Africa overland Tanzania Road trip is part of a Overland Africa trip that starts in Kenya (or Arusha depending on participants) and continues south by south-west to cover Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa. I provide details, maps, costs, videos, photos and more. It’s an adventure on a shoestring. This post starts in Arusha, Tanzania.
Africa Overland Tanzania Road Trip Continued
Nairobi to the Indian Ocean, Tanzania
When Ben arrived we made fast plans and hit the road. Our first goal was the Indian Ocean. Ben’s gear included lots of old stuff he had accumulated over the years in Germany. Some we gave to a local charity and some we kept for bribes & gifts such as that keyring, for example.
The Zebra Camp offered an empty riverside campground for the first driving evening.
I soon discovered that Ben had a routine. Each object in its place and dinner prepared with precision. This was going be a different trip from my normal crazy random approach.
The next day we found free canoes so we pretended to be Canadians.
We were told there were only little crocks in this tiny river. But it was soon apparent that tiny and large are two things guys are bad at estimating.
The following day we stopped for lunch at the coastal town of Tanga before heading south on a dirt road along the coast. Note that Google maps did not allow us to drive this route. It kept switching to the inland paved routes.
Click to watch Episode 87, Nairobi to the Indian Ocean, Tanzania
Near the end of the day we pull over to setup camp at the Beach Crab Resort and test the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Saadani National Park, Tanzania
After checking out the Indian Ocean south of Tanga, we hit the dusty road south. At the Pangani River we manage to meet the ferry as it was preparing to leave. We paid a small fee and drove on as it cast off.
Tanzania used to be a German colony so large enterprising farms are the norm. The local cash crop is Sisal. Sisal production in Tanzania began in the late 19th century by the German East Africa Company. Sisal was continually produced during the German administration and the British administration and was the colony’s largest export highly prized for use in cordage and carpets worldwide. At the time of independence in 1961, Tanzania was the largest exporter of Sisal in the world and the industry employed over 1 million farmers and factory workers.
Our route (the only road south along the coast) crosses though the Saadani National Park. And foreigners always pay to enter parks, even if it is unavoidable. We had to pay $80 each for the privilege of driving through the park (a road tax just for foreigners). Since we had to pay, Ben felt we might as well test the 4WD capabilities of the Land Cruiser.
Click to watch Episode 88, Saadani National Park, Tanzania
Testing the 4WD for Ben meant railway lines, dusty trails, dry river beds and jungle foliage. All good fun.
We exit the park and continued south after getting our $80s worth.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania
Driving south along the coast the road stayed pretty simple, the villages were also simple, and the tourist trade was even simpler. The locals were happy to trade goods for small amounts of cash or on a barter system. Fortunately Ben had a lot of old stuff from Germany to barter.
At the tourist seaside town of Bagamoyo we looked for another luxury lodge offering campsites. Self-camping (your own tent) seemed to always cost $10 per person, even in the most luxurious lodges. Many of the lodges also provide canvas safari tents with cots, electricity, deck chairs and more. These tended to cost around $25 per person and up.
Charcoal salesmen were a common but unusual sight. Guys on bicycles with large stacks of charcoal bundled to the bikes. Chop down a tree and make charcoal. It seemed like a poor-man’s job and certainly not friendly to the environment. Who’s to stand in the way of free enterprise?
Click to watch Episode 89, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania
Late in the day we reached the Udzungwa Forest Tented camp in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Once again our camping fee was $10 pp.
I woke up excited the next day at the prospect of my first Tanzanian hike.
Sanje Falls, Tanzania
We hired a skilled park guide and discussed the hiking options. Ultimately we decided visit the world famous Sanje falls (3 water falls for the price of one). And yes park fees had to be paid first.
Our guide was casual, cool and informative. He soon pointed out the elusive colobus monkeys that never drink water. They spend their life in the trees and get all their requirements from the forest leaves. But even in the trees they are not safe. They are the favorite prey of leopards.
We spent the rest of the day hiking to the three falls, taking a swim and relaxing in the shade as the sun cooked the local jungle canopy.
Click to watch Episode 90, Sanje Falls, Tanzania
After visiting Sanje falls in the Udzungwa Mtns NP, Ben gave gifts to the park personnel (more used clothing) and then set off east.
We spotted a roadside signpost that said Beware of Alligators for the next 27km’s.
We stopped to check out a local lodge called Alligator camp but one look at the river was enough to encourage us to move on.
Late in the afternoon we drove into thundershowers that convinced us to call it a day. We reached another lodge offering camping but this time I opted for a large $12 canvas safari tent (I didn’t want to setup my tent in the rain and they advertised an English breakfast included). Unfortunately the local cook didn’t have a clue what an English breakfast was.
Isimila Stone Age Site & Natrual Pillars, Tanzania
The following day, just south of Iringa, we pulled into the Isimila stone age site of Natural Pillars. Modeled after western attractions it housed educational artifacts, hosted exotic animals and concluded with a nature walk. It was a very nice break from the road and was also cheap and informative.
Click to watch Episode 91, Isimila Natrual Pillars, Tanzania
Once back on the road we were flagged down by the police for speeding again. Cost? A pair of old boots.
Late in the day (north of the Malawi border) we opted for a free camp. We pulled onto a grass path and pitched the tent as the sun set.
When we followed the dirt path to find a secluded camp spot the prior night we hadn’t realized that we were camped on the main footpath from a village to their fields. We woke to a lot of locals standing at a distance and staring at the apparition of an old Toyota Land Cruiser and a tent next to their cultivated fields.
After breakfast we broke camp and made our way back to the main road. On impulse we followed some signposts off the main road and headed in search of a natural bridge that was formed by volcanic lava flows.
Kiwira Volcanic Bridge, Tanzania
We zigzagged our way along a fast moving river until we spotted the lava bridge in the distance. Ben volunteered to cross it to give me perspective. It turned out to be a huge chunk of lava. After a few snaps we headed back to the main road.
Click to watch Episode 92, Kiwira Volcanic Bridge, Tanzania
Near the boarder we stopped for supplies and then an overland expedition truck pulled up behind us. Groups of strangers spend up to 6-weeks travelling between Nairobi and Cape Town crammed in the back of these trucks. Our Land Cruiser for two seems way more comfortable now.
But before we crossed into Malawi we first needed to perform the ritual money exchange. Let the haggling begin. You never win in these deals. The best you can hope for is to get rid of your money and get the next country’s money without suffering a major loss or rip-off.
Download Tanzanian-road-map.gif
Click the big yellow button to become a patron!
Link to next leg of the adventure
