We all love a sundowner when on safari a cold gin and tonic or glass of wine as the sunsets in a million colours before you, after a fantastically thrilling day game viewing, is absolute magic. Its a time to sit, think, recount every detail of everything you saw. The sun sets in Africa in a short ten to twenty minutes, with the colours changing and dancing on the horizon before your eyes. Tanzania is a vast a pristine land which is still home to huge areas of land which are not developed, lived on or used apart from by abundant wildlife, who are happy to still be able to live in such an untouched wilderness. Here are our top five spots to have a sundowner whilst on safari in Tanzania:
Mkomazi
Mkomazi is a little known park bordering Tsavo in Kenya it was made famous by George Adamsons assistant Tony Fitzjohn who came to settle there when the shifta in Kenya (who sadly took Georges life) became too dangerous. This unknown piece of paradise is by far the most beautiful park in Tanzania, and even better, there wont be another soul in there. We recommend taking one of our luxury mobile camps, so you have a private camp, private park and the most magical views in Tanzania that will be a very special sundowner.
Manyara Ranch’s Dam
Game viewing is tricky, and we cant guarantee anything but the dam on the far side of the private and game rich Manyara Ranch is very special. Here your chairs are set on the edge of the stunning dam, which provides a flat and endless horizon, which the dramatic sun sets over. You sit quietly contemplating the day until something stirs behind you, and low and behold herds and herds of elephant come slowly and silently down to the waters edge, in the romantic half light Africa is so famous for, to drink with you as the sun goes down. A magical and life changing experience.
Lamai Triangle, Serengeti
The Lamai triangle in the Serengeti is in the far North West of this stunning wilderness it borders the Masai Mara in Kenya and boasts similar game viewing, but in an area without other people. In fact there are only two luxury camps in this very special area and your sundowners here are out on the open short grass plains, with views of Kenya and beyond, and often a lot of game grazing happily below you.
Mahale Mountains, western Tanzania
The Mahale Mountains offer one of the best places in Africa to see chimps. It takes hours to get there, with numerous light aircraft flights but never has a journey been so worth it. The stunning mountains offer a breathtaking backdrop as you explore the beaches and jungle of Lake Tanganyika. This really is a truly pristine wilderness and the dramatic landscape combined with the sheer feeling of remoteness makes sundowners here truly spectacular.
The Selous
The Selous is a magical place but its hard to describe why. Maybe its the changing terrain, or the way all of the camps are so spread out so youre always alone or maybe its the beautiful lakes and rivers. Anyway whatever it is it captures your heart, and no one leaves the Selous without having fallen a little in love. The best thing about sundowners here apart from their beauty is the fact that more often than not therell be a lion roaring. The Selous is excellent for lion and they are very vocal, there is nothing more African than the distant roaring of a lion as you have a drink watching the sunset.
Whatever your tipple, watching the sun go down after another incredible day in Africa is always a highlight theres so much to take in that its always nice to sit down, relax, and recap.