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My 5 Favorite Experiences in Tanzania
What was already a dream come true safari in Tanzania turned into something greater. And it is most welcomed. Tanzania loved my soul and vice-versa. Here is my count of the beauty that is Tanzania broken down into 5 of my favorite experiences.
Do you remember those Feed the Children commercials? You know, the ones that took place in a village in Africa. The ones showing a malnourished child with a distended belly surrounded by a swarm of flies.
Or what about what your mom would say when you didn’t want to eat your vegetables? “Come on now, eat your food. There are starving children in Africa.”
When you look back at it, you’ll realize we’ve been programmed to believe the entire continent of Africa is overwhelmed by poverty, lack of ingenuity, and poor conditions.
I recently visited Tanzania, and I’ll tell you what I learned. There is suffering and sadness in some parts of Africa as there is on any other continent in the world. But there is also a kind of magic there that I have trouble putting into words. But I’ll try.
Let me tell you about my 5 favorite things about Tanzania.
The Maasai Village
The Maasai tribe of Tanzania is a popular tourist stop, and for a good reason. The smiling faces, the generosity, and the culture and traditions stole my heart in the most amazing way.
They encouraged me as I tried and failed miserably to master the art of spear throwing.
They allowed me to witness the Adamu or jumping dance, where male warriors, draped in vibrant colors, demonstrate their strength to potential brides by jumping high or levitating in the air. The energy, the music, and the display of athleticism were indeed a refreshing experience.
And they took me for a nature walk through “the bush.” Our walk was like a mini safari where we saw many beautiful animals and learned all about the plants.
The Accommodations
Arusha is home to some of the most expectational luxury hotels and campsites on the planet. The rooms are spacious, the food is divine, and the service and hospitality will make you feel like royalty. My only regret is that I didn’t get to stay in Arusha a little longer.
The Welcoming Spirit and Ingenuity
Just because things are done differently does not make them subpar. I know that now more than ever. Take, for example, the handwashing station made using buckets, rope, and foot petals. While it was different from anything I’ve ever seen, it was an effective and downright impressive way to create a touchless handwashing station in response to the Covid-19 spread.
I mentioned a while back about the service I received in Arusha. Everywhere I went, I felt welcomed. But maybe that had less to do with my luxe accommodations and more with the general nature of the Tanzanian people.
The people actually greeted me with the mantra from “The Lion King,” Hakuna Matata, and the Swahili greeting of “Jambo, jambo bwana.”
While visiting the hot spring swimming hole, we encountered a kind-hearted young man who gifted me a beautiful handmade Africa-shaped bracelet “to remember the love of Africa.” We had great fun interacting with many locals and local tourists from Kenya, as well as a family from France that decided to take an entire year to travel around Africa.
The charm, the heartfelt welcoming spirit, happiness, and overall positive state of mind were contagious, and I wish I could’ve taken some, brought it home, and spread it around.
The Safari
Perhaps the true magic of Tanzania was in the Safari experience. Tanzania hosts the Great Migration, an event where over two million animals begin their journey out into the vast African plains. Wildlife ranging from wildebeests to zebra to gazelles make the journey, braving the Mara River in search of drinkable water and fresh pasture.
Zanzibar
In my final days of vacation, I stayed in Zanzibar. And while there were many options for activities and sightseeing opportunities, I happily accepted the role of a beach bum. And not just any beach. A beach of tranquil turquoise waters, white sand, and perfect temperatures. It was the ideal place to rest from our active trip and reflect on what we had experienced.
I write these words with as much sincerity and passion as I can humanly muster, and I still can say without hesitation that I haven’t done justice to the country or my experience. The only way to capture the magic of Tanzania is to see it for yourself.
And when you decide the time is right to visit this country of wonder, beauty, and valuable life lessons, I’d be happy to help you write this chapter of your Story.
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