Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya

Once across the border, we headed to Cape McLear on the southern shore of Lake Malawi; where we camped for three days.

We swam and snorkelled in crystal- clear water that teemed with multi-coloured fish.

On a day-trip, by dug-out canoe, to an island in the lake, we fed the sea eagles with fish.

At Lilongwe, we bought a painting from a local artist.

In the north of the country, we took the road up the valley wall to Livingstonia – founded in the 19th Century by missionaries from the Free Church of Scotland.

In late October, we crossed into Tanzania and headed for the coast; where we spent a few days on a beach south of Dar es Salaam.

Continuing north, we caught our first distant glimpse of Kilimanjaro.

We drove up through Tanzania and crossed into Kenya. We spent time in Nairobi as guests of Mark and Anne – two travelers we had met on the road who had driven to Nairobi to work.

In early November, Mum flew out to join us for three weeks.

While in Nairobi, we visited Karen Blixen’s residence.

We then went ‘on safari’ to Ambroseli and the Masai Mara – two of Kenya’s spectacular national parks.

At Ambroseli, we camped at a Banda;

which gave Mum some protection from the hordes of insects.

From there, we drove to the the coast – at Tiwi Beach.

We then travelled north; taking the ferry across the Likoni River,

to visit Fort Jesus at Mombasa;

and then further up the coast to Malindi; stopping at the ruins of Gedi; a Swahili coastal settlement founded in the 12th Century.

Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater was a highlight of Mum’s time with us. We camped on the edge of the crater,

before driving down the steep and winding track

into the crater itself.

After seeing Mum off home, Paul headed back into Tanzania to meet up with Grant; a New Zealander we had first met in Kisangani.

We both wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

The trek starts out with a gentle stroll through green woodland.

Gradually, the trees thin;

to be replaced by giant lobelias.

We stayed in the Marangu Huts before the final long, early morning trudge up the volcano’s cinder cone.

Returning to Nairobi, we took a six-day loop taking in Lake Nakuru,

Lake Victoria, Kisii County – with its soapstone carvers –

and Mzima Springs.

We returned to Tiwi Beach over Christmas.

Danielle bartered for a sculpture made from a section of ebony wood.

In the third week of January, we drove to the port in Mombasa and loaded the vehicle into a container to be shipped back to the UK. We flew home via Paris; where we spent a week with Nick, Siân and Alice.