Struggles & Joys in Mwanza: A Day Trip to Saanane Island 🏝️

Finally got a day off and decided to fully disconnect—closed the laptop, escaped the work camp, and wandered into town. Before I knew it, I ended up at the boat ticket office for Saanane Island.😂🌍 💰 Budget Hack: Thanks to my permit, I paid in local currency (TZS) instead of USD—saved 50%! The boat ride was supposed to cost ~$40, but I joined locals and paid only 10,000 TZS (~$4). Score! 🦁 The Island Vibe: Don’t expect fancy facilities (a random Chinese park is 10x nicer lol), but the raw wilderness is the charm. Saw antelopes grazing freely, and if you go early, you might spot crocs! I napped on a rock... until ants attacked (RIP my peace). Pro tip: Check for ant nests first! 🌈 Mwanza’s "Cheap" Rainbows: The sky here drops double rainbows like it’s nothing. Locals barely glance, but I was snapping pics like a tourist on Red Bull. 🍽️ Dinner & Feels: Ate grilled tilapia by the lake, dragging my feet to avoid returning to camp. Holidays end too fast, and my worries sure didn’t take a break. Maybe I didn’t drink enough—woke up sober too early. Ugh. 📌 Quick Tips: 1️⃣ Permit = Save $$$ (Pay in TZS if you can). 2️⃣ Boat Sharing = Local price magic. 3️⃣ Go Early for wildlife (crocs!). 4️⃣ Ant-proof your nap spot 🐜💥. #MwanzaStruggles #TanzaniaDiaries #SaananeIsland #WorkationFail