Jambo from Tanzania! We are over the moon to share our 5 star in the Serengeti write-up with you. Still on a natural high from seeing the wild mountain gorillas in Uganda, we boarded another 2 scenic bush planes and country-hopped to neighboring Tanzania.
Touching down at the Seregeti Seronera Airstip in safari gear we were ready for the next dusty adventure. In proper YOLO fashion we stayed at the highest end 5 star camps available to us. Options were limited as we booked a few months in advance. Late December has peak rates due to the holidays, temperate weather and the wet season having just passed. Even though this is an expensive month, the crowds are much less than Serengeti high season in the summer and fall. For that reason alone we felt very lucky to visit during this time.
We recommend that you be more studious than us and book 6+ months in advance. You will have more accommodation options and possibly more competitive pricing. Something to keep in mind is that your guides and safari cars are linked with your resorts and the experience may parallel the price tag.
*If you haven’t read about the first leg of our Africa trip, check out our gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda article here!
Asilia Resort
Upon mid-afternoon arrival at the airstrip, we were warmly welcomed by Asilia’s #1 guide, the lovely Anderson. Namiri Plains where we stayed is part of the Asilia resort group of African owned properties, all with conservation at their core. 90 minutes from the airstrip, this Asilia property is nestled in a prime location within the Serengeti. Surrounded by everything yet nothing at the same time. The best part about the ‘drive’ to the lodge, is that it is actually game time and our first ‘game drive’ was now underway!
For the entire stay at this Asilia resort, we were lucky to be in a pristine game drive vehicle. It was a tricked out, open-air Land Cruiser making for spectacular viewing with no windows between us and the animals. Yummy snacks and a car fridge full of provisions were par for the course each day. Anderson quickly made us feel at home asking what we wanted to see and setting our expectations for the region.
*Important to note that nothing is guaranteed while on safari. The more you can let go and know each moment is aligned for you, the more magical the experience will be.
Game Drives
During the game drives all eyes are on deck looking for the local fauna and flora. Timeframes and schedules are a thing of the past and it is all about seeing the animals. An estimated 90 minute drive from one area to the next could easily turn into 3 hours. Nature’s timing is now in charge. Anderson was an expert in educating us about the local ecosystem and animal behavior. We couldn’t have asked for a better facilitator during our game drives; just insert David Attenborough commentary. Our inner investigative journalists seem to show up on big trips like this (actually anytime we leave CA). He was able to answer all our questions with passion and intellect.
*One thing to note about Bekah and I is that we like animals more than humans. We quickly realized safari life is one of the most blissed-out places we could be on earth.
Rare Cat Sighting
This 5 star in the Serengeti experience is not just about the chic resorts, but also about how we witnessed the divine animals. As magnificent as elephants, zebras and even lions are to the tourist’s eye, we quickly realized that a rare cat sighting is even more coveted. To witness leopards, up close in the daylight is huge feet as they are solitary animals that hunt mostly at night. They also rest in trees during the day, which is magnificent to see with binoculars, but nothing compares to being inches from these incredible cats.
As luck would have it, within an hour of leaving the airstrip, Anderson had as inches from this adult male leopard pictured above. We were awe-stuck as he put on a show with his light luxurious eyes glittering in the sun, lounging on a rock. As we showed our other guides these photos throughout the week, many said they have never even seen a leopard this close in all their years. Thank you Anderson for this rare cat sighting that set the bar for the next few days.
Cheetahs
As far as the cheetahs, they are hard to spot as they blend very well with the tall grass. Adult females are solitary unless mating or with their offspring. Male cheetahs live as singletons or form coalitions of small male groups. A fun fact we learned is that cheetahs claws do not retract. They are always out and help them maintain traction on the ground, especially when they need to make sudden stops at high speeds. The mothers leave their cubs about 1.5 years after giving birth when they see the young can execute a kill on their own. As their cub(s) enjoy the meal, they sleuth off in solitude.
Another magical Anderson moment was this cheetah sighting of mother and son up close and personal. They could not have been less phased by us as they stayed low-pro while looking out for dinner and danger. Majestic! As you may have already gathered, your guide, their personality and passion play a huge role in your experience. Did you notice how the spots differ from leopards to cheetahs?
Namiri Plains
Finally after the bush flights, long first game drive and glorious rate cat sightings, we reached Namiri Plains after sundown. Our glorious glamping location for the next few days. 5 stars in the bush just hits differently than 5 stars in a quaint village or city. You can look at pictures a million many times, but to be onsite and comprehend what is created with limited resources while maintaining the natural habitat is mind blowing.
Namiri Plains did not leave a stone unturned when it came to attentive staff, mindful details, gorgeous aesthetic, privacy of tents and delicious food + drinks at our disposal. For an even more elevated level of service we had a dedicated server, Nengai during all of our meals. Her and the kitchen staff easily executed our dietary restrictions. The dishes were colorful, healthy and veg forward. We couldn’t have asked for better nourishment at Namiri Plains. To see more of this amazing resort check out our IG reel here.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
The next morning we woke up early for a once-in-a-lifetime experience ~ a sunrise hot air balloon safari. We drifted above the Serengeti plains as the sun was waking, witnessing plentiful wildlife below. The spectacular vistas and the silence of the floating balloon created a magical and serene atmosphere. While all wildlife is sublime from above we fell in love with the aerial views of the hippo ponds. There were so many of them huddled together enjoying the cool of the water with palm trees and monkeys dressing the landscape. It felt like a scene out of Jurassic Park and we were glad our balloon stayed in the air!
