Epic Adventure Meet-Up: THE GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI in TANZANIA!!!!
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Wow wow wow wow WOW.
You hope and you manifest these things, but for a group trip — an Epic Adventure Meet-Up — to go as flawlessly as this, we really must’ve done something right to the universe!!!
This was my second Adventurelust Epic Adventure Meet-Up in Tanzania, and it was based around “Nature’s Greatest Spectacle”: the Great Migration! The movement of thousands — MILLIONS — of wildebeest and zebra as they follow the rains across Tanzania and Kenya, navigating the treacherous crossing of the Mara River and trying to dodge the crocs!!!
On top of this, we had organized a well-rounded trip of Tanzania including seeking out the Big 5 (tick), experiencing three different parks — Tarangire, the Sergeneti (Northern & Central) and Ngorongoro Crater.
Needless to say THIS IS ALL VERY ICONIC AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!!!!
This trip was brought together by my brand/biz/empire Adventurelust, which has shared incredible experiences with adventurous souls from around the world on expeditions to the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest and Andean Highlands, to incredible safaris in Kruger, gorilla trekking in Uganda, snorkelling with whale sharks in Mafia Island, and beyond. The trip was made possible through my incredible partners in Tanzania, Chasing Dreams Safaris, with logistics & trip design QUEEN Heather and our legendary driver/guide Heaven… we once again had the most fun & seamless trip in all of the Serengeti and this is all thanks to them!!!!
>>> When you’re ready to bring your safari dreams to life, message me and I will work with my local partners in your desired region to turn your trip into reality!!! <<<
We flew into Kilimanjaro and met up in Arusha, at the lovely TWC Kahawa House. We came a few days early to allow for adjustments and any unforeseen circumstances; which in this case, we did have to go get a yellow fever certificate from the airport (which we didn’t end up freaking using but they scared us into making us get it for Kenya later). You just get your Tanzania visa at the airport, which is not a crystal clear process lol but just ask the officials and navigate the crowds which looks something like: fill out the visa form —> pay —> get the visa in your passport —> go through passport control. bit of a gongshow but have i introduced you to our mantra TIA (This Is Africa)? We roll with it! ;)
TARANGIRE
Equipped with two epic vehicles outfitted and guided by Chasing Dreams Safaris, our safari set off for the beautiful land of Tarangire National Park, known for its baobab trees and herds of ellies. The scenes from the drive are just so captivating, with Masai tribe members herding their cattle, goats, and donkeys, as the scene gets more and more rural heading into the bush. I just love the vibe of these pics…
We had an absolutely delightful day at Tarangire, getting to see a ton of general game like giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and ostriches, had a nice picnic lunch with our monkey friends, and had a very magical moment with ellies bathing and drinking in the river. 🥹
We slept in a hotel just outside of Ngorongoro Crater, and the next day we headed up to the viewpoint (cloudy, fail) and onwards to the Central Serengeti!
This road is v bumpy (like, brain-rattling-in-skull bumpy) and dusty (obsessed with my waterproof washable birks for foot baths) but it is an incredible way to grasp just how remote and wild the Serengeti is. There are no fences separating the wildlife from the nearby communities, and you will get to see how the landscape changes, some Masai bomas along the way, until you’re just in the FLAT landscapes of the Serengeti with absolutely no hills or sign of civilization around. I mean it’s something I wish everyone could see at least once in their lifetime.
CENTRAL SERENGETI
My god this place DELIVERS. We saw ALL THREE BIG CATS (lion, leopard, cheetah) on BOTH OUR GAME DRIVES HERE. Absolutely mind-blowing, a vastness you can never understand until you visit yourself, SO ICONICALLY AFRICA, and the game viewing was incredible.
Our best sightings were the teeniest lion cub and a magical sunset with ellies and giraffes in a surprise lush palm tree oasis. So magical, and did I mention so iconically Africa?
Here, you can’t go off road, so best bring your binos!!
We stayed at a lovely little tented camp called Signature Serengeti and headed off to the main event the next morning, where things got BONKERS.
NORTHERN SERENGETI
This day… has to go down as one of my top 5 days of LIFE. Definitely one of my top 3 on safari ever. Like I wish I could bottle up the feeling of that day because it was SO exciting, so exhilarating, so lucky, just felt like we were floating!!!
