Get to Know the Faces Behind Tanzania Specialist

In the Hot Seat: Willemijn

Roaring into this month’s spotlight from Dar es Salaam, we’re excited to introduce you to Willemijn – one of the passionate travel experts behind Tanzania Specialist.

Our monthly Get to Know the Faces Behind Tanzania Specialist series takes you behind the scenes to meet the people who turn dream safaris into reality. From personal stories to expert recommendations, this is your chance to connect with the people crafting your unforgettable Tanzanian adventure.

5 Questions With… Willemijn

1. What’s your name, where are you from, and what’s your role at Tanzania Specialist?

My name is Willemijn, and I’m originally from the Netherlands. My love for East Africa began when I was 15 years old – my mum took my sister and me on a group holiday to Kenya and Tanzania, and from that moment, I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve returned as often as possible. I traveled through Kenya with my mum, completed school projects in East Africa with my then-boyfriend (now husband), and eventually made the big move to Tanzania. After working in Mwanza and the Western Serengeti as a restaurant manager, we started our family here. We lived in Moshi for two years and now call Dar es Salaam home.

Today, I work as a Travel Advisor for the Dutch team, and I’m also the organizer of our yearly sales training week.

2. What’s your favorite destination in Tanzania and why?

It has to be the Serengeti and Ndutu region – they’re everything you imagine when you think of the wild, open plains of Africa. Endless landscapes, endless roads, and endless animal sightings.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received came from a guide: “Don’t follow the dust of other jeeps – choose your own way.” And in Serengeti, you really can. You’re hours away from civilization, immersed in nature. Turn off the engine, listen to the sounds, and just be.

And while the Big Five are incredible, don’t forget to notice the small things – the birds, the colors, the silence. That’s where the magic often lives.

3. Which safari experience would you recommend to someone visiting for the first time?

It all depends on your wishes…and your budget. Personally, I love Tarangire National Park. It has this beautiful river running through it, and the wildlife it attracts is phenomenal.

It’s one of the best places to see huge herds of elephants, which happen to be my favorite – tied with giraffes. Even if you can’t stretch your budget to include the Serengeti, a safari through Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater will still deliver an unforgettable experience.

And if you can go all in? I’d absolutely recommend a balloon safari over Serengeti or Ndutu. It’s a surreal way to see the land and animals from a whole new perspective.

4. What’s the most unforgettable wildlife moment you’ve had?

Oh, there are so many – it’s hard to choose just one.

Flying in a hot air balloon over Ndutu, gliding so low we could hear the grass brush against the basket, surrounded by wildebeest during the Great Migration… that was something I’ll never forget.

Or witnessing a cheetah hunt, where three cheetahs chased and caught a wildebeest right before our eyes. Watching nature unfold in such a raw, beautiful way was awe-inspiring.

But one of my personal favorites happened in Tarangire with my son, who’s a big reptile lover. We were scanning the riverbeds, and I spotted something. “Stop! Go back!” I shouted. It was a Nile monitor! The look on his face was onbetaalbaar—absolutely priceless. Once you have kids, your safari experiences change in the best way. Those shared discoveries become the most memorable.

5. Is there a destination in Tanzania you haven’t been to yet but would love to explore one day?

Yes, Lake Natron! I haven’t been yet, but it’s high on my list. It’s remote, beautifully untouched, and I hear the birdlife is stunning. I’m a bird lover and I also really value those quiet places where you feel close to both nature and local communities.

Bonus: What’s one tip you always share with guests before they travel to Tanzania?

Don’t try to squeeze in everything. Build your trip in a way that lets you slow down and really enjoy the parks. It’s so much more rewarding to spend an extra day in one area than to rush through five. Quality over quantity every time.