The Serengeti & Beyond | August/September, 2026

We arrived in Dubai ready to stretch our legs and enjoy a taste of the city before continuing on. Even with just a short stopover, Dubai’s mix of desert warmth and futuristic skyline sets the scene beautifully for the adventure ahead.

The Burj Khalifa never ceases to amaze. A few of the group headed straight for its towering heights, taking in those sweeping views over the city, the Gulf and the endless desert beyond. It’s one of those sights that always delivers a little moment of awe.

Next stop - Dar es Salaam! Stepping out into warm coastal air and that unmistakable East African welcome. We were met on arrival and transferred to our hotel, where everyone could unwind, settle in, and enjoy a gentle first taste of Tanzania.

This morning we made our way to the airport for our flight to Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s great northern parks. There’s always a little buzz in the air on travel days — bags zipped, boarding passes ready, and everyone looking forward to the next chapter of the journey.

By the afternoon we touched down at Arusha Airport, a small and welcoming spot with views of green hills all around. We were met on arrival and transferred to our hotel, where a chance to settle in, refresh, and enjoy a relaxed evening awaited.

After breakfast we set off for our camp in Tarangire National Park. Named after the Tarangire River that winds its way through the landscape, the park is a beautiful mix of open grasslands, wide floodplains and that iconic scatter of ancient baobab trees.

We enjoyed game viewing along the way, spotting wildlife as we travelled through the changing scenery, and arrived at camp in time for lunch. A relaxed siesta followed — a welcome pause in the heat of the day — before heading out again for an afternoon game drive.

We returned as the sun dipped low over the baobabs, a perfect first taste of Tarangire’s quiet magic.

Today was phenomenal for wildlife — Tarangire absolutely turned it on. From the moment we set out on our game drives, animals seemed to be everywhere. We were able to get incredibly close to so many species, each sighting more exciting than the last.

Tarangire’s landscape only adds to the magic: a beautiful blend of open grasslands, wide floodplains, the winding Tarangire River and thousands of towering baobab trees. It’s a park that feels both vast and intimate, and today it gave us one unforgettable moment after another.

A standout day in the wild.

After breakfast we began our journey to Karatu, travelling through rolling highland scenery and small villages along the way. We arrived in the late morning, with time to settle in and enjoy the relaxed pace of this charming gateway town.

Lunch was at leisure — a welcome chance for everyone to unwind, take in the surroundings, and enjoy a gentle pause before the next chapter of the adventure.

Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera — and one of the Seven Natural Wonders — and today it absolutely lived up to its reputation. We descended through early‑morning mists and dropped nearly 2,000 feet into the crater, watching the landscape open out into one of the most extraordinary wildlife havens on earth.

The crater floor is a mix of grasslands and shimmering saltwater lake, its shallows dotted with flamingos and hippos. Not long into our drive, we were treated to an unforgettable sight: three huge rhino wandering calmly past an old male lion, with zebra and impala scattered across the scene. The sheer diversity of wildlife in one sweeping view was breathtaking.

A magical day in a place that feels like nature’s amphitheatre.

Today we travelled from the Serengeti’s Lobo region down into the Central Serengeti, game‑viewing all the way. More lions, more wildlife, and that classic Serengeti feeling of never knowing what might appear around the next bend.

One of the standout moments was an elephant determined not to work too hard for his lunch. He walked straight up to a tree, paused for barely a second, then pushed it over as if it were a matchstick — simply so he didn’t have to reach for the leaves and grubs it offered. Watching that kind of raw strength up close was incredible.

And then came the hippo pool… absolutely packed, jostling, grunting, bubbling — a full‑on hippo crowd scene.

Another unforgettable day in the Serengeti.

Today was a full day of game‑viewing in the Central Serengeti — and what a day it turned out to be. We found ourselves right in the middle of a lion hunt, with these magnificent big cats cleverly using our trucks as camouflage as they stalked their prey. We were surrounded by them, close enough to appreciate every detail: their power, their beauty, their calm focus. It was one of those Serengeti moments that leaves everyone a little speechless.

As if that weren’t enough, we were also privileged to watch two stunning leopards resting in a tree with a fresh kill. Both were in superb condition — sleek, shiny coats and that unmistakable feline confidence. Seeing them so relaxed and healthy was a real highlight.

We ended the day at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, perched high above the plains with sweeping views in every direction. Wildlife wandered below us, the light softened across the savannah, and the whole scene felt like the perfect Serengeti finale to an extraordinary day.

From there we continued to Lake Manyara National Park, where the landscape shifted dramatically. The dense, green vegetation wrapped around us, creating a completely different atmosphere from the wide‑open Serengeti plains. Birdlife flitted through the trees, monkeys leapt overhead, and the forest felt alive at every turn.

Later in the day, we visited a local orphanage, a place filled with bright faces and enormous heart. Our wonderful group; generous as ever, donated kindly to support the children’s daily needs at this deserving school for orphaned and under‑privileged kids. It was a touching stop that left everyone feeling deeply connected to the community.

After breakfast we said goodbye to Lake Manyara, collecting our packed picnic lunches before beginning the scenic drive toward Arusha Airport. The journey offered one last look at Tanzania’s lush highlands before we transitioned from safari life to island time.

This afternoon we checked in for our flight to Zanzibar, watching the landscape shift from earthy savannah tones to the sparkling blues of the Indian Ocean. On arrival, the warm coastal air wrapped around us as we transferred to our hotel in Stone Town.

A travel day that gently carried us from wildlife and forests to spice markets and sea breezes — the perfect transition into our Zanzibar chapter.

Beautiful, beautiful Zanzibar welcomed us with its deliciously warm temperatures and that unmistakable island charm. Stonetown’s famous carved doorways lined the narrow streets, each one a little work of art. The markets were buzzing — spices, fabrics, voices, colours — all blending into that lively Zanzibar rhythm we’ve come to love. And our hotel? Absolutely lovely, the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring.

A highlight for many was the Freddie Mecury Musuem, a fascinating look into the early life of Zanzibar’s most iconic son. Wandering through Stonetown, it’s easy to imagine young Freddie racing through these same laneways, long before the world knew his name.

Warm, vibrant, and full of stories — Zanzibar never fails to charm.

Our final morning in Zanzibar dawned slow and gentle, with time for one last stroll, a final swim, or simply a quiet moment to enjoy the island breeze.

This morning, we set off to the airport and checked in for our flight, first travelling to Dar es Salaam and then transiting through to our Emirates connection bound for Dubai. It was a smooth travel day, giving everyone a chance to unwind and chat about favourite safari moments.

We arrived in Dubai this evening and transferred to our hotel for an easy overnight stop before tomorrow’s onward flight home to New Zealand.

Another wonderful Tours Direct adventure wrapped up — full of wildlife, warmth, and memories that will stay with us forever.