It was a long-conceived dream of the couples Kurt and Evelyne and Christa and Georg: to take a trip where they would get in touch with early cultures and see the “cradle of mankind”. Together they set off to make the dream a reality.
We were warmly welcomed at the airport and drove a short distance outside of Arusha to the Hatari Lodge. At the start and at the end of our trip we wanted to have a little comfort. It was fun to see all sorts of animals around the hotel right away. Monkeys were the first, then a wild boar and finally, the next morning at breakfast on the terrace, we saw individual buffalos from afar. And then, on a short ride to Momella Lake, a whole herd of them.
Kurt and Georg had already done some research at home. They wanted to visit the Cultural Heritage Museum in Arusha. Of course, there was a lot of tourist crafts, but we also discovered an artist who impressed us very much: Lobolu Emmanuel. In the afternoon we then strolled through the city, visited the market and got accustomed to the more relaxed rhythm of life.
It was impressive: such vast landscapes, so few settlements, peace and the picnic in the middle of nature. The vegetation with the strange trees, the sounds of animals and rarely another jeep. Wonderful. Then suddenly a glimpse of the lake and getting closer and so many flamingos, countless – and we almost felt like strange beings.
As a teacher, I was very much looking forward to encountering the Maasai. We wanted not only to see the village life but also to visit a school: that was my “dream programme”. Children are curious everywhere in the world and hungry for knowledge, even if the “schoolhouse” is built so crudely. After the Maasai village – naturally also with glass bead trinkets, Maasai jumps and hut visits – there came another, even more interesting cultural leap.
We drove to Lake Eyasi. And from there to two more of the many Tanzanian tribal groups: the Datoga and the Hadzabe people. Although they also lead a meagre pastoral life with goats and a few cows, the Hadzabe are above all, proud hunters – and, as I see it, very beautiful people. The Datogas, on the other hand, still practice a simple but skilful kind of blacksmithing (tools and arrowheads). Then we fell asleep in the simple camp with loud animal noises all around, something I’ll always remember
Wir fuhren an den Lake Eyasi. Und dort zu zwei anderen der vielen tansanischen Bevölkerungsgruppen: den Datoga und den Hadzabe. Sie betreiben zwar auch karge Landwirtschaft mit Ziegen und ein paar Kühen. Aber vor allem die Hadzabe sind stolze Jäger – und aus meiner Sicht sehr schöne Menschen. Die Datogas wiederum pflegen noch immer eine einfache, aber geschickte Art des Schmiedens (Werkzeuge und Pfeilspitzen). Im einfachen Camp dann mit lauten Tiergeräuschen ringsum einzuschlafen, das bleibt eindrücklich.
Today we drove in a wide arc, right through the National Park towards Ngorongoro. At noon we took the Olduvai Gorge tour. We had an extremely well-managed tour, first in a small museum and then on a two-hour hike in the surroundings. The best guide here was Kurt, of course. As a geologist he was in his element. After all, he already studied the specialist literature for weeks at home. Even the Twende Tanzania Safari guide was able to learn something. Walking on the soil that the first humans had walked on thousands of years earlier was very thought-provoking.
Now we were in the middle of nature. And the Serengeti, about which we had already heard so much, took us captive. We saw huge herds of wildebeest on the horizon. We were told that over one million of these animals move through this nature reserve. Christa and Georg had some fun with the zebras, photographing only the hind quarters almost the whole day long. They wanted to make a collage of those photos at home. And in the evening, listening to the bird cries at sundown in the camp was simply overwhelming.
Today we are once again in “our” Hatari Lodge near Arusha. We relax, share our impressions and enjoy the surroundings in nature. Only Kurt took an extra tour. He wanted to visit the Engaruka plain. Actually, today it’s just a huge dusty desert. But they say the plan is to mine sodium carbonate here, and Kurt was interested as a geologist. But he will also look forward to a shower and the pool when he gets back.
After the many hours in the jeep, we wanted to stretch our legs a bit—and, of course, to see some more animals. Fairly early in the morning we were driven toward the Ngurdoto crater. From there we took a hike to the “Rock,” an unbelievable observation point. The view from there to Mount Meru in the morning sun was breathtaking. In the swampy terrain of the smaller crater, we observed buffalo and giraffes. We saw no more elephants. On the return trip we briefly stopped once again at the entrance to the park. Guereza colobus monkeys were swinging in the branches. These black and white monkeys are found only here in North Tanzania. The next day we had to be on our way home. We will be back…
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Godfrey Mosses Rodenhausen.
Your personal travel planner. For over ten years I have been showing individuals, couples, families and small groups the natural beauty of Tanzania.
