Day 1

Arriving in Dar es Salaam

I had a very pleasant flight with Emirates Airlines. They even provided me a hotel room because I had to stay over night in Dubai. After the flight they recommended staying in the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski - I was going there anyway.

Dar es Salaam is the hub in Tanzania. If you travel to Tanzania you will most likely arrive here, stay a couple of nights and then go wherever you have to go.
You need a visa to be let in - but Tanzania is one of the few countries where you will get a visa on arrival. It’s very easy! I just had to pay the fee of US$ 50 and it was done.

Things I have to get used to

The weather change is interesting: Cold and rainy in Hamburg - hot and rainy here (due to the rainy season). But in opposite to Hamburg the rain only lasts a few minutes and after wards everything is fresh and shiny. That’s the beauty of being in the Tropics! Inside the buildings air cons do their work properly. A little bit too properly for my taste - it seems like some like it cold here.

Due to Tanzania’s colonial heritage cars drive on the left hand side. I definitely have to get used to that. I was alarmed several times on my transfer from the airport to the hotel.

The Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski

If Dar es Salaam is the hub in Tanzania, the luxurious Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski is the hub in Dar es Salaam. It’s impressive and definitely has the WOW factor! While having lunch in the hotel’s restaurant, the ‘Oriental’, the Hotel Manager Mr. Trevor Saldanha told me about the history of this iconic hotel. Initially opened in 1965 it was - and still is - the first address for the most important people from government, business and entertainment. It’s located within the city centre, next to the Indian Ocean and a 5 minute walk from most of the major buildings like the State House (they also call it “White House”).

Mr. Trevor Saldanha showed me the VIP guest book. It looks like the ‘who’s who’ of not only Africa’s but also the world’s important personalities. President of the Republic of Tanzania, of Zambia, South Africa, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Canada, Cuba, Norway - just to name a few. There where also kings, princes and princesses - and finally celebrities like Will Smith and family, as well as  Shaggy… Now it’s me who walks through these rooms - somehow quite an exhilarating feeling.

Later we moved on to the bar, ‘Level 8′, which has stunning views over the harbour. While watching the ships and having a local beer I started to feel very comfortable. Or let me put it like the President of Cuba wrote it in the guest book; “You made me feel at home”.

There are so many things to see and to do in this hotel - but I’m leaving tomorrow for my trip to the Serengeti National Park. Anyhow, I have been promised that when I return I will get a relaxing spa treatment, a swim in the infinity pool and have the famous ‘Art Brunch’ with over 200 items on the buffet. I’m really looking forward to it!