Ngorongoro Conservation Area - NCA

NCA Entry Gate - Registration Area

Visitor Registration for NCA

First Look of The CRATER

Crater

It all started here.....

Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara- Bird Heaven

Start of Safari

Our safari started with our guide cum driver cum translator, Jonas, reaching at exact time of departure. Today being short distance it was decided to start at 08:30 AM. He came to the hotel to pick us up, we loaded our heavy luggage and dropped it at office of 'Fortes Safari'. Excitement and expectations, all mixed with trepidation of how the safari will unfold.

Safari Vehicle. 

It's extremely important to have a good vehicle at your disposal for a smooth and comfortable safari. We had a eight seat Land Rover with detachable roof for our safari. All seats were individual with arm rest front facing ones with adequate space for luggage and a fridge. White in colour this vehicle would be our stead for next six days. We would be spending close to 12 hours everyday for next six days in here. Every person had a window to themselves.

Safari Vehicle - Eight Seater with Pop Up Roof

Safari Guide. One of the most important ingredient for any safari. Difference between a good safari and a memorable one is conduct and knowledge of your guide. Jonas of Fortes Safari proved much beyond on all issues. More about him later.

Jonas - Our Guide, Driver & Translator

Manyara National Park.  We headed out of Arusha town and caught the China Highway before turning towards Japanese Highway. The park is famous for its bird population and tree climbing lions. Though it has been three years since lions were spotted climbing tree here. Is it difficulty of trees or laziness?  There was a massive landslide and floods which had hit this park in 2013. However, new buildings are coming up. Meanwhile they have built temporary structures to greet the guests and show around while guides register at the park gate. This park proved to be an ideal start for our safari. Amazing place with plethora of animals and birds. Had lovely lunch besides the lake amid birds hovering around us.

Road to Wilderness

Various Tribes of Manyara

The Best Advice for Safari

Blue Monkey

Steenbok on our Road

Where is the Danger....

Typical African Vegetation

Wildebeest (Brownish ones of Manyara)

Impalas

Inside Manyara National Park

Welcome to my Abode - Masai Giraffe

Check the Eyelashes

Bee Eater

I want to Play - Elephant Calf approaching our Vehicle

Elephants in my backyard or Me in their yard

Shade is need of the hour

You guys are having Lunch in my Yard !!

Lunch Break on banks of Lake Manyara

Pelicans

Shirke

Red & Yellow Barbet - Visitor during lunch

Kingfisher

Egyptian Geese

Where is my food....

Paradise of Birds

Flight of Freedom

Lake Manyara - Pelicans

This is our Lake

Wart Hogs

Wagtail

Egyptian Geese

Black Ibis

Time to Rest

Heron

African Jacana - Jesus Bird

Egret

Cohabitation

African Buffalo

Black & White Heron

Time to Sun myself

Spoonbill

Thick Kneed

Time to Prune

Where is my bird......In Paradise

Sacred Ibis

Bird Watching Bridge - Lake Manyara

Hippos

Pelican

Grey Crowned Crane

Yellow Billed Stroke

Blue Monkey

Manyara Serena.  After around six hours of park we moved out and started the climb towards Manyara Serena. Another amazing place to chill out after heat of the day. Comfort in between forest setting with hut shaped rooms and chilled swimming pool to boot. Loving it.......

   

End of First Day - Manyara Serena

  

Our Room with a View 

NO Insects Allowed

Time for Breakfast

Note : Names of animals & birds may not be accurate. They are based on my half knowledge as gathered during talks. Contact experts incase of doubts......