Tanzania (the first border crossing)

Leaving Kenya for Tanzania was also the first time we were to be in the truck. Our truck could carry 24 passengers with the seats configured into 2 tables of 4 and standard bus seating for the rest. Our luggage was placed into quite deep lockers that made up the entire inside back wall of the truck. Also in with us were 2 eskys and a large deep freezer. Most of our sleeping mats were placed on a shelf above the lockers and the racks above our heads. We were separate from the cab (and tour leader/driver) and had a buzzer to press if we wanted to contact them. There was a small window between that we could then talk to them through.

A few photos taken from the truck as we drove through Kenya. Street stalls usually selling fruit and vegetables

We had been warned that the road to the border was pretty much smoothish tarmac but once we crossed into Tanzania it would rapidly become dirt and gravel and would be a little bumpy! Firstly the border crossing. In one word it was mayhem. You have to be stamped out of Kenya in one building and then walk about 30m to the Tanzania side and be stamped in. There didn't seem to be any system or organised queue. Eventually we convinced one of the officiers to take all the passports and money for our group. Once we handed over our $100US we then had to sit on the kerb and wait. When we finally got them back they were in a shopping bag and contained a bonus passport. Luckily we were able to find the lady and give it back and be on our way. Our tour leaders, Fiona and Blessed, were not exaggerating the condition of the road. Immediately after the fence the tarmac disappeared and we were thrown about in our seats for the next couple of hours.

Lunch on the side of the dirt road.

We finally arrived at Snakepark which was located just outside of Arusha. It was the first time to put up our tents and we managed it in under 5min. After all the dust of the Masai most people were keen to give their clothes a bit of a wash. We strung some line up and put the clothes on and then headed to the bar. The bar here is run by a South African couple and most of the profits go to helping the hospital and school in the Masai villiage that is next door. Their biggest contribution comes by making snake anti-venom particularly for the Black Mamba. Everyone in the truck had no hesitation in choosing to buy drinks at the bar knowing the good work that this couple do. The only downside was returning to our tents to discover all the handwashing lying in the dirt!

Lesson one to any future overlanders reading this - take pegs!