Day 19

Today we went to Arusha National Park for Day 2 of the ACTT Retreat. This was a real treat for the everyone. None of the staff from Mwanza had ever been to the park and only a few of the Moshi staff had been. Many of the staff had never seen zebra or giraffe.

There were 18 staff in total so we all went in one car and a dala dala that they had hired for the day. We went in Robert’s car with Shabani, Hamisi, Ally and Thomas and the rest went in the dala dala.

Our car arrived at the park gate soon after 11 but it was almost another hour before the dala dala turned up so the guys amused themselves walking around some of the information boards and exhibits.

Apparently the dala dala had been stopped by the traffic police because the break lights weren’t working and then the driver wasn’t happy about the fine so this meant they all had to go to the police station so the driver could officially object to the fine (he said he should just get a warning and then time to get it repaired)!! However.....I think he still got fined!!

So anyway it was gone 12 before we entered the park. We had picked up a Park Guide at the gate and he went in the dala dala and then the car followed behind. 

Early on we saw zebra, warthogs and baboons.

We stopped at the small museum and then drove up to the crater rim where you can get out and take photos.

An important part of any ACTT retreat in taking selfies........as demonstrated below by Winnie.

Driving on we saw giraffe and then we were lucky enough to see colobus monkeys.

Next we saw waterbuck and buffalo. Everyone took turns to take photos out of the window with their phones.

It was now mid afternoon and so we drove to the Momella Lakes and stopped there for some snacks.

While we were stopped Mbusiro, the ACTT Agent in Karagwe, and his wife Esther, presented us with some gifts that she had made herself, a poncho for me and a jumper for Pete and a scarf each in the colours of the Tanzanian flag......how lovely of her to make these for us 😀

At the larger lake there were a huge number of flamingos.

After a reasonable stop at the lakes we then drove back towards the gate. We saw quite a few animals on the way including a large number of giraffes, some very near to the road.

It was after 5 when we left the park.

Peter, Robert’s son, is at school very near the park gate so Robert thought it would be nice to call in and say Hi if the school would allow us - visitors are not normally allowed. Anyway, after a little wait Peter appeared. It was great to see him, if only for a few minutes.

The 2 Peter’s together!!

We then met up with the dala dala at a restaurant near the park where we had ordered dinner. This gave us all time to reflect on the weekend. Everyone thought it had been a great success and that the Moshi team had done a wonderful job arranging it all.