In the third installment of our Unique and Bizarre Accommodations on the African continent, we’ll take a look at two venues that have storied histories—literally. The first, Hatari Lodge, is the renovated home of a German actor who starred in the 1960 movie Hatari!, a film that was shot near the present-day resort.

The second, Shu’mata Camp, is inspired by and designed based on Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Snows of Kilimanjaro.

Hatari Lodge: Hollywood aficionados will appreciate this resort’s legendary history. Located on the outskirts of Arusha National Park and in the home of a star from Hollywood’s Golden Age, this is the place to be for travelers looking for a taste of old Hollywood romance on a traditional African safari.

When you step out onto the property, you’ll feel immediately transformed by the awe-inspiring views of Tanzania that have the ambience of an epic Hollywood setting.

Image above taken from hatarilodge.com

Shu’mata Camp: If you wish you could have gone on an African safari in the 1920s while still enjoying the comforts of modern plumbing and electricity, Shu’mata Camp is the answer to your prayers. It’s no wonder, then, that its name is the Masai word meaning “Heaven,” or “Above the Clouds.”

Perched at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shu’mata Camp consists of a line of private tent rooms designed in the classic Hemingway style. Each tent includes a dressing table, panoramic gauze windows, a Hemingway-style hanging cupboard, and an en-suite bathroom, and can sleep between one and three travelers. Surrounding the sleeping areas are sweeping views of Masai land, where various wildlife can be seen and heard, depending on the season.

Image above taken from shumatacamp.com

The dining tent of Shu’mata Camp, too, celebrates safari life in the early 20^th Century. Each of its three rooms is devoted to a different historical phase of the African safari: Vintage, Safari Baroque, and Arabian Nights.

Travel Your Dreams

If you could visit one African story or one period in African history, what would it be?

Lori with the Maasai

Wholeheartedly supporting the motto “You can take the girl out of Africa, but you can’t take Africa out of the girl,” Lori Robinson has established herself as a huge advocate for conservation efforts throughout East Africa. Since her first visit to Africa in 1984, Lori fell in love with the people, environment, and nature of Africa and has made it her life’s mission to lend support and aid to East Africa through her grassroots projects.

We are honored to share with you our exclusive interview with Lori, where she discusses some of her projects and initiatives throughout East Africa and how individuals, just like you, can lend support:

1. Tell us a little bit about your amazing projects, including Africa’s Angels, Notes ‘N Totes, and your Plastic Bag Project. What inspired you to launch these projects and how do they benefit the people of Africa?

My conservationist heart led me to Africa, particularly Tanzania (because I lead tours there for the Jane Goodall Institute). In partnership with community leaders there and donors here (Africa’s Angels), we have built rain catchment systems for access to clean water, cleared the area of plastic litter (as seen in the video below), and done workshops on organic gardening and sustainable living concepts.

Next month 300 kids will participate in a Notes ‘N Totes exchange, which sets up pen pals between kids in America and Africa, focusing on environmental solutions. Kids learn from each other. The Africans in this program have no access to the Internet so the letters from America are an important means of connection. All of Africa Inside’s efforts support and encourage solutions developed in partnership with the local community.

2. How has Africa influenced your life? In other words, what has it taught you about yourself?

I am working on a book of stories from 30 years of traveling to and living in Africa. In the process, I’m exploring this question. Africa (its people, animals, and environment) has influenced me in so many ways, especially in my lifestyle choices. I now live simply, in a small dwelling (I sold my big house and most of the stuff in that house), make a concentrated effort to not consume more than I need, prioritize what makes me happy, and have slowed down so I notice others and nature more, and stay connected to nature, animals, and friends and family. I’m living more of a rural African lifestyle than American and in this way can say, I “walk my talk.”

3. You are good friends with Jane Goodall and each year you host a Jane Goodall trip. Tell us about these trips and how individuals can get involved.

Members of the Jane Goodall Institute who donate a minimum of $1,000 are invited to participate in the trips I lead for her. As a young girl (like many other girls my age) I wanted to be Jane Goodall. It has been a privilege working for her. I also design safaris for other non-profits, and lead trips for people who want to help.

Lori in front of the plastic litter

4. How can individuals donate or lend support to your projects?

The easiest way to make a donation is through CrowdRise. On a more involved level, people can join my annual trips that combine a quintessential safari experience with a meaningful community project.

