Serengeti, The United Republic of Tanzania
WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! This was the trip of a LIFETIME.
- More about your Oliver Guide: Rachel Wynne
- Trip type: Adult, Family, Group getaway
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: Two weeks
to & from
My daughter and I flew Swiss Air from San Francisco to Zurich. Then Zurich to Arusha.
My husband went another time and flew Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa to Arusha.
Upon arrival we had a driver pick us up and take us to the hotel.
Where to Stay
–River Trees Country Inn : A peaceful riverside retreat set among lush gardens just outside Arusha, offering cozy cottages beneath towering trees. Relaxing and picturesque it’s an ideal stop for beginning or ending a safari or Kilimanjaro adventure. We loved our riverside cottage with big canopy bed. The restaurant and bar is great people watching and the staff is super friendly. My daughter ordered a dessert every night called the ‘African Bounty’ and they have a great breakfast buffet with lattes.
–Gran Meliá Arusha: Modern hotel set on landscaped coffee and tea plantations with sweeping views of Mount Meru. The rooftop restaurant and bar have spectacular views of Meru especially at sunset. Super international crowd. This is ground zero for where safari vehicles depart. Very convenient and easy.
–Gibb’s Farm: Historic coffee plantation lodge nestled on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, surrounded by lush gardens, forest trails, and working farmland. This is enroute to the Serengeti so it is a bit outside of Arusha. We did not stay here but we were treated to lunch here by out guide Deo. It is a SPECTACULAR spot and the best farm to table food we had on the trip. It felt like an Out of Africa moment having lunch in main dining room. It is on our bucket list when we go back.
Where to Eat and Drink
We ate mainly at our hotels: River Trees, Gran Meliá, Gibb’s Farm. We ate a lot of Indian food when we arrived and became more adventurous as the weeks went on. We (knock on wood) did not get sick on this trip. The safari food was out of this world- especially the white linen tablecloth breakfasts and lunches out in the middle of the Serengeti.
What to Do
I did A LOT of research on Safari outfitters when planning this trip. We wanted something intimate, authentic and locally run. We were given a tip from a friend who runs an NGO in Tanzania that a lot of Safaris are run by multi-nationals and the tourism dollars are not going to Tanzanians. With this in mind we searched high and low and completely lucked out when we found Oregei which is run independently by Deo who grew up Maasai, attended boarding school and went onto a prestigious university in Tanzania. He is fluent in Massai, Swahili, and English.
Our experience with Oregei Safari was nothing short of extraordinary. Specializing in fully custom, private safaris led by Deo. Oregei delivers an authentic, deeply personal experience that goes far beyond the typical game drive: quiet moments, off-the-beaten-path routes, and a true connection to the land.
Deo, our guide, is simply the best in the Serengeti. His knowledge, intuition, patience, and love for his country shaped every day in a way that felt effortless yet unforgettable. We saw wildlife in ways that felt intimate and respectful, never rushed or staged. If you’re looking for a safari that feels real, meaningful, and expertly guided, we wouldn’t go with anyone else.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about our Oregei Safari.
You can learn more on his website:
www.oregei.com
Inside Scoop
For Safari- Go with local guides! Do your research and pick wisely. We saw so many safari vehicles jam packed with people distracting the animals and causing unnecessary disturbances.
Request to start your Safari drive at sunrise each morning- this is when the animals are most active- every morning we saw lions almost immediately. And there is nothing more spectacular then a sunrise over the Serengeti.
What to Pack
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts (linen or technical cotton) in sand, olive, stone; comfy pants (you will be sitting for awhile); cotton tee for layering; light fleece or sweater for early mornings in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro; packable rain jacket; trail shoes (hokas) or blundstones ; evening outfits (I brought some casual dresses and wraps); hat; sunscreen; binoculars; camera; water bottle; portable charger.
More...
Tanzania vs Kenya
Both are spectacular. However, about 90% of the Serengeti ecosystem lies in Tanzania, with the remaining 10% extending north into Kenya as the Masai Mara.
Tanzania’s Serengeti is the heart of the ecosystem. It’s bigger, quieter, more varied, and offers extraordinary wildlife viewing across more months of the year. We picked Tanzania and have zero regrets.
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