Football stars flock to Tanzania’s wild wonders

TANZANIA: IT’S not every day the roar of stadiums is traded for the rustle of Savannah grass  but this off-season, some of the world’s biggest football stars have done just that, choosing Tanzania’s national parks as their ultimate escape.

Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper, David Raya, is the latest to join the growing list of global football icons discovering the magic of Tanzania.

Fresh from a successful English Premier League campaign and crowned the league’s Best Goalkeeper for the second consecutive season, Raya arrived in the country with his partner, Tatiana Trouboul, to celebrate their honeymoon and they chose to do it in style.

“First day of the honeymoon completed,” the couple posted on Instagram, sharing photos from the luxurious Chem Chem Safari Lodge in Tarangire National Park.

One image captured the pair gazing through binoculars, surrounded by giraffes and elephants, soaking in the serenity of Tanzania’s wild beauty. Tatiana even embraced the local spirit, captioning one of her posts in Swahili: “Maisha ya furaha” happy life.

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Just days earlier, Pedro González López, better known as Pedri, swapped Barcelona’s training grounds for the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park.

The 21-year-old midfield sensation, widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in global football, shared his adventure with his millions of followers.

From panoramic shots atop a safari vehicle to close-ups of lions, zebras, monkeys and buffalo, Pedri captured the essence of Tanzania’s untamed charm. An aerial video of a herd of elephants moving gracefully across a lush green landscape stood out among the collections.

The official Instagram page of Serengeti National Park celebrated his visit, writing: “It’s not every day that one of the world’s brightest football stars trades the stadium for the savannah… At just 21, he’s already a Golden Boy award winner, a Euro finalist and now, a friend of Tanzania. Asante sana, Pedri, for choosing our home.”

Another visitor came on June 9th, in legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimović who made his entrance — as dramatic off the pitch as he is on it.

The former Manchester United, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Swedish star was seen jogging through Serengeti National Park, captioning his post simply ‘summer camp’.

Other clips showed him lounging in a hammock suspended between two trees, deep in the heart of the park, embodying total relaxation with the wild all around him.

From luxury lodges to safari sunsets, Tanzania’s national parks continue to mesmerise travellers from around the globe  now with some of football’s biggest names leading the charge.

Whether it’s Raya’s romantic getaway, Pedri’s awe-filled exploration, or Zlatan’s rugged retreat, one message rings clear: Tanzania is scoring big on the world travel map.