Randilen

I was told that Arusha is the geographic centre of the Cairo to Cape Town route, which is pretty cool. Another string to Arusha’s bow, as several are emerging. One is that constant sweat management is not required here as the highland climate is fresher.

We had an afternoon of really good discussion and openness with project partners. We all work in the Ruvuma landscape in southern Tanzania yet some are headquartered here in Arusha, hence the visit.

Late afternoon I was whisked away by one of the partners from a fantastic organisation called the Honeyguide Foundation for an overnight trip to Randilen Community Wildlife Management Area (WMA). These WMAs are community-managed tracts of land that are found nationwide (we work with some in the south), yet in the north they can make themselves financially sustainable through eco-tourism due to the number of people flocking to visit places such as the nearby Serengeti and Masai Mara next door in Kenya.

Wildlife was plentiful even as we set up camp with large numbers of zebra passing through, peppered by the occasional wildebeest. It was fun collecting firewood in amongst the braying and hoof stamping. Leopard tortoises are always a nice bonus spot.

It was a wonderful evening of campfire chat with like-minded colleagues. Damian cooked delicious Indian food from scratch over the fire, which we scooped up with chapatis bought fresh on the way. Too long since I’ve bedded down in a tent in the bush.

A very good Monday, I have to say.