5. Is there anything else you wish to add?

On my site, AfricaInside.org there are stories, safari itineraries, and descriptions of projects. I hope to connect to your followers there. I believe everyone needs to go to Africa at least once in their lifetime. It is truly life changing. But they also need to be prepared for it to get inside of them, too. I am thrilled to be connected to Hills of Africa because we are like minded and share the same passion for Africa. Thanks so much.

To learn more about Lori and her journeys, click here.

Image to the left taken from Summits-Africa.com.

Did you know that Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in the African continent and that it is higher than 19,000 feet? Because of its high altitude, picturesque scenery, and adventurous terrain, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most popular peaks to climb.

So if it’s been one of your lifelong dreams to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, now is as good of a time as any!

Whether you’re experienced or inexperienced at climbing, there are various packages and itineraries that are offered to all climbing and hiking levels. Some trips are 7 days in length, while others are 20 days in length, and some trips offer more luxurious accommodations while others offer the bare minimum for hiking (without compromising safety, of course). Therefore, there is most certainly a hiking itinerary for Mount Kilimanjaro that can fit your needs, preferences, and physical stamina.

One of the most trusted Kilimanjaro tour operators is Summits Africa, which offers a variety of adventurous hikes up Kilimanjaro, as well as Mount Meru and Mount Kenya. But for the purpose of this blog post today, I’m going to focus on some of their amazing Mount Kilimanjaro itineraries.

Image above taken from Summits-Africa.com.

Below are some details from the Summits Africa 7 days on Kilimanjaro (luxury / the Machame Route) itinerary:

The Machame Route is one of the best ways to travel up Kilimanjaro as it provides some of the most spectacular views and scenery on the entire mountain. The 7-day ascent enables guests to enjoy a moderate-paced hike up the mountain, while still absorbing the stunning natural surroundings. Now if you’re wondering where you get the time to actually descend from the summit since ascending takes 7 days, the truth is you never come back down. Just joking! The trip is actually 9 days in total, with two days of descending.

Day 1—Arrive in Arusha: Tonight you’ll be staying at The Arusha Hotel where you will enjoy a briefing from the climbs manager and your guide, as well as an included dinner at The Arusha Hotel.

Day 2—Begin your climb: Today you will arrive at the base of Kilimanjaro and enter the Machame gate to begin your hike. Most of today’s hike will take you through lush forests. You will stop for a picnic lunch, and then enjoy a relaxing night at Machame Camp.

Day 3—Hike to Shira Camp: Today’s hike will take you on steep inclines that will start to bring you into higher altitude zones. This is one of the most beautiful trails as you will come in contact with stunning flora, lava tubes, and glacial valleys. You’ll then arrive at Shira Camp where you will stay for the night.

Day 4—Ascend to Barranco Camp: Today you will pass through alpine desert and enjoy a lunch picnic. You’ll even have the option to travel up to Lava Tower if you are feeling up for it. Tonight you will be staying at Barranco Camp.

Day 5—Hike Glacial Valleys to Karanga: Today you will enjoy an exciting hike through glacial valleys before arriving to Karanga Camp. The hike today is fairly short; however, you will have the opportunity to walk with your guide to view some of the surrounding valleys.

Day 6—Barafu: Today you’ll have another half day of ascending through alpine desert before reaching Barafu Camp where you can witness the Mawenzi peak.

Day 7—Atop Kilimanjaro: Today is the day when you will reach the summit of Kilimanjaro! You will depart from your camp a little bit before midnight. The reason for this early departure is to reach the summit during one of its most beautiful times—dawn. Alas, you can look down on Africa from the top of Africa’s highest mountain.

After you soak in the panoramic beauty and take some memorable photos, it’s time to begin your descent to Mweka Camp where you will sleep for the night.

Day 8—The descent continues: Today you will travel back down the mountain through montane forest and arrive at the base midday, whereupon you will be escorted to your hotel for some much needed relaxation. You will stay overnight once again at The Arusha Hotel.

Day 9—Off to your next adventure!

If this all sounds like something that interests you, I suggest combining a 7-day Mount Kilimanjaro hike with an additional 7-day trip in Kenya or South Africa. After an exhausting (yet exciting and fun!) hike up the 19,000 foot mountain, you’ll probably be in major need of some rest and relaxation and an additional 7 days in Africa can provide you with just that. From lavish spas to uninhabited beaches, and wine tasting tours to sunset cruises, there are plenty of ways to unwind and rest your body after a 7-day adventure.

