Throwback Thursday

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Dessert time in Stone Town, Zanzibar Island

Here we are in the hustle bustle part of historic Stone Town, Zanzibar Island, patiently waiting for the local halwa stall to serve us our almond and cashew halwa.

Halwa is a sticky dessert made with fragrant spices all cultivated in the Spice Island, one of the names of Zanzibar Island. They use cardamom, saffron, rose-water mixed in with a variety of nuts from cashew to pistachio. The mixture is held together with corn flour and ghee and lots of sugar.

This lovely treat is served best with black coffee. A sweet indulgence when on your guided walking Spice Island tour.

IMG_5659Want to taste sweet Halwa? We can add Zanzibar Island to your Safari.
Finish your time in Tanzania with the lovely beaches and blue waters of Zanzibar Island. Pure bliss!

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Make memories on your Journey To Africa Safari.

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Email us – Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com
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Photo of the week

Hippo yawn taken at the hippo pool in Central Serengeti - June 2014

Hippo yawn taken at the hippo pool in Central Serengeti – June 2014


Yawn. A hippo showing off its impressively large teeth.  Fully grown hippos can weigh up to 4,000 – 6,000 lbs.
Passing through a hippo pool is always sends a jolt to your sense of smell. The hippo covered in its feaces is a site to see.

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Satao – a legend

What a sad story! Satao, the magnificient tusker, lured by rain ventured into an unprotected area and was killed by a poison arrow. No mercy. Help us spread the word to the rich person/people somewhere in the world who will make a trinket out of Satao that he/she just killed – butchered – an magnificient animal. A leader. Someone who tried surviving.

We failed Satao and the many who ventured for water! Let us save the others. Shame we need 24 hour security to save these animals. No safety in their own land.

Mark Deeble

Satao - legend just title

When I last wrote about Satao, I felt that I couldn’t use his name. I could refer to him only as a ‘magnificent tusker’ or an ‘iconic Tsavo bull’. I feared that naming him would risk revealing where he lived. Now that I can use it, I wish that that I couldn’t.

On the 30th May, poachers finally caught up with Satao. An arrow smeared with Acokanthera poison hit him in his left flank and penetrated his body cavity. It travelled right through to his vital organs. To begin with, he might have run, to get deeper inside the park, where he felt safe. Running would have made the poison work faster. He didn’t get very far. Eventually he stood still in open ground, not a mile from the park boundary – with the potent cardio-toxin coursing through him. Without any cover to hide his tusks, he’d have felt exposed…

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Zanzibar Island

News from our Safari //

You can not help but admire these old doors in historic Stone Town, Zanzibar. Some are more than 100 years old. The more intricate with accessories like brass knobs and larger in size, the richer the family. So much history in Zanzibar Island.

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Best time to go on Safari in Northern Tanzania

Taken by our elite guide Paul Oliver in Western Serengeti from Sabora Tented Camp

Taken by our elite guide Paul Oliver in Western Serengeti from Sabora Tented Camp in May 2014

One question we get a lot is what is the best time to go on Safari in Northern Tanzania?
Really, anytime you can make it, is good time for Safari. The wildlife is always present. If you are interested in the Great Wildebeest and Zebra Migration, a natural wonder of the world where 1.5 million Wildebeest and 0.5 million Zebra roam the Serengeti and Masai Mara eco-system, then we move you in the right place, right lodge for the right month.

Having said that, some people are extremely sensitive to heat.  If that is the case, stay away from December to March as Serengeti can be dry, dusty and hot [90Fs during the day with cooler 70Fs during the evening]. Our camps + vehicles do not have air condition which can be an issue.

If you are up for an adventure, pack your bags.

  • November to December // short rain season. Sporadic showers will not hinder your Safari. Wildebeest and Zebra migration heading to Southern to Eastern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
  • January to March // hot. Birthing season for the Wildebeest and Zebra. Still in Southern to Eastern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tarangire National Park with its resident wildlife and its rivers and swamps will make you fall in love with this park.
  • April to May // long rain season. Showers can last a few hours but when it clears, fresh skies. If you don’t mind being adventurous [plans may change but we always have a Plan B] this is a great time to visit and get some amazing deals on lodges.  Paul Oliver calls this the secret season – less crowd but awesome wildlife – see his picture above. Tarangire National Park has black cotton soil which is tricky to drive on when it has rained hard but as we mentioned, get ready for an adventure.
  • June to July // cooler months. June is green after the rains. Enjoy the wild flowers. Migratory animals are roaming from Central to Western Serengeti on their way to Northern Serengeti. Wildlife from the surrounding areas are about to enter Tarangire National Park.
  • August to October // cool and dry season. The Wildebeest and Zebra population is dispersed in Masai Mara to Northern Serengeti. Mara River crossing is a site to witness. Tarangire National Park is alive with wildlife thanks to its permanent Silale Swamp and Tarangire River.

