There are few experiences in the world that will fill you with awe quite like heading out on a safari in Africa. From the stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife encounters to the welcoming smiles of the local communities, Africa is a special place. In this edition of You’ve Been Where guest writer Vicki Plowman takes us to Tanzania and explains this ‘beautiful world of culture and wildlife’.

We love hearing about the travel experiences of our friends, family and readers of AllAbroad. We pick up so many tips and find out about new places to travel from those around us. We thought you might like to hear about their adventures too. So in this section we turn the website over to you, our travel family.

Read on for travel tips from the people that help inspire our adventures.

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

My name is Mrs Vicki Plowman. I’m a Receptionist for a Physiotherapy clinic.

Where is home?

I live in Geelong in Victoria, Australia.


Where have you been? When did you go?

I travelled to Tanzania in 2024.

Who did you travel with?

I travelled with a girlfriend. We went on a tour with RAW Africa Eco-Tours.

What were the highlights of your trip?

There were so many highlights, the wildlife and learning about the culture of the Masai Mara tribe.

This place filled my heart with all the wildlife that I could imagine, and all within the first few days.  

Standing on top of the Ngorongoro Crater lookout, staring down at a huge expanse of grassland and the clouds sitting on the top of the crater’s edge was a sight to behold.

Then, heading down into the Ngorongoro Crater we drove a long and slow winding road. It was worth every little twisted bend for the absolute feast of animals that were so close to us and all just going about their daily walks and antics. 

We chose to camp in tents for two nights and it was the best decision because who would have thought that we would be laying in our beds listening to the roar of a pride of lions which would have been no further than 20 meters away from us. No fences or barriers, just walking free.

Having our brekkie before heading off for another adventure for the day, and loving the gorgeous sunrise, we look out to see the lions playing and strolling along, not  a care in the world. 

It’s such a beautiful time which is embedded in my memory.

What did you least like about your trip?

There wasn’t any time that I wasn’t enjoying this adventure, if anything it would only be the long flight to get there, but it was definitely worth it.

Do you have any funny stories from your travels?

Well I do remember we arrived just in time to witness an Impala being born. The funny part being the ‘Oooooohs and Aaaaahhhs’ from all of us watching and encouraging the newborn trying to stand on all fours and then coaxing mum to get close enough so the newborn could suckle.

What were the locals like?

The locals were so inquisitive about us and very eager to learn about our way of living.

What was the food like?

The food was always fresh and wholesome

Did you learn anything about yourself or the world on this trip?

I know when I’m in a country that has very little compared to mine, I so appreciate the hard work that they all do, everyday, which in turn makes me really think about the importance of being patient and listening to others. And I am always so thankful that we are able to see these gorgeous animals – all the wildlife – in the wild.

Would you recommend others travel here? Why/Why not

I would definitely recommend this adventure. It will fill your heart and really open your eyes to a beautiful world of culture and wildlife.

Do you have any tips for people thinking of travelling here?

Best Tip: if you’re thinking of it… Don’t think, just say yes, and book it. It’s a wonderful adventure!

Been somewhere interesting lately? Drop us a line, we’d love to share your tips.

Read more reader adventures in our  You’ve Been Where? series here.

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Author Vicki Plowman
Watching an impala take its first steps
Hippos wallowing
Lioness resting in the shrub.
Camping in the jungle