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Incredible Tanzania

Visit Tanzania from your own home! Follow the adventures of Product Manager Andreas Larentzakis on his trip earlier this year to Tanzania.

And, when you book before May 31st, receive complimentary travel protection on any trip!

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A Virtual Safari

Our Product Manager Andreas was lucky enough to get in a trip to Tanzania earlier this year. Hear about his safari experience, enjoy his beautiful photos, and maybe think about planning your own African adventure.

Welcome to Tanzania!

Arriving in Dar es Salaam airport, I'm greeted with a hot and humid day and the warm, friendly people of Tanzania. I'm here for just a short stay in Dar es Salaam, then a flight to Arusha. In the middle of the country, Arusha is the gateway city to some of Tanzania's most famous attractions: Mt. Kilimanjaro, the beautiful countryside, national parks like Serengeti, and lodges for game drives.

Dar es Salaam airport 1

"Africa is enchanting; it draws you back like a magnet."

Taking off in Arusha!

Arusha, the Geneva of Africa

Arusha is the mid way point in Africa between Cairo and Cape Town, called the Geneva of Africa for its natural beauty and because it was peaceful despite violence in surrounding countries.

Around 500,000 members of the Maasai tribe live in and around Arusha; some work as security guards but most have goats, sheep, cows and live in rural areas. Arusha is also known for the precious stone tanzanite, produced in Arusha and exported worldwide.

Arusha airport 2

This morning, I visited one of our partners in Tanzania, Leopard Tours. They have an impressive operation, employing over 800 people locally with their own garage and workshop, including 300 of their own vehicles.

Leopard Tours 3

The drive from Arusha to Chem Chem is about 3 hours on a good road outside Tarangire park, then another hour drive to start the game drive into the park and reach Sopa Lodge.

The reserves are not fenced so all the wild animals roam around free and this includes the lodges. Visitors must be accompanied by rangers when moving around outside lodges and in the evening, even going from your lodge to the dining area.

A visit to Tanzania during the off season has advantages and some drawbacks. I like less crowds so sharing a truck with only two others is great. Some lodges in the parks are closed but those which remain open are nice and staff go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.

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Tarangire National Park

The morning game drives start early usually around 6.00 am and nobody is allowed out of the truck. All animal viewing is from inside the vehicle and most photos are taken from the open roof of the truck using zoom lenses (absolutely necessary for this kind of trip).

Today we viewed a leopard, elephants, many impalas, giraffes, ostriches and a variety of birds.

Safari is bumpy, invigorating and adventurous. Riding the truck is bumpy, driver-guides are very skillful, knowledgeable and respect nature and the animals.

We had rain and some difficult drives but we were lucky and the trucks didn’t get stuck. These are times to remember and treasure for the rest of my life.

Tortillis Camp 8

Ready for your own adventure?

We suggest 7 Day Jewels of the Serengeti. Or take it to another level with the 8 Day Luxury Tanzania Fly In Safari.

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*Complimentary travel insurance covers up to $1,200 worth of travel insurance; any remaining difference must be paid by the consumer. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers or applied retroactively to trips that have already been purchased.

Plan Your Safari

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