Diary of Our Tanzania Safari – Part Two

Hi Everyone,

Anyone who’s been following me on Instagram will already know that Mr FunkyForty and I have just had the most incredible vacation in Tanzania. On safari and then a few relaxing beach days at the end in Zanzibar.

Today’s “Diary of Our Tanzania Safari – Part Two” article is  written by Mr FunkyForty himself. Created with a lot of love (I can vouch for this). There are funny moments which will make you laugh and scary moments but all is well that ends well.

We started off in Arusha, then Manyara Lake Reserve, Ngorongoro, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti and then finished off in Zanzibar. Each place having something very special. Make sure you read “Diary of Our Tanzania Safari – Part One” first.

Keep reading for the “Diary of Our Tanzania Safari – Part Two”.

 

Diary of Our Tanzania Safari – Part Two

Waking up to a beautiful sunrise at the Serengeti Explorer.

Day 5: Another day, another Serengeti spectacle!

We were up and rolling by 06:30—early, yes, but totally worth it. The morning greeted us with giraffes gliding across the plains and elephants lumbering through the bush like ancient guardians.

Then came the real showstopper: a pride of lions lounging on a rocky outcrop about 300 meters away. Four lionesses, one majestic male and six adorable cubs having a royal siesta.

Naturally, Yvonne declared this the ultimate breakfast spot. Safety first, though—so we dined in the jeep.  Just as Meritho stepped out to the back and started making our freshly percolated morning coffee Yvonne spotted the adult lions walking very slowly towards us. The adult lions had decided it was time to hunt and the kids remained on the rock watching them – I thought it looked like the lion version of movie morning.

Upon Yvonne’s warning Meritho swiftly but calmly went back inside but she made him step out quickly again to close the back doors. Fortunately the adult lions decided  humans weren’t on the menu. They coolly crossed the road just 50 meters from our vehicle, ignoring  us like we were just another tree. Or did they really ignore us? Check out how one mum decided to give us a good final stare before fully crossing over…

Post-breakfast, we watched their hunting technique unfold—graceful, strategic, and intense. Sadly, no suitable prey in sight, so the hunt fizzled out. We moved on, spotting more wildlife (less dramatic, but still charming) before heading back to our luxurious Serengeti Explorer Lodge for lunch and a bit of downtime. Yvonne soaked in the infinity pool while I hit the gym—because why not balance safari with a little self-care?

As the sun began to dip, we set off for our evening “hunt.” First up: a lion draped lazily across a tree branch like it was a hammock.

Then came an elephant encounter straight out of a nature documentary. An older matriarch and her calf blocked the road, clearly sending a message: “No one passes while my little one plays.” Her body language was firm, protective, and unmistakably clear.

Yvonne was a little nervous – of course me not – smile. We waited patiently, then took a small detour—rewarded with the perfect sunset spot over the Serengeti. As if that wasn’t magical enough, Meritho treated us to a bit of Maasai dancing, adding rhythm to the golden horizon. (see video of this on Instagram here).

Back at the lodge, we dined under the stars with local delicacies and more Maasai performances. Delicious food, vibrant culture, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget the concept of time.

Stuffed, sleepy, and full of anticipation, we headed to our room— dreaming of what tomorrow might unveil in this wild, wonderful land.

 

Day 6: From Buffet Bliss to Gnu Drama at the Mara River

Today we got the rare luxury of sleeping in… until 06:30! In safari terms, that’s practically brunch.

After waking up like royalty, we indulged in a brilliant breakfast buffet at the Explorers Lodge—think fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and enough coffee to fuel a wildebeest stampede. Then it was time to pack up the Land Cruiser and hit the road for a long, bumpy journey to the Northern Serengeti, where a luxury camp awaited us like a mirage in the wilderness.

The ride? Rocky, dusty, and full of character. Serengeti’s dirt roads don’t do smooth, but they do adventure. Before officially exiting the central Serengeti, we made a pit stop at the gate—passport to the next chapter.

A couple more hours of bouncing later, we reached the gate to the Northern Serengeti. From there, it was straight to the legendary Mara River, where dozens of off-roaders were already camped out, cameras ready, hoping to witness the Great Migration.

Word on the bush radio was that some had been waiting since early morning. It was now around 14:00. And then—boom! Just minutes after we arrived, a massive group of wilder beasts began their epic river crossing. Our guide, the ever-enigmatic Meritho, clearly has a hotline to Mother Nature… or maybe a secret pact.

Watching the migration was breathtaking—especially knowing that beneath the surface, massive crocodiles lay in wait, like sinister submarines. Luckily, only one hesitant gnu ended up as lunch. Nature’s drama, life and unscripted.

On the way to camp, we spotted zebras, giraffes, gazelles, antelopes, and elephants—basically the full Serengeti cast. Yvonne’s favourite sighting was the ostrich ‘s dating…

Then, coordinates locked in (1.64782° S, 35.04000° E), we arrived at Kaskaz Camp. So remote, even Apple Maps throws up its hands.

The staff and manager welcomed us warmly and laid down the jungle law: no wandering after dark without a guide. Fair enough—this isn’t a stroll through Zürich.

