If you work in travel long enough, you start hearing the same phrases repeated over and over.
“Don’t go in April.”
“It’s too wet.”
“You’ll spend the whole safari stuck in the rain.”
After returning from a recent familiarisation trip through northern Tanzania and southern Uganda with Lemala Camps & Lodges and Ynot Concepts, I can officially say April has been framed.
Above: Mauricio (front right)
Over 11 days, our group travelled through Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Uganda’s River Nile region.
Somehow, we managed to experience almost two weeks of fantastic weather, incredible wildlife sightings and parks so quiet that at times it felt like East Africa had been reserved exclusively for us.
Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure how we got that lucky.
The trip started near Arusha at The Safari House, which was exactly what you want after a long journey to East Africa.
Comfortable, peaceful and with enough good food and hospitality to immediately slow your heart rate down from “airport mode”.
From there we headed to Tarangire National Park and Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge, perched dramatically above the surrounding landscape.
Tarangire in April is lush, green and wildly photogenic. The elephants were everywhere. Literally everywhere. At one point I’m fairly certain an elephant judged my photography skills.
What stood out most was how quiet the park felt. We never found ourselves queued behind vehicles or fighting for a viewing position. Wildlife sightings felt relaxed and natural, while our guide calmly positioned us in all the right places.
And then came Ngorongoro. I thought I understood how impressive the crater would be. I did not.
Thanks to Lemala Osonjoi Lodge’s location near the crater entrance, we were able to descend early before most other vehicles arrived.
For the first few hours, we barely saw another safari car. In one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations, that almost feels illegal.
The wildlife viewing was phenomenal, but one of my strongest memories was actually lunch.
A full hot barbecue lunch on the crater floor while zebras grazed nearby and the crater walls towered around us. It felt like someone had accidentally dropped us into a nature documentary with catering.
The Serengeti gave us two very different experiences.
At Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp in the central Serengeti, the focus was pure immersion.
Around 5am, I woke to hyenas calling nearby and lions moving somewhere beyond the tent walls. Seeing wildlife during a game drive is one thing. Falling asleep and waking up surrounded by it creates a completely different feeling.
There is something wonderfully humbling about lying in bed wondering whether the sound outside is wind or something with teeth.
Then came Lemala Nanyukie in the eastern Serengeti, which somehow balances genuine luxury with a real sense of wilderness.
Private plunge pools overlook the plains, elephants wander past camp and the interiors are so beautifully designed that I immediately started mentally redesigning my own home.
Supplier famil trips always walk an interesting line between work and play. You are learning product, inspecting lodges, reviewing logistics and taking approximately 700 photos of bathrooms for future client recommendations.
At the same time, the best famils remind you why experiential travel matters in the first place. This one definitely did that.
The transition into Uganda brought an entirely different energy again.
After an overnight in Entebbe, we travelled to Jinja and Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, set dramatically on a private island surrounded by the rapids of the Nile. This place is impossible to explain properly until you’re there.
You sit beside the pool hearing the roar of the Nile constantly rushing around you and somehow it feels both exhilarating and calming at the same time.
It was the perfect contrast to safari life and an ideal way to finish the journey.
One thing this famil reinforced for me is how misunderstood “low season” can be in East Africa.
Yes, April carries some weather risk. In return, travellers can access significantly lower rates, quieter parks, greener landscapes and a much more relaxed overall experience.
In many cases, clients can stay longer or upgrade their accommodation for nearly the same cost as travelling during peak season.
From an agent’s perspective, it also opens up exciting conversations with clients who may have previously assumed East Africa was financially out of reach.
Huge credit has to go to both Lemala Camps & Lodges and Ynot Concepts for putting together such a seamless experience. Every property felt thoughtfully positioned within the itinerary and showcased a different side of East Africa without ever feeling rushed or repetitive.
Famils are always valuable professionally, but occasionally one stays with you personally as well. This was one of those trips.
I came home with a camera roll full of wildlife photos, a much stronger appreciation for April safaris and new friends from the industry who now share an unhealthy obsession with safari sundowners.
And honestly, that’s probably the sign of a successful famil.
