The four university classmates Jörg, Dieter, Andreas and Peter had been wanting to take an extended vacation together for a long time. It was supposed to be just like it was when they were students. And jokingly they added “…or a safari.” No sooner said than done! Their only condition: “Just no stress.”.
The group is picked up at the Dar es Salaam International Airport by the Twende Tanzania guide and taken to the hotel.
A more extreme change of scenery is hard to imagine. Of course, Andreas and Jörg were constantly telling their “mafia” jokes. Until we arrived at the lodge. Sensational this beach, this sky, these drinks. Even Peter, certainly no water lover, got himself talked into a well-organised snorkelling tour.
Dignified, well-maintained and casual: just what we expected of a lodge or beach hotel. We napped, we enjoyed the food, the drinks and the ocean. Another boat trip around half of the island was on the schedule for the afternoon. Dieter was actually able to harpoon a fish, which we then simply grilled over a fire in a cove. We felt like Boy Scouts.
At home we had already heard about Kilwa Masoko and the ruins of the 15th-century Arab settlements. We wanted to see that. So, like island hopping, we first went from the island of Mafia to the smaller, southern island of Kilwa Kisiwani. But first, of course, to the lodge in Kilwa. And what a lodge! Situated directly on a cliff, it gives a view across the ocean to the remains of the port city. We wanted to take a closer look at this UNESCO World Cultural site the next day.
Jörg had already had a strange day yesterday. Somehow pale. From the food, from drinking or something. In any case, when we crossed with in dhow, a little, traditional sailboat, Jörg held onto the railing for a long time, with his head as close to the water as possible, and fed the fish. In the afternoon, he felt a little better. And towards the evening, after a really impressive tour through the old fortresses – but above all, after visiting the palace of the former sultan – he returned with us to the hotel with fresh colour in his face.
On the eighth and ninth day we finally got to our safari: peaceful, with no nerve-wracking long convoys. We received the best support in the excellent Rufiji River Camp. You can already view wildlife from the veranda, almost like the squirrels in our park at home. But these animals are a bit larger. And there are more of them. Unbelievably impressive! Even more impressive was the ride to the reserve. Even Andreas, who always has something to say, was very quiet!
Once again, a fantastic breakfast outside on the veranda. Once again the calls of buffalos, zebras, the trumpeting of the elephants – up close. Then, unfortunately, the jeep to the airport was waiting. Via Dar es Salaam we were on our way back home. Even at the airport we swore we would take such a perfectly organised trip again, this time with our partners and with our children.
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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.
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
