AFRICAN ADVENTURE: Tamblyn Yoga, Safari & Beach Retreat

Introducing Tanzania: The Adventure Capital of Africa

Tanzania is the best place to experience an African safari. Safe, accessible and populated with large herds of Africa's most exotic wildlife, including the Big Five. Tanzania is best known for:

• The great migration
• Cultural immersions with the Maasai
• Go on a Big 5 Safari in Tanzania's best safari parks
• Climb Mt Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru treks
• Chimpanzee trekking at Gombe Stream National Park
• Zanzibar's historic Stone Town and pristine white beaches
• Swimming with whale sharks on Mafia Island
• Ol Doninyo Lengai volcano
• Visit the life-changing School of St Jude or East Meru Community School (our Tanzanian charity partners)

and much, much more. In our opinion, Tanzania is the adventure capital of Africa. 

Safari in Tanzania

Receiving approximately 1 - 2 million visitors each year, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is a particular favourite, as it is one of only two places you can witness the Great Migration. The Serengeti has also been voted "The best safari destination in Africa" more times than any other safari park. 

Tanzania’s best safari parks can be split into two regions, the Northern Circuit and the Southern Circuit, and both offer incredible game viewing opportunities. 

1. The Northern Circuit is the most popular and the best place for your first safari.
   • Widely regarded as the best region to spot the BIG 5, huge herds of antelope, elephants and giraffe, and the only area you can spot the great migration, you can't go wrong with a Northern Circuit safari.
   • It’s worth remembering that, as a popular safari destination, large crowds can be expected, especially during the high season from July - September.
2. The Southern Circuit is a great place to experience a unique safari without the crowds.
   • The parks in this regional are less famous, but still offer a unique experience, and the animals tend to be a little more wild as they are less used to tourists.
   • There are fewer lodges in the South, so it is important to talk to an expert to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. 

What is the best time to safari in Tanzania?

The best time to visit Tanzania is between Jan - Mar and Jul - Sep when weather is clear and warm, and wildlife is abundant. Each month has its own pro's and con's though, and below is a breakdown to help you decide which time of year is best for you:

• January to March: Calving season
  • January to March is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania because it is calving season in the Serengeti.
  • At this time of year, the Great Migration herds slow down and mothers give birth to their calves. This is a great time of year to see young animals taking their first steps. Fresh babies also bring a lot of big cats!
• April to May: Big rains
  • The long rains are not an advisable time of year to go on safari, as roads can become flooded and riddled with potholes. Many tours also don’t operate during this time, and some camps and lodges close during this season.
• June: Early river crossings
  • June is a fantastic time to watch the early river crossings in the Western region of the Serengeti around the Grumeti River. 
  • Few tourists, great animal sightings and pre-peak season rates make for a fantastic safari. 
• July to August: Peak season
  • Late June to early August is the peak season for the Northern Circuit, especially in the Serengeti, as this is when the Great Migration occurs.
  • The north-western Serengeti is the best place to be for the beginning of the migration, between late June and July.
  • In August, the migration moves into the northern Serengeti. This is where you can catch a glimpse of herds making the perilous journey across the crocodile-infested Mara River into Kenya.
• September to October
  • The Great Migration moves into Kenya throughout September & October, so wildebeest sightings become less frequent. While you may catch the last of the Great Migration in early September, if you want to go on safari at this time of year, it is usually best to visit the Masai Mara in Kenya.
  • Unless you want to avoid the crowds of the Masai Mara and don't care about the great migration, then September - October is a wonderful time for safari. 
• November to December: Short rains
  • The short rains arrive through November to December, and the herds begin to return to the Serengeti following the Great Migration.
  • This is a good time of year to avoid crowds, but still see plenty of wildlife, as long as you aren't scared of getting a little wet. 

What do I need to know about travelling to Tanzania? 

• Visa Requirements:

  • Most visitors will need a visa.
  • Australian tourists can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa before travel.

• Currency:

  • The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency.
  • US dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas, but carry some Tanzanian Shillings for smaller purchases from local providers.
  • Australian dollars are unlikely to be accepted, and will receive a poor exchange rate from banks. 

