22/02/2025
Traveler Review: ***** The most AWESOME trip I’ve ever taken!! Tanzania—I will be back!!!
The 12 day safari in Tanzania was the most AMAZING trip in my lifetime! I have travelled quite a bit outside the U.S. including Kenya in 1996, to Australia a few years later and to several European countries. I have never had such an awesome experience in any of my travels as this one!! Seeing the wildlife and just sitting and watching their behaviors was fascinating. We did not see an actual kill, but we did see a lion dragging a dead zebra to her cubs under a tree. Hyenas were watching and waiting for their opportunity. It was so interesting to watch the female lion stand and face the hyenas, give “the eye,” so they backed away. A baby elephant was learning how to use its trunk. Two adolescent elephants were sparring with their tusks. Our phenomenal guide, Ally Kileo with Guided Tanzania, said they were determining which one was dominant. We sat and watched for a while anytime something was going on. We observed an 8-9 month old cub lion learning how to hunt. We learned from Ally that elephants are the 5th smartest animal and grow 6 sets of teeth. When a set falls out, another comes in. Giraffes have only 7 vertebrae in that long neck. From leopards and cheetahs to zebras, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo and everything in between, we saw it all except a rhino, and that wasn’t because Ally didn’t try. There are very few left and almost extinct at this point. So, as you can see, the wildlife experiences were awesome. The landscape and scenery is breathtaking. I couldn’t get enough of it, and have it “etched in my brain.” I will always use this as my “visual imagery” when I need to relax.
Equally as awesome were our experiences in the different cultures of Tanzania including tribal customs, traditions and values. We visited several different authentic tribes. The people were SO friendly, welcoming and wanted us to participate in their dances and routine daily life. Ally was an excellent interpreter and encourager. Some of the people in the tribes wanted to know about the American way of life (that really impressed me). Many welcomed our small group with a dance and/or singing. Some took our hand to lead us into their home. They were so happy to see us, and I felt such love from them. We went out early one morning with the Bushmen on their hunt. We bought things from local tribesman after watching some of them actually making the items (wood carvings, blacksmiths working with metals, beaded jewelry). Ally took us to onion fields, where we watched and learned about the backbreaking work of people planting plots of onions. We visited a Maasai school that only started 2 years ago and needs supplies and support. We interacted with the young children (1st – 3rd grades). They are learning English, and Social Studies is also a major subject. One of the big focuses in Tanzania is education, especially higher education. We visited Shalom Orphanage Centre in Karatu. Once Ally knew that we loved the cultural experiences, he went above and beyond to make sure we got as much exposure as we could, things that were not even on our itinerary. Other examples included visiting for several hours with an older gentleman who loves telling about the history of Tanzania and America’s role in their independence. He educated us on how the government was formed. He also put on us women a decorated wedding skirt that the bride wears in their tribe and explained the meaning of all the symbolic decorations and where the colors of the skirt come from.
I cannot say enough good things about our guide, Ally Kileo. He’s a native Tanzanian, lived in the United States for a few years, went to college to learn about wildlife, then moved back to his home in Tanzania to his love of being a safari guide. He currently contracts with Kibo Safaris, LTD in Arusha, Tanzania. He speaks excellent English, has unlimited knowledge and was always inviting questions, not only about the wildlife but also about culture, tribal traditions, anything & everything.. He could identify every bird, knew behaviors of the wildlife so well, that he relayed to us what “they were up to,” as we watched. He educated us about the government of Tanzania, the school system, and the trust and love that Tanzanians have for each other and even strangers. I’ve never been to a country where the people were SO friendly, happy, and welcoming. They are peaceful people, extending great hospitality, and love Americans.
Accommodations were excellent!!! I LOVED the tented camps!! They all are nice with a flushable toilet, shower, and a comfortable bed. Some are what I would consider an “upscale tent.” The last one we stayed at “Kati Kati”--Tented Camp in the Serengeti was in the wilderness and some wildlife would visit the camp which made it even more adventuresome , however, they were very careful that we were never put at risk of harm. All the places we stayed had beautiful views, sometimes near a lake (Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi). We took several nature walks on this trip with a local guide in a particular area who shared information about what certain plants and trees are used for.
Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater was beyond belief. Just as the Grand Canyon in the U.S. cannot be described in words, and pictures cannot do justice, the same with the crater. Ally shared a wealth of information about this “natural wonder of the world” too. The Olduvai Gorge (the “cradle of mankind)” was fascinating. And there’s nothing like a sunrise or sunset over the Serengeti plains.
There were numerous times on this trip that I was moved to tears. I experienced the trip of my lifetime because the combination of experiences were so varied. I loved not only learning about the different cultures, but also being able to participate in cultural activities. Ally even took us to one of their local Saturday markets so we could experience that. It was like a huge flea market here in the states with more people, meat being grilled, items for sale everywhere (anything and everything). I never felt unsafe in Tanzania. Ally was always protective of his group—looking out for us, making sure we were well taken care of. He would also give guidance in negotiating prices and where to get the best deals. He loves supporting the local people in their crafts. One of his favorite expressions as “L&D,” which is “Learn and Discover.” He made sure we had as many L&D experiences that we could have in 11 days. It will take me weeks to digest and process everything. It truly was a life altering experience for me. It’s the only trip I’ve been on that I was trying to figure out as I was flying home how I can get back within the next 3-4 years. And I will. A big piece of heart is there.
Debbie Pilson
Yadkinville, North Carolina