Keep an eye out for one of our upcoming posts on packing for a hike in Africa, and don’t forget to check out our downloadable PDF, Your Unique Guide to Southern & Eastern Africa, to start getting ideas for your next African adventure.

Guest post written by Mark Homann, Hills of Africa Travel safari guide

Arriving in Arusha is always quite an introduction to Africa. The city of Arusha is a crowded collection of people going about their business. The roads are jammed with an assortment of overloaded minivans (we saw one with people sitting on the roof), brand new SUVs (mostly belonging to AID organizations), bicycles, and a huge collection of motorbikes making Arusha look like a convention of Africa’s Hells Angels. The main business of Arusha is coffee farming, safaris, and, apparently, homemade furniture.

We spent the night at the legendary Coffee Lodge, which is a fantastic place built around an old coffee farm’s homestead built in the 1920s. The homestead hosted parties in the “old days” that put even Kenya’s White Mischief sect to shame! Whatever the Coffee Lodge’s past, today, this is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight to Africa.

The first morning of our safari we drove through the coffee fields to Arusha’s airport and flew over the Ngorongoro highlands across the Serengeti to the northern border of Kenya. We were in pursuit of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle The Wildebeest Migration. On our approach to the small airfield hidden on the edge of the great Mara River, the green Serengeti landscape was littered with animals in every direction. After aborting our first attempt at landing because of vultures, we touched down into a hive of activity. We loaded up our Land Cruiser and set off for camp via the Mara River. Our one-hour drive to camp took three hours as we saw so many animals along the way, including two different lion sightings, which is not a bad way to start a two-week safari!

Camp was Serengeti Under Canvas, a mobile camp that moves every few months with the migration. It is a tasteful, simple camp, characterized by bucket showers and solar power. It was a great base to operate from. We spent most of our days out in the field, taking in the greatest concentration of large mammals on the plant. We had great sightings of elephant, lions, leopard, and cheetah, but the highlight was on our second morning when we witnessed nearly 10,000 wildebeest cross the Mara River.

Wildebeest had been collecting at one of their favorite crossing points on the other side of the Mara River—their numbers swelling every day, until finally they burst into the river. Words cannot describe the experience of thousands of terrified animals crossing a roaring river full of giant crocodiles! There were so many animals that the crossing took about 45 minutes, which accumulated in a 20-foot, giant crocodile taking a young animal right in front of us. These giant crocs are thought to be about 100 years-old and only feed once a year when the wildebeest come through this area. After 20 years of guiding people through Africa this was without question one of my greatest experiences.

The East African “short rains” were starting and that evening we were treated to a brilliant display of thunderstorms. Only when you have experienced these massive storms in a canvas tent can you get a small insight into what life was like for Africa’s explorers of the 1850s.

So after two days of action-packed game viewing in the granite-filled grasslands of the Northern Serengeti, our Cessna Caravan lifted us to the western corridor and Singita Grumeti Reserves.

Paint your perfect picture of an African safari vacation now by subscribing to our free PDF gift, Your Guide to Southern & Eastern Africa.

We’ve seen many clients who often describe themselves as beach and relaxation lovers. And even though all of our clients possess different passions, interests, and preferences, beach and relaxation lovers, generally speaking, shy away from group excursions and cruise holidays. Instead, they seek refuge at exotic beaches and flock to the waters of secluded destinations. Fortunately for beach and relaxation lovers, Africa has some real gems in store for them.

Below we’ve highlighted some of the best destinations for travelers with an irresistible attraction to stunning beaches and water:

1. Cape Town and the Garden Route: With the power of a magnet, South Africa’s Cape Town and Garden Route beaches have been beckoning international travelers to their beaches for decades. And it’s no wonder why. With exceptional weather between the months of September and April, and spectacular natural surroundings—including backdrops filled with mountains, wild flower fields, and jagged cliffs—Cape Town and the Garden Route provide the ultimate setting for a revitalizing vacation.

Hout Bay is one of Cape Town’s most famous beach areas, visited primarily for sunbathing, whale and Cape fur seal watching, walks along the shore, and leisurely horseback riding. The Bay is also home to a pier, which is celebrated for its amazing fish and chips eateries, which line the walkway. Some of Cape Town’s other delightful beaches include Cliffton and Camps Bay.

