Just Back From: Tanzania
I recently caught up with a friend who traveled with her family of five to Tanzania and Rwanda this past December. In these two interviews, we’ll be detailing her stays in both countries and the highlights—from experiencing the exceptional service at the stunning lodges to spotting cheetahs on safari drives and getting up close with gorillas in Rwanda. Years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Tanzania with my own family, and I’ve woven in my thoughts alongside her more recent experience. Stay tuned for the Rwanda installment coming next week!
On arrival:
To reach Tanzania, we flew from New York to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro. We stayed one night at the Legendary Lodge in Arusha, then woke up in the morning and drove twenty minutes to the airstrip. We flew from there to the Sasakwa airstrip, where we were met and driven to Sasakwa Lodge.
On the Legendary Lodge in Arusha:
The lodge was great. My husband and I had our own room, while the kids shared a two-bedroom suite. We had a great dinner there; it was some of the best food we had on our trip, especially the buttered chicken. I’ve heard that if there isn’t availability at the Legendary Lodge, people tend to stay at the Marriott.
On the Singita Sasakwa:
At Singita Sasakwa, you can see the Serengeti for miles, with breathtaking views in every direction. The common areas were beautiful, and they did a great job of moving us around for meals so that we could experience several different spaces—many had fireplaces, and others felt very private. For accommodations, we had three rooms: one for my son, one for my daughters to share, and one for my husband and me. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable.
Tip: One thing to note is that there are villas, but they are located lower on the property, so the views aren’t as stunning as those from the other rooms.
On amenities:
The Singita had a cute little spa, a shared pool, private plunge pools, a proper gym, and tennis courts with pickleball lines.
Mindy’s Take:
The property is incredibly remote, tucked away in the Serengeti, which makes it the perfect base for wildlife and safari experiences. The game drives from there are some of the best I’ve experienced. The common areas have that classic British colonial charm, with a lot of old-world decor that gives the place a timeless feel. The food was very good, and the gym was decent for such a remote spot.
One thing that did stand out, though, was the pool situation. We had a private pool, but it was freezing. I’m not sure if they could have heated it or if it’s just the temperature at that time of year, but I couldn’t stay in it long.
On the staff:
Upon arrival, you have a staff member assigned to you who takes you on all of the game drives. You also have a food and beverage captain assigned, and something worth noting is how great they were at handling allergies. They provided a fully gluten-free menu, and you could always order off the menu—-they were very accommodating.
On the game drives:
Most days we were there, we were on safari. At 5:30 or 6:00 am, we would wake up and meet in the common area, where the hotel provided coffee, muffins, and thermoses, and leave for the first excursion. Then, around 10 or 10:30 am, we would arrive back at the hotel for brunch. The middle of the day was for relaxing or working out, and then we would go back out for another drive before heading to dinner.
The safari experience here is pretty straightforward: you’re not going to spot animals right away. It takes some driving to find them, and once you do, you stay in the car for the entire experience. We did get out for sunset cocktails and snacks, which was nice.
One activity that I wish we had done was the hot air balloon ride. The views are supposed to be unbelievable, but we didn’t go on this trip.
Mindy’s Biking Experience
My family and I asked for permission to bike outside the lodge, and they actually sent a guide with us on a bike while a safari jeep followed behind, keeping an eye out for animals. I’m not sure if they still allow it, but it was a pretty cool experience!
On reaching Legendary Mwiba:
We left Singita Sasakwa after three nights and flew on a puddle jumper to Mwiba, which took about forty minutes.
On the Lodge & Tented Camp:
Mwiba Lodge offers two distinct accommodations: a traditional lodge and a tented camp. We stayed for three nights at the lodge, which had a kind of rustic charm and exceptional service. The lodge features a well-equipped gym and a small spa where we enjoyed wonderful massages.
Our friends opted to spend one night at the tented camp, which is closer to the wildebeest migration route, and then the following two nights at the lodge. I preferred to stay at the lodge—rather than switching over—given how much moving we were already doing!
Tip: The rooms only had one AC unit located above the bed. I’d inquire about rooms with multiple units if you are traveling during the hotter seasons.
On the food:
The food at Mwiba was even better than at Singita Sasakwa. We were there during Hanukkah, and every night they made us challah—both gluten-free and regular—as well as potato pancakes. It was truly above and beyond!
On the staff:
The staff at Mwiba was just amazing and wonderful. They really made it feel like home.
On activities at Mwiba:
There is regular safari watching available at Mwiba, but the main activity here is tracking the wildebeest migration. On our first day, we saw the wildebeest as well as some cheetahs, which was incredible. The following day, we visited a local tribe and watched them extract honey and build a fire. It was incredible. We also had the chance to walk with the bushmen, which was really fascinating. Later that evening, we visited a village, where we met the local children and learned about their culture and community. I really appreciated the contrast between the pure safari experience and the cultural immersion we got from meeting the bushmen and visiting the village. It added a different, meaningful layer to the trip.
Mindy’s Addition: Singita Mara River Tented Camp
Years ago, we stayed at Singita Mara River Tented Camp to watch the wildebeest crossing, and it was such a memorable experience. From what I’ve heard, it's still considered one of the luxury properties if you want a tented camp experience.
In terms of design, the tents had a classic safari aesthetic with mosquito-netted beds and en-suite bathrooms with outdoor soaking tubs. We had two tents across from each other, which worked perfectly for the kids and us. The common areas were safari chic as well.
Something to note—after dark, guests weren’t allowed to leave their tents without an escort… an indication of how close you are to the wildlife!