Twende [Let’s go] Safari!

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Maasai and Ngorongoro Crater

Walking is not allowed inside Ngorongoro Crater, unless you are a Maasai tribe member.  They are the only people currently [they were once again allowed in the 90s after restrictions] who are allowed to bring their cows [cattle] into this wildlife-dense eco-system. The number of cows a person owns displays the patriach’s wealth.  Its their currency. They depend on it for meat, milk and blood.  Yes, blood. Maasai tribe members fill their gourds with milk and blood.

Maasai have coexisted with wildlife for generations.  They used to live in the now Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation, and Masai Mara and its wider area in Kenya area until these areas were designated National Parks or conservation.

Today, in Tanzania,  they continue to live in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.  You can stop at one of the boma [homestead] for a quick visit – a tourist stop – or you can go to a private conservation in areas like Longido [east of Serengeti] such as Alamana Reserve.  Here, you can spend time understanding and learning about the unique, fascinating, and changing Maasai tribe.

Maasai tribe members walking their cows to Lake Magadi

Maasai tribe members walking their cows to Lake Magadi

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Flying taxis

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18-seater small plane – flying taxis.

What would we do without our flying taxi planes.

  • They have made planning Safaris to less visited areas simpler.
  • They save a lot of transfer time.
  • They are pretty cost efficient and with more carriers, prices are getting competitive.
  • They offer great aerial views.

Places like Northern Serengeti which about 6 + years ago was only accessible via driving. You needed to commit time in Serengeti to enjoy this beautiful area. Some clients still do of course enjoy drive and exploring different regions slowly.

Flying from Serengeti to remote parks in Southern Tanzania is now possible. Daily flights to Katavi National Park have been scheduled from Serengeti by Coastal Air. You can now easily make Southern Tanzania an extension to your Northern Tanzania Safari. Heading to Lake Tanganyika and beautiful Greystoke Mahale after your Safari – zip away.

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Ngorongoro Highlands on the way to Northern Serengeti. Taken in 2011

I will be flying from Arusha Airport to beautiful Northern Serengeti in 2 hours. Driving would have been a 2 day affair. After my walk in Serengeti for 2 days, I will be flying from Central Serengeti to Arusha in the evening in time for dinner with my family.

Thanks little zippers.  Even if you have a 33 lbs weight limit, you make getting from A to B convenient.

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Tanzania, here we come

Part of what makes our clients trust using Journey To Africa for their Safari is that we know Tanzania and Masai Mara.

You ask. Why two nights in Oliver’s Camp? Because we know that the distance from the park gate to the lodge deep inside Tarangire National Park is about 3-4 hours and you are sure to make lots of stops along the way for wildlife viewing. Two night will give you time to enjoy Silale Swamps and the surronding areas. 

You say. Why should I spend extra money and head to Northern Serengeti in August and enjoy Lamai Serengeti or Sayari Camp? Because we know you will enjoy the Mara River crossing that may happen, the off-roading, the sundowners close to Masai Mara. And wait until you see the showers and the views from these beautiful camps.

You inquire. What is special about your Safari vehicles? We find out if they have added any new variety of cookies and drinks. No, really. We want to know besides what we already offer [charging outlet, open or pop-up roof, blankets, ice cooler with drinks, snacks, thermos coffee maybe], what extra will you get.

You decide. Our guides is a big reason you are going on a Journey To Africa Safari! We catch up over coffee and hear advise, stories, suggestions, and learn more about them. We will be leaving you in very capable hands.

And so much more. So much fun heading back to Tanzania and on Safari again.

IMG_4189Our friend professional guide Paul Oliver who has been leading Safaris for over 20+ years

This is where we will be visiting on this Safari. Some new lodges + camps and resorts and some just because we can’t wait to go back.

