Safari Last Day

A morning drive round the Manyara National Park. A more relaxed drive, as it's smaller and less busy. We drove along with almost no dust!

Highlights: seeing a black backed jackal trotting along; a hornbill; a blue monkey sitting on a branch on the ground with his legs stretched out like a person; two adult elephants standing fanning their ears, with a young one between them - right by the track; coffee stop looking down over the park, with elephants walking by down in the bush.

At the picnic spot we were joined by gorgeous wee birds. One of them hung around while I went back to get my camera. They were red and yellow barbets. Toss up between the elephant trio and the barbet. The barbet won.

I had been worried about getting into the 4WD, but actually getting out was the problem! I did a step/fall/jump, accompanied by a stifled yelp. Today, the last day, I realised that the easiest way was to step down backwards!!

We arrived at the the appointed coffee lodge to meet Maree, but first we had a debriefing with Adam, the tour organiser. All the feedback we gave him, he said was very useful, ie we suggested an email before we left with all the tips he gave us at our initial meeting, but then he said, 'But I'd do myself out of a job!'

An hour's wait in separate areas of the Coffee lodge, but we eventually found each other, and Maree took us to her gorgeous wee house. We met her gardener, her cleaner, her dog, and a friend who popped in on the way to Wales! The back verandah is gorgeous, with a lovely fenced garden. Champagne and crisps while we all chatted about safaris and how wonderful Tanzania is.

Soooo nice to be with an old pal, and be looked after. An exciting day tomorrow, though no wild animals, but without the 6:30am start!!