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Overland Backpacking Trip From Cairo to East Africa
I have been quiet for a long time and for a good reason. Been busy with my next project and finally can say its online and now is time to get moving.
My posts will be mostly updated on my new website, dedicated to Africa. Feel free to stop by on Safaris and Adventures to Africa or shortly Safari Junkie.
Along with new site, i have new travel plans. In October i start travelling Africa from Cairo to Tanzania. Will visit Sudan, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Dr Congo and Tanzania.
Most of my daily updates will be either via Instagram or Facebook. If you wish to follow me there here are the links:
https://instagram.com/safarijunkie/
https://www.facebook.com/safarijunkie
Wish me luck and see you in October!
City Breaks
Since I am still in Europe, have decided to go for a short trip to Spain. First Only Valencia was planned, but once there have decided to revisit Barcelona and spend a weekend in Madrid. Well, I thought I would be able to compensate Africa for Europe but this trip was just another proof to myself that something in me wants to go to Africa A G A I N. Despite the parasites 😀 I am not saying Spain is not beautiful, it is of course. But you know that feeling after you return from the trip? Either you liked it so much that you keep thinking about going back for more or you remain indifferent.
Why Europe is Not For Me
- Its too expensive – i spent i one week in Spain so much that i could buy return plane ticket to Tanzania and also live there for another two weeks
- Food and drinks are over priced , 3 to 5 Euros for a single tapas? !! well is it only me who thinks a tiny peace of bread with a thin slice of jamon is not worth the money….
- its too modern – personal perception i guess, personally prefer african chaos and dallas dallas more than depressing metros
- Too much tourists everywhere ! Sometimes one cant even take a photo without having half of the world in the picture
Here are some images from week in Spain.
Happy New Year!
Dear all,
wishing you happy new year. May it be full of great health and happiness!
And since we all need some inspiration from time to time, below is an incredible inspiring speech:)
Cheers!
Fetching Water
Appreciate the luxury of tap water! Every day women and children in Africa walk an average of 6km (4 miles) to collect water.
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Medical Centres in Arusha
This post was moved here:
Best Clinics and Hospitals in Arusha
Also check out How to Stay Healthy In Afirca
Kilimanjaro Still There
This weekend went to Moshi just to chill out and wander around the city. Its only 80 kilometers from Arusha but it takes local bus two hours to get there. Since it was last minute plan, none of my friends in Moshi were home ( this happens when your friends are Kilimanjaro guides, most of the time guiding climbs to Kilimanjaro).
Well for me it was enough to see Kilimanjaro from far in the early morning time.
If you are interested to climb Kilimanjaro, i did an interview with a climber who just recently returned from Kilimanjaro Trek
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Nursery Class in Kibowa Orphanage
Today i had a chance to accompany my friend who is volunteering in Arusha in Kibowa orphanage. This self made nursery program is enrolling local kids from neighborhood, whose parents don’t have a lot of money and can not afford real kindergarten. I think its really nice from local teachers that they established this program as otherwise children would be on the streets while parents try to earn some money.
So I spent a day with lovely vivacious kids and couldn’t resist to take few photos.
Kids learn English, Math and Swahili. Rotating lessons each day. I admit me and my camera were a little distraction in the class:)
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Bananas In The Backyard
Not much going on for now. Been busy lately with work and am basically stuck on the outskirts of Arusha.
After almost a month spent here i can finally say, i calmed down, no stress like i was used from home. The beauty of it is definitely the banana garden and tranquility we have here.Birds singing, local kids playing on the playground just around the corner, Mt. Meru seems so close and on a clear day i can also see Kilimanjaro peak in the distance.
Although i love bananas at the backyard, and papaya, aloe vera and other fruits growing on our backyard i am slowly planning to move around soon. This weekend going to Karatu town.
Some near future trips planned for now are:
- Njoro forest
- Kikuletwa hotsprings
- Marangu waterfalls
- Mwanza and Rubondo Island national park on Lake Victoria
- Lushoto again, want to do some hiking as i sit too much in front of my laptop:)
But for now banana tree from our backyard:)
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My Favourite Taxi Driver on Zanzibar
Post moved to Cheap Taxi Fares on Zanzibar
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Killing Time in Stone Town
As I was back to Stone Town I still wanted to chill a little and at least swim in a swimming pool. Me and my Zanzibari friend Irene spent a nice afternoon in Zanzibar Beach Resort.
