The Rufiji River

Sunset on the river.

 

While we have done more adventurous exploration of the Rufiji River (Trip I), our latest trip was not as intensive though still interesting. We are still getting to know the area so it's exciting to check out new areas. The main highway, going north/south from Dar es Salaam all the way to Mozambique, bisects the large mouth of the Rufiji River. One of the longest bridges in Africa, the Mkapa bridge (named by and for the third president of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa) is a notable feature in the area. 

There are settlements on both sides of the Rufiji River as you head west. On the north side of the river there are over a dozen villages before you reach the gate of Nyerere National Park. On the southside of the river there are fewer villages heading to the local administrative capital called Utete, the last village before the entrance to the Kingupira side of Selous Game Reserve.

I've gone down both ends but these days I spend more time on the north side. It's amazing how wild the river remains even with heavy traffic from small boats. Crocodiles and hippos can be seen and heard all along the river. There are a few larger permanent lakes, ponds, and shallow pools, some of which will dry up during the peak of the dry season.

The amazing plant, Desert Rose