This trip to the Serengeti started in the Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia for myself, and from the Gold Coast, Queensland for my son Michael. This is my 2nd trip, the first being 7 years ago and the first trip for Michael.

We flew Qatar airlines which provides the fastest and most direct route from Australia to Arusha. Our flight from Sydney to Doha was nonstop for about 15 hours with a 3 hour layover. Then from Doha to Kilimanjaro 8 hours with a stop at Dar Es Salaam.

We arrived at Kilimanjaro at 4:30pm and were greeted by customs officials who guided us to an air conditioned waiting area to complete our paperwork and entry to Tanzania. We were provided with refreshments which included cold drinks and snacks.

Our paperwork and Visas were processed promptly and we were on our way. We were greeted by ADS staff and were driven to our accommodation for the night at Kili Season Hotel.

The overnight stay in Arusha is a must after travelling non stop for over 26 hours as our journey continued the next morning with a flight from Arusha airport to the Northern Serengeti on the Mara River near the border of Kenya.

The flight was around an hour or so with a stop at Lake Manyara airport to pick up passengers.

We flew over Ngorongoro crater on the way and the landscape appeared very dry as the wet season had not yet commenced. However as we approached the northern Serengeti region the landscape had taken on a rich green appearance (this was not the case seven years ago at exactly the same time) so the rains had commenced in the northern region.

As we approached the Kogatende Airsrtip the Mara River was in full view and the water levels were quite high in comparison to the trip seven years ago. The pilot decided to give us a treat by flying a number of circuits over the Mara River. Thousands of Wildebeest could be seen congregating at the apex of a river bend contemplating a crossing. A magnificent sight.

Upon landing we were greeted by our guide Arnold who would be with us for our journey from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha via the Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire NP. This covered about 1500 kilometres of game driving.

The highlights of the Safari were-

Northern Serengeti
• The accommodation, staff, and food at the new River Camp was fantastic. The location was beautiful overlooking an undulating landscape with a multitude of small birds around the camp as well as grazing zebras next to our villa during the night. The camp had been upgraded from a tented camp to provide a more permanent structure which included a separate bar, restaurant and swimming pool .

• a superb hot lunch provided under the shade of a tree with views over the Mara River. Unfortunately the lunch was interrupted by a fast moving rain storm.

• thousands of Wildebeest waiting to cross the Mara River. The River was flowing high and crocodiles were in large numbers waiting for their chance to capture lunch. The wildebeest and zebra were very skittish and reluctant to move into the water due to its depth and flow, not to mention the many crocodiles. But it happened, and hundreds of animals crossed the river and exited right in front of our Landcruiser.

• wildlife was abundant including Lions, various types of antelope ,zebra, elephants, giraffe and birdlife.

• As it was my second trip and Michaels 1st we were presented with 2 beaded Maasai rungu and were entertained with a small dance and singing celebration by the staff at dinner. Very much appreciated.

Central Serengeti
• The accommodation staff and food again was very good. The camp was upgraded from a tented camp to more permanent structures which included separate bar, restaurant and swimming pool

• the roar of lions in and around the camp during the night was amazing

• The lions had killed a wildebeest near our lodging during the night and were still feasting on the carcass in the morning

• viewing of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, bat-eared foxes, side-striped jackals and more.

• We spotted two leopard cubs playing in the long grass at dusk but it was difficult to capture photos at this time. The next day Arnold spent considerable time searching for the leopard cubs as he knew they would be resting up in a safe location. After about an hour we came across a large tree and both cubs were resting high above the ground waiting for the return of their mother. A magnificent find as they ended up being the only leopards found on our safari.

• Arnold had us on a search for a cheetah on our 2nd day. We travelled across the vast grass savanna and Arnold knew where to locate them. Well into the distance over the grassed plains we could see kopjes and a few small acacias. We passed the kopje and approached the acacias and there in the shade was a family of cheetahs, a mother and 2 cubs. Another great find and the first cheetahs of the safari.

• We were departing the Central Serengeti travelling over the grassy savannah plains heading for Ngorongoro Crater when to our surprise we came across another family of cheetahs comprising a mother and her 3 cubs resting on a white-ant mound. A fantastic viewing.

• and again another celebration by the staff on our return to this camp and I also met up with a staff member who was still there from my first safari
Ngorongoro Crater

• The view overlooking the crater before descent was magnificent

• viewing of 5 black rhinos including a calf (from a distance) and 2 white rhinos recently introduced and currently separated from the Black Rhinos

• again fantastic accommodation and staff, with the Lions Paw Camp being upgraded from tented to more permanent lodging. A wonderful location perched up high and just below the crater rim

• a Maasai ceremonial dance called the Adumu or jumping dance performed by young warriors during the evening

Tarangire National Park

• Elephant Springs Camp was the first time I had been to Tarangire NP and this camp was located in a remote location of the park near a spring which the elephants frequent for water hence the camp name. When we were approaching the spring there were a number of elephants siphoning water with their trunks from the spring.

• Elephant Springs Lodge was quite new and probably my favorite (in conjunction with River Camp) of the trip. Perched on the side of a hill and facing east to take in the beautiful sunrise.

• so many elephants at this location and it is estimated that the population is 5,000 plus

• locating a female elephant with twin calves. Arnold said he had been guiding for over 20 years and this was the first time he had seen twin calves. He was so excited.

• not sure if this is a highlight but we happened to witness a water buffalo stuck in the mud and weeds at the lake being eaten alive from the rear end by 2 lions. Quite a terrible scene to witness. The lion’s mobility in the mud and weed growth was also limited and it would not approach the buffalo’s head for fear of injury so a kill was not possible.

• seeing the delight and excitement of some children in the farming region outside Tarangire NP when we stopped and handed them the food from our lunch boxes that we did not eat.

• the magnificent Baobab trees scattered across the landscape

Arusha Region
• being able to witness the way of life of the people of Arusha and surrounds.

I would like to thank Sharon for her support and help in preparation for our safari and for arranging gifts and celebrations for my return trip to Tanzania, and for Michael’s first trip.

Finally, a big thankyou to Arnold for his expert guiding and companionship on our safari for over 9 days.

Geoff B.
NSW, Australia
Safari Dates: November 01, 2025 to November 10, 2025