Report travel experience
As a family of four, we travelled to Tanzania from July 7 to August 1. We had already travelled throughout Namibia four years earlier, at that time on our own with an all-terrain vehicle and tent. Then someone recommended that we visit Tanzania with the TWENDE TANZANIA travel specialists. After hesitating a while as to whether we should take a guided tour, we contacted Godfrey Mosses of TWENDE
After our first conversation, we knew we had made the right decision. Thanks to his keen eye for the essentials and expertise, we were able to put together a wonderful itinerary for our three and a half weeks
The first two weeks (Arusha NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP and Tarangire NP) we were accompanied by Vincent, an outstanding guide, who shared his inexhaustible knowledge of botany, zoology, geography and social aspects with us. He was a wonderful, considerate guide who taught us a great deal about the country. Without exception, we spent our nights in elegant safari lodges or tented camps.
We took a plane to the Selous Game Reserve, in the south of the country, and spent five days there. At the Rufiji River Camp, we had a choice of exploring on foot, by boat or by car.
Afterwards we spent five relaxing days on the island of Zanzibar and got to know a completely different part of Tanzania. Self-organised excursions on a dhow, a visit to a spice plantation and an outing to Stone Town rounded out the trip.
We can recommend TWENDE without reservation …
…and can imagine taking another trip in about four years, when our son is 16 years old, including climbing Kilimanjaro and visiting the Gombe Stream national park…
In touch with African culture
“I will always have fond memories of my safari with my friend Fridolin Diener (to the right in photo). The Tanzania tour was simply breathtaking. Thanks to Twende Tanzania we got in touch with the “African Spirit” despite the relatively short duration of the trip, and we were delighted with what we experienced.
Our skilled and entertaining driver kept us well informed during the journey, allowing us to experience the fantastic geography and wildlife, as well as life in the modern city, with even more understanding. Getting in contact with the natives made it possible for us to feel, for a few moments, like more than just visitors from a completely different world.”
Southeast Tanzania far away from other tourists
“Dar Es Salaam – Selous Game Reserve – Mafia Island – Kilwa World Heritage. We experienced the southeast of Tanzania far away from most other tourists. After some very interesting days in Dar, sightseeing on bicycles, the fish market and many other markets, we spent four days in the Rufiji River Camp. The boat safaris with lots of hippos, crocodiles and birds were indescribably beautiful. Ras Mbisi Lodge on Mafia Island is an insider’s tip for those who like it a bit secluded. There you can go kayaking, snorkelling on a coral reef, sailing and hiking through the mangrove forest to see the flying foxes, the largest bat species. The grand finale was two days in Kilwa (Kimbilio Lodge), where the many impressive ruins of former rulers presented an occasion to explain the long history of the east coast of Africa. Godfrey Mosses had selected and arranged for all domestic flights, transport and lodges for us. Everything went very smoothly. Asante sana Godfrey! Kwaheri Tanzania! Tutaonana!”
True wonders of nature
“In the autumn of 2009, I was in Tanzania along with my then-girlfriend, now my wife. Godfrey Mosses organised the trip absolutely perfectly via his Twende Tanzania. We not only got to experience true wonders of nature, but also some extraordinary contacts with several native tribes.
It was a journey the likes of which Evelyne and I will never forget. It’s very possible that we’ll go on a safari like this again.”
Completely satisfied
“I was on an extended journey through Uganda to Dar Es Salaam with my wife. We were completely satisfied. Twende Tanzania organised everything perfectly.
Our memories of the safaris in the Serengeti, at Ngorongoro and in the Tarangire National Park will last a lifetime. Simply wonderful
An unforgettable honeymoon safari
It was our first time with my husband in Tanzania and we were so well taken care of by Twende. This holiday was such an amazing experience for us in terms of nature and coming so close to the animals in their natural environment. We learnt so much about the animals and the culture thanks to Vincent our guide at Twende. We still talk about this holiday all the time today and would highly recommend anyone booking a Safari to organise it with Twende! 5. März 2018
An unforgettable vacation!
We’re still exhilarated from so many emotions experienced during this fantastic vacation.
You and your team perfectly organised and planned the journey. We can’t complain of a single thing.
Moses, our driver, was also perfect. We felt comfortable and safe at all times.
His knowledge is vast and he was sensitive to all our needs with the children.
The accommodations were all absolutely perfect and fabulous in terms of location and facilities. Everyone was very friendly and pleasant. The service was very good in all the lodges.
Thank you very much for the dinner on the last evening as well, another special moment.
So, overall, it was an unforgettable vacation for all of us. Twende made all the difference. April 16, 2018
Many thanks from all of us
