KeithHaving opted for a 3 day, mid range, private safari, we felt that this would cover all the bases.
Our starting point was the town of Arusha, Tanzania, from Dar es Salaam, you have the option of a train journey, long drive, or flight. The flight option seemed the best result for our needs, an hours flight covering some 250 Km and very reasonably priced.
January is slightly out of the high season, (June-October), and it had clearly been raining heavily prior to our arrival
The airfield of Arusha, is set a few kilometres outside of the main town, a very relaxed informal procedure sees you through to the “arrivals lounge” or car park as we know it.
Met by the hotel driver, we were shown to his car, which looked like he had borrowed it from the scrapyard. 😂
A few minutes in, and the heavens opened, turning the main street into a fast flowing stream, with drainage gullies overflowing, and the locals struggling not to be washed away.
We arrived at Mc Ellys hotel, again adequate but basic, the rains continued so didn’t venture out in the rapids. The following morning our safari guide “Dullah” was waiting at our hotel, a fairly early start, but a long drive ahead.
Our first port of call, about a 2 hour drive from Arusha, on arrival our guide Dullah did the necessary paperwork, and entry fees, we then proceeded into the park.
The park is named after the Tarangire river that flows across it, and covers an area of some 2600 square km. it is the 6th largest national park in Tanzania.
Dullah explained, because of the early rains, the animals can source water from a variety of places, so they would be scattered around the park, along with dense, tall grass making it difficult to spot them.
On entry to the park, disaster in the way of a flat tyre, swiftly dealt with by our guide, he wasn’t wrong about seeing the wildlife, and the big game were playing hard to get.
However we weren’t disappointed, and saw an array of wild animals.
By far the best day of the safari, the flat plain of the crater made it much easier to spot any wildlife.
The crater is a formation from a huge volcanic eruption, some 2-3,000,000 years ago, the lava rock can be found in abundance, at the rim, before you descend some 600 meters to the crater floor.
Again from our lodge, it was a good 2 hour drive, and expect to sit in the vehicle for a further 4-6 hours, and then a 2 hour drive back.
Its a long day, and very hit or miss with what animals you will see, we basically scoured a large section of the plain and lake.
The big game we saw included: Lion, Hippo, Rhino, Wildebeest, Zebra, Elephant
A packed lunch was provided, in the form of a cardboard picnic box, possibly ours wasn’t the best quality, the quantity was adequate.
Lake Manyara
An early start, Dullah said this would be better, as no one would scare the animals first thing, however on arrival it was extremely misty, we saw very little wildlife on this day, so after driving around the lake and tracks for 4 hours decided to head on to the next leg of our trip.
Kankari Lodge
A short drive along a dirt track, not far from the main road, you arrive at a metal gated entrance complete with security guard.
Set in it’s own grounds, with private pool, the complex consists of approximately, half a dozen bungalows, and half a dozen large rooms, with en suite facilities, it is walled in for security, with a small lounge/restaurant area.
A main reception area, also doubles up as the bar, and restaurant, the staff were friendly and accommodating, and there is a relaxed informal atmosphere to the whole lodge.
The food service is very good, as is the food quality, and variety, we enjoyed the meals that were provided, which consisted of a 4 course dinner each evening starting at 19.00-22.00,
Breakfast is a choice of cereals, fruit, bread, toast, and eggs cooked to your liking, along with Juice, tea & coffee.
Be prepared to be joined by your guide at meal times, this seemed to be the norm.
Its an 08.00 start to the day, so a good breakfast is recommended, and expect a fairly long journey to whichever park you are visiting.