This resort isn’t exactly a place to spend your holidays in Zanzibar, of course you will go to the beach. But for an afternoon, when you don’t want to pay a fortune to get to any of better beaches, its a nice shelter, peaceful place, which has more employees than guests:) 
A large swimming pool, entry to use the pool for non guests isi 6000 TSH. In order to enjoy the time next to awesome swimming pool, we ordered some cocktails and just soaked into the sunshine.
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Relaxing last day in Stone Town.
How Was my First Day on The Zanzibar Beach?
Hot, very hot!!
So i finally manage to come to Kendwa sunset, not even unpack, go to the beach for some lunch and dip in the beautiful sea… As i lay on the magical beach i see in my hotel some very big smoke, and turns out hotel was on fire. i go to my bungalow, as i was on beach bungalows quite far from actual fire which was going on on garden area of hotel, thinking shall i take my things out or shall i stay here as it didnt looked so bad from what i seen in the distance. But it was a windy day, and fire just exploded and became fast, i could hear sound of breaking and some explosions… i check neigbour hotel white Sands also on fire. At this time i got a little panic, i started gathering my things and left to the beach. The problem was, there was no evacuation plan or something, each guest was on their own…
so much for my beach time on Zanzibar. I am back in Stone town.
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Somewhere in Usambara Mountains
I really don’t regret time and effort needed to arrive in the heart of Tanzanian Usambara Mountains. If you happen to be in Tanzania, dont skip this place, because its amazing. Little or almost zero muzungu tourists, beautiful mountain views surrounded by forests and the most friendly people I met so far.
A view from my room in Irente Cliff Lodge
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Cloudy mornings
Ad also a place where i got hooked on avocado:)
Random Snapshots From Zanzibar
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Hanging Out With Hadzabe Tribe
I had a chance to visit Hadzabe tribe during one of my previous safaris in Tanzania. While being in Lake Eyasi region.
They live in the bush, really off-road on secluded parts of the land. before you scroll down to see photos please note, if you are vegetarian, some pictures might be unpleasant, but i am posting them anyway, after all this is how people live.
During the visit i guess it was time for lunch and they had small dik dik – little antelope prepared to put on fire. I will never forget the smell of blood while they were preparing the animal for grilling. Read more about Hadza tribe safari on Safari Junkie
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Men were cooking while ladies were chilling in the bush shadow.
After the lunch my fellow traveler was invited by Hadzabe men to try shooting with bow and arrows. I wasn’t allowed, wrong gender:D
Merchandising:D
And home decoration
Welcome To The Jungle
Read about the tour on blog dedicated to Africa Travel Adventures
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R
Zanzibar Jozani Forest – Red Colobus Monkey from Nina Malina on Vimeo.
Making Coffee on the Slopes of Kilimanjaro
The best coffee i had ever in my life:D
About 20 minutes drive out of Moshi, walk through banana forest and voila, we visited a locals home where they kindly showed us how to make a coffee from a scratch. This was of course paid tour, but since this money goes directly to locals i was happy to participate and visit lovely humble home in stunning hilly area on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Read the details here: Coffee Tour in Moshi
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow
One of more stunning photos from Zanzibar. Looked like it will develop into massive storm!
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Preparations For Becoming an Expat in Tanzania
OMG time passes by too quickly and this blog got a little bit neglected. Lots of things happened. Since i am leaving my home country for unspecified amount of time in order to be able to live in Africa, this gap time was very busy and stressful for me.
Although there is about 30 days left to leave Slovenia, i already feel butterflies in the stomach:D Although i am sure i made right decision and will probably fullfil my long time desire to live abroad, there are still sneaky doubts coming up occasionally. But i guess this is normal?
I have never imagined how much stress will it take to move abroad, but finally i am resolving final errands before my leave in September. From having revaccinations that expired, gathering documents, quitting my regular job here in Slovenia, renting out apartment, moving out of apartment, working on future projects that will continue in Africa.
Right now my top worry is how in the world will i pack all i want to take with me in 20 kilos??:-)
Anybody else living abroad? i would love to hear your story and advice.
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Volunteering in Arusha – Child Orphanage
Well, if you were thinking about volunteering in Arusha, eagerly want to work with african children, then read on. This post is about Kibowa Orphanage, that is sponsored by Tanzanian tour operator who dedicated to help local community. what is more, if you search volunteering opportunities in Africa, you have probably already discovered that many of organizations charge ridiculous prices to potential volunteers!