The Garden Route also offers charming beach getaways, including Mossel Bay, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Each and every one of these beach areas has something incredible to offer its visitors.

Aside from its breathtaking beaches, Mossel Bay also boasts a Maritime Museum, Shell Museum, and an Aquarium, which can all be explored on your own—should you ever want to break from the beach.

Plettenberg Bay has one of the most spectacular backdrops of all the Garden Route beaches, with towering mountains lining the backdrop. A short distance from Plettenberg Bay beaches are some of South Africa’s most renowned golf courses, which are a must visit for avid golfers.

2. Mnemba Island: Whether you just want to sit on a beach and relax for 10 days straight or embark on a scuba diving safari, Mnemba Island is celebrated for its laid back days, spectacular climate, and unspoiled beaches. This gorgeous private island, which lies 2.8 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is the beach lover’s dream getaway. From private candlelit dinners beneath the stars to naps on secluded beach bandas, and sunbathing to kayaking, everything about the experience on Mnemba Island is surreal.

The perfect time to visit Mnemba Island is between the months of September and April when temperatures are between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit—although, the island is beautiful during the months between May and August when temperatures are a bit cooler.

3. Benguerra Island: If you love the beach, ocean, seafood, luxury, and complete privacy, there is no better place to escape to than Mozambique’s Benguerra Island. Aside from peaceful sun-drenched days on the beach, Benguerra Island also beckons visitors to explore its coastline via horseback, island walks, kayaks, and dhow cruises. Or take a trip beneath the surface into the aquatic wonderland that surrounds this charming island. While scuba diving or snorkeling, you’ll come across hundreds of dazzling reef fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, stingrays, and stunning hard and soft corals. And for an evening filled with sensational cuisine and a quaint ambiance, enjoy a seafood dinner on the beach beneath the stars.

Similar to Mnemba Island, the perfect time to visit Benguerra Island is during the months between September and April when temperatures reach in the high 80s (Fahrenheit). So why not island hop between those months to both islands?

Want to learn more about the beaches of Africa? View one of our past posts, The Great Islands of Africa: Plan Your Tropical Retreat.

Do you love being in the midst of nature, exploring unique wildlife, and natural formations in a quiet environment secluded from civilization? Do you love to explore nature as you walk, hike, canoe, or kayak? Do you find sheer joy in immersing yourself into the unexplored and discovering what few on earth have ever seen? If so, you probably consider yourself somewhat of an adventure craver. And Africa is arguably the leading continent when it comes to adventure.

Africa has been welcoming adventurists with open arms since the rise of many of our great explorers, including the famous pioneer, David Livingston.

Fortunately for travelers visiting Africa today, they can still experience the same untouched Africa that Livingstone witnessed over a century ago. How many continents can you think of that have kept their natural frontier intact?

If you are an adventure craver, here are just a few things you might have on your Africa travel itinerary:

Gorilla trekking in Uganda: Arguably the most adventurous excursion in the world, a gorilla trekking safari takes you deep within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a vast array of primates awaits you. Starting early in the morning, the trek through the Impenetrable Forest is by no means for the faint hearted. Inside the forest, you’ll venture up hills through dense towering trees, often coming upon smaller primate species and stunning birds. During your walk, your guide will introduce you to signs left by gorillas, and other species that you may come in contact with while on your journey up the mountains.

As soon as you come across the group of gorillas, it’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed with various emotions. As one of the few people in the world to witness these magnificent creatures it would be an understatement to call the experience unforgettable. In fact, many would consider it to be life changing.

Following the Great Migration: If you’re an adventurist at heart and the Great Migration isn’t on your bucket list, I urge you to revise your list. The Great Migration is by far one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring natural phenomena on this planet. In fact, as soon as you venture into the Serengeti plains and lay your eyes on the horizon, you won’t see anything but the setting sun and thousands of wildebeest and zebra. The sight is mesmerizing, to say the least.

The migration is a natural occurrence that works in response to the moving rain systems; therefore it is a continual migration that occurs year round. Although you can view the Great Migration throughout the year, one of the best times to immerse yourself into the movement is in June and July in the Grumeti. During this time of year, thousands of wildebeest must pass over the Grumeti River where predators lurk in the waters and lie low in the surrounding grasslands. These traveling wildebeest must dodge Nile crocodiles and trek through the deep waters in the river to make it to safety.

