My sister and I had been on may safaris in Africa – I love animals and she is crazy about elephants. Our last safari was to Tanzania, having watched a programme on TV about the Ngorongoro Crater.

 In Mid October 2001, having been warned we would need to carry extra cushions for my sister’s back trouble, we arrived in Arusha where the final part of the journey to the Mountain Village coffee plantation lodge was very bumpy, but upon drawing the curtains back in the morning, the flowering bushes, gardens and distant view were a wonderful surprise.

 In 2007-8 I had major knee surgery. The lady who looked after me for 2 weeks after hospital expressed a desire to go on safari but none of her friends were willing to join her. So I offered to take her. I requested Bales arrange the same holiday again with our driver/guide, Alphan, but he had married and left the area. Again we were staying in the same superior safari lodges and the same journey including one extra National Park.

 After years of Using Bales holidays an itinerary is rarely changed, but on this occasion the President of Tanzania decided to also go on safari and for security reasons changes had to be made.

 We began in Tarangire National Park where all the animals came to greet my friend and as it was my first time there I couldn’t believe such a small park should have especially so many large animals.

 We then drive to Lake Manyara Lodge. In 2001 the road surface was a bit bumpy and we were told the Japanese had promised to extend the road in a few years time. Now the section from the Makuyuni to the Ngorongoro Park gate is completely new and the steep winding incline of the Great Rift Valley widened and netted to stop rock falls – there is a new built brick toilet block (unheard of in 2001!). The Lake Manyara Lodge is on top of this huge cliff with unusual but interesting décor and wonderful views.

 Onward to the Serengeti through Karatu, a busy market town where the road was dreadful in the past, but now has not only a new road but also drainage canals with small walkways across to the shops. Having entered the Ngorongoro Park gate the road became very bumpy, but still better than years ago. Also this time we were in a Land Cruiser – just tow of us with six comfortable seats to choose from, but the raised roof was closed now because of the dust.

Keep checking www.balesblog.com for the next installment of  “Tanzania, Then and Now”…