Many moons ago, under an African sky, I first set foot in Tanzania, and something in me shifted forever. It was my first experience of sub-Saharan Africa, and though I didn’t know it then, it would become the moment that quietly unraveled my old life and pointed me toward a new one.
I remember the feeling of being there even more than I remember the wildlife—the way the earth smelled after a rain, thick with life; the warmth of the people, their laughter echoing like music; the golden hush of dusk as the savannah exhaled and everything came alive. That scent of rain on dry African soil? Once it finds you, you never forget it.
I didn’t realize just how deeply Africa had crept under my skin until I was back home in the U.S.—surrounded by familiar things, yet feeling strangely disconnected from the pulse of the natural world. I found myself daydreaming about wide skies and red earth, and before long, I was planning my return… and quietly plotting my escape.
Guests often ask me, “Which country is better?” And I always smile, because that’s like asking which of your children you love more. There’s no simple answer. But Tanzania will always be my first love—the one that cracked me open and called me home. It may not always offer silver cutlery or starched linens, but what it gives in return is warmth, soul, and the kind of magic that can’t be bought.
On my most recent trip this February, I followed the path of the northern circuit—from the shadow of Kilimanjaro to the wondrous Serengeti, with the Ngorongoro Crater nestled in between. Yes, these are iconic places—and yes, they’re popular for a reason. But even on the well-trodden trail, if you know where to look (and we do), there’s a quieter, more soulful way to experience it all.
Some of my favorite memories from that trip still live in my heart like small lanterns:
✨ Falling asleep to the sound of zebras grazing softly around my tent, while lions roared in the distance at Camp
✨ Morning yoga at a sun-drenched farm, followed by an unapologetically perfect gin and tonic (not at the same time—though now I’m tempted!)
✨ Laughing with the Hadzabe tribe as they taught us to track and hunt in their ancestral land
✨ Soaking in a deep bath under a sky full of stars, in the middle of the Serengeti, surrounded by nothing but space and silence
These are the moments that matter. The ones you carry home in your soul.
Tanzania isn’t about luxury in the traditional sense. It’s not about ticking boxes or collecting passport stamps. It’s about connection—to nature, to people, to yourself. It’s not the cheapest safari destination, but we can help you make sure every dollar spent brings deep and lasting value. Because it’s not about doing more. It’s about feeling more.
If you go, you’ll know. And if you’ve already been, you understand exactly what I mean.
Tanzania will always be part of my story.
If you’d like to read more about this journey, head to my blog at My World is Beautiful.
With heart,
Gabriele
Hadi wakati mwingine – Until next time!