Latest news with #SingitaGrumeti
Globe and Mail
07-08-2025
- Globe and Mail
Safaris aren't just for newlyweds and families. Here's what it's like to go alone
'You're here by yourself?' The taxi driver sounded surprised. Or, perhaps, simply unused to ferrying lone, middle-aged women to Tanzania's Kilimanjaro International Airport, where I planned to hop a propeller plane to a dirt airstrip in the middle of the country's vast savannah. I'm married (happily); I have friends (I swear). Yet going on safari alone intrigued me, because even as solo travel has soared in popularity, safaris retain their reputation as the realm of families and honeymooners. I wondered what it would be like to experience one of the world's wildest places by myself – and had recently learned that the number of solo safari-goers has been steadily, if quietly, growing. 'It's definitely a trend we're seeing,' said Monique Langue, a safari expert with go2Africa from Cape Town, South Africa. In 2024, around 13 per cent of the company's travellers were on their own, an 8-per-cent increase from the previous year. The trips aren't just for loners, Langue said. 'You can be a solo traveller, join a small group and meet some new people,' she said. 'But for others, travelling alone is really about that experience of a solo trip.' I was invited to discover two of Africa's top safari camps in both price and guest experience – and so planned a two-part solo trip encompassing both sides of the wildlife-rich Mara–Serengeti ecosystem that spans the border between Kenya and Tanzania. First, a stay at Singita Grumeti in Tanzania's 350,000-acre Grumeti Game Reserve. Next, I'd fly to Maasai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya, where I'd be sleeping in one of the well-appointed, canvas-sided tents at andBeyond Bateleur Camp. 'What do you most want to see? What we do is totally up to you,' said Grumeti safari guide David Mnazi, when my plane touched down at the reserve's private airstrip. If solo trips can occasionally leave travellers feeling at loose ends, I quickly found that, with their activity-packed schedules, safaris are a bit like grown-up summer camp. During my stay at Grumeti, Mnazi would be my guide for twice-daily game drives, designed to catch the morning and evening hours when animals are most active. Within minutes of leaving the airstrip, we'd seen the lilac-breasted roller – a flamboyantly coloured bird – followed by warthogs snacking on grass in a gossipy knot. I relished the flexibility that the solo drives gave me. At times, I chose low-key birdwatching feet from the lodge; another day, we decided to cross the reserve in pursuit of a pride of lions, who we found drowsing in the thorny crowns of acacia trees. In the heat of the day, I retreated to the Singita Faru Faru lodge, where my suite overlooked the roiling Grumeti River. I savoured the long afternoons: my netting-swathed bed hinted at indulgent naps, while a watercolour painting set invited creative interludes. The minibar bar was stocked with chilled South African chenin blanc. Tucked in the corner was a cork yoga mat that I pulled out each day, spreading it on my veranda and following the step-by-step mindfulness meditation instructions set thoughtfully alongside. Many solo safari trips, like mine, come with hefty single supplement fees that may explain the relative rarity of going it alone. That may be changing. At Singita, where a week-long safari costs as much as a compact car, lone travellers aren't charged more. Meanwhile, andBeyond waives their 50 per cent single supplement fee during two low seasons, from mid-January through April plus November through late December. 'Camps and lodges are starting to see the value in being a little more flexible when it comes to solo travellers,' Langue said. It takes some looking, she acknowledged, but noted that going in the rainy season, as I did, makes such deals easier to find. In quiet periods, she's had success negotiating down single supplements even when they're listed in the official rates. Flights are more affordable in the low season, too. Visitors to remote lodges might even find themselves alone on the plane, as I did on an early morning flight to the second game reserve on my safari itinerary. 'Welcome to your private plane,' said the co-pilot, from the open cockpit of the twin-engine propeller AirKenya flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport. 'Next stop, Maasai Mara National Reserve.' A veteran andBeyond guide, Wilson Omari, greeted me on the ground with a flute of Champagne, and promptly steered me past a herd of surly-faced buffalo. Our first official game drive wouldn't begin until later that day, when we'd go out in search of the black rhino who'd recently been spotted with her young calf. (When we found them, looking placid and alien at the forest's edge, I squealed in undignified delight but with no other guests nearby to laugh, who cares?). Until then, I'd luxuriate in a tent that stretched the meaning of the word to its breaking point. At its centre was a plush, leather-trimmed bed with room for a crowd. Its gin bar, cut-glass sherry decanter and vast copper bathtub seemed especially decadent when paired with views of giraffes wandering nearby grassland – explorer-inspired romance upholstered with cheekily Victorian creature comforts. One morning, I skipped my game drive to join Simon Saitoti, andBeyond's community and impact officer, for a hike through nearby Nyekweri forest, which provides critical habitat for animals, including the endangered giant pangolin, but has faced rapid deforestation. Saitoti, a Maasai elder, helps oversee the andBeyond-supported rewilding project currently restoring it, with a tree nursery providing seedlings to the surrounding villages. As we searched for pangolin tracks amid shady groves of wild olives and black ironwood trees, he explained that the forest has exceptional environmental significance, but also a cultural one. 'This is where young Maasai men become warriors,' he said. 'When I was a young man, I spent a month in this forest, with no clothes, eating nothing but beef and herbs . . . men from the village came to me, and spoke words to change my heart and make me brave.' Such traditions depended on the forest's ongoing existence – Saitoti saw his people's future entwined with that of the ecosystem he was working to protect. On my last game drive at the camp, I was joined by newlyweds Maddie and Sachin Verma – beatific and just a week past their vows. Together, we watched a family of elephants clustering around a tiny calf, and sipped cocktails on a bluff high above the Maasai Mara at sunset. 'Would you like to join us for dinner?' Sachin asked, graciously, when we returned to camp. 'No thanks,' I replied. 'It's my last night, and I think I'd like to eat alone.' If you go All-inclusive safaris at Singita Grumeti Faru Faru start $2,963 a person per night, includes meals, accommodation, two daily game drives, transfers to the airstrip and excellent service. For more, visit All-inclusive stays in luxury tents at andBeyond Bateleur camp start at $1,687 per person per night, single supplement waived during low season. Includes meals, accommodation, safari activities, laundry, airport transfers. For more, visit or Special to The Globe and Mail The writer was a guest of Singita Grumeti and andBeyond Bateleur Camp. They did not review or approve the story before publication.
