7 Days: Wildebeests migration calving Southern Serengeti

Ann and Abu delivered 100% on Long Way’s objective to “provide guests with safari expeditions & great experiences, always taking into consideration individual interests.” Ann took care of all our requests, big and small, in the planning of the itinerary and Abu executed it to perfection, happily accommodating even our quirky request for frequent bush toilet stops :-) We learnt so much from Abu who passionately imparts his knowledge about Tanzania, its people & culture, animal behavior and their role in the eco-system. I am also impressed by his love for his people & the environment, often saving up food for local workers in the national parks in instances where we had too much in our lunch boxes. More importantly, Abu had always put in his utmost effort to optimise our sighting opportunities. I am glad that we had chosen Long Way and in the process helped a locally-owned company and a Tanzanian family. Will definitely recommend Long Way to anyone looking to having an extraordinary safari & wildlife experience.

To be honest, although experienced travellers, we found the prospect of organising a safari in Tanzania a bit daunting. So we were delighted when Responsible Travel suggested several safari operators, several in the UK and one in Tanzania, to approach. The results were startling. The UK operators who replied (!) were fine, but notably pricey. The Tanzania operator, Long Way Expeditions, were much better value. Ann Nthigah, the co-owner and mastermind behind the organisation of the safaris, responded swiftly and flexibly to our questions, including technical issues such as organising local SIM cards for us, discussing routes, and adding an extra day late in the process. Really good customer service. When we arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport, we were met by Ann's husband Abu, co-owner, guide and driver, and a splendid rugged 4x4 for our sole use. There followed a splendid 7-day, 6-night safari to 5 game parks: Tarangire, Ndutu (Ngorongoro Conservation area close to Southern Serengeti), Central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater itself, and Lake Manyara. Stand-out elements: - the wildlife was beyond all expectations. Going in January we saw the "Great Migration" around Ndutu - tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra, plus all the Big 5 and as many other birds and animals as you could possibly wish for. We even had a lion kill one night just near our camp (1 unfortunate wildebeest, 4 lions) and were able to see it close-up, alone, with no other tourists in sight. Ngorongoro was another highlight with incredible herds of elephants close-up and many other species in a stunning natural setting; - Abu was a great guide: steady, good company, knowledgeable. I noticed other drivers deferring to him a great deal. He seemed to know every single bird, animal and type of tree that we encountered. We also discussed all kinds of aspects of Tanzanian life, history and so on - a really enriching experience for which we were most grateful. - I noticed that our wildlife experience, including the quality of our vehicle, the routes, and our guide, were as good as or better than anyone else we encountered - even though the price was comparatively reasonable. If you pay more, you don't get a better safari. All the 4x4s are identical. You might get more luxurious hotels. But our accommodation was perfect: comfortable, clean, and in Ndutu and Serengeti, magnificent tented camps in some of the most dramatic scenery you can imagine. The food was great, too. In summary, an absolutely first-class safari, Made in Tanzania. Strongly recommend it.

Ann in the office and Abu on the road are an amazing team! Ann put together a great itinerary and was very patient with all my questions, and Abu made sure we had a great experience covering many kilometres over the 6 days. Out 3 teenaged kids loved it. We felt cared for and special and loved having Abu join us each night on safari for dinner so we could learn more about Tanzania. We saw all the Big Five as well as so much more. Loved having picnics along the way. Favourite place was Ngorongoro Crater which was magical especially when we descended early morning and were surrounded by a herd of elephants. Thank you Long Way Expeditions for a great end to 2023!

We came across Long Way Expeditions in the Responsible Travel website that curates travel experiences that benefit local communities. The company is owned by Ann and Abu. Our first contact was with Ann, who replied very quickly to all our communications and was very willing to help and solve all our doubts. She also helped me to book flight tickets and with other activities in Tanzania additional to the Safari. Ann also made sure to meet us in person both at the beginning and at the end of our experience, to welcome us and get our feedback. Abu was our guide for the Safari. He is very easy-going and very knowledgeable. His passion for the wildlife and for his work was inspiring. The car is very comfortable and well equipped for the long journeys. We saw elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, etc. The landscape is breathtaking and the magnitude of nature is indescribable. We had an unique experience and highly recommend it!

This is my 2nd individually tailored trip with Long way expeditions. I cannot praise enough the professionalism and care that Ann takes in planing safaris according to ones wishes only to be later fulfilled by the outstanding driver/guide Abu. Before the 4 days migration calving, 1 day in Tarangire, and after 2 days in Central Serengueti. This time I always stayed inside the Parks, and it makes a huge difference in atmosphere and length of time in awe of the wild animals living their own life. Ann+ Abu are a sweet and perfect double act. The only downside is that it is hard to leave the Tanzania that they did organize for us to revel. Abu is an expert in explaining the behavior of the many wonderful animals in those huge parks which display a variety of scenery and seasonal changes in color. I cannot wait to go again...