Why Tanzania is the perfect travel destination during and after COVID-19
The travel industry was one of the first casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic, but thankfully things are starting to look up. Slowly but steadily, economies are opening up and soon we’ll be out there exploring the world again. Rightfully so, considering how we’ve all been cooped up at home over the last few months.
With the spread of the virus slowing down, our desire to travel is building up. As Samantha Brown, travel TV host, said, “simply the act of planning travel puts us in the same psychological happy place as being at a destination.” You might wonder where to go when the situation allows us jump on a plane again. Looking ahead, here’s why Tanzania should be high on your travel list:
Travel sustainably and with purpose
If there’s one key takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's that now more than ever, we must live more meaningfully. This means being more conscious about our actions and how they impact the world around us. Staying home has meant that all over the world cities are recording cleaner air and water. Mother Earth is healing and it’s up to us to keep it that way. When you travel with us, you will arrive as visitors and leave custodians of the wild!
We have also come to realize how important human connection is and how imperative it is to support and respect each other. When we visit other countries, we want to be mindful of our impact not only on nature but on the communities we visit.
While in Tanzania, you’ll be able to visit rural villages, get to know the local tribes, meet amazing people and completely immerse yourself in their fascinating cultures while giving back at the same time. You’ll meet Maasai warriors, experience the hospitality of a local meal and the rhythms of the traditional dance. Tanzania is blessed with all the beauty nature has to offer, but more than anything else it is the Tanzanian people, with their warmth and beauty of their culture, that make Tanzania a truly remarkable place to visit.
One example of what you can do on your safari is to give the gift of light to a local community. Access to electricity has been one of the main challenges faced by many communities in Africa. Oftentimes, families have to make do with kerosene lamps in order to go about their daily activities after the sun has set. Kerosene is expensive, dangerous and its fumes are toxic. When in Tanzania, we welcome you to visit a remote village with us to distribute solar lights and give the gift of light to these families. It is a life-changing experience and improves the quality of life for these families at the same time.
Support Countries without Safety Nets
One of the best ways to support the people that have been affected the most by COVID-19 is by ensuring their livelihoods. Not all countries have an extensive contingency plan in place for battling the effects of a pandemic or supporting their populations through public safety nets and government aid. With the struggles of the tourism industry, many areas in Tanzania that depend on tourism have been hit hard but by visiting the country and supporting local businesses you will be able to provide a direct and tangible benefit.
Private Safaris Are the Safest Vacation
Going on a private safari in Tanzania is one of the safest vacations you can take. The country has only had one of the lowest infection rates on the planet and there are not many touch points with other travelers - you arrive at the airport, are picked up by your personal guide and will spend your time primarily among nature and animals….a peaceful sanctuary! Staying in small luxury camps, the only people you will come in touch with are staff who have spent the past few weeks isolated in the wilderness (ultimate social distancing). Not only will you be away from civilization and experience a greater sense of peacefulness, your immune system will get a real boost from the fresh air, the calmness of the wilderness and the energy of Mother Nature.
Disconnect to Reconnect (with Ourselves and Nature)
Staying in place at home allowed us to realize what is important in life, to focus on the essentials and think about who we are as human beings. What better time to cherish the world around us?
Olduvai Gorge is a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of the existence of our human ancestors. Paleoanthropologists have found hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools dating back millions of years, leading them to conclude that humans evolved in Africa. With Tanzania being the cradle of mankind, there’s no better destination to reconnect with our roots.
Also home to Africa’s most well-known natural attractions and national parks, Tanzania is the land of safaris. The country boasts 20% of Africa’s large mammal populations found across its countless conservation areas, marine parks, reserves and national parks spread over an area of a third of the country’s territory. While the famous wildebeest migration stampedes across the plains, elephants wander along the seasonal migration routes, hippos jostle for space in the muddy waters and chimpanzees swing through the treetops.
There are unparalleled opportunities to experience Tanzania’s wealth of natural beauty. You can witness the annual Great Migration where almost two million wildebeests, antelope and zebra chase green land across the rolling plains of the Serengeti, watch elephants silhouetted against ancient baobab trees in Tarangire National Park, take a boat safari down the Rufiji River past snoozing crocodiles in the Selous Game Reserve and hold your breath while lions take a casual walk around your 4x4 Land Cruiser in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Whether you’re planning a holiday with the family, a romantic getaway, a classic wildlife safari, or an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime luxury adventure, a trip to Tanzania will take you deep into the isolated wilderness and connect you with nature and your roots.
Experience Absolute Freedom
It’s been a challenging time for us of us but to make up for lost time and to enjoy the feeling of absolute freedom once again, imagine traversing the endless plains of the Serengeti with its abundant wildlife and incomparable sunsets. No fences and nothing but nature as far as the eye can see. There are few other places on the planet that can make you feel so alive and at peace while experiencing a sense of true freedom.
Check Off Items From Your Bucket List
The pandemic was a clear demonstration of how fragile life can be. Some of us might not want to keep putting off that bucket list trip anymore, because you’re never promised tomorrow. There’s no better time to finally go on that adventure you have always dreamed of. Tanzania offers endless memorable experiences:
Go on that once-in-a-lifetime wildlife safari
In addition to hosting robust wildlife populations, Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves are home to several endangered and vulnerable species like black rhino, the African wild dog, chimpanzees, lions, cheetah and many more.
Witness the Great Migration
Witness the largest land-based mammal migration on the planet, called one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World”! Watch millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and elands as they make their way across the Serengeti, the most well-known national park in Africa.
The migration is an endless circuit in which the circle of life is showcased in its purest form. A seemingly never-ending stream of fauna make their way across Africa’s landscape in search of food and water, never knowing how much time they may have left. The Great Migration is a famously treacherous journey in which the animals must not only find food to sustain themselves, but also give birth to the future generation that will keep the annual migration alive. It’s a classic example of survival of the fittest, and its contenders are some of the most majestic and resilient creatures Africa has to offer. Those lucky enough to travel here will see wild animals in their purest state.
Conquer Mount Kilimanjaro
Every year, thrill seekers by the thousands venture to Mount Kilimanjaro to challenge themselves on its muddy slopes and rocky trails. With its graceful forested flanks and stately snow-capped summit, the thrill of standing atop Africa, catching magnificent views of Kilimanjaro’s icefields while you witness the sunrise illuminate the plains far below, makes this mountain climbing adventure a once in a lifetime experience. If you have ever thought about conquering Kili, now is the time to do it!
The pandemic will eventually pass and when it does, it is important for all of us to travel the world again. It is a great way to help global economies recover and support millions of people across the globe who depend on it for their livelihood. And what better way to do that than with a memorable trip to Tanzania that will make you appreciate life even more?
Sababu Safaris offers customized itineraries in Tanzania with a dedication to sustainability and transformational travel experiences with a purpose - contact us to discuss your perfect safari adventure!