Arusha National Park Trip IV

Mt. Meru covered in clouds, just south of Momella gate.

Arusha National Park is always a treat (Trip I, Trip II, Trip III)! Although it took us over a year to take our first trip, we have resolved to take quarterly trips if possible to see the park at different times of the year.  It's only one hour to the gate from our house so a day trip isn't an exhausting affair. We were successful in taking our fourth trip of the year and sure enough, the landscape was quite different in some areas of the park.

I think if one was in a hurry you could drive on every road available in Arusha National Park but if you're at a leisurely pace (or birding) then you've got to pick and choose. We decided to first go to the only part of the park we haven't been to (Kitoto Hill) and then check out the lakes on our way back.

It was a perfect day and the sun was shining with the elevation giving way to cooler temperatures than we are used to in Moshi. On our way to the Kitoto View point we passed a few side trails that we haven't taken and enjoyed some walks through the forest. The landscape changes so dramatically in Arusha National Park and it's shocking how quickly these changes can happen. Sparse woodland gives way to montane rainforest which borders acacia savanna. The park seemed to be extremely lush.

We climbed the road up to Kitoto View Point and although they were doing some repairs, it was pretty treacherous. It required some focused driving but still didn't require us to use our four wheel drive. The view point was excellent and the forest surrounding the area was beautiful.

We then went down to the Momella Lakes and to our surprise some of them were dried up. The rest of the park seemed like it had received rain so we were confused about how these lakes could dry up, some of them quite sizable. There were still some waterfowl and other life around but apparently there were thousands of flamingos as recently as two weeks ago, but they had moved on (we saw 6).

The day was awesome but as usual, we were exhausted at the end! It was a nice mix of walking and driving and the bonus of driving is viewing several different habitats. Can't wait for our next trip!

One of the side loops off the main road had a very nice forest.

There was a cleared patch in the middle which was pretty.

Mt Meru hidden in the clouds.

Taking a stroll.

Mt. Kilimanjaro view point, though Kili was obstructed by clouds.

Famous "fig tree" drive through. Massive tree.

Checking out the forest.

I climbed a hill and got some nice views.

Amazing picnic spot.

Lichen and moss cover the trees at higher altitudes.

Kitoto Hill View point.

End of the road! We actually saw a group coming down from the crater hike.

More montane forest.

I am a sucker for moss and lichen on trees.

Lovely giraffe!

Momella Lakes.

VERY still day.

View point by Momella Lakes.

Albino baboon!

Mt. Meru on our way out.