After searching many tour companies I selected Taralight.
As a Solo traveler many others were charging at least 30% more and not an itinerary to my liking. Taralight was very accommodating and had better selections. I did choose Basic Camping, which may not be suitable if you’re looking for comfort & amenities. All necessities were provided for camping: sleeping bag, tent & sleeping pad.They do provide better options if you so choose.
My trip was 8 nights / 9 Days which is much longer than many choose to do.
This included:
Lake Manyara & Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha Park,
Mto wa Mbu Walking Safari ( actually walking hillsides and plantations above
Mto wa Mbu) and visiting Hadzabe & Tatoga Tribes in Lake Eaysi.
It is very impressive to see all the wild animals on their migration. When you look across the plane you see from end to end a long steady stream of animals wildebeest, zebras, impalas , gazelles And at times a sprinkling of cape buffalo, elephants & giraffes along with many birds. All the while you know that there are lions, leopards, cheetahs & hyenas lurking nearby. Many times you just hear their growls and rumbling called ”rolling”, but you cannot see them.
You will see leopards & lions in trees, lions, lioness & cub As well as a Cheetah with about a 6 month cub. Cheetahs are extremely difficult to spot as they also lay very low in the high grass.
We had daily game drives in all areas some as early as 6 am others at 8am, returning to camp at 6pm. We would stop & have boxed lunch which are prepared by a chef that makes all meals that accompanies you on the safari.
Our guide Fhazil was very knowledgeable and would take the time to stop and give everyone plenty of time to take photos and explain. Our Chef: Kevin was also very accommodating and prepared good food.
Visiting Tanzania was quite an experience in all aspects. The area around Kilimanjaro Arusha is an agricultural area as well as maasai pastures. The whole landscape is a very amazing vast expanses of planes as far as the eye can see. It is truly a sight to behold and something not to miss before human encroachment reduces and changes the whole environment.
The Hadzabe Tribe visit was one of the best days Spent! These are Hunter / gathers and are the only tribe allowed to hunt. I also went on a short walking hunt with 5 men. They hunt with bow/arrow.
Quite an experience as well as educational.
• If you have time and are interested put this on your list!
Each area visited is different in terrain, scenery and wildlife.
• Manyara many trees not too much open area.
• Tarangire, more open not as dense with trees
• Serengeti vast open grasslands, plains with horizon to horizon expanses of
Wildlife and what I call savannahs.
• Ngorongoro Crater, fairly flat crater with abundant wildlife.
• Arusha Park: At foot of Mt Meru, lakes, hilly, trees and some open areas. No
predators but other wildlife.
The people are friendly although they do want the American dollar which is understandable on average they earn $300 a month. Young boys no older than 6-8 making cement blocks by hand, herding Cattle or goats, older women carrying bales of grass on their backs. Men working alongside the road clearing grass using machetes, plowing fields walking behind Oxen. This is just a simple reminder of how many, many people live today in less prosperous nations.
A final thanks to LIGHTNESS ARNOLD LEMA, my contact with Taralight.
He was very attentive and communicated very well and took care of making all arrangements. Airport pickup, driver, suggestions for individual day trips which were not part of the safari.
Many Thanks to all my guides:
All were very knowledgeable, patient , good language and most of all very personable.
They made my safari and experiences very rewarding
Fhazil Lake Manyara, Taragire, Serengeti, & Ngorongoro Crater.
Lio Lobulu: Arusha Park
James: Lake Eyasi
Daniel : driver that picked me up from the airport, showed me Arusha, Lake Duluti, Maasi Village, Morombo ( maasi market where goats are sold as well as what is called BBQ alley) and finally drove me to the Hike of Maturni Falls and also to Moshi.
There are other Tour agencies that are available that cost much more, I must say I was very happy & do not hesitate in saying I made the Right Choice.