Time Business News
22-05-2025
- Time Business News
Why Combine Kenya & Tanzania for a Luxury Safari Tours
A luxury safari is more than just a vacation—it's an immersive experience that blends adventure, relaxation, and unparalleled wildlife encounters. While Kenya and Tanzania each offer exceptional safari experiences on their own, combining these two East African destinations elevates the journey to extraordinary heights. From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti to the dramatic landscapes of the Masai Mara, a dual-country safari provides diversity, exclusivity, and a deeper connection to Africa's wild heart. Kenya and Tanzania are home to some of the most iconic wildlife reserves in the world. A combined safari allows travelers to witness the Great Migration, one of nature's most spectacular events. The migration follows a cyclical route between Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Maasai Mara, offering different perspectives of this awe-inspiring phenomenon. In Tanzania, the Serengeti's vast grasslands host millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, while Kenya's Mara River crossings provide dramatic predator-prey interactions. Beyond the migration, both countries boast rich biodiversity. Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater is a natural sanctuary for the Big Five, while Kenya's Amboseli National Park offers breathtaking views of elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Combining these destinations ensures a well-rounded wildlife experience, from big cats to rare bird species. Luxury safari tours in Tanzania and Kenya are designed for discerning travelers seeking comfort and exclusivity. High-end lodges and tented camps in both countries provide world-class amenities, private game drives, and personalized service. In Tanzania, properties like Singita Grumeti and &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge redefine opulence with private butlers and gourmet dining under the stars. Kenya's Angama Mara and Segera Retreat offer equally lavish experiences, blending contemporary elegance with untamed wilderness. A combined itinerary allows guests to enjoy the best of both countries' luxury offerings. Private conservancies in Kenya, such as Ol Pejeta and Lewa, provide intimate wildlife encounters away from crowds, while Tanzania's Selous and Ruaha National Parks offer off-the-beaten-path adventures in remote, untouched landscapes. East Africa's cultural heritage is as captivating as its wildlife. Kenya's Maasai communities are renowned for their vibrant traditions, and luxury safaris often include visits to local villages, where travelers can learn about ancient customs and crafts. Tanzania, meanwhile, is home to the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes, whose hunter-gatherer lifestyles offer a fascinating glimpse into humanity's past. Combining Kenya and Tanzania ensures a richer cultural experience. Guests can engage with Maasai warriors in Kenya's Laikipia region before meeting the semi-nomadic Barabaig people near Tanzania's Lake Eyasi. These interactions add depth to the journey, creating meaningful connections beyond the typical tourist experience. The landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania are strikingly diverse. Kenya's Great Rift Valley lakes, such as Nakuru and Naivasha, attract flocks of flamingos, while Tanzania's Tarangire National Park is famous for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, dominates Tanzania's skyline, while Kenya's Aberdare Range offers misty forests teeming with wildlife. A dual-country safari lets travelers explore these contrasting environments seamlessly. From the golden savannas of the Masai Mara to the dense forests of Tanzania's Mahale Mountains, where chimpanzees roam, the variety ensures every day brings a new adventure. After days of thrilling game drives, unwinding on the pristine shores of Zanzibar Beach is the ultimate luxury. This Tanzanian archipelago, with its turquoise waters and powdery white sands, is the perfect complement to a safari. High-end resorts like Mnemba Island and The Residence Zanzibar offer private villas, spa treatments, and world-class diving. Including Zanzibar in a Kenya-Tanzania itinerary transforms the trip into a holistic escape, blending adrenaline-pumping safaris with serene beach relaxation. Whether snorkeling in coral reefs or savoring fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant, Zanzibar provides an idyllic conclusion to an unforgettable journey. Luxury safari operators specialize in seamless cross-border itineraries, handling visas, flights, and transfers with precision. Chartered flights between Kenya's and Tanzania's premier parks minimize travel time, maximizing time in the wild. Expert guides, with deep knowledge of both countries, enhance the experience with insights into animal behavior, conservation efforts, and hidden gems. Combining Kenya and Tanzania for a luxury safari tour offers the best of East Africa—diverse wildlife, exclusive lodges, rich cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether tracking the Great Migration, exploring off-the-beaten-path reserves, or relaxing on Zanzibar's shores, this dual-country adventure ensures a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For travelers seeking the pinnacle of safari luxury, Kenya and Tanzania together deliver an unparalleled journey into the wild. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
