It is possible to walk from
the lodge to the entrance of the park in a few minutes. But for exploring,
we get hold of Dick's Landrover. Most of the time the giraffes are right
around Ngurdoto Gate to greet the visitors.
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Arusha National Park
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It is possible to walk from
the lodge to the entrance of the park in a few minutes. But for exploring,
we get hold of Dick's Landrover. Most of the time the giraffes are right
around Ngurdoto Gate to greet the visitors.
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The open grassland right past the entrance gate is called "little Serengeti". Here are always many animals to see here - giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and warthogs, and you get a first impression of the animal kingdom in this second smallest National Park of Tanzania (137km²). We reach the Ngurdoto Crater, which is almost like a park within the park, through a stretch of dense forest. There are several observation points along the rim but all we get to see are warthogs and buffaloes. Buffaloes are considered extremly dangerous; one is advised to stay well away from them - specially when theyare with calf.
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The road leads through dense rainforest; we keep seeing lots of baboon and other monkey species. The colobus is very special. The first thing you see are the long white tails hanging down from the treetops they choose to live.
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More than 400 different species
of birds live in the park, most of them around the Momella Lakes.
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The waterbucks live also close to the water.
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Mount Meru is located at the Eastern side
of the park. We climbed this mountain two years ago. This time we are
only planning a day trip. Walking safaris are only permitted if accompanied
by an armed ranger. That is because of the leopards living in the park.
Up until now we have never seen one. At the beginning of the trail the
countryside is dominated by yellow-barked fevertrees - so called because
they grow in swamps where people often suffered from fever attacks.
(malaria) |
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Soon the trail becomes steeper and vegetation changes to dense rainforest. Many trees are covered with moss and lichen.
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It is very hot and the lunch break in the
shadow at Ngare Waterfall is very welcome. |
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On the way back we pass a natural phenomenon. The huge strangler fig tree. originally grew around two other trees and eventually strangled both of them. Even a car fits easily between this arch.
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This sweet creature crossing our way is a green mamba, one of the most dangerous snakes in Eastern Africa.
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Where the rainforest turns into open grassland the view to the Momella Lakes is spectacular. Unfortunately the last two hours on our way down we have to walk on dirt track. Because of the drought it is terribly dusty and walking on it is no fun at all. Besides, some VIP's are allowed to drive up to the huts on the mountain and we are enveloped with dust when they pass us. What a shame!
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Right in the middle of the
park lies the "Halali" estate. It stems from pre park times.
As one can guess from the name it used to belong to a German hunter. The
animals come very close to the house. Toulouse even chases a baboon who
luckily disappears into the bushes. It wasn't a small one but it grows
each time the story is repeated.
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That marks the end of a wonderful
day in the Arusha National Park.
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