We settled into our gorgeous tent, freshened up, and enjoyed a sunset apero overlooking the Serengeti’s golden horizon.  Just as the stars began to twinkle, Meritho—our Maasai prince of a guide joined us for dinner. The evening was filled with stories, laughter,

 

Day 7: Serengeti Sunrise & Wildebeest Whiplash

Another early start—so early, even the sun was still snoozing. At 05:20, we rolled out of bed and were greeted by the heavenly scent of hot coffee, hand-delivered by the ever-thoughtful camp staff. They’d also fired up the solar-heated water from the previous day, so we could enjoy a warm shower before heading out. Luxury, bush-style.

By 06:10, a staff member escorted us to the car, where Meritho was waiting like a seasoned safari conductor. Off we went, into the wild once more. Still wrapped in darkness, the Serengeti whispered promises of another adventure. Moritho knew exactly where to go. He found us the perfect sunrise spot—elephants in the background, the sky slowly blushing with colour. It was like nature had queued up a private show just for us.

Yvonne refers to this moment as breakfast with the elephants as twenty minutes later, we parked on a gentle hill and unpacked breakfast. Coffee round two, a few bites, and the kind of silence that only the savannah can deliver.

Then it was back to the Mara River, just in time to witness a smaller migration. Wildebeests and zebras braved the current in a chaotic, heart-pounding dash. It was breathtaking.

But nature doesn’t always wear perfume. As we drove further along the river, a sweetish, foul stench hit us like a slap. On the rocks below, we saw dozens of wildebeest carcasses—the tragic aftermath of a failed crossing. Some had fallen prey to crocodiles, others to the blind panic of the herd. The river had claimed them, and the sun was finishing the job.

Further downstream, we spotted some truly massive crocodiles— prehistoric beasts basking like royalty. Nearby, hippos lounged with total indifference, unfazed by the drama that had unfolded.

We pressed on, hoping to find the big herd of wildebeests. For a while, nothing.Then—finally—a promising scene: a large group of wildebeests gathering near the river, their leaders cautiously testing the descent. On the horizon, more were sprinting toward the spot. It looked like a crossing was imminent. But then… hesitation. The leaders turned back. The herd paused. Then, heartbreak—they began trotting away. We slowly moved to another potential crossing point. And so began the waiting game.

Minutes passed. Then we saw movement—the wildebeests were heading back to the original spot. So we followed. And waited. An hour later, still no decisive action. Eventually, we called it: no crossing today.

Meritho confirmed our hunch later—none of his fellow guides had seen a crossing that evening. The wildebeests had changed their minds. Again.

Fun fact: To call someone a wildebeest in Tanzania is one of the biggest insults you can make as it means the person can’t make their mind up.

 

Back at Kaskaz Camp, we learned there’d be a sundown event before dinner. A short walk led us to a scenic lookout, complete with a crackling fire and a mobile bar. The sunset? Absolutely stunning. The kind that makes you forget all about missed migrations. Then it was dinner with Moritho, stories shared under the stars, and off to bed—ready for whatever the Serengeti had in store next.

 

Day 8: From Porch Whispers to Zanzibar Waves: A Safari Farewell

At precisely 01:00 AM, Yvonne jolted me awake—she’d heard something lurking on our porch. Cue the suspense. I squinted into the darkness: nothing. But the sounds? Oh yes, they were real. I was convinced we were perfectly safe. Yvonne, however, was not. For the next half hour, she launched a full-scale psychological thriller starring me as the mildly annoyed co-star. Eventually, she drifted off, leaving me wide-eyed and wondering if I’d imagined the whole thing.

By 05:40 AM, it was officially wake-up time. Five minutes later, like clockwork, coffee arrived and the warm shower was turned on— luxury logistics at their finest. By 06:30, we were packed, caffeinated, and ready for breakfast. After a final round of greetings with our trusted guide Meritho, we loaded the Land Cruiser one last time and rolled out toward the airstrip, bound for Zanzibar.

The drive was a wildlife encore: giraffe babies, zebras, gazelles, a few buffalos doing their best dramatic poses, and the occasional antelope cameo.

Arriving at the airstrip felt like stepping into aviation’s nostalgic past—no computers, no automated check-in, and absolutely zero security control. Just vibes and propellers.

Then came the hardest part: saying goodbye to Meritho. He had an 8–10 hour drive ahead to return the vehicle to Arusha. You could see the mix of emotions on his face—sad to part ways, but excited to reunite with his girlfriend Monika and his mother Maria. A true gentleman of the savannah.

Our flight itinerary had a surprise twist: first, a 20-minute hop in a single-engine Cessna to a central Serengeti airstrip…

… followed by a 1 hour 40 minute ride in a twin-engine turboprop to Zanzibar.

Everything went smoothly, and we touched down safely.

 

After nearly two hours of driving, we arrived at Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa. It’s lovely, perched on a stunning beach—but let’s be honest, it’s not quite the Serengeti Explorer. Still, the buffet dinner was solid, and after a long day of goodbyes and propeller-powered travel, we happily collapsed into bed.

…and so our amazing safari experience comes to an end leaving us with our heads filled tot he brim with wonderful memories. Yvonne says the experience was even more magical than she had imagined – I too have decided this won’t be the last safari holiday we go on – smile!

 

 

---

Sign up for the FunkyForty newsletter for regular Fashion and Lifestyle updates!