December 6-7, 2004 -- A collection of pictures taken at Mama Wilson's, in Arusha town, and Arusha National Park can be found at Arusha and Environs.
For those on the pre-trip the safari started on Monday, December 6, 2004. We left from various U.S. airports and came together at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. From Amsterdam, we took a nine hour flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Once on the ground in Tanzania at about 9:45pm, Tuesday, Dec. 7th, we took a 45 minute Land Cruiser drive north to Mama Wilson's House, our base in Arusha. James Mazigo and Pascal Foster, our cheerful Kibo guides, do their best to keep eight weary travelers from falling apart. The air was warm and fresh. I rode "shotgun" next to Pascal with my window down to breathe in the African air. At Mama Wilson's, we are warmly received by some of the staff -- David, the manager, and Babu, everyone's favorite grandfather. We get our room assignments, and freshen up for a late but welcome pasta/marinara meal. James tells us that most groups party when they arrive. We don't believe him and head for our rooms for some needed sleep.