Walking safari in South Luangwa National Park: As one of the most wildlife-dense regions on the planet, South Luangwa National Park has been attracting adventurists at heart for decades. Within South Luangwa National Park lies the Luangwa River, which is home to 60 species of animals and over 400 species of birds. Some of the most abundantly spotted creatures in the park include crocodiles, hippos, crowned cranes, baboons, bush babies, leopards, lions, antelopes, elephants, buffalos, zebras, and much more. Can you see why South Luangwa National Park is the perfect place to enjoy a privately guided walking safari? With virtually no signs of civilization, except for the residential wildlife, and a true sense of authenticity, you’ll have no trouble discovering a deep connection with the tranquility of nature and its creatures.

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As part of our miniseries, The Unique and Unusual Accommodations of Africa, where we spotlight some of the most luxurious and bizarre hotels, lodges, and camps in southern and eastern Africa, we’re introducing two more properties: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge and Giraffe Manor.

If you missed Part I of this post, you’ll definitely want to check it out! Click here to view Part I.

See below for Part II:

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge: I am a huge fan of all &Beyond accommodations, but one of their most luxurious and unique lodges is the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. In fact, if I had to sum up this majestic lodge in one word, it would be “surreal.”

Screen grab above taken from the Lake Manyara Tree Lodge website.

Strategically located within an enchanting mahogany forest in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park, the secluded and elegant Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is a romance seeker’s paradise. Glowing with radiance and beauty, this charming lodge was designed to perfectly compliment its untouched natural surroundings, incorporating natural materials, tones, and textures into a lavish and cozy ambiance.

Celebrated for its quaint and personalized feel, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is equipped with only 10 stilted tree house suites. Each and every suite has an open-layout and is situated in lush tree canopies that work to enhance guests’ experiences and to provide the ultimate setting for romance and seclusion.

Because this lodge is the only accommodation in Lake Manyara National Park, guests can enjoy exclusive access to remarkable game viewing and birding. The lodge also provides private guided safaris that are tailor-designed to fit your specific preferences and interests. Guests of Lake Manyara Tree Lodge even have the opportunity to embark on night game drives through the park to witness nocturnal wildlife and animal behaviors not seen during the day.

Giraffe Manor: By far one of the most unique accommodations in the world, Giraffe Manor welcomes humans and giraffes as guests. This interactive and highly unique hotel is home to resident Rothschild giraffes that enjoy peaceful days in the manicured grounds of this exclusive property. Aside from giraffes, the 140-acre manor is also a sanctuary for warthogs, bushbuck, and a vast array of bird species. And what makes this hotel even more unique is the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngong Hills.

Image above taken from the Giraffe Manor website.

But I warn you that if you stay here, don’t be alarmed if you have an unexpected visitor popping its head into your window for an early morning wakeup call. The giraffes are completely free to roam the manor, which means they can poke their heads wherever they want! In fact, they love peaking in on your traditional English breakfast. And don’t be afraid to pet them. They’re superfriendly and are always up for making new friends.

Image above taken from the Giraffe Manor website.

The manor is located a few miles outside of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and provides an intimate setting for families and honeymooners alike who are looking for the ultimate private retreat. Built in 1932 and modeled after a Scottish hunting lodge, the Manor reflects its historical European roots and exudes an old-world charm with its ivy-covered façade. Tastefully decorated with antique furnishings, fine linens, grandiose beds, and spacious bathrooms, the manor’s five double bedroom suites and larger suite offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.

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I’m excited to share with you our guest blogger for today, Tom Powell of Ziara Safaris. Ziara Safaris is a tour operator, providing exceptional luxury safaris throughout Tanzania and Kenya.

In Tom’s guest article, he shares with us the top elements to incorporate on a Tanzania safari itinerary.

See below for Tom’s guest post (**All images within this post are courtesy of Tom and Ziara Safaris).

Whilst planning your big, once in a lifetime Tanzania safari holiday, it can often be a challenge to narrow down which national parks and game reserves to add to your itinerary, as there are so many available to you and each have their own individual qualities. To give you a better idea of which parks might suit you, here are some descriptions on a few of the country’s greatest parks.

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most amazing destinations in the entire world! It is so unique, compared to other parks, as it is actually a 2+ million year old volcano, which collapsed in on itself, leaving a conservation area build up, which is protected by 2,000 foot high walls.

