Our journey began in Tanzania, where we were greeted with a song and dance. After enjoying welcome drinks, we settled in for an a la carte dinner and shared a couple of glasses of wine around a cozy fire pit.

In Arusha, we explored the vibrant local markets, where we were met by happy, friendly locals. We enjoyed a stunning drive up to the Ngorongoro Crater, staying at the Serena Lodge, perfectly positioned on the crater’s rim. Each room at the lodge had an incredible view down into the crater, and we were treated to a breathtaking sunset. Our evening was capped off with Masai dancing and a delightful dinner.

The Ngorongoro Crater is known as the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. It’s a sanctuary for various animals and birds, featuring a diversity of ecosystems. On our first day of safari in the crater, we saw an amazing variety of wildlife, including ostriches, Thompson and Grant’s gazelles, wildebeests, zebras, warthogs, buffaloes, and hippos in the lake and wetlands. We even spotted elephants throughout the acacia trees, among other unique sightings like a Rhino through the trees.

Enroute to the famous Serengeti National Park, we visited a Masai village, where we spent time with the children at their school and were guided around the village huts by the men. This was a fascinating cultural experience and we recommend an extended visit with the children. As we entered the Serengeti National Park, we encountered a memorable close-up of exhausted lions near their recent kill, along with hyenas crossing the road in front of us and elephants strolling with their babies.

In the Serengeti, we enjoyed beautiful sunsets and evening drinks by the fire pit, joined by local musicians and dancers, many of us joining in on the dancing as well. From Tanzania, we crossed into Kenya, enjoying the sights of villages, markets and smiling children. We stayed at Mara Eden, a luxury tented camp on the Mara River, with some of us lucky enough to have tents right next to the rapid waters and others near the hippo pool, where we could hear the hippos grunting and splashing all night.

Our stay at Mara Eden allowed us some well-deserved downtime. Some of our group went horseback riding, while others relaxed at the camp, and the rest of us embarked on safari drives. We were fortunate to witness two of the five legendary “Musketeer” cheetah brothers, renowned for their exceptional hunting skills. We also spotted many baby warthogs and giraffes.

An early morning hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara was a highlight of our trip, offering stunning panoramic views with a sunrise backdrop. Perfect weather conditions allowed us to see an array of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and even a majestic male lion.

On our way to Lake Nakuru, our guides suggested a detour to Lake Naivasha, where we took a boat cruise. The lake, once full of flamingos, no longer inhabit the area. However, it was fascinating to explore the island, where animals were brought in for the film *Out of Africa* still roam peacefully due to the absence of predators. We were able to see giraffes sitting down and a brave fisherman approach a large pod of hippos nearby. 

On our Lake Nakuru game drive, we encountered a playful pack of young lions enjoying the rain, completely oblivious to our presence as they approached our vehicles. Early the next morning, we were thrilled to spot flamingos and various birds on the lake, as well as baboons with many adorable babies who frequently blocked the roads.