Luna's Wild Rides

The company was started by Ana (Anastasiia Dolgodush), a young Ukrainian woman who was, back then, married to a Tanzanian doctor. Years of living in the heart of Central Tanzania and immersing herself in local life - from traditional villages to modern Tanzanian society - gave her a deep understanding of East African culture and the unique experiences this region can offer to a traveler. Recognizing the the huge, yet untapped and undiscovered potential of unconventional tourism in Africa, Ana partnered with Lu (Lufunyo Edson Lihweuli), a passionate Tanzanian who, in his turn, had spent many years in Eastern Europe before returning to his homeland. Together, they brought their vision to life by creating Luna's Wild Rides, a locally established boutique tour operator powered by a small but dedicated team of local guides, each with 1-2 decades of expertise in the field.

1. Serengeti. Zawadi Serengeti Camp is our favourite tented camp in the central part of Serengeti, because it offers quite a luxurious experience for a mid-range budget, with it's authentic traditionally decorated classic safari tents, beautiful eco-friendly design with great attention to details, privacy, immersive bush experience and breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains. Bush dinners organized here under the starry Serengeti skies are always unforgettable. The manager is always responsive when our guests have special last-minute needs.

2. Ngorongoro Highlands. Hhando Coffee Lodge, only 5 minutes away from the entrance gate to Ngorongoro Conservation area, became our favourite for its authentic charm of a spacious, non-touristic coffee farm. Our guests are always surprised by the cozy spacious round stone cottages, private terraces with a view over green hills of Ngorongoro, sincere local hospitality and great food. It is a wonderful compromise between moderate price, high quality of service and wonderful location: our guests are always among the first ones to enter Ngorongoro crater floor for a game drive, and to explore Ngorongoro crater rim on foot. The manager is from the area's local Iraqw tribe, we know him personally and always have warm communication and trustful partnership.

3. Tarangire. Baobab Tented Camp, set near the Tarangire River in a unique baobab setting, became our favourite inside Tarangire national park, because it offers the closest encounters with animals, especially elephants. Easy access to famous Tarangire night game drives makes the camp's location even more attractive. Camp's serene atmosphere provides stunning sunrise and sunset views, and memorable romantic or adventurous private dinners under the stars.

4. Ruaha. Ruaha River Lodge is our favourite in this park, because of its unbeatable riverside location, where animals gather right at the guests' doorstep; comfort and absence of crowds; very convinient access to the gate, to the best day and night game drives, and to walking safari routes; it's rich history being the first Ruaha's lodge, and Fox family's exceptional hospitality.

5. Mikumi. Vuma Hills Camp is our favourite due to its unique hilltop location with panoramic views over the Mkata Plains, secluded spacious tents that blend luxury, remoteness and wilderness. The camp is frequented by animals days and nights, including rarely spotted bushbabies and honey badgers. The hilltop is a perfect location for romantic sundowners.

Lisa and Frank, a young Chinese couple, chose us for their 12-day honeymoon safari in Tanzania. They have chosen mid-range accommodations, with 2 nights in luxury lodges to have a more diverse experience, and even 1 night of basic camping at Ngorongoro's public campsite, which they had requested for a "real adventure."  

Everything went perfectly until their last day in Serengeti, they were sharing their emotions and happy pictures with us. The Land Cruiser suddenly got a mechanical issue. The guests panicked immediately and called our safari manager right away. They were scared that they are going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere among predators. Before they even finished explaining, our driver guide had already arranged a replacement vehicle which was on its way. Luna's manager patiently reassured them, "Don’t worry, we’ve got you!"  

But their adventure has not ended there. That same evening, they reached their campsite at Ngorongoro Crater rim - their expected one night of "real adventure". But then, the weather turned bad. It was the middle of December. It became rainy and windy. The emotional young couple, who had never camped before in their life (they told it to us that very night), were terrified. Lisa called us in tears at midnight. "We can’t sleep! It’s so cold and scared!"  

Our manager stayed calm. "You’re safe," he said. "The tents are strong, and you have warm sleeping bags. Your driver guide is a few steps away. We’re here for you." It took some time, but his words comforted them, and they made it through the night.  

The next day, the sun returned, and so did their smiles, when they arrived at their beautiful lodge at foothills Kilimanjaro. As a surprise, we gifted them a special honeymoon treat to celebrate the end of their safari with us, and a start of their married life together.

In the end, they thanked us not just for the amazing safari, but for being there when they needed help the most.

1. Luther, safari guide in the Northern Circuit and West Tanzania. In 1995, a young boy Luther who was just beginning his training in the Serengeti plains, worked alongside legendary Dutch naturalist and filmmaker (and Jane Goodall's ex-husband) Hugo van Lawick, assisting in filming a documentary about lions. One night, the team was awake by a bone-chilling growl. But not of a lion! An injured leopard saw their camp as refuge. Likely, the warmth from the recently smoldering campfire drew the animal in on that cool night. Hugo could not let this unique chance in his carrier go, and insisted on filming. For hours, a young trainee Luther had to stay guard only with a flashlight. The night was scary, but by sunrise the leopard escaped, and Hugo got his valuable footage, which resulted in a wildlife film The Leopard Son (1996). Now, 30 years later, Luther shares his experiences and insights with Luna's Wild Rides travelers, always taking them to the "front-row seats" of the circle of life and wild magic in Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater floor, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha national park, Mkomazi, Katavi and other destinations. He shares not only his vast wildlife knowledge, but also a lesson that he learnt that memorable night: Wilderness demands respect, not fear.

