A days ride south from Nairobi and we reach the border of Tanzania and spot the unmistakable shape of Mount Kilimanjaro. This time however we have no plans to again make the climb to the ‘Rooftop of Africa’.

We are fondly looking forward to returning to the city of Arusha and the break we get here. Arusha is small and vibrant, it’s also the gateway to so much of the beauty and adventure that Tanzania has to offer. It is safari central, on the doorstep of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, ‘Kili’ & Mt Meru. Untold opportunities are on offer here for our longest break, 3 days of relaxation and to celebrate Patrick’s birthday.

Leaving Arusha the now familiar red and purple cloaks of the Masai will be our constant roadside companions as we spin along, watching for not only vehicular traffic but zebra, giraffe and hopefully elephant. We will pass close to both Lake Manyara and Tarangire parks.

At Lake Manyara we trade the tarmac for several challenging days on the Masai Steppe. Foot traffic of friendly villagers, roadside banana stands and the sheer beauty of this unique and verdant land ensures that, come rain or shine emotions will add to and make this stretch of Africa one of the most memorable of the tour.

After Tanzania’s modern capital of Dodoma we pass through some of the most incredible and least travelled parts of Tanzania before stopping in the town of Iringa, a mix of faded Bavarian and vibrant African architecture, the charming but somewhat ‘tired’ heart of the local tea industry. Let’s hope they make a decent ‘cuppa’!

Iringa is also the gateway to another of our as yet unfilled travel desires, the Selous Game Reserve, but that will just have to wait.