Moshi / Arusha Roadtrip Edition 12 (Kikuletwa Hot springs) Pre - Valentine getaway.: Moshi / Arusha Roadtrip Edition 12 (Kikuletwa Hot springs)

#HIDDEN TREASURES

NAIROBI - MOSHI - ARUSHA

The secret to having an experience you’ll never forget while you are travelling is to always have an open mind. An open mind allows you to interact with new people, learn about a different cultures and even try different cuisines. It pushes you beyond your limits and at the end of the journey you will not have any regrets.

Let’s start with the fact that I could barely sleep because of the excitement I had for this Moshi/ Arusha group trip well planned by STEJOS Tours and Travel LTD. The idea of meeting new people and spending the weekend in Tanzania while exploring the Kikuletwa hot springs was just thrilling.

All of us (28 of us) woke up very early because the overland truck which was our means of transport was leaving at 6.30 am from Nairobi town, all those who were along Mombasa rd. got the privilege of being picked on the way. The overland truck allows you to have a great view of the road and have an incredible sightseeing experience. The journey to Moshi is quite lengthy but with the right crowd and attitude time flies by so fast you wish you could pause it. The distance between Nairobi and Moshi is approximately 366km via Tarakea border if you’re going by road.

Our first stop was Emali at 9.30 am. Emali is a town in Makueni County and its 124 km from Nairobi which is about two and a half hours drive. At this stop we shopped for food, snacks and drinks because well, young people + road trip + drinks = a blast (this is so true.)

After everyone was armed with crisps, peanuts, sweets, sodas and wine, the journey continued.
There were a lot of card games and naps in the truck.

Second stop was at the junction of the Amboseli National Park entry point. Here we did some bonding activities, and took lots and lots of pictures in every angle and pause possible. (How else would people know we had traveled?)
Bonding activities especially in a group trip like this one enables you to get to know the people you're travelling with and form a friendship that allows you to have fun together.

Some people end up becoming friends for a long time others even find their soulmates.(wink.)

At this point you could see the beautiful Mt. Kilimanjaro appear from the horizon. It was so beautiful we all took a moment to gaze at it in awe.

After the photo session it was a smooth sail to the Tarakea border. The best part about this particular border is that its not packed therefore the procedure is quite fast, but one thing they are keen on is the yellow fever card, if you don’t have one they administer the vaccine to you at a fee of 1500 kes and you get the card that lasts a life time. Some of us were victims of the shot but it was not painful.

Next stop which was one of our destinations was the beautiful breathe taking Weru Weru River Lodge.

Weru Weru is a 3 star hotel in Moshi and is surrounded with coffee plantation. It has an impeccable view of the MT Kilimanjaro, at the comfort of the rooms’ balconies and the service was quite on point. The compound is well manicured and right at the center sits a really unique, well-built heated swimming pool.

Our reception was very good and it was accompanied with a nice chilled glass of juice and then we were showed to our rooms.

After checking in all our eyes were on that pool, so we decided to take a dip. The water was just the perfect temperature and the sun was setting making the scenery like a clip from the movies. At that moment all I was thinking was how glad I was for taking the trip. Its moments like this that make travelling worthwhile.

Finally it was dinner time, on the menu was a nice vegetable soup for the starter, the main course entailed rice, fish fillet or chicken, a stew and a salad, for the desert there was a plate full of very juicy sweet pineapples and watermelon.

After stuffing ourselves with the delicious food we decided to relax before heading out to one of the local clubs.
Some of the activities that you end up doing on a trip might not necessarily be on your itinerary but if you can do them, don’t hold back, they might just end up being the highlight of your trip.

In our case the night out happened to be the highlight for some of us.
We went to a club called Red Stone which is quite popular and it happened that a Tanzanian artist by the name Rich Mavoko was performing that night. I was ecstatic upon hearing that, because I am a great fan of his music. Who knows for how long I would have waited to see him perform if I hadn’t taken the trip. Rich Mavoko killed the show and I got to go with some awesome memories.

Day 2 of our Moshi/ Arusha trip started with a scrumptious breakfast and a sunrise photo session (for the gram) and then we were off to Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The drive from Moshi to Kikuletwa Hot Springs takes about 45min. It’s a semi-arid landscape but as you approach the springs it looks like an oasis surrounded by trees and then when you get to it you see the clear, blue, beautiful waters.

It’s such a jaw dropping site and it really is a hidden treasure. One could never imagine that such a precious site could be found in Africa let alone Tanzania. We swam in the refreshing waters and relaxed while soaking in the beauty of the place.

After all those amazing adventures it was time to head back home but first we needed to have lunch in Arusha, so we stopped at a local hotel in Kijenge Arusha where we had roasted chicken (my favorite) and beef with sima (ugali), local vegetables and some fries.