Day 13: Elbowing our way into Dar

The day starts with a nerve-racking drive through the Mikumi National Park. There is nobody around to tell us not to enter the park so we go ahead -- although the 'Danger' sign at its entrance keeps us (well, at least me) anxiously looking left and right every now and then. Be it as it may, we don't get to see too many wild animals today. Some impalas and baboons cross our path and we see the trunks of elephants sticking out from behind the bush, but giraffes we only spot on the triangular warning signs on the side of the road. The road after the park gets increasingly busy as we push through our last 250 km to Tanzania's economic powerhouse in Dar.

Day 12: A pricey, used spare tyre and the manual we don't have

We get off to an early start but to no use. There is no tyre that will fit our scooter in the whole of Iringa. The Chinese imports on the market have a bigger wheel, almost double the size of the Vespa. Alberto follows one of the locals around town all morning looking for a possible replacement, but nothing can be done. A local mechanic promises he will be able to organise 'something', but we are doubtful. After all, the country's economic centre is still hundreds of kilometres away and our schedule is tight. But miracles happen...

Day 4: Scootering with elephants and giraffes: who is faster?

Breakfast and off we go. At the Nata garage, no fuel. Gas station ran out. Luckily, the one next door still has some left. On the road towards the Zambian border we hit a line of road works. It seems the entire highway is being redone. We may not always be able to see the road, but we get to see loads of elephants. They seem undisturbed by us (and the other trucks and cars passing by). Even pose for pictures with us.