By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
We just returned from an amazing trip to Africa which included safari in Tanzania followed by Victoria Falls and Cape Town.
To use the word “amazing” hardly captures the experience, because Africa exceeds all expectations – in terms of the friendliness of the people, the accommodations, the food, and of course the animals in the wild.
We started off flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, with the mountain an awe-inspiring sight in itself. We were transported to the Arusha Cofee Lodge, where they have a 380-acre working coffee plantation. This worked well for us to absorb some of the jet lag, and we relaxed in plantation-style luxury cabins with a fireplace, front porch and netting that was secured on our four-poster bed each night.
We had an excellent guide, teaching us the process of what color coffee berries to pick and how they are processed and roasted. In addition, there was a Shanga village on the premises, a social enterprise employing people with disabilities who create unique jewelry, glassware and homewares using recycled materials.
Next, we were off on safari by jeep to Tarangire National Park, where we stayed in luxury treehouses with huge front porches for wildlife viewing. The group all agreed this was our favorite. Everything about it was authentic, complete with trees growing through our treehouse. Not only were the views incomparable, but there were often zebras, monkeys and even elephants in our backyard – one of them in our driveway blocking our path until our guide shooed him of the path. Our safari guide was with us for four days while we did early morning safari drives and early evening sundowners (viewing wildlife while celebrating the sunset).
Next stop was Ngorongoro Crater, where we descended by jeep 3,000 feet from the ridge down into the crater which is home to the big five iconic animals to see on safari: lions, elephants, rhinoceros, water buffalo and leopard.
Our third stop on safari was the incomparable Serengeti, where we were greeted by our guide in an open jeep with champagne on arrival. We stayed at a luxury camp (with raised wooden floors) which moves twice a year to follow the great migration of over 1.2 million wildebeest joined by a host of companions – such as zebra, topi and gazelles in search of grass and water. We witnessed thousands of wildebeests crossing the Mara River from our jeep at river’s edge for a ringside view.
Our favorite experience was drifting in a hot-air balloon over the Serengeti at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast to celebrate. I conquered my fear of heights to do this and was so happy with the result.
Choosing a great safari company/travel agent is all-important because they know the best places to stay for your budget and have the best selection of local guides.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel in Milford.