Mount Kilimanjaro, Safari and Zanzibar - African Adventure!

My first few moments on the giant continent that is Africa was defined by one thing; the air! I had never felt anything quite like it. It was hot and dry but not like the Arabian deserts, it was more infectious, wild and most definitely more alive.

East Africa and Tanzania especially, is one of the few places, where you disembark the plane from the “First World” and within minutes you are in a 4WD thundering along a dirt track heading into the animals domain; there are no fences here.

Arusha was our first stop, a charming village of hustle and bustle. Here the last preparations were made, before our next 5 days ascending the highest mountain in Africa , Mt Kilimanjaro, The Roof of Africa.

The first 4 days did not provide any clue of the hardships in store for the last day. Strolling through beautiful forest, time was spent laughing at the pack of Wart Hogs, (known as a sounder) rustling through the undergrowth and watching a pair of Elephants go about their business. This was going all too well. The only inkling as we climbed higher, was that it was getting increasingly more difficult to fall asleep. On Day 4, after crossing the moon like landscape that is "The Saddle", we reached Kibo Hut at 4750m where there was no sleep at to be had at all.

Midnight came eventually and the final ascent began. We headed up the mountain with only our head torches showing the way surrounded by pure darkness. At -25 degrees Celsius, we were like 8 Michelin men shuffling along, completely oblivious to our location over 3 miles above sea level. Then everything changed, it felt like someone had flicked a giant switch and the sun rose out of the sky, then in minutes the temperature rose 45 degrees Celsius! Stripping off layers with very limited oxygen is a hilarious sight but well worth the effort and the views from Gilman`s Point were breathtaking.

We could now see the end in sight and another hour putting one foot in front of another, along the rim of what is a very extinct volcano, past magnificent ice blue glaciers we finally reached Uhuru Peak, Africa`s highest point. The descent was, to no one’s surprise, a much quicker affair and after a well deserved last night at the base, we boarded 4WD`s and headed out onto the vast plains.

After all the hard work, our East African safari was well deserved but nothing could prepare me for the next few days. From the passing of tons of Zebra under the watchful eye of a pride of lionesses in Tarangire National Park, the endless cloud of pink Flamingos harassed by the sneaking Hyenas on Lake Manyara, the Rhino of Ngorongoro Crater being watched by the lone Leopard perched high in the tree above or the stand-off between a male Lion and a group of very irate Buffalo (the buffalo won that day). I couldn`t pick a favourite, it was an incredible experience.

We then took the short flight for our last few days to the Indian Ocean paradise that is Zanzibar. As an important trading post through the centuries, Zanzibar, or Spice Island as it`s known, is a true melting pot of cultures and religions but it is the island`s stunning white sand beaches that is its main attraction, the definition of unspoilt paradise and where I spent the rest of my trip before returning home. For more information on this amazing experience, please contact me.