Hi,
So, I am looking to do a quick safari after finishing the job I am in Tanzania for. When I have traveled before, as a rough rule, I never pre-booked accommodation or trips in advance. I have always found that if you turn up at a suitable "departure town" (aka Arusha), you will usually bump into a cool bunch of other travelers and usually there is a space in a car that needs to be filled. It also means you get an opportunity to meet the tour operator face to face and can form a way better opinion than booking online.
Having said that, I usually have heard on the grapevine which hostel to avoid, which is chilled, which is party central and which tour groups are good/ bad. This time though I am flying in blind and the temptation to pre-book is big. But there is also an overwhelming quantity of operators offering tours and I have no idea who I would end up in a car with!
So i'm undecided and looking for advice:
- Is it a bad idea to turn up and look for accommodation on the day in Tanzania? (I have researched some hostels through LP, hostelworld that have good review)
- Does Arusha have a lot of travel agencies/ safari tour operators that I can visit in person to get a good deal, meet people & possibly check the vehicle etc?
- Finally - is there a well known "backpacker" hostel in Arusha or Moshi where I am likely to meet some other (younger) travelers?
Thanks in advance!
Olie