At Indagare, we believe that every trip should be unforgettable and each vacation is designed specifically for the traveler. Here, we dive into a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process for Indagare members Samantha Griffith and Rob Shoobs’ incredible honeymoon to Tanzania and the Maldives. We talk to Travel Specialist, Missy Weil, who orchestrated the memorable journey, as well as Samantha, who reflects on her favorite Indagare-planned experiences.
The Request
Travel Specialist Missy Weil tells us about Samantha’s travel request and explains the planning process:
“For their honeymoon, Samantha and Rob wanted to combine a safari in Tanzania with beach time in the Maldives. On safari, it was very important to them to have experiences with the local Maasai people as well as excellent game viewing, and they wanted to relax somewhere far flung and luxurious afterwards.”
Related: Indagare Matchmaker: Honeymoons
The Solution
“Since they wanted to have incredible game viewing and a local experience with the Maasai people, we recommended staying at Chem Chem. The authentic, tent-style lodge is situated in its own private concession with proximity to wildlife-rich Tarangire National Park. The lodge also has excellent relationships with the nearby Maasai tribes and local school, and visits to these are a central part of a stay at Chem Chem. Although Tanzania and the Maldives are difficult to combine logistically, the Indagare flights team and our local partners found the best routing for them so they could get to their resort as quickly as possible.”
Related: Maldives Romance
Indagare Advantage
“With so many lodges in Tanzania, it can be difficult to decide where to stay. However, with our first-hand knowledge of the top lodges and what they offer, we were able to present Samantha and Rob with properties that would cater to their interests in the Maasai culture and prime wildlife viewing, including the Great Migration. As Indagare members, Samantha and Rob received surprise gifts for their honeymoon and upgraded accommodations at each property. ”
Related: Just Back From…Tanzania
In the Member’s Words
“We had an incredible honeymoon! The flights to Tanzania were easy and stress free, and every place we stayed in Tanzania was perfect. At each of the lodges, the staff was amazing and set up something special for us upon arrival. Our favorite lodges were Serengeti Bushtops (bushtopscamps.com) and Chem Chem. At Chem Chem, they served us dinner in different areas of the camp each night, which allowed us to get a new perspective on the landscape during our meals. The views at Bushtops were also truly special. You could look out for what seemed like forever, and the sunsets were spectacular. We also saw the wildebeest migration, an extraordinary phenomenon.
“At &Beyond Lake Manyara we saw flamingos and tree-climbing lions. The lions can be difficult to spot, so we were excited to see them! We loved our guide, who was extremely knowledgable and answered all of our questions about the surrounding area and animals. He was extremely professional, on time to pick us up and made sure we got to each destination safely.
“An unforgettable experience for us was visiting the local school and a Maasai family. Observing a different culture and way of life was as thrilling as the safari for us. We sometimes get so caught up in our own routines, so it was eye-opening to interact with the tribespeople and hear their stories.
“The Maldives portion of our honeymoon was equally special and amazing. It was a long haul to get there, but as soon as we saw the paradise of One & Only Reethi Rah that was all forgotten. Everyone really went above and beyond to make sure our honeymoon was perfect; we were even upgraded to a spectacular grand water villa! The views from everywhere on the island were amazing, and the facilities were first class. Our treatments at the spa were so relaxing—exactly what we needed after a week-long safari. The food was delicious, and the breakfast buffet was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen. It was so special to end our journey in this amazing archipelago, where the Indian Ocean waters revealed so many luminous shades of blue.
“We would both do this trip over in a heartbeat. It was adventurous, romantic, inspiring and truly once-in-a-lifetime. Thank you so much for making sure it was perfect and exactly what we were looking for!”
~ Samantha Griffith, Indagare member since 2011
At Indagare, we believe that every trip should be unforgettable and each vacation is designed specifically for the traveler. Pairing our in-depth destination expertise with knowledge of our members’ needs, we match them with the best and most appropriate itinerary, hotels, guides and restaurants. Contact Indagare to speak with a travel specialist and begin planning a customized trip.
