Seventh stage: Lake Natron
Lake Natron is an alternation of desert and forest, where there is water explodes the vegetation, where it ends, all dry. We leave all the luggage in the car "here nothing touches anyone" assures us the guide, and we climb on the rocky banks of the stream. Of course, if you're not in good shape, you won't go there, will you?
We cross several times and arrive at the waterfall where we find many other tourists. In costume, shaky on the rocks go for a swim under the waterfall. The moss and plants on the wet walls really make you think of the oases in the desert. We enjoy the abundant showers at the campsite.
The next morning we also visit the salt lake with islets and flamingos in the distance.
Eighth stop: Tarangire Park
A few hours by car take us to the park of Tarangire, one of the richest in fauna. The grass is high but the Tarangire does not disappoint us, here the elephants are really many. Numerous groups with puppies of all ages go for a water bath and then the one on the ground. The adults cannot roll, they would have too much trouble getting up, the puppies instead ... are a hoot. But how much do they play? We have to be quiet because the females are very protective and we are only a few meters away.
Ninth stage: Kilimanjaro
After passing through the town of Arusha and visiting the traditional markets, we arrive at the foot of Kilimanjaro. We will sleep near a natural pool of clear, warm water, covered with tropical vegetation. Better than 5 stars. In the evening the galagos signal their arrival with heartrending screams and in the morning we finally manage to see them: small and furry, they are lemurs. Also, the baboons play to swing between the branches of the enormous ficuses.
It's his day: the undisputed master of this landscape shows up at dawn just moving the clouds. You can see it in all its length and height, 5895 m. We enter from the Marangu Gate at 1900 m and for 4 hours we walk along the small road of red earth between millenary trees and every type of plant that grows and dangles there. The white and black colobus flutter on the vault of the trees. How nice it would be to get to the top. We are satisfied with the Mandara Hut (2727 m), the first stop of the Kilimanjaro trek and then down fast to return to Arusha.
Tenth stop: Arusha from Africans
That very evening, the test of fire awaits us: sleeping in a real African B&B, the Giraffe. Will we make it? The street is dark and full of people, no whites. We are 200 meters from the bus station that we will take tomorrow at 5. We dine in a local restaurant and sleep where the locals sleep. The price is super cheap and the service... pure! The sheets are too small and as soon as you move they take off (we had the sheet bags), the bathroom is a bit rusty and a bit 'does not come out of the water, but at night we sleep. It's done!
Eleventh stage: Zanzibar
Greetings to the guide and the cook. Kisses and hugs.
From this moment we will travel independently. Another 12 hours by bus take us back to Dar Es Salaam. Again we sleep in a B & B, the Safari Inn in the central area: hot suffocating only with the fan, but it is nice and clean.
The ferry to the island of Zanzibar instead is fresh and new. The departure is near the fish market, in the city center, and tickets can not be booked, you have to buy there the same day, so better to arrive early. The trip takes 2 hours, it's very fast. Upon arrival at the port of Stone Town, the taxi driver called by the agency takes us to the Manch Vuga Lodge, also very spartan. Many young people of various nationalities stay there, it is also clean in the shared bathrooms and the breakfast is plentiful. It is located in the area called Vuga, 10 minutes walk from the center and if we want we also organize trips.
How beautiful is Stone Town! Really the tourism has not been able to take away the charm of this ancient city: the palaces of the sultans, the inlaid doors, the shops of the spices, the women completely veiled. In the evening in the center of Forodhani's gardens are populated by street kitchens that offer fresh fish at a good price: an incredible atmosphere.
We only have one day and many trips to choose from. Between the mahogany forest with its red colobus and spice plantations, we finally opt for a boat trip, on a strip of sand where we almost finish roasting. The sea is very clear and the sand is white. Now yes, we can go back to Italy! We take the ferry to Dar Es Salaam that takes us to the flight back to Italy.
Trip to Tanzania: useful info
Our journey took 15 days. It's a trip that has been tailor-made for use by Kili Sky Safaris using the Wild package. We spent 2230 USD per person for 5 people. The cost included full board in the North and night and breakfast in Dar and Zanzibar (where you will find local restaurants at a great price of 5 /8 USD per meal). The trip to Zanzibar was excluded and cost about 25 USD.
It 'was a journey full of excitement and meetings, we visited the places not to be missed but we also pushed out of the tourist routes just as we wanted! Tanzania remains in your heart and it is really true that the disease of Africa exists.