January 14, 2019Stella Maris Lodge – Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania What a relaxing morning! My first morning getting to sleep in, in 9 days. I get up, shower, get my laundry together, enjoy buffet breakfast and work on my journals. I spend the next three hours going through all my gear and getting it organized. … More Kilimanjaro Day 0: Zero Day Rest and Prep
marmot long hauler duffel bag – large zpacks arc blast 55L pack [Too big but such a comfortable pack] zpacks 0F wide long bag with draft tube thermarest xtherm long [If you sleep cold bring your own sleeping pad!] gossamer gear 1/8″ pad [Good for inside the tent when sleeping on inclines] foam sit pad … More Mt. Kilimanjaro Gear List
January 12, 2019Start: Ruhengeri, Volcanoes National ParkStop: Kigale, Rwanda Up at 5am to put my luggage together before departure. 6am breakfast is inhaled and then we head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters like yesterday. Since today’s hike will be easy I decide to indulge in a cappuccino while I hang out. It’s the same … More Rwanda: Golden Monkeys
January 11, 2019Ruhengeri, Volcanoes National Park Another early start and a quick breakfast where I manage to incinerate a piece of toast. Toasters are not the same here and the toast does not pop up when done. So embarrassing when they had to open all the windows! Nassar drives me to the Volcanoes National Park … More Rwanda: Dian Fossey Grave Hike
January 10, 2019Start: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, UgandaStop: Ruhengeri, Rwanda I get up super early and have to pack up all my stuff which is still in Room 1. I have a nice breakfast before Nassar and I hit the road. We drive through Bwindi and through lots of communities until we eventually hit paved … More Welcome To Rwanda
January 9, 2019Bwindi Impenetrable National Park I awake midway through the night and decide to go to the bathroom. Luckily, the generator has finally stopped. There’s a giant black spider attempting to breach the fold in my mosquito netting. I’m up by 6am and head to the bathroom where I find a snake working its … More Uganda: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and a Snake
January 8, 2019Start: Isunga – Kibale National ParkStop: Gorilla Forest Camp – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Breakfast at 7:30am and then we hit the road. Nassar drives through village after village and all the kids wave. The mountain slopes are filled with terraced farming and homes. People are drying corn and coffee on tarps in … More Uganda: Crossing The Equator
January 5, 2019Start: Johannesburg, South AfricaStop: Kampala, Uganda Another early flight which lands skimming over the waters of Lake Victoria into Entebbe, Uganda. After a visa glitch I’m relieved to find that my driver is still waiting for me. The drive to Kampala takes about an hour through the craziest traffic. We even go the … More Uganda: Chimpanzee Trekking
January 2, 2019 Start: Durban, South AfricaStop: Johannesburg, SA Early flight from Durban to Joburg. Part convenience, part inspiration as I buy groceries at Johannesburg’s O.R Tambo International Airport. Bread, peanut butter, jam, cheese, nuts, mango slices, apples, grapes, juice, sparkling water. This fabulous spread makes it possible to skip eating out. I check into … More South Africa: Johannesburg aka Joburg aka Jozi
Wednesday, December 26 – Tuesday, January 1 Start: Home Elphick at Kruger National Park Stop: Home Kavnik in Durban (Westville) It’s an early start as we turn South for the long drive to Durban. It’s me, Cherub and her parents Shelagh and Nat in their car. We’re loaded to the roof with the tiniest slot … More Durban Days: Saying Goodbye to The Year of Two Summers
Journey Return 