The Weekly Edit: Auberge Safari - The Connected Adventure Of Dreams
SARAH'S TANZANIAN ADVENTURE
Sarah has just returned from the most incredible week in Tanzania, and we are still not entirely sure how we managed to get her back to London!
She spent a whole week exploring four different Auberge Safari properties, and safe to say, she absolutely loved it. From game drives and helicopter rides to incredible food and some very special wildlife encounters, she managed to fit a lot into one week!
The best part? She didn't have to organise a thing. One of the things Sarah loved most was how easy it was to move between the different lodges, with the Auberge Connected Adventure, a collaboration between the tented camps and Miracle Air - your airfare between properties is included (a huge savings!)
Each one offers something completely different, so you get to experience several sides of Tanzania without having to worry about planning all the logistics yourself. If you've been thinking about a safari but aren't quite sure where to start, or you've already done South Africa or Kenya and fancy something different, Tanzania might just be the one !
TAKE YOUR PICK
THE EXPERT WEIGHS IN:
We often get asked: between Little Chem Chem, Forest Chem Chem and Chem Chem Lodge, which one should YOU pick?
All three Chem Chem properties have a spa, gym and boutique, so that part is easy! :)
Forest Chem Chem
This is the ultimate private buyout experience, perfect for a milestone birthday or a multi-generational family holiday. Every little detail is taken care of, bringing you together with the ones you love in the most private and intimate setting. It's INCREDIBLE for families with younger children, too, with a two-bedroom family tent and a playground for the kids! And between the swings by the pool and the gym, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Top tip: Book your Safari Birthday Party NOW!
Little Chem Chem
This is Sarah's top pick for adults. It's romantic and exclusive, but still has a lovely vibe to it. With your own vehicle and guide, you can really embrace the slow safari ethos. Too tired for a 5:30 am wake-up? No problem! Have a lie-in until 7:30 am before heading to the Baobab Hide for an elevated breakfast, with some very special guests potentially making an appearance, from tree-climbing lions and giraffes to elephants and more…
Top tip: Ask for room number 1, which has a direct view of the watering hole.
Chem Chem Lodge
This is the one for those keen to get out and explore on foot, with some really unique experiences, including walking safaris and running with the Maasai. It's also a great choice for anyone interested in the incredible work of the Chem Chem Association, from anti-poaching efforts to protecting the important wildlife corridor between Tarangire and Lake Manyara. The lodge has slightly larger facilities than the other two, including a bigger pool area, and welcomes children aged four and over.
Top tip: Walk from the lodge towards Lake Manyara, past herds of big-tusker elephants, before finishing with a sundowner set-up overlooking the lake.
THE IDEAL CONNECTED ADVENTURE
A PERFECT CIRCUIT
Depending on the time of year and where the Great Migration is, this is how we'd plan the perfect connected safari adventure!
Sarah's ideal connected adventure:
🌿 2 nights at Legendary Lodge - Start by relaxing under the jacaranda trees, painting in the gardens or unwinding in the spa. Two nights to properly slow down and settle into holiday mode before heading off on safari.
✈️ Semi-private charter flight with Miracle Air
🐘 3 nights at Little Chem Chem - Get a taste of tented camp life, with the chance to see the big tuskers and tree-climbing lions. Spend your time relaxing on the deck of your luxury tent and taking in the views. Sometimes, there's no need to leave!
✈️ Semi-private charter flight with Miracle Air
🦁 3 nights at Mila Tented Camp or Nyasi Tented Camp - Depending on the time of year, head into the wilds of the Serengeti, where you can experience herds of wildebeest, lion prides,
cheetahs, leopards and so much more.
✈️ Semi-private charter flight with Miracle Air
Finally, skip the beach this time and spend 4 nights REALLY unwinding at Mwiba Lodge.
Relax on your terrace or sink into what might just be the world's most epic jacuzzi! Spend a morning or two out on game drives, then enjoy the rest of your time making the most of the views, the ridiculously comfortable beds, the spa and, of course, the food.
✈️ Semi-private charter flight with Miracle Air back to Arusha, where you can spend your final afternoon at Legendary Lodge, enjoying lunch and a last little bit of relaxation before your flight home.
Explore the properties below or find out more about the Auberge Connected Adventure.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BOOK?
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA
Tanzania is a fantastic year-round safari destination, but the best time to visit really depends on what you'd love to see.
June to October: A great time for wildlife viewing, as it's the dry season and animals are often easier to spot around water sources.
Late January to February: A particularly special time in the southern Serengeti, when wildebeest calving takes place and there's plenty of wildlife action.
March to May: The green season brings beautiful landscapes and a quieter feel in some areas, although this is also the main rainy season, so it's worth checking which camps are open.
OUR REASONS WHY TANZANIA SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ON YOUR LIST
AND IF YOU WEREN'T ALREADY SOLD... HERE ARE A FEW OF SARAH'S HIGHLIGHTS
A week in Tanzania is about so much more than game drives. Sarah managed to fit in some incredible experiences, and here are a few of the highlights we'd love to recreate for our clients.
1. Seeing Tanzania from above
Sarah also got to experience Tanzania by helicopter, which is such a special way to see just how vast and beautiful the landscape really is!
2. Those unforgettable wildlife moments
Of course, no safari would be complete without some incredible wildlife sightings. Every game drive is different, and having a great guide makes all the difference. She saw everything from the tree-climbing lions and bright green chameleons at Little Chem Chem to baby leopard cubs.
3. Getting out of the safari vehicle
There's so much more to safari than game drives! Sarah enjoyed walking safaris at Chem Chem Lodge and Mwiba Lodge, giving her the chance to experience the bush from a completely different perspective.
4. The food (yes, really!)
Something she kept talking about was the food! Safari food can sometimes be hit or miss, but there was absolutely no disappointment here. It's easy to see why Auberge Safari has won the award for Best Safari Food in Africa, with everything fresh, delicious and beautifully prepared.
5. The people
One of the biggest highlights was the people she met along the way. From the lodge teams and chefs to the guides and rangers, everyone was so welcoming. It's the little things that make such a difference, and the teams really go out of their way to make you feel at home.
It's also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about local life and culture, rather than just seeing Tanzania from the back of a safari vehicle. Sarah also had the opportunity to visit the Datoga and Hadzabe communities, which was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
6. Remote, private and incredibly luxurious
If you've already done a few safaris and are looking for something a little different, this is where Tanzania really comes into its own. Some of the camps are wonderfully remote, with vast landscapes and very few other vehicles around.
You really do feel as though you've escaped into the middle of nowhere. And yet, you're still surrounded by all the little luxuries that make a trip special: beautiful accommodation, delicious food, amazing service and guides who know the area inside out.
It's that combination of being completely out in the wild while still being looked after so well that makes this kind of safari so special.
SO, IS TANZANIA NEXT ON YOUR LIST?
One last thing to remember…
Safari is something you really need to plan ahead for! We recommend booking at least 12 months in advance, especially if you have your heart set on a particular lodge or are travelling during peak season. The best camps can book up well ahead of time, so it's never too early to start planning.
Get in touch with your travel fairies, and let's start planning your very own safari of dreams!
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