The dusty road to Ethiopia

By all accounts, the direct road between Nairobi and the Ethiopian border is one of the worst in Africa. Having heard too many nightmare stories of broken suspension and tyres ripped open by volcanic rocks, we took local advice and went the 150 kilometre longer north eastern route, which amazingly takes a day less as it is on sand rather than boulders. Strangely, very few other travellers seem to opt for, or even know about, this way. It definitely felt like we were off the beaten track with only nomadic, camel riding herdsmen for company. With very early starts, coffee at sunrise was an absolute necessity.

Power Shower

Very much needed following a gruelling 6 hour bike ride around the Crater Lakes near Fort Portal, Uganda.

Uganda

Entering the south of the country from Rwanda mid-June, camping at Lake Bunyoni, and crossing the Equator.

The missing link...?

Mountain Gorillas, Parc de Volcans, Rwanda

One of THE highlights of the trip; an absolutely amazing experience! We were lucky enough to get to visit the Susa group, which with 41 members is the biggest one in Rwanda (one of the females, Poppy, was named by Diane Fossey). After about 2 1/2 hours of trekking at over 3000 meters above sea level, we found ourselves in the middle of the group. Saw around 30 gorillas, among them four silverbacks and several little ones, and came so close that we could have touched a couple of them.

Lake Natron and Oldoinyo Lengai

A sulphur lake in northern Tanzania; not many people around apart from the local Masai cattle hearders. The Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, not far from the lake, is the home of the Masai god.

Safari

Ulla and Per (Anna's mum and dad) came out to Tanzania for a week's safari with us. We had an awsome time with them in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater (THANK YOU again!). Saw an incredible amount of wildlife - if you're thinking of going on a safari, then the Serengti is the place to go.

Serengeti - Animals

Lions, lions and more lions... We saw a total of 50 in five days!

Serengeti - Animals

We also managed to catch sight of the beginnings of the wildebeast migration.

Serengeti - Sunrise and Sunset

Ngorongoro Crater

Kilimanjaro
We didn't climb it. Thought long and hard about it but opted for an afteroon on the lower slopes visiting one of its waterfalls. At 2000 dollars it would have been by far the most expensive week of the trip, though we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the peak as left Moshi for Arusha.

The Masai Steppe

We spent a day hiking in the Ushambara Mountains near Lushoto. Fantastic views over the Tanzanian Masai Steppe.

Peponi, Tanzania

We planned to stay here for 3 nights, but ended up staying for 11! What can we say - we do like a nice beach...