December 11, 2004 -- A collection of pictures taken at Mama Wilson's, in Arusha town, and Arusha National Park can be found at Arusha and Environs.
Habari za asubuhi! (Good morning all!). We're committed to learning Swahili and try to speak it as much as possible with the staff. Six new travelers join the pre-trippers at breakfast. We are also joined by a third Kibo Safari guide, Alex Saul, who will remain with us for the duration of the safari. Following another one of James' expertly presented briefings, we are off for a day trip to Arusha National Park.
The park's topography ranges from forest to swamp and as a result supports a variety of flora and fauna. The park including Mt. Meru are considered part of the Kilimanjaro Heartland, one of eight conservation areas identified by the African Wildlife Foundation. Mt. Meru can be climbed from many trails originating in the park. We begin exploring the park on foot with Peter, one of the Park's rangers, who brings us very close to a herd of Cape buffalo, and families of baboon and warthog. The park is lush with plenty of runoff, presumably from yesterday's heavy rains on Mt. Meru. The walk takes us to Tululusia Falls and back to our vehicles to drive to a secluded area for a picnic lunch.
We spend a couple more hours after lunch driving the Park. The hit is a colony of Colobus monkeys with clutching youngsters. Some spot the furtive Duiker, one of Africa's smallest antelopes. The park is inhabited by over 300 bird species. At Lake Longil alone we spot the sacred ibis, jacana, Egyptian goose, great white pelican, and the little egret.
The drive back includes a stop for a walk-about at Saturday market along the main road into Arusha. Before mingling with the market crowd, Pascal teaches us two Swahili phrases: tuna angalia (just looking) and hapana asante (no thank you) which worked very well. It was very crowded and noisy but I noted that the produce was of high quality.
We return to Mama Wilson's by about 5 p.m. for showers, camp fire, dinner, discussions, and more Swahili lessons. Lala salama.
