Travel Review: Luxury Tanzania Safari - Family Vacation - Ngorongoro, Manyara, Maramboi Tent Camp

We had a great time in Tanzania. Everything was planned very well and the flights, lodges and safari were all successful. The first day we arrived at almost at midnight and didn't get to see much of the first lodge (Olasiti). John and Emmanuel(our driver) had come to the airport of Arusha and met us and took us there.

The next day we had a good time at the Boucamviglia Lodge where we had a chance to also do a little swimming at their nice pool. We also took a walk were taken on a walk to a nearby coffee plantation; but during that 1 hour walk we realized how tired we were from the previous day's trip. Sunday we drove to Ngorongoro. The view was magnificent during the drive and at first everything around us seemed very quiet with not many animals but as we drove around in the crater we saw all kinds of animals (elephants, lions, impalas, hyenas, gnus, jackals, rhinoceros, hippos and many kinds of birds). The stay at Serena Lodge was very pleasant and overall we didn't think that we needed any more luxurious accommodations than what Serena lodge had to offer. Monday we drove to lake Manyara and there we found more vegetation and some different kinds of animals. Lots of elephants, giraffes and baboons. Everyone was taking hundreds of pictures. Emmanuel was always very accommodating, pleasant and nice despite the fact that our group wasn't quite following his rules which of course were dictated by the rangers and the rules of the parks. Monday night we stayed at the Octagon Lodge. My wife and I were not impressed by the rooms there but we had a wonderful dinner and then stayed up in a very pleasant living room/reception area where we played cards. After the wonderful dinner and getting used to the room we actually liked the experience, the smell of the wicker carpets and the rather primitive conditions because it made us feel closer to the African nature. I have to mention that overall we didn't have any problems with mosquitoes. It must have been the dry weather conditions. Tuesday we went to Tarangire Park. It wasn't as impressive as the other ones but we made some changes to the plan and had a good time. At Emmuauels's suggestion, he took us to Safari Lodge to relax for several hours where we sunbathed as it was important to get back home with some African tan. That lodge was at an elevated part in the park and had a really nice view of the park and the river. Then we continued the tour through the park and drove to the Maramboi Tent Camp which was the best among all the places we stayed. We enjoyed the sunset and then a wonderful dinner and made the acquaintance of the manager, Yannick who impressed us with all that he had achieved and he was only 25 years old. The stay at Maramboi camp will remain unforgettable but so will the entire trip.

The flight back to Athens through Ethiopia and Rome was comfortable and uneventful and then we had a very good time in Athens with family and friends for New Years. Now we are back to reality and looking forward to our next travels. We will certainly recommend you to our friends and we will also contact you to help us with future trips.

Have a wonderful 2011 and thanks for everything.