• Language:

  • The official language is Swahili.
  • English is commonly spoken in urban and tourist areas.

• Health and Safety:

  • ellow Fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country with yellow fever (i.e. Kenya, Uganda, and many other countries in Africa).
    •  The yellow fever vaccination is a live vaccine and effective for life.
    • Your doctor may advise you not to have the vaccination if you are:
      • Over 60 years old
      • Have existing medical conditions.
    • Please consult a doctor for more information. 
  • Malaria is present and we recommend taking the necessary precautions, including mosquito repellents and anti-malaria medication.
  • Always drink bottled or filtered water.

• Electricity:

  • Tanzania uses 230V, 50Hz electricity with Type D and Type G plugs (three rectangular pins used in the UK).
  • Bring a travel adapter to ensure your devices stay powered.

• Time Zone:

  • Tanzania operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3.

After exploring Tanzania, it is also very easy to visit other East African countries where you can:

• Trek with gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys in Rwanda or Uganda.
• Witness the Great Migration or trek Mt Kenya in Kenya
• White water raft in Uganda
• Explore 4th - 13th century churches, marvel at active volcanoes and eat incredible food in Ethiopia
• And much more.

For more details, please visit our blog: https://www.adventureoutloud.com.au/blog/the-best-safari-parks-in-tanzania-and-when-to-visit

There are few things more exciting than a safari and yoga experience guided by our world renowned instructor like Tamblyn Lord. Imagine starting your day with sunrise yoga on the Serengeti plains, surrounded by the distant roars of lions and the rhythmic calls of birds. Feel the rich earth beneath you, the fresh morning air filling your lungs, and the untamed beauty of Africa awakening your senses.Some days we yoga on the plains of the Serengeti, other days, on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Each experience will be memorable, and regular meditation will also be incorporated into the trip.

About Tamblyn Lord (Tam)

Tam is an adventurer, actor and yoga instructor with a burning passion to explore

An enthusiastic hiker, Tam found yoga 20 years ago when he was searching for a way to re-connect with the sense of wonder and perspective he felt when trekking through the Himalayas. Tam has been teaching yoga since 2003 and has a Level 3 Senior registration with Yoga Australia, making him one of the most experienced Hot Yoga and Vinyasa practitioners in the country. Having studied at the Sivananda Ashram (India) and with many of the world’s most well-known yogis - among them Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste and Rod Stryker - Tam has a unique ability to empower students to reconnect.

“Teaching is a privilege; it’s like conducting energy. Concentrating on the twin foundations of core stability and breath awareness allows the body to respond appropriately and the mind to focus. It’s an opportunity for us to observe our life force in flow”.

Tam’s passion to explore has taken him through some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet, he can't wait to share some of these places with you. 

Notes:

• Having Tam on this adventure creates a unique opportunity to incorporate yoga and meditation into our experience. This helps us be more mindful of the unforgettable, and in some cases life-changing, experiences we are having. 
• The yoga and meditation is not compulsory. 
• This is not a yoga retreat, it is a yoga and safari adventure.
  • This means that yoga and meditation are only part of this unforgettable experience.
  • The other part are the incredible destinations you are going to be visiting. 
  • Yoga and meditation will be available every day, but don't be surprised if you skip some of these to enjoy the amazing lodges you will be staying in, or to go on safari / explore Zanzibar. 
• Tam is also an amateur photographer and he'll be bringing his camera with him on this adventure. Part of Tam's job is to capture all of your unforgettable memories so that you can be present and in-the-moment while you experience them. During the adventure, Tam will share his photos with you and once we return home, we will edit all of the photos and add them to Adventure Out Loud's Flickr, so that you can access them whenever you want. 
• Tam is not a certified guide in Nepal. Each adventure will be run by a team of certified local guides to ensure you are safe. Tam's experience in Nepal adds to our local team, ensuring you have a stress-free and unforgettable adventure. 

Embark on an unforgettable BIG 5 safari through the iconic landscapes of some of Africa's best safari parks. 

