From Lake Singida to Mount Meru

We left Kahama early, engines humming and spirits high, determined to hit the tarmac hard. Day two was no joke—the stretch between Kahama and Arusha was longer than the entire distance we'd covered from Kigali the day before. But there was one big upside: no border crossings, no paperwork delays. Just us, the open road, and hundreds of kilometers of Tanzanian landscape waiting to unfold.

As we cruised into central Tanzania, the terrain began to shift. The hills gave way to wide, open plains—flatter, drier, and seemingly endless. One of the most striking contrasts with Rwanda quickly became clear: the roads. Gone were the winding, meandering routes, replaced by long, straight highways that stretched to the horizon like strips of asphalt laid out by a giant with a ruler. It was a different kind of beauty—more expansive. A kind of stillness blanketed the land, broken only by scattered settlements, grazing cattle, and the occasional dust trail from a motorbike zipping across the scrub.

We rolled into Singida around lunchtime, our stomachs growling just as the lake came into view. Regency Hotel & Resort, perched quietly along the shore of Lake Singida, offered a perfect lunch break spot. We took our seats at a shaded table overlooking the lake, where gentle waves brushed against rocky islands scattered across the water.

The breeze was cool, the vibe was peaceful, and for a moment, we forgot we were on the clock. A boat ride across the lake was tempting. "Just a short one," someone suggested. But we all knew better. Half the day was already behind us, and more than 300 kilometers still lay ahead.

^{Singida - Arusha highway}

Back on the road, the landscape continued to surprise. I had never traveled along the Singida–Arusha route before, but it quickly earned its place on my list of scenic drives. Golden savannahs gave way to bursts of green, clusters of acacia trees lined the horizon, and then, rising in the distance, the silhouettes of towering volcanoes added a dramatic flair to the backdrop. The road twisted just enough to keep things interesting, each turn revealing a new postcard view.

We paused briefly in Babati to stretch and refueling. With Arusha now within striking distance, we made our final push. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the land. Traffic picked up as we got closer to the city, headlights beginning to dot the highway. It had been a long day, but the sense of arrival was slowly building with every passing signpost.

It was Thursday evening when we finally made it to Arusha. After two days of traveling together, I parted ways with my companions. Their organization had a base in the city, and they had work-related engagements lined up for Friday. We agreed to reunite on Saturday morning for the much-anticipated Land Rover Festival. As for me, I had other plans. Although I had sojourned in Arusha before, I’d never really explored the city. Having a full day off was the perfect excuse to dive in. 

I checked into a cozy guest house called Sahara Inn, quietly tucked away in the Kaloleni administrative ward. After a refreshing hot shower, I drifted into a deep, restful sleep. In the morning, I woke up recharged and eager to discover what Arusha had in store. Click HERE to find out what transpired on my first day in Arusha.

^{Sahara Inn}