Day 206… Monday 16th October We knew the great north road was going to be bad having read reviews from fellow travellers.  Many potholes and slow-moving lorries. Progress was slow. A 5-hour drive to Kapishya Hot Springs with a couple of military check points on the way. One officer asked to see the Interpol check document issued...Read More

Days 203/204/205… Friday 13th Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October Pancakes and curried potatoes for breakfast. The security guard has washed our car. We gave him some small change. Set off for Tunduma border 3 hours away. Very quiet road and mostly tarred. On one of the dirt roads, a speeding lorry ahead was kicking up a huge amount...Read More

Day 202… Thursday 12th October Vervet monkeys on the prowl for food this morning and had to protect the breakfast preparation.  Todays drive time 4 hours.  Drove through Katavi National Park.  No park fees to pay and a beautiful quiet route with hardly a passing car.  Saw giraffe, warthog and hippo.  Our stop for the...Read More

Day 203… Wednesday 11th October 5 and half drive time covering 200 miles south to Sitalike.  Tar road for 2 hours and then a beautiful route through a forest along a level dirt track.  Road construction along a 60 mile stretch with diversions.  Chinese road building taking place.  Very little traffic and hardly any settlements. ...Read More

Days 201 and 202… 9th and 10th October Cabbage and spaghetti from the breakfast buffet along with sweet fennel bread.  I am certainly eating some strange but wonderful food on this trip.  5 hour drive to Kagoma located on Lake Tanganyika which separates Tanzania from the Democratic Republic of Congo on the other side.  More...Read More

Day 200… Sunday 8th October Drove to Kibondo. Heading west near the border with Burundi.  Road building in progress with sections of newly laid tar, grading and dirt road diversions.  Very little traffic.  Drive time 5 hours. Stopped for fuel and cash.  Cash payments only at fuel stations and accommodation.  Card payments not always possible...Read More

Days 198/199… 6th and 7th October A leisurely start to the morning as the route to Lake Victoria was fairly short compared to the longer days recently done.  Stopped off in Mwanza for supplies (phone data at a Vodacom shop, food in a mini-market and bread from a bakery).  Traffic into Mwanza was slow although...Read More

Day 197… Thursday 5th October The 4th last land border crossing to deal with on this trip!  I am counting them down as they are now getting tedious.  The whole border crossing took 90 minutes which is not too bad.  More paperwork to complete and a road tax levy of 62,000 Tanzanian Shillings (approximately £20)...Read More

Very green rolling hills (a reminder of the English countryside). Rain in the evenings and hot/muggy during the day.  Cold at night. Carrots, honey, cabbages and tomatoes being sold at the side of the road. Rich agricultural land – many crops growing Huge tea plantations Houses in the rural areas well built with render.  High...Read More

Day 196… 4th October Newly tarred roads in Kenya have been a treat but there are no lane markings so all vehicles tend to drove in the middle which can be precarious at high speed or when overtaking.  Many motorbikes  and tuk tuks with large loads (bamboo, timber, steel pipes).  3 hour drive west today...Read More