Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
The plane lands softly in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. The warm air immediately envelops me as I step off the plane. The sky is clear, and the African humidity makes itself felt, but it is a different embrace from the one I am used to. I already feel the call of adventure. On the way out I am greeted by my Maasai guide, in his traditional red suit that contrasts with the verdant landscape. Dar es Salaam is lively, colourful, with markets full of intense smells: spices, exotic fruits, and the constant noise of horns and animated conversations. My journey has just begun, and I can’t wait to explore every corner.
Day 2: Meeting the Maasai
Today with my Maasai guide I took a small internal flight to Arusha, the gateway to the great parks of the north. We talked a lot about its culture, their nomadic life and the deep relationship the Maasai have with nature. I feel small in front of their knowledge and the respect they show for the land. He told me about and showed me pictures of their village, made of mud huts and cow dung. The houses are simple but convey a feeling of life lived with authenticity. I can’t help but think how far away we are with our technology and hectic lifestyle.
In the afternoon, I was taken to see a Maasai village. The mud and cow dung huts are simple, but convey a feeling of life lived with authenticity. I cannot help but think how distant we are, with our technology and hectic lifestyle.
Day 3: Safari in the Serengeti
There are no words to describe the thrill of entering the Serengeti. It is an ocean of golden grass stretching endlessly under a deep blue sky. After only an hour of safari, there they are: lions. Two of them, lying under a tree, barely visible in the tall grass. We stop and remain silent. Observing them in their natural habitat is something magical, almost mystical. Nature has its own rules here, and I am just a guest observing.
We also see elephants, giraffes and gazelles. Each encounter seems like a gift. My guide tells me about the Great Migration, that time of year when millions of animals move in search of water and food. Unfortunately, it is not the right time to see it, but imagining that multitude of zebras and wildebeests crossing the rivers is enough to excite me.
Day 4: The Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It is an intact volcanic caldera, an Edenic garden populated by all kinds of wild animals. Here I had the incredible luck of seeing a black rhino, an endangered species. I did not think it was possible to experience so many emotions in one day.
The silence of the crater is interrupted only by the sounds of nature: the rustling of the grass, the chirping of birds and, from time to time, the distant roar of a lion. It is an almost surreal environment, and as the jeep moves between zebras and buffaloes, I feel part of something bigger, as if I am connected to this land in a profound way.
Day 5: Zanzibar, Paradise by the Sea
After days of land adventures, it is time to relax. I take a flight to Zanzibar, the island of spices, with its white beaches and turquoise waters. The island has a different rhythm: everything here seems slower, calmer. I stroll along Nungwi beach, where the ocean looks like a mosaic of blue and green. The dhows, the traditional sailing boats, glide over the sea at sunset, painting a perfect picture.
In the evening, I savour the unique flavours of Swahili cuisine: fresh fish curry, spicy rice and the sweet smell of coconut. The stars above me shine as I have never seen them before, and I feel deeply grateful for everything I have experienced so far.
Day 6: Stone Town and the Past of Zanzibar
Today I visit Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibar. It is a maze of narrow alleys, with buildings that tell stories of traders, slaves and sultans. The town is a fascinating mix of cultures: Arab, Persian, Indian and European. Every carved door I encounter seems to have its own story, and mosques mingle with noisy markets.
I visit the House of Wonders, once a royal palace, and the old slave market, where the dark history of Zanzibar emerges in all its power. It is a place of reflection, but also of hope: Tanzania today is a growing nation, proud of its past but looking to the future.
Day 7: Return to Reality
My trip to Tanzania is coming to an end, and as I prepare to leave this country, I feel a mixture of emotions. On the one hand, I would never want to leave. On the other, I know that I will take everything I experienced with me: the sunsets on the Serengeti, the smiles of the people I met along the way, the sound of the sea lapping against the shores of Zanzibar.
Tanzania is more than just a place. It is a feeling, an emotion, a discovery. It has shown me the pristine beauty of the world and reminded me how important it is to slow down and appreciate every moment. And as the plane lifts off, I already dream of the day when I will return to this land of wonder.
