Our Route through TANZANIA. Covered approx. 2500km on the motorcycles and another 1000km in the 4x4 Vehicle.

Jan. 02 to 07, 2008.From Rwanda we headed straight across the country to Arusha in two (2) days riding.

We set up our base for 10 days at the Masai Camp. Here we met Jo (South African) and Jan (Belgium) traveling the west side of Africa on these bicycles.

Another couple travelling southern Africa, Fred & Carole from Switzerland.

Jan. 07, 2008. The start of our KILIMANJARO climb. We had chosen the Marangu route.

Registering at the MARANGU GATE for the six (6) day hike.

Warning sign before starting the trek.

Hans Meyer was the first European to summit Kilimanjaro in 1889.

The Marangu route is well maintained as it gets the most traffic.

We start at 1800m elevation at the gate and walk through lush rain forest.

While our guide is taking care of the formalities at the gate, the assistant is leading the way carrying one of the loads.

Our trail protects us from the hot afternoon sun.

Well maintained trail.

Arriving at the first night camp. The huts at the Mandara Camp are at 2700m elevation.

Jan. 08, 2008. Black and White Columbus monkeys can be seen along the trail.

As we gain elevation the forest gets less thick and we have our first view of Mt. Mawenzi.

Vegetation along the trail.

We emerge from the rain forest into the grassland.

Excellent weather conditions allow for great views of Kilimanjaro.

Here we are three (3) days away from summiting.

In the mooreland these red & yellow Kniphofia thomsonii can be found.

Half way through our hike we are passed by our porters carrying our supplies & gear.

White Protea Kilimandscharica.

Yellow Helichrysum Kilimanjari.

White necked Raven.

Giant Senecios.

Approaching our second night camp. The Horombo Camp lies at 3720m.

A person is rescued off the mountain via stretcher. 2 to 4 people a day are rescued.

These giant senecios are found where ever there is a water stream in the mooreland.

Looking south-east toward the Pare Mountains.

Sun set from our camp.

Jan. 09, 2008. Our acclimatization day. We awake to see clowds covering the landscape below.

For the acclimatization day we hike up to 4300m and pass Mt. Mawenzi.

More giant senecios,they have tall stems which act as resevoirs for water...

... required for the large, cabbage-like rosette of leaves.

1 1/2 km up the trail are the ZEBRA ROCKS.

The light and dark vertical bands are caused by water seeping down the lava rock face.

Taking a look back on the trail over the clowds.

We hike as far as the SADDLE. View of Kilimanjaro.

We are at 4300m and have a great view of the Kibo Hut and the path to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Jan. 10, 2008. Sun rise at 3720m.

Another perfect day as we leave the Horombo Camp (elevation 3720m).

Ruby and Salvatory (the guide) slowly walk along the path.

Last waterpoint. All water after this point has to be carried in.

The mountain is in full view all the way to the last camp.

We leave the Mooreland behind and enter the high Alpine desert.

Another view of Mt. Mawenzi as we hit the saddle again on a different route.

Arriving at the fourth night camp. The Kibo Camp lies at 4703m.

A sign indicating 5 hours to Gilman's point (5685m).

Jan. 11, 2008. We leave the Kibo Camp at 12:20pm and ...

... make it to the summit in only 5 hours at 5:15am.

The Uhuru Point at 5895m, the ice cap of Kilimanjaro. -25Deg Celsius.

We return to the Gilman's Point (5681m) to wait for the sun rise ...

...at 6:15am. It was freezing and the only thought we had was to get down.

Looking back onto our trail as it leads along the ridge from Gilman's Point to the Uhuru Point.

The east glacier from the Gilman's Point.

Our certificates and ...

... prove that we summited Kilimanjaro. We make it safe and healthy off the mountain Jan. 12, 2008.

Maasai People are dressed mostly in red. There are no other pictures of these people as we do not believe in paying for taking pictures.

Jan. 13, 2009. Entering the Ngorongoro Conversation Area.

We stop for an amazing view into the NGORONGORO CRATER...

...enroute to Serengeti National Park. (more pictures of animals inside the crater on the second page.)

BUFFALO, one of the Big Five.

These Buffalo's were in the Ngorongoro Conversation Area.

This of course is the most amazing experience.

Zebra's & WILDEBEESTS migrating.

We are in awe of how fast they run, then they cross the road in front of us.

The sight is unbelievable. Hundreds of Wildebeests...

... as far as your eye can see. Female Impalas in the foreground.

The thundering sound and dust can not be described in words,...

... but has to be seen in person.

A female OSTRICH.

We enter the Serengeti National Park. Park entrance fees for 24hrs ONLY.

The plains of the SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK. The small specks are hundreds of Wildebeests.

The road leading to the Park entrance.

The road leading into inside the Serengeti National Park.

This brightly coloured, red-headed lizard is a ...

... territorial agama male.

BUSHBUCK.

BABOON.

The HIPPO pool.

Our campsite for $60.00/night. Warning sign "Animals might attack Humans".

Jan. 14, 2008. A full day of Game Safaries. THOMSON'S GAZELLE.

MALE IMPALA.

One male Impala is in charge of numerous female Impalas.

Female Impalas.

GIRAFFE.

VULCHER.

Giraffe feeding.

Large herd of Zebras & Wildebeests.

ZEBRAS.

Zebras consume twice as much grass as Wildebeests in the same time...

...but lower quality grass.

KOPJES, dot the Serengeti Landscape. (These show marking made by local tribes)

They are granite rocks & were formed before there was life on earth.

Wildebeests and Zebras migrate closely together.

Wildebeests are the first groups of animals to start migrating ...

... to greater and wetter pastures.

For 3 weeks every year, 8000 Wildebeest calves are born EVERY day.

More Kopjes.

Wildebeest.

Zebras.

First spotting of a LEOPARD in the tree. They blend in very well.

A closer view of the third animal that make up the Big Five.

The vervet Monkey.

Our second LEOPARD in the tree.

In the heat of the day the Leopard likes to rest ...

... sometimes stretch ...

... and then fall asleep again.

Because the leopard hides in the tree, animals below are easy prey.