeest and Zebra migratory animals giving birth and grazing the short fertile grass in this volcanic region. From June to November, the camp moves to Northern Serengeti located conveniently close to the Mara River. The migratory animals cross this river to head back and forth between Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya.

I will be in Northern Serengeti, an area that we love and keep coming back.

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Great setting for a lounge. Chat stories of your day with other guest over a glass of wine or grab your book and enjoy the fire.

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A great spot to enjoy our delicious local grown meal.

Dunia Camp is located near the beautiful Moru kopjes in Central Serengeti – big cats love to use the kopje to spot its next prey. This permanent camp is great year round. We use it regularly from March/April to June and when combining two camps. Advantages staying here is the proximity to Seronera River, there is always water to keep resident animals in this region. With impalas, gazelles around, the cats always have a sustenance to keep them around.

Also close by it the rhino sanctuary and chances of spotting an endangered black rhino are possible.

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Dunia Camp lounge – get comfortable and go over your day. Tomorrow, is another adventure.

If you combine Olakira Camp and Dunia Camp or use just one camp, we can be sure you are going to enjoy a lovely comfortable room, great food and wine, stories with camp managers and guests.

Karibu Safari with Journey To Africa. Let us start planning your Safari.
T //1.877.558.6288
E // Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com

Follow us when we are in Tanzania on Instagram – http://instagram.com/journeytoafrica

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Safari vehicles

When on your Journey To Africa Safari, you are going to enjoy game driving for at least 6-8 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes less and you get to choose. You may start early around 6:00 a.m. and end as late at 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. when the parks close. You may even go out at night on your night game drives from certain lodges.

During this time, you learn to appreciate your work-horse of a vehicle. Your 4×4 vehicle expertly maneuvered by our experienced knowledgable guide/ friend is your safe house from the elements.

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Katsaros Family on a Journey To Africa Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

Your vehicle will pass through dusty and bumpy roads, narrow bridges and overflowing bridges, slippery muddy and sticky mud [black cotton soil], and more all the while you are enjoying your wildlife and magnificent scenery. Your vehicle will keep you dry from the rains, warm from the winds or shade you from the hot sun. Your vehicle will have its roof open so you can have a panoramic view of the amazing landscape.

Our Vehicle

Taken by Journey To Africa client Zack M

Sometimes your vehicle depending on the area of your Safari will be an open vehicle. This usually happens when you fly into a location and do not have to transfer on the main roads.

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Open vehicle used by Olakira and Sayari Camp in Northern Serengeti

Regardless of what type of vehicle, your vehicle when on a Journey To Africa Safari will have a cooler with water, soft drinks, plug to charge your spare camera batteries, bean bag, binoculars, lots of guide books, snacks – you do get hungry on Safari,  blankets to keep you warm from the wind, and raincoat. If you have any special requests, we can cater to that as well.

All in all, your vehicle with our professional guides will be ready to show you a great time on Safari with Journey To Africa.

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Get in touch via email – Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com
Call us at 1.877.558.6288 or 713.592.6228.

Together, we can plan your Safari for the memory books.
Life worth Exploring. ™