“Travel makes one modest. You see what tiny place you occupy in the world.”
Gustave Flaubert
3 Tips for An Amazing African Safari
-
Be Amazed.
You'll never forget the very first animal you spot at the start of your African safari. Mine was a single giraffe. Then you don't forget the first time you see elephants and zebras. It's really cool when you finally get to see the hard-to-find animals like cheetahs, leopards, and lions. But don't ever "get used" to seeing the African animals. Because you will see a lot of them! Pretty soon you'll be home wishing you were back in peaceful Africa looking in awe of those beautiful creatures.
-
Be Still.
When I think of Africa, I think of how it just feels different. It's so quiet, peaceful, and calming. You almost feel like you've stepped back in time. The time spent in the jeeps during the excursions are hot, bumpy, and tiring. So enjoy those moments when you get to relax and really just soak in the beauty.
-
Be Adventurous.
If you're doing an African safari, you have to be adventurous! These canvas tents that we stayed overnight in were awesome. We heard animals walking around us and making noises all night long. We even got a bell to ring if we needed help during the night because you can't walk around by yourself. It might sound scary, but if you follow the rules you are perfectly safe.
The first night we arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, we stayed at this beautiful resort called Ilboro Safari Lodge. It had a restaurant and bar, thank goodness because we were starving. There was a large pool with cute seating all around it, but unfortunately we weren’t able to enjoy it since we were basically there just to sleep. You get your own little “hut” with your own bathroom and super comfy beds. The grounds are beautiful with lush plants and colorful flowers everywhere. The next day we headed to the Serengeti! Our guides were from Big Cat Safaris. We highly recommend them! We had two jeeps because of our large family and both of our guides were amazing. They speak English well, are friendly, and SUPER knowledgable about anything and everything that has to do with Africa, the animals, safaris, etc. They did a great job of making sure we saw every animal while we were there. We stayed at a couple different camps in and around the Serengeti. Both were very welcoming and provided a variety of great food. These are pictures of the Embalakai Camp.
Every day we went out in the jeep, we saw countless animals. One thing we noticed was how drastically the landscape changes. Sometimes it would be barren and flat and then we’d drive a bit and there would be grasses and Acacia trees everywhere.
My daughter turned 18 while we were on our trip. My mom had arranged for a surprise birthday cake that night at dinner, made by the camp we were staying at. All the employees of the camp formed a line and sang to her in their native language first and then sang happy birthday to her as they danced. It was really special. This was at the Heritage Kogatende Camp.
An 18th birthday she'll never forget!
This is just Part One of our African Safari. Check out Part Two here. The Great Migration deserves its own post.
Teaching about Africa? Check out the free resource below or get an extended bundle here your students will love. Africa is such an amazing place to learn about!