The view from the crater rim is really breathtaking, and then when you submerge onto the crater floor and see the wildlife there, you really realize that you are in a very special place—especially as it is probably the best place in the country to be able to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and cape buffalo).

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is fantastic for spotting the large members of both the flora and fauna world, which are, of course, the African Baobab tree and the African elephant. This park has large populations of both, and it is a unique opportunity to be able to see a massive elephant look merely miniature compared to the Baobab tree it is standing under.

Serengeti National Park

This is the most famous wildlife park not only in Tanzania, but in the whole of Africa! This is due to the sheer amount of different environments that exist within the park, and the wildlife it attracts. You can enjoy a game drive through the Serengeti, and the surroundings can change from swamp land, to woodland,  and to flat endless plains—the the terrain it is most noted for—within a number of minutes.

Each group of animals has its own preferred environment, so you can now see why the Serengeti is great for spotting varied types of animals.

There is also the matter of the Great Migration, which passes through the area for over half the year before making its way to the Masai Mara of Kenya. This is a herd of around 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebra, and 250,000 gazelle that are on a never-ending natural migration cycle to keep on the search for fresh grazing pastures. It is truly remarkable to see in action!

Selous Game Reserve

This park is different from the other parks I have listed as it is based in southern Tanzania. I have not listed any other southern Tanzania parks in this article, as this park takes long enough to cover on its own (rather than being a part of a circuit) due to its sheer giant size!

This is a great park to visit if you want to be secluded in the bush, and don’t want to see another single tourist or any other vehicles.

It has a great abundance of wildlife, which you will see as you cover its expansive lands over a number of days.

This park is also your best bet to spot the rarely seen African wild dog, as the park is home to over one third of the entire population of this animal.

An African safari adventure can be quite an intense and energy demanding trip, so why not add a few days to relax on the tropical paradise island of Zanzibar to the end of your itinerary? The island has many different areas to visit, such as Stone Town, the east coast villages of Paje and Jambiani, and the north coast village of Nungwi.

You can expect to stay in luxurious beach-side Zanzibar hotels, be treated to food made with fresh fruits, vegetables and spices, and even taste sea food from the catch of that very day.

There are also a wide variety of different activities and facilities for your enjoyment, with everything from water sports to snorkelling, and being massaged whilst relaxing on a beach bed.

Share this post with your followers on Twitter and visit Ziara Safaris at www.ZiaraSafaris.com.

Below is our list of the top five things to see and do while visiting Tanzania:

Experience the Great Migration: One of the most spectacular natural shows on earth, the Great Migration is an unbelievable display of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other grazing mammals on an annual journey across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya. The migration begins in the southeastern Serengeti grass plains, travels to Masai Mara, Kenya, and returns back to the southeastern Serengeti. One of the best ways to witness this natural phenomenon is on a horseback safari, where you’ll ride side by side with hundreds of thousands of mammals.

Where to stay: Because the Great Migration is constantly moving, the lodge you choose to stay in will depend on where the migration is within the Serengeti. Two of our favorite lodges in the Serengeti area include Singita Sasakwa Lodge and the Serengeti Safari Camp.

Chimp trek in the Mahale Mountains: Home to the largest concentration of chimps in the world, the Mahale Mountains provide some of the greatest landscapes for a chimpanzee trekking safari. Visitors to the Mahale Mountains may embark on a grandiose journey in search of magnificent chimpanzee families and discover, firsthand, how chimps behave in the wild. On a chimp trekking safari, you’ll travel up the lush green slopes of the Mahale Mountains to witness a variety of chimp families playing, foraging, and socializing. Aside from chimps, you’ll also see a variety of other primates, leopards, bushbuck, and bushpigs, as well as a wide range of bird species.

Where to stay: Greystoke Mahale

Tour Zanzibar: Off the coast of Tanzania lies one of the most culturally and historically preserved islands in the world, Zanzibar. Within the heart of Zanzibar lies Stone Town, a World Heritage Site celebrated for its majestic masques, charming kikoi (a traditional clothing wrap) boutiques, narrow streets, and bustling town squares. During your tour of the island, don’t forget to visit one of the many spice plantations to learn about vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon production. And for a real treat, visit Jozani Forest to witness the elusive red colobus monkey, a species that is endemic to Zanzibar.

