10 June

This is the second time this is being typed!!!!!!!!!!@#@#

From Kalambo Falls Headed fro the southern end of Lake Tanganyika near Mpulunga.  Rocky but very nice after the last few days.  Caught up with washing.  Had a divine sunset over the lake then inundated with lake flies as soon as it was dark.  But otherthan that it was great!

Sun 11th
Reluctantlly packed up.  Could easily have sayed another day but had the infamous rd to Tanduma and the border post which took Mark 24 hrs last time!  Headed out.  Actually the rd wasn't bad but probably only because it was relative to what we have done!  Anything would be a breeze now! Had to pay the $50pp visa for Tanzania and $25 rd tax on top of the R6000+ we paid in Carne and Comsa!  Border only took us 2 hrs . Was chaos but good by Tanduma standards!  Stayed at the reasonable but very basic ICC community lodge near Mbeya.  Internet access was excrutiatingly slow and only allowed access to Groupwise . No blog / facebook.  Timed out before it loaded.  My story of Africa!

Mon 12th
Headed for Ruaha Game reserve- recommende din 1 of my questionnaires.  Decided I know why Africa is where it is - kids go to school and all have uniforms but are in the play ground any time of the day you drive past.  Coincidence maybe???/

Stayed at Tungamalenga Lodge near Ruaha.

Tues 13th
Got up early to go into Ruaha.  Saw big heard of of baffulo and 10 lion and then loads of ellies, hippo etc.  Rd to reserve shocking but not too bad inside..  Rooster for supper again.  Don't think I'll be having chicken and chips again after this trip!!!

Wed 14th
Headed towards Arusha. Udzungwa and Rubeho Mountains are beatiful.  came through an awesome pass along Great Ruaha River.  Were lucky with roadworks. seemed to always catch them at the right time.  Could have waited hours.  Stayed at Baobab camp.  Really nice.  Run down as usual but lovely site.  I have never seen so many baobabs.  They stretch right up the mountains and are thick along the river.  Margs and Keith lodged. We actually got to have an afternoon sleep. what a treat!

Thurs 15th
Drove through the rest of the pass.  Really awesome. Strange to see baobabs one minute and then mopane forest.  Went through the
kumi Reserve - the Tanzan highway passses straight through.  Wouldn't expect to see  much game but actually saw quite a lot - probably due to the rd humps.  If Africa used the tar they use in humps, to tar rds, there would be loads more tar rds!  Then headed to Morogoro and the Ulunguru mountains. 2600m with luxurient indigenous forests 100km North to South and 20km E-W.  As usual, tops were in cloud!  Do look amazing though.  Lots of Sisal planted around here.

Headed for Lushoto up in the mountains.  More incredible mountains cultivated right up really steep slopes with every kind of crop you can imagine.  Markets have all kinds of fruits and veggies.  Stayed at Lawn's Hotel - another run down German hotel.  used to be the favoured summer retreat for the Germans when they occupied the area.

Fri 16th
Collected Sharon and Sarah from hotel in Arusha.  Looked like luxury (free Internet) compared to our standard accommodation.  Headed for the highly recommended Snake Park.  What a let down.  There were 5 overlanded trucks to 2 showers and 3 ladies loos.  No  power except at bar and no internet.  This camp was supposed to be have everything!  Got sorted for our safari to Serengeti.

Sat 17th
Got picked up by Victor and Mdlomu at around 8 (african time)  Had a tough time fitting (squezzing into every available space - under seats, on guides lap...) all our stuff.  Eventually got on our way.  Discovered to our horror we had about a 5 hr trip to the reserve.  Stopped for photos of L Manyara and got accosted by the necklace sellers ( mr cheap and co.)  Went through a series of gates each requiring payment (fortunately part of our already paid $430 pp).  Climbed up Ngorogoro crator in mist.  very narro in parts could see down both sides - about 20 m wide. Rd really shot.  Glad we were not in our car.

Saw Masai villages and all the garb.  Victor says they still drinnk blood and don't eat game -they are their friends.  Women wera very ornate silver.  Make huge holes in their ears.