Day 126: Tan Swiss Lodge (Mikumi) – The Old Kisolanza Farmhouse

From Mikumi via Iringa to Kisolanza Old Farmhouse. Around 240 km, a full day.

Trucks. Endless trucks. Oh man. So many trucks...

We're waved over at two of the police checkpoints. Overtaking is illegal. No wonder the trucks creep along like snails. So, actually, we're guilty. Nevertheless: We talk ourselves out of the trouble. We would have attempted the overtaking maneuver even when the line wasn't solid, and yet we're driving so carefully, and so on. And the mention of Tanzania in the same sentence as Nigeria and Congo has an effect both times: We're ultimately waved on without paying. Will this come back to haunt us at the border?

Today, at least in the morning, we've seen a beautiful landscape along the Udzungwa Mountains National Park with hundreds of baobab trees. Then it becomes rather dull.

In Iringa, we get drinking water, diesel, and tablets for schistosomiasis. Neither of us is feeling well; we took a dip in Lake Tanganyika a good six weeks ago – so it might be okay. And a deworming treatment never hurts here in Africa!

The Old Farmhouse is wonderful. A working farm with an attached lodge and campsite. Wooded, fresh (1,776 m), good sanitary facilities, and basically peaceful, although a convoy of seven vehicles full of South Africans shows up here as well.

We're looking forward to dinner; it's supposed to be good here. And having someone cook for us is our indulgence at the moment.

The bad news of the day: We hear that there are problems with the diesel supply in Malawi (and parts of Zambia). And we'll have to fill up once in Malawi. So we'll have to verify that today and tomorrow and possibly come up with a plan B.