8th November 2014

The birders amongst us were up early to wander around the hotel grounds and were rewarded with the likes of Paradise Flycatcher, Speckled Mousebird and Scarlet-chested Sunbird. After breakfast it

                                Speckled Mousebird

was onto the land cruisers for our first game drive to Arusha National Park. A brief stop at the gates whilst Zul and the drivers sorted out permits gave us a chance for a look around resulting in distant views of Long-crested Eagle and Pangani Longclaw. Back into the trucks and it wasn’t long before we were watching our first game with Giraffes, Zebra and Buffalo all close to the road. We stopped after a while and were led by one of the rangers into the forest for fantastic, close-up views of a troop of Colobus Monkeys, including some all-white infants. Nearby we saw our first Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters.

                                Black and White Colobus Monkey

Lunch was spent at Lake Longil where we saw our first Hippos along with birds such as African Jacana, White-backed Duck and Black-headed Heron. Then it was on to the Momella Lakes and their huge population of both Lesser and Greater Flamingos – a stunning sight. At the gate as we left the park we had great views of Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, White-fronted Bee-eaters and Blue Monkey  A short diversion on the way back to the hotel gave us a brief view of the very shy Red Duiker, our only sighting for the trip.

                                Lesser Flamingo