Bush to Beach

Africa had already stolen my heart, but this trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar only deepened that feeling. It is hard to explain what this continent does to you: the scents, the warmth, the people, and the feeling of being so close to wildlife in almost untouched nature. Still, I am going to try, because this is exactly the kind of travel experience I want to create for my clients.

We flew with KLM to Dar es Salaam, arriving in the evening, tired but full of anticipation. We were taken straight to an atmospheric seaside hotel for our first overnight stay. The soft sea breeze, the sound of the waves and a simple but warm welcome made it the perfect, gentle start after a long travel day.

Saadani National Park: where bush and beach meet. The next morning we had a drive of about four hours ahead of us, to a unique place, Saadani National Park. This is the only national park in all of East Africa where the savannah quite literally runs into the Indian Ocean. “Bush to beach” is not a marketing phrase here, it is reality. We started with a boat trip along the river. Between the lush greenery we spotted hippos lazing in the water, crocodiles almost disappearing into the riverbank and countless birds providing a kind of living soundtrack.

Our accommodation was right in the middle of the park. We slept in a tower and at night we could hear lions roaring in the distance. That moment, in the dark, with only the sounds of the bush around you, is exactly why I find Africa so special. It is raw, pure and at the same time incredibly calming. In the evenings and early mornings we headed out on game drives and spotted a wide variety of animals.

Saadani is still relatively unknown, and you really notice that: we hardly came across any other jeeps. The vegetation is lush and tropical, which creates a very different atmosphere from the classic open savannahs. It is exactly this authenticity and the fact that it is less touristy that makes Saadani so unique.

After our days in the park we drove to a small-scale property right on the beach, with lovely bungalows directly on the sea. The next morning we were woken early.

After breakfast we climbed into the jeep and drove to a nearby beach, our luggage loaded in the back. On the horizon we could already see our boat approaching: time to set course for Zanzibar.

Zanzibar feels like a different world. We started with a tour of Stone Town with a private guide. The narrow streets, carved wooden doors, markets and the mix of scents immediately reminded me of Marrakech. You feel as though you are wandering through a maze of alleyways filled with little shops, local products and delicious food. The history and culture of this island are almost tangible as you walk around.

At the end of the afternoon we continued north on the island, towards the Nungwi area. Our hotel was an oasis of tranquillity, overlooking a sea in the most beautiful shades of turquoise. Within walking distance was the village, with bars, restaurants and small shops: exactly that combination of relaxation and a bit of liveliness that so many of my clients love. We had two full days here to unwind and enjoy. We filmed a super fun video with the Maasai (which you can find on my Instagram "mytcellen") and spent an afternoon out on the water on a private boat. Watching the sunset from the deck, with warm wind, music, and that golden light over the sea, felt like a little celebration in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

An early start, back to the airport. For a moment we thought we were going to miss our flight to the Serengeti: running through the terminal, luggage, passports… but “pole pole”, as they say in Tanzania, it all worked out in the end.We flew to Central Serengeti and landed at Seronera, an unpaved airstrip in the middle of the wilderness. Our guides were waiting for us with open jeeps. It was going to be a long day, but what a day it turned out to be.

First we drove for around two hours through the central part of the Serengeti. Along the way we saw lions, huge herds of wildebeest and zebras, and several types of antelope. You really feel the power of nature here: endless plains, masses of animals stretching as far as the eye can see, and a silence that makes everything feel even more impressive.Breakdown on the road and dancing the Macarena with local kids. After that we left the park and drove through local villages. At one point, both of our jeeps broke down along the road, about five kilometres apart. Luckily, in addition to our guide/driver, we also had a mechanic travelling with us, so we knew it would be sorted. While they were working on the jeeps, curious children from the village came over to see what was going on. Before we knew it, we were all dancing the Macarena together on the dusty road. It is exactly these unexpected moments that make a trip feel even more personal: an encounter between two worlds, we shared our last apples, sandwiches and biscuits with them and it was a moment to never forget.

Towards evening we arrived in the northern Serengeti, at one of the most special places I have ever stayed: the Bush Rover. These were set up in an incredible spot overlooking the world‑famous Mara River, where during the Great Migration thousands of wildebeest cross each year. The images you know from National Geographic, but then right in front of you.

We had a few unforgettable days here with long game drives. We wanted to spot as much wildlife as possible, but also to soak up the peace and open space. At this time of year there were clearly fewer jeeps than in Central Serengeti, which made the experience even more intense and exclusive. The landscape is also different here: one day we drove all the way to the Kenyan border. All around us was vast, wild nature, hardly any other people, just us and the animals.

This trip was beautiful, impressive and very special. Africa was already in my heart, but that feeling has only grown stronger. It is the combination of the unspoilt nature and its wildlife, the warmth and friendliness of the people, and the sense of space and freedom that you hardly find anywhere else. Being close to the animals, in places that still feel genuinely wild, is hard to put into words. But it is exactly that feeling that I love to share with my clients.

Would you like to experience this too? Would you like to know more about Tanzania, Zanzibar or a similar bush to beach journey? I would be delighted to tell you more. Together we look at which route, time of year and style of accommodation suit you best, so that your dream trip to Africa becomes a reality. Feel free to contact me, I am happy to help you make that dreamtrip come true, from that very first spark of inspiration right through to a fully tailored itinerary.