Creative Manyara Options ??
 

I am looking at a few "creative" Manyara options at lodges that are "off the beaten path" and wondering if anyone has any experience with them, or could make any recommendations.

Especially Eben as he's probably been to all of them!!

Kirurum Tented Camp
Tindiga Tented Lodge
Ngorongoro Forest Lodge
Wild Africa Manyara Lodge

Any thoughts?

Creative? Probably not!

I have been to all but only stayed at Kirurumu. So far I haven't had a compelling reason to stay at the others - but I am still looking!

Pictures here: http://www.go-safari.com/Manyara/manyaralodges.htm

You are missing a few - Crater Forest Tented Camp, Ol Mesera, Lake Manyara View Lodge, etc!

A short summary:

Kirurumu - Well-known on the escarpment rim. Good views east.

Tindiga - Good alternative when Kisima is full.

NFL - On a hill top between Manyara and Karatu. Great views of locals working on their farms.

WAML - View west towards Lake Mayara. Good alternative when rim lodges are full or when on a late run from Arusha or Tarangire.

Cannot make suggestions unless I know a lot more about your interests!

Are you an artist looking for quiet and inspiration? On honeymoon looking for romantic seclusion? On a mission to capture wildlife images worthy of National Geographic? Have a dream to live near the locals but not like a local? Looking for love or company in a lodge frequented by overland singles, campers and student groups?

Here is a report with Predator's thoughts on Kirurumu.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35115186

What if the Manyara accommodation criteria were,

"Wanting to live near locals," which one then?

Is there really an accommodation in Manyara that stands out from a wildlife photography standpoint, for those "on a mission to capture wildlife images worthy of National Geographic?"

Finally, do you (Eben in particular) or anyone in general think that staying at an inexpensive place without a lot of atmosphere in Manyara is a good money saving strategy because it doesn't take that long to get to this relatively small park where the wildlife is the same for everyone, regardless of where they stay?

Thanks for the Manyara ideas Simbakubwa.

Eben,

I was mainly looking for a place around Manyara that isn't the typical Manyara Serena hotel style.

A nice tented camp that doesn't have 40 people lined up at the buffet!

Can you suggest which of those options I suggested would be the nicest? The best standard of tented camp?

Or are they all just for overland campers?

If you have any extra time in Manyara try to drop by the Blessed Comfort Centre and visit these 12 children in this orphanage. They are about 7-9 years of age and if you can bring them food, school supplies or small toys thier smiles will melt your heart. They are located just before the entrance to the park on the opposite side of the road. To see photos and learn a little about kids follow this link http://www.africanwildlifeandculture...om/culture.htm
We dropped by the night before our visit with them to find out what they most needed then went to the grocery before our visit to pick up some laundry and hand soap, rice, toothbrushes, protien powder, and cooking oil. They are beautiful children and any help you an give them will be appreciated.

SilverParrot,

Did you ever tell us what company you chose and how your trip went? If so, please put in a link.

Although I've failed to produce a trip report to date from my December trip, I can tell you that we stayed at Migunga Tented camp while visiting Lake Manyara. If you go back to my old posts, you'll see I was having so much trouble deciding between Migunga and Kirurumu.

I have never been to Kirurumu but I can tell you I LOVED Migunga! It was actually my favorite accommodation on our trip. It was small, private, had great accommodations, great service, and the food was AMAZING. It was actually my dream meal and probably the best meal I've had in a long time - just a perfect experience. Vervet monkeys and giant owls on the property, too!

You rarely hear about Migunga on fodors, but I'd definitely recommend you check it out!

When wildlife viewing is not a priority as in this case, I prefer some privacy and sweeping views.

Migunga Forest is amongst trees with no views so I will get bored there. The rooms are also a bit small for me.

Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge did strike me as a place where I could stay for a few nights while working in the Manyara/Karatu area. The views from the top of the hill are incredible. The tented rooms are spacious - all with views and privacy including indoor and outdoor showers!

I cannot imagine that any one of the places in this price range have consistently better or worse food than the others (due to staff turnovers) and most chefs will cook food the way I like it so I am not worried about that.

I will visit Ol Mesera soon so I cannot comment yet.

Atravelyn ask good questions!

Wildlife moments - you have to stay inside the park so capture early and late moments. In Manyara, I would camp at a special camp site! Bagayo A and B are perfect.

Near the locals - Assuming you don't want a typical local hotel or guest-house, then Ol Mesera looks good but I have not been. E-Unoto has good principles too as far as I know.

No atmosphere - I do not like such places even when in the midst of a game rich area or on an island. I have never been of fan of Ndutu Lodge or Zanzibar Kempinski for this reason! So I try to pick places where the staff is comfortable and proud of doing their thing, even if I have to pay more or drive further.

My last paragraph does not read the way I intended - my English is not the best!

I tried to say I enjoy places where the staff try to create a comfortable atmosphere (e.g. good lighting, friendly attentive service, and by being happy and talkative). I do not like being treated as Mr. Tourist Number XXIVXX

Eben,

Okay, my last question is:

How does Tindiga Tented Lodge compare with other places in the same region?

Are the accommodations better/worse than:

Manyara Serena Hotel?

Lake Manyara Hotel?

Kisima?

Kirurumu Camp?

I'm just trying to put it in perspective if Tindiga Tented Lodge is a 2-star camp for back packers... or could be considered a 4-star tented camp similar to Kirurumu or Kikoti?

Thanks!

It is not so easy to compare these places.

Tindiga and Kisima Ngeda are near Lake Eyasi. These are too far away for Lake Manyara visits.

Kisima has the edge there thanks to its location on the edge of the lake and the natural pool. Tindiga is actually a very nice camp with very comfortable tents and a good second choice if Kisima is full, or if you want a smaller camp that that will most probably have fewer people. I need to go back and visit it again - it has been a while.

Anywhere in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu will work for Manyara if you have an hour or so to drive one way.

If you want views of Manyara then pick one of the places on the rim (Wildlife, Serena, Kirurumu or the new Manyara View Lodge). Wildlife Lodge has the best overall views of the actual lake, then the Serena (from pool and some rooms), then View Lodge (from pool area) and then Kirurumu (from bar area).

Otherwise, the choices are varied as described above.

There is another new place that I will go visit soon because of their community work - Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge http://www.go-safari.com/Manyara/Rhotia.htm

To stay high up against the NCA wall and deep in the forest, this one is worth a look: http://www.go-safari.com/Manyara/CraterForest.htm