What you can expect on your safari

• Opulent safari camps and lodges, where luxury meets the untamed wilderness.
• Daily game drives in private, luxury safari jeeps with expert guides who unveil the secrets of the wild as you go searching for Africa's most exotic animals. 
• Gourmet meals prepared fresh each day.
• Cocktails by an open fire, spa treatments, and star-gazing under the vast African sky.

About the Great Migration

The Great Migration is the annual migration of more than 1 million wildebeest and zebra through the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania.

• During Jul - Oct each year, the herds are in the Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara. This is the best time to see them making their famous river crossings. It is also a fantastic time of year to spot big cats, many of whom have also migrated following their food source.
• From Nov - Jun, the herd migrates through the Serengeti following the rain. This is a great time to avoid the crowds and save money. 
• Jan - Mar is a particularly good time to safari, as the huge herd welcomes the arrival of thousands of baby wildebeest. The newborn calves are easy prey for big cats, which makes for easy spotting of these magnificent creatures. At this time of year, the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu are the best regions to visit.  

About the Serengeti

The Serengeti is Tanzania's crown jewel, having won "Africa's Best Safari Park" more times than any other park in Africa (usually every year). The word "Serengeti" means wide open plains in the local Maasai language, and that is exactly what you get, almost 15,000 square km of pristine pastures for almost all of Africa's exotic safari animals; a mesmerising tapestry of wilderness and wildlife.

Vast grasslands stretch to the horizon. Lions laze beneath acacia trees, while elephants traverse the savannah. Hot air balloon safaris offer a celestial view of this living symphony. The Serengeti's ecosystem thrives with cheetahs, leopards, and an astonishing array of birdlife. Serenity pervades the landscape, interrupted only by the raw sounds of nature. A sanctuary of natural wonders, the Serengeti embodies the essence of untamed Africa, captivating the soul with its boundless beauty.

The Serengeti is home to approximately 4,000 lion, 1,000 leopard, 225 cheetah, 3,500 spotted hyenas and 300 wild dogs.

About the Ngorongoro Crater

Once an active volcano taller than Mt Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater is now the world's largest un-broken, un-flooded amphitheater; and one of our favourite game parks in Africa. With walls up to 600m high, the unique environment around "The Crater" adds a special element too your safari. Add large populations of most of Africa's most exotic animals, including Africa's largest pride of lions, and you're guaranteed a unique wildlife encounter like no other. 

About Lake Manyara

Famous for its tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is also home to large herds of elephants, towers of graceful giraffes, and collectives of playful baboons, whilst the shimmering alkaline lake attracts flocks of pink flamingos. With dense forests, open savannahs, and lush marshlands, Manyara is home for more than 400 bird species, making it a birder’s paradise. Whether you’re marveling at the towering Great Rift Valley escarpment or spotting elusive leopards, a safari in Lake Manyara promises an unforgettable experience. 

The Maasai are a nomadic tribe spread across East Africa, renowned for their vibrant clothing and rich traditions. Historically, they have been pastoralists, herding large flocks of cattle, sheep, and goats.

Today, you have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Maasai culture—take a guided tour of a traditional boma, step inside a local mud hut, and engage with this fascinating community, gaining insight into their way of life.

Notes:

• Entry fees: 
  • Entry fees support the community and a portion (usually 50%) goes towards educating Maasai children. 
• Different cultures & norms
  • The Maasai are a male dominant society with unique cultures that may be very different to those that you believe in.
  • Even if you disagree, please be respectful of their beliefs and cultures, everyone has a right to their own customs.
  • Like all cultures, the Maasai culture continues to evolve. By empowering women & children through education, they will drive the change that they believe is necessary. 
  • If you want to make a meaningful change, consider sponsoring a Maasai student through school

Tour the school, participate in a music or art class and visit the home of one of St Jude's eager young students (if you sponsor, you will visit your sponsor student's home). During this home visit, you will get the chance to meet the student's family and immerse in Tanzania culture as you sample local foods and learn a to speak a little Swahili. This is one of the most transformational and rewarding experiences that Adventure Out Loud offer and we guarantee you are going to love it.