~ Chem Chem ~ Gibbs Farm ~ Rhotia Valley ~ Lemala Ngorongoro ~Lamai Serengeti ~ Olakira Mara ~ Dunia Camp ~ Kati Kati Tented Camp ~ Mobile Camp when walking in the Serengeti ~ Jafferji House ~ Matemwe Lodge ~ Ras Nungwi.
Maybe a few more will be added along the way.

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Sayari Camp bathroom

Keep in touch with us.
Follow us on instagram.- http://instagram.com/journeytoafrica

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What camera equipment to bring on Safari?

Photograph by Rick Sammon – Masai Mara giraffe

In August 2013, professional photographer Kevin Pepper and internationally recognized photographer Rick Sammon are taking their clients to Tanzania for a photographic Safari – Capture Tanzania by Lens.  On this Safari [August 8th to 16th] the group will get to explore amazing Tarangire National Park, dense and captivating Ngorongoro Crater and vast, green and breathtaking Northern Serengeti.

Besides enjoying these National Parks, the group will have Kevin and Rick with them at all times to improve the photography experience. From what setting to use, right aperture to capture the shot, picture composition to getting back to camp in the evening and talking about post processing. Want to join them on Safari? Contact us at Safari@JourneyToAfrica.com.

Kevin is taking a Safari to Tanzania in April to get a taste of Tanzania and I have asked him to talk about cameras and all the other accessories that need to be considered with taking a Photographic Safari. We will follow up with him after he comes back and get his final packing list for his August Photographic Safari with ‘natural light guru’ Rick.

For us photographers its time to make some decisions — what camera equipment do we take with us to get the photos we expect to be taking?

Camera bodies: Take a main body and a spare if you have one. One will suffice… but two is optimal. On my next Safari with Journey to Africa in April of 2013 and then again in August of 2013 I will be taking the Canon 5D MkIII and the Olympus E30.

Lenses: I suggest full coverage from wide angle to telephoto.  I will be taking the 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 wide angle, a 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 and a 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 with a 2.0x teleconverter for my Olympus body. For my canon body I will have a Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 and a 17-40mm f/4.0L

Flash: An external flash is also a suggestion. Filling in shadows and creating proper lighting indoors and when shooting local tribes people is something a flash will help you with.

Camera Bag: A backpack camera bag is ideal. You’ll want to be able to carry your equipment on to airplanes to avoid theft, so a backpack works best. I will have my gear in a LowePRO protrekker 400 as it will fit both my bodies and lenses in the bag while I am travelling.

Tripod: I am not going to tell you that this is a deal breaker… you can choose to shoot in any light situation you want… but why chance it. I will take a monopod , a beanbag and a light carbon fibre tripod. Chances are you will be using the bean bag most while on safari and when not using it the ISO adjustment will compensate for any low light situations. But for golden hour or blue hour shooting you will be kicking yourself in the butt when you see a scene at low light and you have no way to steady your camera for a couple seconds.

Storage Media: I shoot all my photos in RAW and will take a minimum of 5 media cards for the 7 day trip. Each card will be an 8gig or 16gig Sandisk Extreme CF cards and will hold between 400 and 1000 images on each card. If you are a serious photographer, bring a laptop as well, with software for basic editing. Plus, you may want to invest in some kind of external hd backup system so your photos are kept in two locations.

Other accessories: Take a rain cover for yourself and your camera body if you are going to be there in the rainy season like we sometimes will in the coming years. While rain last for very short periods of time in Tanzania, the down pours are hard.

Batteries and chargers: I have four batteries for each camera body and I will take them all. I will also be taking chargers with the appropriate wall plug to charge my batteries as they drain. You can also buy a solar panel charger from a company called voltaic systems for a couple hundred dollars if you want to go that route.

Filters: I will be taking my entire cokin P series polarizers and ND filters with me when I travel. I also have an assortment of Tiffen filters I use. At some point on your safari you will wish you had the right filter. Harsh light or bright skies and darker foregrounds will definitely have you scurrying to borrow someone’s filter if you do not take your own.

Lens cleaners and cloths: Take cleaners and cloths for both your lenses and sensor (if you know how to clean your sensor) If you are not careful when changing lenses you can easily get dust on your sensor.

Conclusion: But let’s not forget, an African safari is about experiencing a once in a lifetime event… that bucket list trip that will leave you with memories of a lifetime.

So there Safari goers. You have your camera equipment guidelines. Now go on Safari with Kevin and Rick and come back with loads of your own photographs and memories! Karibu Tanzania!