After landing, the hot air balloon safari was not quite over. The crew greeted us with song, dance and a lovely champagne toast. We were then whisked away to a bush breakfast, surrounded by the untouched beauty of the wilderness. This optional add-on to your safari is around $500-$600 a person. If you are not scared of heights or balloon casualties, we recommend to splurge for this unique experience. It was definitely a highlight and something we look forward to repeating.
Nimali Serengeti
After a few magical days, we were off to our next 5 star camp ~ Nimali Serengeti. Our first camp was large luxury tents and Nimali Serengeti was a fleet of private stilted casitas built in the bush. If these spacious stays had kitchenettes we would have moved right in. We enjoyed higher plains, private soaking tubs, different lush vegetation, fine dining minimalist meals and a complete communion with nature. Insert the best safari chic decor, enough for any design geek to have inspo for their next project. We loved the dirt paths to and from the main areas of the property and the accommodating staff making us feel at home.
Having 2-3 nights at one resort and another 2-3 somewhere else is the way to go in my opinion. We highly recommend staying at various places on different ends of the Serengeti if your itinerary allows. With this sort of schedule, you will be able to experience 1-2 game drives a day while having downtime at the resorts. To me, the resorts we stayed at were equally as amazing as the game drives and worth spending a half day here or there. Many resorts have pools and spa services you can book. To check out more of Nimali Serengeti’s vibe, check our IG video here.
What Safari Actually Means
By day 4 of our long bumpy car rides, we learned a valuable lesson ~ what ‘safari’ actually means. If you book a safari heavy adventure you will likely be road tripping a lot from destination to destination on dirt roads. If you book bush planes between resorts, you will likely be on more game drives to and from your resorts. The safaris are not for the faint of heart. In our experience, the seats in the Land Cruisers do not recline and leg room is limited. Check with your outfitter on what your trip includes (safaris, game drives or both) and be sure to tell them your fitness level, age and preferences. The long safaris provide even more opportunities to see animals and how the indigenous live.
Massai People
From Nimali Serengeti we roadtripped to the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. We witnessed the Massai people go amongst their days in small villages while herding sheep, cattle and goats. They are the only people allowed to live in the crater continuing with their tribal semi-nomadic way of life. Their lifestyle is shaped by the rich cultural heritage and the challenges of coexisting with wildlife in this unique environment.
The Massai live in small, circular homes called bomas. They are made of a framework of branches and covered with a mixture of mud, sticks, and cow dung. The design of the homes is practical for their lifestyle and rituals. Cattle are a symbol of wealth and are used for various purposes, including ceremonies, trade, and sustenance. The Maasai people have kept their culture intact with distinctive clothing, jewelry, and body adornments. Their traditional attire includes brightly colored shukas (cloaks) and beaded jewelry. They share their surroundings with a variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and zebras. This coexistence requires a delicate balance to avoid conflicts between human and wildlife interests.
Tourism plays a significant role in the region, and some Maasai communities are involved in cultural tourism initiatives. You can experience Maasai customs, dances, and crafts, contributing to the preservation of their lineage when you visit this region. They are welcoming, curious people and we recommend spending time with them. Just tell your tour organizer this is a desire of yours.
Big 5 at the Ngorongoro Crater
While we felt complete with our up close and personal animal encounters, the last of the big 5 at the Ngorongoro Crater completed our journey. The black rhino is not known to be in the part of the Serengeti we were in, so luckily this robust crater provided us with rhino viewings. Actually pink flamingo sightings as well! Once again elevation and vegetation changed dramatically from the Serengeti as we descended into this lush tropical basin. In our opinion, the more places you can visit while having at least 2 days per lodge, do it! If your trip is planned right, no 2 places will feel the same and you will learn and discover even more.
We realized ‘big 5’ does not refer to the biggest animals out there, so we had questions. We learned this term refers to some of the most impressive and challenging animals to hunt or observe in the wild. Elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard ~ got it!
Safari Fun Facts
Here are 5 safari fun facts we learned during our 5 star in the Serengeti experience that have stuck with us.
• The animals do not view the safari cars as threats, you can likely get very close to them. The lions even use the SUVs for shade. Listen to your guides as they are the experts.
• Elephants can live for 60-70 years and a baby calf can walk within 1 hour of being born! Their gestation period is close to 2 years and the babies weigh well over 200 pounds at birth.
• The Massai tribe used to live in the Serengeti National Park as well as the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Since removal from the national park, they are the only people that can live in the crater. They cannot farm since the conservation authority says this may interfere with this vast animal migration zone.
• Hippos leave the ponds for the grassy fields to eat when the sun goes down. They eat about 80 pounds of grass each night and they are primarily herbivores.
• Most of the safari cars in the Serengeti are Toyota Land Cruisers. The bases are bought from Toyota and 3rd party companies make them safari ready. They add longer bases, beefier suspension, second gas tanks and retractible roofs to name a few of the upgrades. Dream cars everywhere!
Goodbye to the Serengeti
Of course, we are not ready to say goodbye to the Serengeti. We thought this was a bucket list trip, but we now know we will return for more African adventures. Our guides added such expertise that we felt like we were living in a NatGeo show. To all animal and nature lovers, this is your sign to start researching your dream safari trip.
Remember, we want to help you book a similar journey! We have partnered with the company that we used to book this adventure. Check out a sample itinerary here. We know what we loved and the little things we would change to make your experience even better than ours. Trips can be tailored for different interests, lengths and budgets. We look forward to assisting you and helping make your travel dreams a reality.
Karibu Tena,
Rach
PS ~ More safari tips and our travel guide to Zanzibar are coming up next this month. Don’t forget to read about the start of our East Africa journey in Uganda here!
