Arusha National Park

📌 August 5: Arusha National Park

The 2nd night was a bit rougher.  Little did we know that bedtime was more like our normal nap time so when we went to sleep at 9pm, we all seemed to wake up 2-hours later (11pm)... and tossed/turned for the next 4 hours or so... Ben and I finally fell back asleep about the time I heard the rooster crowing out the window.  

Eddie came to Dorothy's in the big safari jeep to take us to Arusha. From Moshi we drove about an hour north, towards Kenya, and passed through Maasai land. Lots of groups out, heading their goats or cattle. 

Dorothy kept reiterating the fact that Arusha was NOT the Serengeti and to not get our hopes up to see any of the "big 5" animals (big cats: lion & leopard, elephants, rhinos, or Cape buffalo).  

I had somewhat assumed we would drive our car to the park so when the "big jeep" pulled in 

my expectations were already exceeded.  

Tarps spread over the ground to dry grain (type? barley?)

Still can't get over how tons people practically walk ON the highways. 

While we were riding I couldn't let myself watch the road too close in fear of us colliding with another car, motorbike or pedestrian. 

Also can't get over how HARD people work compared to us in the states. (i.e. road crew was on the highway with pic axes repairing the asphalt. Laundry is all done by hand and hng dry. So many individual gardens to provide produce. Walking to work. 

Posing near the jeep as we got our spare tire repaired.

Dorothy and Owen near an elephant statue at the entrance to Arusha National Park.

Lower my expectations.  Ha!  As soon as we pulled into the park, Eddie raised the roof of the Land Cruiser so we could all see better.  

Within TWO minutes we stopped next to a field FULL of zebra and one baby giraffe.  Incredible.

Everyone was so happy.  Seriously, we were smiling ALL DAY.

Stunning views of Mount Meru.  

Animals spotted on our day safari: zebra, giraffe, warthog, baboon, blue monkey, colobus monkeys, flamingo at Momela lake, (miniature) deer, water buffalo, hippo, antelope... 

and I'm sure I am missing a few.

water buffalo

the kids caught a couple brief naps as we bounced along

large twiga

Zebra in the background... proof we were there

enjoying a picnic lunch near the smaller Momella Lake

our big 5

Senor Dow

 flamingo

  posing for a brother picture

Dorothy shading Grace

 At the NE border of the park (very close to Kenya) we noticed several children watching us. 

Owen wanted to "play" so Eddie gave him cookies to walk over to them.  

 flamingo

 baboon families

On the ride home we were blessed with a brief glimpse of a snowy peak of Mt. Kilomanjaro as the sun was setting.  Since it was late we ordered pizza and had (homemade) pumpkin soup by candlelight on the back porch.  The electricity off again as we organized for Zanzibar. 

Oddly nice to lay in bed with only candlelight. No distractions. I know I wouldn't like it every night but it was a nice end to the day.