Travel Explorer Magazine (AUTUMN/WINTER 2016 EDITION)

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It served fantastic food and was the perfect base which worked extremely well and was only a short 30 mins drive from the crater. Following my stay in the Ngorongoro Highlands it was time to move on to what was the personal highlight of my trip, somewhere I had seen and read so much about and was itching to visit; the Serengeti National Park. I was intrigued how this would compare to my previous experiences in Africa. The Serengeti has featured in numerous wildlife documentaries and its famous for the annual migration where over a million wildebeest, zebra and antelope move between the Kenya & Tanzania ecosystems. It is very important that you position yourself in the correct part of the Serengeti depending on the time of year you are travelling, otherwise you could find yourself missing the herds completely. I was now going to spend the four days travelling from South to North of the Serengeti, experiencing different camps and areas in order to understand the complex nature of eco structure and different types of camps and lodges to be able to tailor the perfect trip for our clients. For the first two nights I stayed in the wooded Kusini area of the Serengeti followed by the southern Ndutu plains of the vast Ngorongoro Conservation area. Wildlife movement is, as always, unpredictable. We had first-hand experience of how mother nature has her own plan, which can sometimes differ to that which we would expect. The locals gave us an insight into what had recently happened in the area where herds had split into two groups looking for water and food. One headed for the Grumeti River in the west, while the others travelled past Lobo further north-east. They would not normally reach these areas until May or June, not as early as March when we were hoping to see them. It was however not a total disappointment as we were still able to see a handful of wildebeest. We spent time exploring the beautiful two camps where we stayed which offer a wonderfully authentic experience that any avid safari goer would be impressed with. It was time to venture to the central Serengeti after my stay in the south, landing at Seronera airstrip. This is a good location for year-round game viewing, a few larger lodges surround the area so it can get busier so we headed an hour and a half east to a rustic camp I wanted to see. Still within the Serengeti National Park, this new camp is one of the only in the area and was originally shut off to tourists as it acted as a cheetah conservation base. There were vast open plains, perfect for lion and cheetah spotting! We struck gold in the afternoon with a sighting of a beautiful family of lions and cubs (main photo on page 17). We enjoyed sundowners as they relaxed on the rocks playing with Mum. It was a magical moment and a special memory I will carry with me forever. The following morning, we ventured back to the Seronera area for another night. The game drive presented us with another pride of lions and cheetahs with their cubs. A truly remarkable day. It was time to travel to the Moru Kopjes area located south-west from Seronera. This was equally beautiful but different with large wooded areas and rocky landscapes together with dramatic hills and wide open fields. We were lucky to catch up with the migrating herds of Wildebeests as they moved between the Ndutu plains in the south. My final night in the Serengeti was tucked amongst the rocks of Wogakuria Kopje. Accessed by light aircraft, we landed at the Kogatende airstrip to find the property offering superb panoramic views of the surrounding area. At this time of year this area feels extremely exclusive with only a few lodges open (most of the semi-permanent lodges are further south and open from June –October). It is hard to find words to describe the scenery here - it was most definitely the highlight of the trip with stunning vistas offering yet another contrasting experience with rocky outcrops, small valleys and expansive plains of the Lamai wedge. We had an absolutely superb game drive with plenty of time to finally sit back, relax and enjoy the view from my private verandah...absolutely breathtaking. Having experienced South Africa, Botswana and Kenya I was keen to see what Tanzania had to offer. Unique scenery with quality accommodations and superb game viewing is the best way to describe it. We saw a lot in a short space of time and I would plan an itinerary for a client much more spaced out for a more relaxing holiday. Being part of a lion prides’ quality family time was a once in a lifetime experience as was witnessing the wildebeest. I certainly ticked off a host of game on my list and can highly recommend Tanzania for a first timer or experienced Safari goer. TANZANIA FACT BOX Flight time: There are no direct flights from the UK, so we suggest flying via Nairobi from London via Amsterdam from regional airport including Birmingham. You can do the whole journey in around 11hrs 30 mins. Time difference: GMT + 3 hours Currency: Tanzania Shilling Language: Swahili, but English is widely spoken Must see: Serengeti National Park Best suited to: Adventurous clients, wildlife lovers, those wishing to experience true Africa. When to go: The Southern Serengeti is great in January, February and March, but the high (dry) season runs from the end of June to October. Example cost: from around £5,000 per person based on a similar itinerary to Nathan (with 6 nights on a full board basis), including flights. How to book: Call Nathan on 01543 258631. Photograph left: Nathan with the team at Alex Walker’s Serian camp in the Southern Serengeti.
AFRICAN SAFARI NEWS Written by Nathan Collins The great thing about African safari holidays is that there is always something new. Many of my clients return year after year, exploring new areas and revisiting old favourites. Here is a taste of some new developments... NATHAN’S TOP PICKS... We love keeping on top of safari holiday news and you can find more on our blog: www.rbcollection.com/blog. NEW FLIGHTS British Airways now offers 3 extra flights per week to Cape Town. Access to Victoria Falls is easier with a new Livingstone to Cape Town service and the Maun to Cape Town service has been re-instated. SOUTH AFRICA Makanyi in the Timbavati is a fairly new lodge and is offering 4 nights for the price of 3 in 2017 which is fantastic value for money for such a luxurious property. TANZANIA Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha National Park, southern Tanzania recently opened their 6 luxury tented accommodations offering unique views across the valley. AUTUMN / WINTER 2016 | TRAVEL EXPLORER | 19
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Page 5 and 6: TRAVEL TRENDS We always aim to be o
Page 7 and 8: TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE YEAR Early
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Travel Explorer Magazine (AUTUMN/WINTER 2016 EDITION)

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