A highly satisfying safari experience! A comfortable journey with a few new insights
I was extremely satisfied with this itinerary. On the safari, I was able to see many wild animals up close, including the Big Five, which was an incredibly valuable experience. Thomas, our guide from Predator Safari Club, expertly took us to the best spots for viewing animals, and the daily schedule went almost exactly as planned. He also made the trip more enjoyable by, for example, handing out handwritten lyrics to the African song 'JAMBO SONG' in the vehicle.
As for the game drives, the roads were quite rough, and being jostled in the vehicle from morning until evening was physically demanding. However, this is unavoidable on safari, and I felt that our guide did his best to drive safely.
All the hotels and lodges we stayed at were spacious, clean, and very comfortable. Some lodges had slightly weak water pressure in the showers, but it wasn't enough to cause any real inconvenience, and our stay was problem-free.
The meals at the lodges, both dinner and breakfast, were delicious and satisfying. The safari lunch boxes often featured chicken, which became a bit repetitive, but eating lunch in the shade of the trees in the national parks was a wonderful experience, and thanks to the great weather, it was a very pleasant time.
Regarding the schedule for my return flight, I confirmed it several times before departure. Since my flight was at 17:20, I had requested to arrive at the airport by 14:20. However, when I checked with the guide the day before departure, he suggested that arriving at 15:00 would be fine, as other tour participants had later flights. Since this differed from the previously confirmed time, I asked the guide for a detailed explanation, and he told me that at Kilimanjaro Airport, two hours before departure is sufficient for check-in. I accepted this explanation, and we arrived at the airport at 15:00. In fact, by 15:40, check-in and security procedures were complete, and there were no issues.
If I were to suggest an improvement, it would be to include this information when creating the itinerary in advance, which could have reduced the need to confirm the schedule on site. Overall, it was a fulfilling trip and I am very satisfied. Thank you very much.