My chosen mode of transport between Lusaka and the extreme sports centre that is Livingstone is the bus. This time I've done my research and picked a reputable operator running a reliable, clean, comfortable coach service for the three hour journey. I'm sat next to a lady called Mutita who is on her way to Livingstone to meet her fiancé. We chat and the journey seems surprisingly short. My home for the next four nights is the 16 person dorm at the Jollyboys...

And so the journey which will eventually lead to Livingstone begins. First class on the Tazara Express is not to be mistaken with Virgin pendolino trains first class, but it is ok! The train is three hours late departing. No explanation is proffered, but it is very puzzling as the train only runs twice a week, commences from Dar and has its own special station. Still, spirits are high as I and five other travellers. After a respectable period of some 50 minu...

I have had enough of buses so I fly from Mwanza back to Dar Es Salaam. A 2 day bus journey is condensed into a 1 hour 45 minute flight. I learn a valuable lesson. I am back in Dar to catch the Tazara Express, a 2 day train journey into the middle of Zambia leading eventually to Lusaka. I've booked a first class sleeper carriage as a 40 hour train journey will be a new experience for me.

After a week in Arusha it is time to move on. The next destination is Mwanza, Tanzania's second largest city which is located on Lake Victoria. I had to take a bus for this leg of the journey. The tourist office had provided the name of a bus operator and the scheduled journey time was 12 hours. I booked a seat, receiving a ticket stating that the meeting time was 11.30 for a 12.00 departure. I turned up as directed, to learn that Swahili's have their own ti...

After the physical challenge of Mount Meru I was very happy at the prospect of sitting on my butt for three days being chauffeured around on safari! I'd arranged a three day safari with a company called Bush2Beach who, it transpired, were a rather good outfit. Our group was made up of Emmanuel (driver, guide and general font of all wisdom as far as animals are concerned) John (cook) and Andrea, an Australian lady with whom I was sharing the safari to cut cos...