Lake Manyara National Park Tours and Tickets - page 14

3 Days safari and 3 nights (2 at Jambo Lodge) and the third back at Arusha Tourist Inn. An extra night for twin sharing for two at the arusha tourist inn was 10 USD per pax. The Meru slopes tours also threw in free transfer to the airport on the last day because of our safari package - which saved us USD50/taxi - surprise and generous gift indeed. Mr Gabriel of Meru slopes also lent me a router because the inn room wifi was not reliable -he was most helpful and kind. the Arusha tourist inn is rated two stars , but really value for money - it is set in a private enclave so there is no traffic or strangers walking around. Very quiet except for the sound of call for prayers from nearby mosque. Walking distance (5mins) to market where you can buy backpacks, albeit preloved ones. (good travel bags are expensive here!! and limited in choice) Safari - starts with pickup from hotel by transport to the Tourist inn - 730am.. we set off when the number registered came.. 2 nights at Jambo lodge - a proper hotel with very clean n comfortable beds n toilets with hot water (may not be so hot). No mosquitoes or bugs. Excellent food provided by Rashid - who has had two years of culinary training - 5 star presentation and flavours . What a treat.. No boxed lunches - there was table cloth, hot drinks and nice plates n several dishes and fruits for all meals.. Generous servings too.. The meals in themselves were a safari experience of the best of Tanzanian cuisine . Be warned, you will put on weight.. The tour guide who also is the driver, Samuel, has very sharp vision for the animals and birds. I believe he was the first to spot our first pride of 4 lions in Tangaeire, among the many. This safari starts with breakfast at 8am at the lodge/inn and is quite leisurely. Great for those who love sleeping in proper beds, and private bathrooms and do not fancy looking at shadows of wild animals through the thin fabric of tents in the night or worry about the walk to the shared toilets in the night with such (? gentle) animals sharing the space. The best part of the safari - I think is the seemingly lack of fear of humans of these animals, and how beautiful the colours and how strange the shapes. Somehow they hide and stand out at the same time. A strange and wonderful paradox of life.