We left Kigali at 3 a.m. on October 9, 2024, bound for Arusha, Tanzania. With over 1,000 kilometers between the two cities, the plan was to break the journey with an overnight stop. Kahama seemed like the ideal place to rest before hitting the road again the next day.
The purpose of the tour was to participate in the much-anticipated Land Rover Festival, scheduled to take place in Arusha from October 12 to 14. With over 1,000 Land Rover owners registered, there was talk of setting a new Guinness World Record if everyone showed up. But for us, the excitement lay just as much in the journey as in the event itself.
We cruised eastward through Kigali’s quiet streets, leaving the glow of the city behind. After about an hour, we reached Kayonza. We needed some coffee to shake off the early-morning drowsiness, but the popular Imigongo Café and nearby restaurants were still closed. Luckily, we spotted a small coffee outlet near the junction with lights on.
It was a modest roadside setup, but to us, it was a beacon. We pulled over, ordered a round of hot, strong coffee, and sipped in silence as the first light crept over the hills. Recharged, we continued eastward through the soft shadows of Eastern Rwanda and reached the Rusumo border post just as the sky began to brighten.
We stamped our passports, completed paperwork for the car, and purchased regional insurance—an essential step when crossing into a neighboring country. The process took longer than expected, but the delay came with its own reward. While chatting with Tanzanian immigration and customs officers, we discovered that the Land Rover Festival had been highly publicized across the country. The event was creating a buzz, and almost everyone we met seemed to know about it. That energy only added to our growing sense of anticipation.
Once on the Tanzanian side, we cruised steadily through Benako and Nyakanazi. Gradually, the scenery shifted from dense greenery to dry open plains, the road winding through vibrant markets and sleepy villages. By midday, we rolled into Ushirombo and stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. It was a no-frills joint with plastic chairs, sizzling pans, and a steady stream of locals—but the food hit the spot. Plates of rice, beans, and grilled meat revived us for the final push.Later in the afternoon, we made it to Kahama, a bustling municipal council in Shinyanga Region. The town greeted us with busy streets, bright storefronts, and the kind of vibe that signaled we were deep into Tanzanian territory.