We drove from the Central (with you know a cheetah or two on the way) up to the North… to the Mara River, to see the GREAT MIGRATION RIVER CROSSING!!!!!
I have to preface this with a disclaimer that some people wait HOURS.. even DAYS, to see a crossing. The wildebeest are extremely indecisive (we renamed their collective noun “hesitation”) and will hum and haw forever, adjusting and readjusting their positioning, before one brave one takes the plunge to cross the river.
We saw a crossing within about 30 seconds of arriving 😳😳😳 AND THEN TWO MORE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW HOURS AFTER THAT.
The first one was insane. Three went in and they did not come out. Immediately swept away by the current, panicked, drowned. One washed up to share and another was just a ripple floating in the river, waiting for a croc to come scoop him up. It happened so fast and we could not believe our eyes.
The next crossing was a nicely sized group all set to tumble down a sandy bank and into the river, which was electric to watch. But the real drama came as 4 silly young wildebeest decided to swim BACK ACROSS, and at that point we saw our infamous CROC TAKEDOWN!!!!!! That 4th lil wildebeest did not stand a chance and he was gone. My first kill!!!!!! Insane. Our guide Heaven was such a legend for getting us here in time and perfectly positioned.
We got to witness one more crossing and at the end of all this, adrenaline and excitement were flowing, we just had the best time celebrating with some drinks, having a dance party, and dancing in the rain as we got home. Truly an unforgettable day with my fellow Adventurelusters!!!! <3 <3 <3
Check out this reel for more tips & insights on the Great Migration!!!
In the Northern Serengeti we stayed at Baobab Luxury Tented Camp which was most of our favourite camp of the trip!! Two of the best sunsets of my life here I’m not joking (check out this reel).
As if that day wasn’t enough, the next morning was possibly even more magical (?!?!?)… a hot air balloon safari!!!
I’ve been ridiculously fortunate to do this twice already, once in the Masai Mara and last year in the Sergengeti, but NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS ONE.
Floating over the iconic Mara River, the rising sun glinting against the water, and then onwards above the migration herds felt like watching an actual National Geographic film play out right before out eyes. I literally can’t even describe how magical it was so I’m just gonna give up here but this is a MUST for anyone who finds themselves in this region!!!!! Here’s a vid for a little glimpse!!
NGORONGORO CRATER
The next day was a long one from the Northern Serengeti, broken up with a game drive in Central (all 3 cats again, WHAT IS LIFE????) and ending on the rim at Ngorongoro Crater at an awesome little tented camp called Angata Tented Camp Ngorongoro.
Up and at ‘em early for our final morning on safari, we descended into the Crater… and as if it wasn’t all amazing enough already, a few of our group members said this was their favourite part of the whole safari.
It was my favourite part of last year’s, but I wasn’t sure if it would measure up this year… but it did 🥹🥹 The crater just feels like some sort of magical other world. It’s a giant caldera where most of the animals there have lived their whole lives, and home to an abundance of wildlife. We saw 22 (!!!!) HYENAS on this game drive. Saw one of the ultra-rare black rhinos. Had an amazing breakfast with hippos by the waterhole. Saw so so much general game, about a gazillion flamingoes, and finished off by successfully manifesting lions. The landscape is incredible and the game viewing captured all of our hearts — we love you, Ngorongoro!!
LAKE MANYARA
After a couple stops to pick up some local souvenirs at curio stalls and Safariland, we spent the night by Lake Manyara and the next day, our final day, we went on some activities like a bike ride by the lake with zebras and wildebeest, and a couple of our group went camel riding!! When in Rome lol!!
I am so so so beyond grateful to my partners Chasing Dreams Safaris, Heaven and Heather, for organizing this epic trip for us and being so amazing to me and all my clients, who continue to book their dream Tanzanian adventures with us.
I also have to give the biggest shout out to my group of Adventurelusters, Evie, Darragh, Dee, Frank, Tiffany, Carin, and Matt, for joining me on this incredible adventure of a lifetime and bringing the best vibes. It definitely did not feel like work and just felt like a group of friends on this epic trip. Our amazing wildlife luck was no coincidence — all about the vibes baybay!!
This experience was out of this world and I can’t wait to continue sharing it with more of you as you follow your dreams to Africa. I just know it won’t disappoint ✨