Into Africa - 2025 - A Short Savannah Sojourn

February 6, 2025 to February 8, 2025

Into Africa - 2025

It takes a long time to get to Tanzania. I left my house at 3:45 pm on February 6 and arrived at my hotel in Moshi at 9 am Feburary 8. Two days by the calendar and thirty-two hours from my home to hotel: Raleigh to Miami to Doha to Kilimanjaro.

Time on the plane was spent going through pictures of my 2000 African trip and geeking out on all available flight data - I especially loved the maps. The international legs were on Qatar Airlines and I was lucky enough to enjoy the food and tranquillity international lounges in Miami and Doha and get some sleep on each international leg. All in all, the actual trip was much better than it would first appear.

Leaving Miami and heading over a very big expanse of blue

If you look closely at the red line, you can see the red line showing route from Miami passed over southern Spain then crossed the tips northern Africa before continuing to the Qatar Peninsula and Doha

Wonder if the Oreo Cafe at Doha airport offers giant glasses of milk

Susan getting a little punchy on the last leg from Doha to Kilimanjaro

Touchdown - Kilimanjaro International Airport

My arrival in Tanzania was a breeze. I'd gotten an online eVisa before arriving and went through customs with minimal questions and found my waiting bags and hotel shuttle. The hour-long ride into Moshi was a re-immersion into rural Africa with scenes evoking 25-year old memories. It was Sunday, and folks were socializing at the local markets and small shops, the women dressed in bright colors and the children waving with shouts of hello. There were lots of goats, a few farms and miles of savannah.

Moshi is located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is the capital of the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. A relatively small city, it serves as a launching point for those tourists intending to climb Kilimanjo. In contrast, the safari trips usually launch from the nearby, and much larger, city of Arusha.

Due my early arrival, I had booked the hotel room in Moshi for the previous night, which guaranteed that my room would be available and I could enjoy the complimentary breakfast. I spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep and finishing up the entry from my 2000 Africa trip. I had a light dinner at the hotel rooftop bar and restaurant - enjoying an overcast view of Mount Kilimanjaro along with my quinoa salad. Then it was back to the room for some more sleep.

Quinoa salad and views of Kilimanjaro from the hotel rooftop restaurant

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Steve Miller/GrampiesGlad to see this entry. We were beginning to ask ourselves when your trip began since there had been no post for several days. Long travel days-now we got it. Have a great time. We will be following along eagerly.
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1 month ago

Suzanne GibsonGlad you had smooth trip. It's always easier if you don't have a bicycle in tow, too.
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1 month ago

Kathleen JonesJambo, Susan! Soooo excited to see this trip, Susan. I was in the neighborhood of your ride near the end of an overland tour from Southampton to Nairobi in 1986 (not cycling, but a modified troop truck). Fabulous country. Trip of a lifetime, which I hope it is for you too.
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1 month ago

Patrick O'HaraLooking forward to following along, Susan.
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1 month ago