Where to stay: Mnemba Island Lodge (you must take a boat ride from Zanzibar to get to the Mnemba Island Lodge)

Find pure bliss on Mnemba Island: Synonymous with paradise, Mnemba Island is a luxurious, tropical retreat fit for royalty. This remote island off the coast of Tanzania is inhabited only by a few guests and staff, making it a completely secluded and exclusive retreat. Ocean-enthusiasts and beach-lovers will find new and exciting things to do each day, including the opportunity to embark on a dhow cruise, scuba dive amongst sea turtles, sharks, and colorful reef fish, as well as go deep sea fishing for mackerel, king fish, and marlin. When you’re on land, enjoy the untouched white beaches via your very own oceanside bandas. And at night, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach as you savor freshly caught seafood and local Tanzanian culinary delights.

Where to stay: Mnemba Island Lodge

Explore the Ngorongoro Crater: Created two million years ago when the cone of a volcano collapsed, this 100-square-mile cavity is blessed with all the necessary ingredients to create a wildlife paradise. Thanks to extremely diverse ecosystems that make up the crater floor, including grasslands, swamps, forests, and lakes, Ngorongoro Crater is known for having one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa. Some of the animals you’ll witness within the crater include hyena, black mane lions, elephants, and the endangered black rhino. The crater is also famous for a past archeological discovery that is said to be one of the oldest archeological findings in the world—the remains of a Homo habilis from 1.75 million years ago.

Where to stay: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

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Below we’ve highlighted 5 of our favorite adventurous destinations in Africa:

1. Victoria Falls: Aptly named Mosi-oa-Tunya or The Smoke that Thunders by locals, Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and rightly so. This 5,600 ft. wide by 360 ft. tall waterfall is an adrenaline-lover’s paradise. From white water rafting to bungee jumping, and helicopter tours to challenging hiking excursions, visitors to Victoria Falls can choose from a handful of adrenaline-pumping adventures that are guaranteed to create lifelong memories and epic stories.

For free-falling-fiends, plunge 360 ft. into the Batoka Gorge with your only safety line snuggly fastened to your feet. Another popular adventure to embark on is a white water rafting tour at the base of this thundering waterfall.

2. Uganda: Home to one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious creatures, Uganda has been attracting adventure-addicts for decades. Deep within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lives a group of one of the most remarkable primates, the gorilla. As you hike through this thick, wildlife-clad forest, you’ll experience close encounters with various gorilla civilizations that will leave you speechless. The mere sight of these 500 lb. creatures will be one of the most memorable moments in your life. During your trek through this enchanting forest, you’ll also come across various other primates including the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, baboon, and others.

3. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park: As the host of The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth, the Serengeti National Park is a wildlife-lover’s heaven. During this spectacle, also known as The Great Migration, nearly 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, 250,000 Thompson gazelle, and thousands of lurking predators migrate through the Serengeti plains to follow the rains. This annual wildlife movement is one of Mother Nature’s most astonishing works of art, and for that, visitors from all around the world visit Tanzania to witness this breath-taking phenomenon. We suggest upping the adventure by planning a horseback safari through herds of fast-moving zebra, swarms of wildebeest, and towering groups of elephants and other large game.

4. Kruger National Park: Arguably South Africa’s best national park, Kruger is a melting pot of wildlife diversity. Game drives yield sightings of awe-inspiring animals including The Big Five, hyena, wild dog, antelope, giraffe, vibrant birds, and much more. Although one game drive through Kruger National Park is enough to get your heart pounding, there is nothing like the sheer adrenaline rush of taking flight over this sprawling national park via hot air balloon.

Your hot air balloon adventure begins at dawn when the sun is just peaking over the horizon. During your tranquil flight, you’ll travel over rolling hills, quaint countryside, orchards, mountain tops, thick forests, bushveld, and the famous Blyde River Canyon to witness a new kind of game viewing.

5. Sossusvlei, Namibia: The sand is your playground in Sossusvlei, Namibia. With miles upon miles of vast desert plains, Sossusvlei is the perfect place to satisfy your wild side. Whether you want to go quad biking over rolling sand dunes, sandboarding down steep sand slopes, or sky dive over vast plains, Namibia is famous for fast-paced adventures. But don’t underestimate Sossusvlei’s terrain. With the highest sand dunes in the entire world, this destination never falls short of challenging adventures for the adrenaline-junky. While visiting Namibia, you’ll also witness fascinating creatures such as vibrantly painted lizards, geckos, spiders, scorpions, snakes, and chameleons.

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