Tanzania

Tanzania was one of my first real adventures in Africa. After realizing how close it was to Nairobi, I decided to make the journey overland. Around 3 a.m., I climbed into a minibus and set off for the Tanzanian border. As the sun slowly rose, we passed through vast open landscapes and small rural villages, giving me my first glimpse of the East African countryside.

The border crossing itself was unlike anything I had experienced before. Long lines, confusing procedures, and immigration officials openly asking travelers for bribes made it clear I was far from home. Eventually, after making it through immigration, I continued towards the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. I spent time hiking the mountain’s lower trails, winding through dense forest and experiencing the landscape at the base of Africa’s highest peak.