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It won’t be an exaggeration if I say that Africa is home to some of the best tourist destinations in the world. Among them, Masai Mara in Kenya and Zanzibar in Tanzania stand tall. I say this because I visited them both a couple of days ago as my newly found love for multi-centre holidays.
My experience was amazing and I still remember each and every detail of my trip even after a year. When everything about something is so fantastic, it is a complete injustice to keep it locked within your heart and mind. So, here I am with my story of Masai Mara and Zanzibar holidays.
I first went to Masai Mara because it was a more active part of my vacation and kept Zanzibar for the second leg because it is all about beautiful beaches and relaxation. Let’s jump right into my adventures at these amazing places.
My Adventures at Masai Mara
My love for places like Masai Mara doesn’t mean that there aren’t any other places worthy of your time in Kenya. My reason for choosing Masai Mara was that it offered me a perfect contrast to Zanzibar.
My First Impression of the Place
Masai Mara was my first interaction with a safari park and after my trip concluded, I was happy that I opted for it. We landed directly at Masai Mara from Nairobi and the moment I stepped out of my plane, my excitement to see the amazing wildlife there grew manifold.
The openness of the land with its earthy smell made things look even more natural. I had the luxury of booking a local guide who has been in the business for quite some years now. He was waiting for me with open arms and traditional gifts. As it was getting dark by the time, we decided to head straight to our lodge with the intention to get up early in the morning and get right into the action.
Game Drives and Wildlife Encounters
I stayed at Masai Mara for around 3 days and a safari trip was a must each day. You may be tempted to ask why the same thing for 3 straight days. Well, you will never have your share of these amazing creatures even if you stay for 15 days. For someone coming from the UK or the US, these things are a rarity. Seeing animals like lions, elephants, zebras and others roaming openly and getting around their business is nothing short of a fortune.
When I saw a lion for the first time without a cage, my adrenaline just shot up so much that I needed a sip of water to calm myself down. The majestic creature was resting under a tree’s shade nearby and watching everyone like he owned the place (which he actually did).
I wasn’t lucky enough to catch some real action on my first day, though my driver and guide tried their best. It was all about seeing different animals. However, on the second day, things changed completely. We were lucky enough to follow a cheetah chasing a deer for his breakfast. Everything about the chase was shocking and for a moment I ended up thinking, ‘What if he didn’t catch it and looked at us for some human meat?’ It was enough to scare the hell out of me.
My third and last day at Masai Mara was even better than the first two. I witnessed the famous Great Migration in full swing. There were countless wildebeests and zebras crossing the majestic Mara River.
The Cultural Exploration
The villages around the Masai Mara area have a life of their own. They don’t worry about things like we city people do and prefer to keep things simple as much as they can. I visited a local village on my last day before my flight to Zanzibar. The people there greeted me with traditional cuisine and arranged special dances and gatherings. With the help of my guide, I was able to hear the translated version of their stories about their land, customs and how they go about their daily lives every day.
Zanzibar: The Epitome of Relaxation and Taste
From Masai Mara, I had to go back to Nairobi to take Zanzibar. Both of these places are at complete odds with each other. The first impression of Masai Mara is of openness but that of Zanzibar is about relaxation and great food.
If you are making a plan to visit both of these places together, please note that you don’t need a guide during the Zanzibar leg of your multi-centre holidays.
Exploring Stone Town
Before landing in Zanzibar, I did some research about the place. One of the must-see attractions there is Stone Town. Don’t worry about the name; it is nothing like the Stone Age, but yes, it is completely different from the towns we are used to seeing in Europe and America.
The streets and alleys of the Stone Town are quite different and the influence of different cultures is clearly visible there. The markets inside the Stone Town are a world of their own. The shops there are great for getting some local souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
Other than the markets, I visited the House of Wonders, which took me right back to Zanzibar’s colonial past.
The Beaches
Zanzibar is a laid-back destination and its magical beaches are a perfect example of this claim. The best areas to explore the coastline are Nungwi and Kendwa. The beaches here are lined up with soft white sand and turquoise water. Simply place a towel under an umbrella, lie down and let go of yourself. Or you can take a walk along the shore and marvel at the beauty of the place.
Another way to appreciate the water around Zanzibar is to go on a dhow cruise. Some people were even snorkelling, but I didn’t try my luck, thanks to my fear of drowning developed during my days at the primary school.
The Local Food
This is where I tried my luck the most and it worked out really well. As a first impression, Zanzibar doesn’t sound like a place with amazing food. However, as you explore it, you will learn that it is home to some of the best tastes in the world.
Starting from the sugarcane juice to cocktails at the beach clubs, I loved everything about it. You will find some of the most amazing and unique dishes here like octopus curry. The Zanzibar pizza is also a delicacy that you must not skip.
The most vivid memory about the food scene in Zanzibar was my visit to the Forodhani Gardens street food. It is an open-air place with stacks of meat lined up on different stalls. Apart from the two dishes mentioned above, my taste buds fell in love with the amazing Mishkaki. It is made on open flames and literally contains hundreds of spices.
Here is a tip from my side to all my fellow travellers: don’t forget to bargain the prices. The local vendors usually ask more from foreigners. Plus, plan your trip there only during evenings or night as the atmosphere really comes alive when the sun goes down.
My Last Words
I would suggest all my readers visit these two places at least once in their life. If you think that planning a multi-centre holiday might be a tough call for you, contact Virikson Holidays. They offer amazing deals on multi-centre holiday packages to different destinations in the world.
