Tanzania is one of the most beautiful countries in East Africa. Home to more then 100 different ethnic groups, the country boasts the largest number of wildlife and herbs in the continent. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest and the most magnificent peak in the African continent and I am thinking to climb it. Why not? If I plan to climb Mt Everest in 2010 it shouldn't be a big deal. I guess I can see the whole of Africa atop Kilimanjaro. Hahaha! Serengeti, the world famous wildlife park too is in Tanzania. Herds of wild beast sweeping majestically across the plain- stately giraffes, indolent lions, and stealthy cheetah all call this natural reserve home.
The natural beauty perhaps made Alan Moorehead say 'Anyone who can go to the Serengeti, and does not, is mad.'But I am in south west part of Tanzania. I entered in Tanzania from Malawi. This part of the country is still underdeveloped or wild if I can say so. The region has mere 100 kilo meters of paved road the rest are dirt roads up till Kigoma. I am not going to Dodoma or Dar es Salam. Dodoma is the political capital of Tanzania and Dar es Salam is the commercial capital with all the diplomats living there. I am heading to Burundi but don't have the visa for it. If I go to Dar es Salam and then go to Burundi it will take me two months. I heard Kigoma has a Burundi consulate and I am going there on the basis of what people say. If I don't get a visa for Burundi I will miss Rwanda and Uganda as well.
It took me three days to reach Namanyare from Tunduma and between Mpanda and Tunduma lies Katavi National Park. It isn't a safe idea to ride my bike inside the park. A policeman suggested I catch a ride for the park has lions.
Though the lions hide in the bushes in the day the tche tche flies are abundant. These flies are more dangerous than lions. A little bigger than normal flies, they bite without reason unlike lions who don't attack until provoked. On being bitten by these flies, one feels sleepy and sleeping in the middle of the jungle isn't a good idea I thought. I better get a ride rather than ride my bike; I don't want to sleep in this African jungle forever.
I got a jeep ride to Mpanda and the road was muddy with a lot of bumpy holes. Kigoma is almost 400 kilo meters away from Mpanda. Its rainy season here and it rains almost everyday- sometimes even ten times a day. Its practically impossible to ride my bike at this time of the year. Even vehicles don't run on this season, so how do I get there? There is a train that does to Kigoma I hear. Elated with the option in the middle of Mpanda a dusty town when dry and muddy when rains, I feel I will miss my route and will be stuck in this remote town. I am annoyed with myself for choosing this route."There is a train to Kigoma, but for next week. That is, if it comes."
Push cycle Mpanda, Tanzania
The natural beauty perhaps made Alan Moorehead say 'Anyone who can go to the Serengeti, and does not, is mad.'But I am in south west part of Tanzania. I entered in Tanzania from Malawi. This part of the country is still underdeveloped or wild if I can say so. The region has mere 100 kilo meters of paved road the rest are dirt roads up till Kigoma. I am not going to Dodoma or Dar es Salam. Dodoma is the political capital of Tanzania and Dar es Salam is the commercial capital with all the diplomats living there. I am heading to Burundi but don't have the visa for it. If I go to Dar es Salam and then go to Burundi it will take me two months. I heard Kigoma has a Burundi consulate and I am going there on the basis of what people say. If I don't get a visa for Burundi I will miss Rwanda and Uganda as well.
It took me three days to reach Namanyare from Tunduma and between Mpanda and Tunduma lies Katavi National Park. It isn't a safe idea to ride my bike inside the park. A policeman suggested I catch a ride for the park has lions.
Though the lions hide in the bushes in the day the tche tche flies are abundant. These flies are more dangerous than lions. A little bigger than normal flies, they bite without reason unlike lions who don't attack until provoked. On being bitten by these flies, one feels sleepy and sleeping in the middle of the jungle isn't a good idea I thought. I better get a ride rather than ride my bike; I don't want to sleep in this African jungle forever.
I got a jeep ride to Mpanda and the road was muddy with a lot of bumpy holes. Kigoma is almost 400 kilo meters away from Mpanda. Its rainy season here and it rains almost everyday- sometimes even ten times a day. Its practically impossible to ride my bike at this time of the year. Even vehicles don't run on this season, so how do I get there? There is a train that does to Kigoma I hear. Elated with the option in the middle of Mpanda a dusty town when dry and muddy when rains, I feel I will miss my route and will be stuck in this remote town. I am annoyed with myself for choosing this route."There is a train to Kigoma, but for next week. That is, if it comes."
Push cycle Mpanda, Tanzania
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