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Two weeks ago, I came back to Tanzania from an enriching seven-week trip to Europe. The journey was a blend of family time, a conference, and a memorable road trip with my children across several countries. Although that experience was incredible, today I want to focus on my first two weeks back in Tanzania, my home.
We flew from Brussels with Ethiopian Airlines, which I highly recommend. The evening departure, around 9 PM, is ideal, as it allows you to arrive in Kilimanjaro at 1 PM the following day. Although there’s a layover in Addis Ababa, it’s a chance to briefly explore Ethiopia. You can wander through the airport, browse leather shops, savor coffee, and even participate in an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony while seated on traditional cushions.
Landing in Kilimanjaro often provides spectacular views of both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Ethiopian Airlines truly offers some of the best aerial views. The return flight from Kilimanjaro is typically in the late afternoon around 6 PM when the mountain is often visible above the clouds.
Now, onto my observations. The first, and perhaps most striking, difference is the Tanzanian air compared to the air-conditioned atmosphere of Europe. I always take a moment to savor the warm, enveloping air upon stepping off the plane. The mix of flower scents, dust, firewood, and sweat creates a sensory experience that’s uniquely Tanzanian. The brief walk down the airplane stairs is a perfect way to begin soaking in this feeling.
After smooth processing through health checks, immigration, and luggage collection, we drove to Moshi. The roads were noticeably bumpy and teeming with people, a stark contrast to the smooth, sparsely populated roads of Europe. I observed an abundance of bodabodas (motorcycle taxis) and bajajis (auto rickshaws), adding to the vibrant street scene.
I always need some time to mentally transition back to life here, so I took pleasure in the familiar sounds of home. As evening falls, the crickets start their symphony, which differs from the chirping I heard at a campsite in Italy. During the night, the calls of bushbabies occasionally disturbed my sleep, their cries sometimes echoing close to the window. In the morning, I was greeted by a chorus of singing birds, interspersed with the calls of hadedas and hornbills.
Outside the house, I delighted in watching vervet monkeys leap across the roof and perform acrobatic feats on the power lines. There’s truly no place like home. I’m excited to continue exploring Tanzanian nature and culture and look forward to embarking on a safari or two.
