Three generations of the Raygor family traveled together on Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure—our most popular adventure for a private family departure.
There’s something so special about traveling with family: When unforgettable moments are shared and lasting memories are made, it strengthens bonds in ways no other experience can. When you arrange a private family departure with O.A.T., you’ll experience the thrill of exploring with loved ones while we take care of all the details.
Discover Tanzania with the Raygor Family
By Wendi Raygor, first-time traveler from Fairbanks, Alaska
Traveling to Africa with my family and spending my 54th birthday in Tanzania is a gift I will never forget! My mother-in-law was our Group Leader and she had a very pleasant experience working with O.A.T.’s Groups team. We were well advised prior to our trip and were very pleased with how O.A.T. took care of everything!
We were thrilled to hear from our Trip Experience Leader Zack prior to our trip. It was amazing to speak with her before our adventure, and our excitement grew.
We met Zack upon our arrival, and the adventure began! Zack always kept us informed of when and where to meet for meals, briefings, departures, and what to expect each day. We enjoyed a home cooked meal with a local family, took a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, and visited a local school where my sons played soccer with the kids! We saw Africa’s Big Five on game drives, along with countless other species. Being in the Serengeti during the annual great migration was an unforgettable experience.
The lodging, staff, and drivers were all fantastic and extremely accommodating to our entire family. I’ve heard that if you visit Africa, a part of it sticks with you, and I believe this to be true for myself, and our family. Truly an unforgettable adventure.
Discover Japan with the Imai Family
By Marie Imai, 4-time traveler from Scotts Valley, California
Every person on the trip credited our fabulous Trip Experience Leader, Keiko Ishii, with being the reason our experience was so wonderful. She was amazing with our four grandchildren, and consistently found excellent restaurants, hiking trails, and shopping experiences for everyone. Keiko quickly became part of our family—one night, she even took us to a karaoke center where we all had a great time singing together.
We have a relative in Japan who lives near Shizuoka, and Keiko kindly called them for us, arranged a dinner and an afternoon of conversation, and served as our translator, which helped strengthen our family’s connection to Japan. Watching our children and grandchildren experience Japan for the first time and connect with their Japanese heritage was incredibly special. Our 15-year-old granddaughter studied Japanese on Duolingo for nine months before the trip and felt inspired to continue afterward; our youngest grandson delighted in buying Pokémon cards at large department stores and celebrated his 12th birthday in Kyoto with a big family celebration. Our son-in-law Geordie also got to enjoy his daily long-distance runs through city streets and countryside paths.
Our family trip was full of memorable moments, and O.A.T. did a marvelous job offering a variety of experiences: Nature, city life, ancient and modern history, home visits, and opportunities to meet local people. We are deeply grateful to O.A.T. and the Groups team for creating a trip of a lifetime for our family—these are memories we will always treasure.
While Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari is our most popular choice for a private departure, this option is available on any O.A.T. land adventure. Learn more about our private departures here.
