Tanzania… Hakuna Matata!
November 2023,
We landed in Kilimanjaro airport with no plan about what to do in Tanzania, filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure. Our initial plan was to embark on a safari in Serengeti, but after having just experienced the wonders of Maasai Mara, we wondered if it would be a repeat of the same breathtaking sights. Determined to unravel the hidden treasures of this diverse country, we set out to explore other possibilities. The idea of conquering Kilimanjaro crossed our minds, but unfortunately, time constraints and budget limitations forced us to put that dream on hold. But, Hakuna Matata! we tirelessly spent our days searching for alternative activities to fill our remaining six days before departing from the Kilimanjaro airport. And to our amazement, we discovered that Tanzania had so much more to offer than we had initially imagined.
Exploring Arusha and Moshi
Day trip to Materuni Village with a local guide
Journey to Dar-Esalam, Bongoyo Island, Lushoto and the hellish drive.
We spent 3 days traveling between Arusha and Moshi, using only local transportation like Bajajij (Tuktuk) and Dala Dala (mini-bus). We stayed with locals through Airbnb, and they helped us explore the Kilimanjaro region. There were great restaurants all around, offering a wide range of delicious food that we couldn't resist trying. One restaurant in Moshi called Kitchen Flavor stood out, and we liked it so much that we went there again on our way back to the airport.
Exploring Arusha and Moshi
When it comes to day activities, we embarked on a serene canoe trip across the Lake Duluti, immersing ourselves in the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounded us. The tranquil waters provided the perfect backdrop for moments of pure serenity, until it started raining unexpectedly heavily. In addition to the tranquility of the lake, we also sought thrill and adventure by hiking through the captivating landscapes of the Kilimanjaro region.
One of our most unforgettable moments was when we went to the Chemka hotspring. Surrounded by beautiful nature, this incredible place made us feel completely relaxed and refreshed. We immersed ourselves in the clear waters and felt the comforting warmth wash away our tiredness. There's even a rope that you can use to swing like Tarzan and jump into the water after you find your optimal diving target.
Day trip to Materuni Village with a local guide
Again, as the Uncomfortable Travelers, we set out on another adventure to explore the unknown corners of the world. However, in some cases, we discovered that certain national parks remained inaccessible unless accompanied by an authorized guide. Such was the case for the Materuni Village in the Kilimanjaro Region.
Determined to visit the Materuni Village, we sought the assistance of a local guide named Philimon, who came highly recommended by Ally, a Rwandan guide we had fortuitously encountered in Kigali. Philimon, the owner of Winnersexepedtion tour company, is specialized in organizing various types of tours, including Kilminajro climbing and Safaris.
We decided to embark on a full-day excursion with Philimon, who happened to be a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. He took us on a thrilling hike through the mesmerizing landscapes of Materuni Village. As we explored, he provided us with fascinating insights about the region. To our delight, we were able to not only witness but also partake in making our own bio coffee, savoring the flavorful brew we created. What impressed us the most was the added touch of local traditions, with the group dancing and singing while grinding and roasting the coffee, ensuring that they don’t feel bored and stay full of energy. In addition to the coffee-related activities, we were treated to a delightful local lunch that introduced us to the rich flavors of local Chagga cuisine, such as the banana soup!
We hiked to the beautiful Materuni waterfalls, an impressive sight that stood over 150m tall. We even had the opportunity to swim beneath the waterfall!
We also considered joining Philimon to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but we couldn't due to time constraints. However, we are seriously considering returning in the future to conquer the African summit with him.
Throughout the entire tour, Philimon's exceptional blend of genuine kindness and unwavering professionalism made a lasting impression on us, turning our Materuni experience into something truly unforgettable. Without hesitation, we wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to Philimon if you have plans to explore Tanzania. Trust us, you won't be disappointed. He will ensure that your journey is not only enriching but also truly remarkable. For more information, you can visit his website or contact him through WhatsApp: +255 787 611 982.
Drive to Dar-Esalam, Bongoyo island and Lushoto
After spending 3 days in the Kilimanjaro region, we decided to drive to Dar-es-Salaam, which is the largest and liveliest city in Tanzania. It is located on the coast, next to the Indian Ocean. Usually, people take a plane, but we chose to take the uncomfortable route and drive on Tanzanian roads. It’s a 630kms trip and it ended up taking us 10 hours! We drove an old car that we just borrowed from a taxi driver… HOW? When we had arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport, we looked for a car rental company. I asked the taxi driver if he knew of any. After thinking for a moment, he offered his taxi to us. We negotiated a price of 150 Euros for 4 days, no paperwork or middleman involved. We knew it was risky, but that's the kind of adventure we seek as uncomfortable travelers. We picked the car from the taxi driver early in the morning from Arusha and we headed to Dar-esalam .
Driving in Tanzania is a real challenge. The only speed limits are 50km/h and 80km/h, and that's it. But sometimes 80km/h felt too slow, and we speeded when the road welcomed that, so we kept getting caught by police because of speed cameras. We didn't have enough cash to pay the fines and they don't take credit cards, so they let us off the hook. Once, a policeman stopped us but it turned out he just needed a favor - he wanted us to give his sister a ride to dar-esalam. So we did. Life in Tanzania is unpredictable and exciting, unlike the strict rules of the Western world. There's always something unexpected waiting for you around the corner.
Our worst drive ever happened on a rainy night in the small, bumpy roads of Tanzania. There were no street lights to guide us, so it felt like we were driving in a confusing maze. There were many dangers, like people walking along the road, almost invisible in the darkness. This made us very nervous as we gripped the steering wheel tightly. To make things worse, the drivers coming from the other direction didn't care about our problems and kept their blinding high beams on. The road ahead was like a battlefield for our senses, and we struggled to stay focused for what felt like a painfully long three hours. Despite the stress and anxiety, we felt accomplished as Uncomfortable Travelers, for making it through that difficult journey without any harm. So dear reader, unless you can handle a rush of adrenaline and stress, don't take this risky drive.
However the beautiful landscapes made us enjoy the 10 hour drive to dar-esalam. We stayed in Dar-es-Salam for two nights, trying different restaurants and exploring the city. The city feels safe, with many western people living there. The coastal part of the city is very touristy, full of beach resorts and fancy hotels. There are plenty of good quality restaurants. We recommend trying the fancy fish platter at the Karambezi Cafe. Tropical fruits, such as pineapples, are commonly sold as street food at ridiculously cheap prices. We had a lot of that.
We didn't have enough time to go to Zanzibar, so we went to Bongogo Island instead. Bongogo Island is closer to Dar-es-Salam and we took a 30-minute ride on a small ferry from The Slipway. The Slipway is a place where you can catch ferries to both Bongoyo and Mbudya Islands. It's also a shopping center where you can buy souvenirs and local products. We spent half a day in Bongoyo, drinking coconut juice (it wasn't as good as we thought) and swimming at the mostly empty beach.
On our way back, we took a small detour to visit the old city of Bagamoyo, where we had lunch at a charming restaurant called Pao Pao, which is a hidden treasure that's definitely worth checking out if you want to try Tanzanian local food, especially Pilaw and the African Chapati. Later, we stopped at Lushoto, a town nestled in the Usambara Mountains. It's a truly beautiful and underappreciated place, surrounded by lush tropical scenery. We spent the night at the Lushoto Executive Lodge. The next morning, we headed to Kilimanjaro Airport to return the car, which unfortunately had a flat tire at our last five kms, to the kind and religious taxi driver.
