Lake Manyara:

On our way to the game reserves of Northern Tanzania, we passed group of british tourists biking it to Niarobi through the Serengetti. When we were approaching the cyclists the outside temp was a good 32 degrees and our surroundings were barren and desolate due to drought. After witnessing these guys, rolling down the window of our very comfortable 4x4 with air-con to say hello, we all agreed that that must be the worst way to travel through Africa that we have seen so far. This view was confirmed when, ten kilometers later, we came across a herd of elephant next to the road and wondered what the reaction of the tour group would be when the bumped into them? Good luck to them we say.
Lake Manyara National Park was a contrast of green compared to the dry surroundings of the rift valley. After a brief drive through the park, in search of the famous tree climbing lions belonging to the area, we arrived at our camp site. We noticed the abundance of Tetse fly wizzing around the car. I was wearing blue so it took me a good while before I was brave enough to get out the car. Mum and I noticed that we may have set up camp under a baboon nesting tree as there was a strong and unpleasant smell surrounding us! There were also alot of bees. Mum kept talking to them. Calling them 'darlings' and telling them it was 'time to go to sleep'.
We spent the next day trying to find the tree climbing lion but there were none to be seen. To myself and Dad's relief, the biting flies seemed most attracted to mum, biting her all over!