The grounds of the lodge are lush with well tended gardens and tall trees. Breakfast is buffet style with fresh juices, fruit, breads, and eggs cooked to order. We are told most of the food is grown locally, a surprise to me but we learn that Arusha is very fertile as groundwater flows diwn from Mt Kili and Meru. Stefan our driver and guide meet us this morning and we set off for Arusha National Park at annelevation of 4,500 ft. The park is surprisingly lush, small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes are known for their wadjng birds.
As this is a small protected park, there are a limited number of species but a good introduction to looking for animals in trees, plains and water. We learned that the Masai use many of these plants for medicinal purposes. Highlights are seeing zebras and giraffes, as well as cobusa monkeys, blue monkeys and baboons. It is difficult to put into words the excitement of seeing these animals in their natural environments. Finding them is a combination of knowing where they are in general but no sightings are guaranteed. The road is bumpy and dusty in spots but we enjoy the pop open top which provides an open view.
Stefan tells us that poaching and corruption result in decreasing numbers of animals especially in vast ares like the Serengeti. When he talked about needing corridors for wildlife to travel, I realized we share similar needs all over the world. He also told us how difficult life is for local people, that there is no government assistance for education healthcare. The local schools do not permit kids to bring food for lunch because stealing and fighting takes place when some children cannot afford food. Some children walk several miles to go to school and do so without eating all day. It makes us feel guilty not eating the huge lunch that the hotel prepared for us.
All in all it is an enjoyable day and we are definitely ready for safari 201 tomorrow.