2. Leonard, safari guide and bird specialist in the Southern Circuit in Tanzania. Deep in the heart of Tanzania's Ruaha, lives a man who speaks the language of the wild. He is more than a guide - he is a teacher, a mentor, and a bridge between the wilderness and those who seek to understand it. Years ago, he left behind the comforts of town life to live full-time in the bush. He believes that the greatest lessons are not found in books but in the nature that surrounds us. So, he founded a school unlike any other - a bush camp where talented children from nearby villages have a chance to learn the art of guiding, survival, and true independence. The students, some as young as 12-13 years, live in simple tents, cook their meals over open fire, and have daily classes mostly walking through Ruaha's untamed vastness led by their teacher. Leonard knows over 200 birds by their songs alone, and his sharp and trained eye can spot even a chameleon clinging to a brach. Leonard is literally raising the next generation of guardians of Tanzania's wild soul, of conservationists, which deeply resonates with Luna's Wild Rides core values. Leonard had built more than a school. He has built a legacy. During weekends, school holidays, and when substitued by his fellow wildlife teacher, Leonard shares his passion to the wilderness by driving Luna's Wild Rides travelers around most off-the-beaten track destinations of Tanzanian Southern Safari Circuit, and those who have interest and time, are always welcome to spend a day in his bush guiding school and participate in a class.

• Serengeti NP: the iconic kopjes where lions lounge, exactly the scenes from The Lion King.

• Lake Manyara NP: tree-climbing lions and rich birdlife at the shallow alkaline shores.

• Tarangire NP: numerous elephant herds everywhere, especially gathering by the river in the dry season.

• Ngorongoro Crater: spotting rare black rhinos to complete the Big Five for the guests.

• Arusha NP: walking safaris with giraffes and buffalo at arm’s length, framed by Mt. Meru, and numerous flamingoes at Momella lakes.

• Kilimanjaro NP: playful black-and-white colobus monkeys, spoting African buffalo at the altitude around 4000 m, and snow-capped Uhuru Peak view at sunrise.

• Mkomazi NP: the rhino sanctuary, and Dindira Dam with a chance to spot endangered wild dogs against Pare mountains view.

• Mikumi NP: the Mkata Floodplain, often called "Little Serengeti" which always surprises our guests with its wildlife density.

• Nyerere NP: Rufiji River at the boat safari, full of hippos and crocodiles.

• Ruaha NP: the remote rope bridge over Mdonya River and majestic greater and lesser kudu, all in the one of most beautiful and diverse landscapes in this part of Africa.

• Katavi NP: chances to see endangered African wild dogs and vast, untouched wilderness.

• Gombe Stream NP: tracking wild chimpanzees through lush forest trails and scenic shores of Lake Tanganyika.

• Saadani NP: the unique place where "bush meets the beach", with lions near the ocean.

• Jozani Forest NP: families of endemic red colobus monkeys, found only in Zanzibar.

We like climbing Kilimanjaro via different routes: an always lively Machame (6-7 days) with diverse landscapes, and a remote Rongai (6 days) with no crowds are among our favourite ones, although they are so different. But if we had to choose only one...

We highly recommend the long Northern Circuit route (8-9 days), for the best balance of success, scenery, and almost no other tourist groups. As Kilimanjaro’s longest route, it offers exceptional acclimatization with a gradual ascent profile, leading to the highest summit success rate of over 95%! Such a long time on the mountain allows climber's body to adjust safely while exploring remote, quiet northern slopes with breathtaking views over Tanzania and Kenya. For climbers who prioritize safety and success, there is no a better choice than this.

Our favorite campsite along that route is Moir Hut Camp at an altitude 4200 m, a hidden gem on the Northern Circuit. Great views, peaceful atmosphere, remoteness from busier routes and perfect altitude for acclimatization. This is a so called "sweet spot" where climber's body adapts to the change, before pushing further and higher.

Acclimatization strategies that we recommend, and use actively, particularly in this route:

• Climb High, Sleep Low - for example, we hike up to Pofu Camp at 4025m, and sleep at Third Cave Camp at 3800m

• Extra night(s) at mid-altitude, between 3800-4200m, where the body adapts to the altitude the best in the safe manner

• Short acclimatizaton hikes in the afternoon, after a short rest at the camp - around 1-hour long uphill climbs which are not exhausting to the climbers but help to build up an acclimatization

• Pole Pole pace ("slow" from Swahili) - our climbers hear encouraging "pole pole" mantra from our mountain guides from the first steps of their Kilimanjaro climb until they are back to the foothills after a sucessful climb. Climbers are often deceived on the first 2 days of the climb believing that they walk too slow, and that they can easily speed up. In fact, they need to slow down even more for the lower heart rates, better oxygen usage, less fatigue, more stamina.

No matter how many times we climb, and how many times we still will, we always find magnificent:

• The first glimpse of Uhuru Peak at sunrise: that golden light hitting the glaciers takes your breath away.

• The giant Senecio forests in the alpine zone: being there feels like stepping into another world.

• Playful groups of black-and-white colobus monkeys that leap through the trees near Mandara Hut: their energy, smartness, interaction and acrobatics is always a delight.

• Spotting African buffaloes grazing near Buffalo (Pofu) Camp: a reminder that Kilimanjaro is deeply wild and alive.

• That our very special cozy and gentle wake-up call: when your mountain guide brings steaming tea or coffee to your tent, along with a warm smile, to help you fully wake up and start another day of climb.

• The inspiration of taking our clients to the top, especially witnessing elredly climbers reach the top: a proof that with the right route and acclimatization strategy, even people in their 70s can stand proud on Uhuru Peak!