Tanzania: Serengeti to Zanzibar

There were 20 people on our safari, plus marvelous Tour Director and four expert driver/guides. The guides have super vision. Seems like they could identify an eagle in El Paso if they were in a car in Dallas! The main roads are bumpy dirt roads, and the side roads even more so. It added to adventure. Seeing a gazelle being born, seeing young zebra learning to stand, zebras mating, hyenas trying to mate, elephant thinking about mating, lunch on a an island beach near Zanzibar sampling a variety of local fruits. And the balloon ride over the Serengeti.

This trip of a lifetime exceeded expectations by the end of the first game drive. Then, each day got even better. Tauck didn't miss a detail in planning this adventure, and our tour director made the trip even more special. The Tauck Director and the drivers are all genuinely passionate about Tanzania. Thank you! Tough to say what was most memorable, as each day held a unique experience.

From the minute we arrived everything was flawless. The guides, lodging, even wondered if you special ordered the animals because we witnessed so much. Special surprises which were not in the itinerary. Once when expecting a box lunch, was met by entire waitstaff for an elegant lunch. Pinch me, felt like I was in a movie. perfect! Hard to narrow it to just one moment as there were so many. The first lion I laid eyes on if I had to pick. Balloon ride over the Serengeti an extreme close second. Thank you Tauck!

Third trip to Africa but a first for granddaughters--8 and 12. Triple accommodations were crowded and the food in the lodges was just OK. But, that said, we'd book it again in a nanosecond. Must remember difficult logistics there for restaurants. Long. Rough jeep rides deserve 4 stars--rougher than in India/Nepal. Nevertheless, my iffy back did OK. Wildlife was exceptional: black rhino, leopard, cheetah, dozens of lions, migrating wildebeests. Director and guides informative and great to travel with. Wonderful balloon ride at dawn. Ngorongoro caldera awesome to behold. Visit to Oldavai George was on the bucket list. Zanzibar hotel and snorkeling from the dhow had the grandkids in heaven.

We took our family on the Tanzania and Zanzibar trip in July. We had previously taken the Grand Safari of Tanzania and Kenya and enjoyed it so much we wanted to share it with our family. This trip was just as amazing, the tour director, the guides, the animals, the hotels and the other travelers. Which trip we would recommend, do both! Seeing the giraffes appear out of the mist. All the baby animals.

This was our first trip to Africa and we were looking for an adventure that would combine wildlife, culture, memorable accommodations and well-traveled companions. This trip was above and beyond our expectations! Our tour director and guides were all personable and so knowledgeable--we felt sad to say goodbye. Hoping to return to Africa someday. The hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Serengeti and the champagne breakfast in the bush was probably our most memorable moment. Although the herd of zebras (estimate: 800-1,000) migrating on the Serengeti was absolutely amazing and a close second.

We had never been on any tours before this one. We liked that it was a small group. The accommodations were incredible and great food. Our Tour Director was incredibly organized and knowledgable. Our drivers were the best. They knew about pretty much everything we saw and we saw more animals than we could have imagined. It can't be kept to one moment. Seeing a leopard take down a baby warthog was truly amazing. Seeing the big 9. The balloon ride over the Serengeti. Staying in luxury lodges on the Serengeti. The infinity pool that looked over the plain with giraffes and wildebeests off in the distance. The visit to the Maasai village was amazing.

Our recent safari with Tauck to Tanzania and Zanzibar was the trip of a lifetime. From beginning to end Tauck gave us a vacation that we will never forget. Our tour director and the various guides were stellar. There was never a question that they could not answer. The animals were abundant and fabulous! Thank-you, Tauck, and we will return! Our most memorable moment was our balloon ride over the serengeti at sunrise and the male lion being enthusiastically welcomed by his pride within 15 feet of our vehicle.

This is our 2nd safari and by far the best. Our tour director went out of her way to insure the adventure was better than any of us expected. The timing of the trip was wonderful to avoid crowds, see abundant animals, and most of all to see all the babies. My wife had her 70th Birthday in the Serengeti and the lodge staff made it special for her. At Tarangire were were surrounded by a herd of elephants who didn't mind our presence and got almost within touching distance including some very young calves. One calf was estimated to be a week old and it nursed from its mother right adjacent to our truck. An old female was very curious and came up to the truck to check us out before moving on.

This was our 6th Tauck tour and the best in the past 25 years! Tanzania is an amazing country, we would like to go back! The 4 guides, incredible guys and what about our tour director - very dedicated! The sceneries, living in the animal kingdom, and the lodges! Fascinating Zanzibar Island, another world!