More about the School of St Jude:

Founded by Australian Gemma Sisia in 2002, St Jude has grown into one of the most respected schools in Tanzania. With a mission to fight poverty through education, St Jude achieves their objectives by providing a high-quality, free education to 1,800 disadvantaged Tanzanian students. To receive a scholarship at St Jude, you must be both bright and disadvantaged (i.e. living below the poverty line, etc), and to keep your scholarship you must maintain a "B" grade point average. St Jude have adopted these strict conditions as a way of inspiring their students to achieve greatness, with many aiming to be Tanzania's next doctors, lawyers, engineers and leaders. 

Since their first graduating class in 2015, St Jude has had a number of students receive full scholarships to prestigious universities in America and around the world. Most recently, a survey of families with a student who had graduated from St Jude, found that more than 80% of these families were no longer living in poverty.

St Jude is very close to our heart and in many ways, it is the time that our founder, Nate, spent volunteered at St Jude (from 2013 – 2015) that greatly influenced Nate's passion for keeping disadvantaged children in school and inspired him to start Adventure Out Loud as a catalyst for making a difference in the world through adventure travel. 

Here is a little more about the School of St Jude:

In the event of an emergency, please contact the following in the order provided:

1. Our Australian office (first instance)
   • WhatsApp: +61 432 822 652
   • Email: [email protected]
2. Our East African office (second instance)
   • WhatsApp
     • Aloyce (Guest Relations | Tanzania): +255 624 009 895
     • Bobby (Logistics Manager | Tanzania): +255 755 879 484
     • Jacob (Guest Relations | Kenya): +254 726 555 776
     • Simon (Logistics Manager | Kenya): +254 786 461 837
   • Email: [email protected]
3. The Australian Embassy
   • High Commission of Australia in Kenya (for all East African countries)
     • Address: Limuru Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
     • Phone: +254 204 277 100

If you are unable to reach Adventure Out Loud, please contact:

• Tanzania
  • Burhani (Trusted Taxi): +255 754 756 700
  • School of St Jude
    • Jane Mollel (Visitor Team Manager): +255 68 254 9400
• Zanzibar
  • Seyyida Reception: +255 242 238 352
    • Address: R5RR+2F2, Nyumba Ya Moto St, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Africa has a tipping culture that is similar to America and it is appreciated when you tip guides, hotels, restaurants, and other key service providers. To make it easy for you, Tamblyn will collect tips from everyone on day one and tip on your behalf for group activities. You should budget approx. US$200 - $300 for tips. 

Here are a few notes about tipping:

• Tipping can be in USD or in the local currency. 
• The best way to tip:
  • Guides is to roll/fold the money in your hand and shake their hand, or present them with an envelope. 
  • Lodge staff is to place the tip in the communal tip box upon check-out. 
• The best time to tip is at the end of each activity/safari or when you are checking out. 
• Tips recommended below should be split between the group, unless specifically noted as per person.

Here is a guide to help you with tipping:

• Safari guides
  • US$30 - $50/day
  • Tips are not expected for trainee guides.
    • If the trainee does a particularly great job, feel free to give them something small; experience and a chance to practice their English is the best gift you can give them. 
• Lodges:
  • We recommend you tip US$5 - $10 per person, per night.  
  • These tips are shared between all of the cleaners, cooks, reception staff, etc. 
  • The best way to tip at lodges is to deposit the tip into the tips box when you check-out. 
• Restaurants:
  • There is no general rule, we usually recommend to round the bill up with a tip of between 10 - 20%. 
• St Jude
  • Tipping is not expected at St Jude.

Talk to one of our African experts about adding:

GORILLAS	CHIMPS	MADAGASCAR
EHTIOPIA	CAPE TOWN	EGYPT
VICTORIA FALLS	ZANZIBAR	MAFIA ISLAND

We have been exploring Africa since 2008, and can help you with all of Africa's big attractions. Simply call us on +61 432 822 652 or email [email protected]