I have been to this center, personally and can tell you from first hand that here children are on the first place. Within couple of years with dedicated support from tanzanian local operator this orphanage that counts 44 kids many hiv positive, have gained many goals with support of people who visited Tanzania either for holidays as well as some amazing volunteer help. Two years ago these kids had schooling in Tanzanian local school with no english language, today all of them with help of international sponsors are attending private ESSA school. Getting better educational grounds with opportunity to learn English from Early age is huge bonus for these kids. As much as it may be considered for granted in Western world, here education is still privilege and luxury for many Tanzanian children.
In addition to better education kids are arranged regular safe daily transport to school and back, providing daily meals, money for uniforms, shoes, clothes and with kind support that is always appreciated kids from now on can learn computer skills on donated laptop.
Though for you sitting in front of computer somewhere in a cozy place, this things may appear very simple.
In free time orphanage is accepting volunteers that want to help kids in free time after school, to help them with homework, practice english, teach them crafts or any thing that could help them to gain new skills.
By help of volunteers the orphanage has little garden where they produce crops, chickens, goats….
So if you are looking for fair volunteering, i can recommend Kibowa orphanage where your help will be more than welcome and what matters most – your help will go directly to benefits of children and orphanage! Not to mention sweet kids, full of life and eager to learn new things!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up
Building on Zanzibar
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Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
I did it! Eversince I saw Ewan Mcgregor visiting Gorillas in Rwanda in Long Way Down, Volcanoes National Park has been on my bucket list. This year i finally fullfilled my dreams, wasnt cheap i admit, but was totally worth it!!
Gorilla Etiquette:
Tracking guide will tell you more about how to behave when you’re in the presence of gorillas but here are some things to keep in mind:
Dont point index finger into gorillas, they have bad experience with poachers and they might think you want to shoot them
Be quiet
Dont make eye contact with gorillas – can be seen to be aggressive
If gorilla approaches you just act submissive and crouch down, but never run away!
Besides its not allowed to take food, drink with you – you will leave your backpack and unnecessary equipment, clothes in a safe place about hundred meters before you approach gorilla area.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Lunchtime
My lunchtime while traveling and working from Africa. While living on Zanzibar i used to eat in my favourite local Indian vegan restaurant where i was the only mzungu guest most of the time.
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But most of the time i used to have numerous delicious fresh salads.
This post will be more interesting for African Art lovers who are based in Kigali, Rwanda. Some awsome paintings from my Rwandan friend i met during my trip to Rwanda`!
Solo Art Exhibition in Kigali by Augustin Hakizimana
Looks like i am going to start this blog with invitation:-) Have been very busy lately, having free workshops in Agasozi Art Center in Musanze, working on my latest paintings along with preparing my upcoming solo exhibition in Kigali. Therefore I haven’t been able to update and start this blog as it was planned but I promise to update my blog soon with all the art material I have created so far.
So if you happen to be in Kigali on Mrch 15th 2013 in Heaven Restaurant at 6 PM, you are more than welcome to stop by, have a drink, mingle around and look at my paintings.
Paintings exhibited on Beauty of our culture exhibition have been created in beautiful Musanze.
To All My Followers ♥
First of all thank you to all there in WordPress universe that have chosen to follow my blog and trip to East Africa!! ♥♥♥
Due to typhoid fever i had to return home sooner than planned initially. There are many photos to sort out but right now i have to get better first. Hope you will still enjoy the upcoming pics! 🙂
Still, had an unforgettable time in Africa and also getting sick is part of African experience….
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Rwandan Kids
These kids have so much nicer childhood that western kids only dream of!
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Off To Rwanda
But before i leave to the airport some more pics from safari in Tanzania.”-)
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Thats all i managed to sort out for now….
Old Soul
Marabou Stork – Serengeti Standing over 120 cm tall with a wingspan of more than 10 feet, these African birds are scavengers of large carrion, which is why they have featherless heads. They also eat other birds, and have even been known to consume flamingos.
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Serengeti Landscape
In two days i have probably saw only a pixel of mega big 14,763 sq km Serengeti. Definitely worth a bumpy ride!
Along with wildlife i just fell in love with the endless skies that looked awesome just in every part of the day. Hypnotic!
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Lions of Serengeti
Just came back from safari in Serengeti. There are so many pictures so i decided to break safari in Tanzania to multiple posts. We had a wonderful chance to observe this amusing lion couple just about 4 meters from the safari car. Lioness was not in the mood for love right a way, but lion was persistent, so finally…. Love is in the air.
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Travel Photo Corner 