In has been fascinating to travel through the eastern part of the Africa continent. It’s cultures, histories and landscapes have provided endless new learning. As always, it has been the people that I have met along the way that have brought this learning alive and will provide the lasting memorable connections to this extraordinary continent.

I travelled back to the base of the Project Africa in Nakura and Ndege, spending time reconnecting with old friends, students at the school and the staff. This involved a warm reunion with Elizabeth Ngumo - my mentor and the retired head of the Ndege Primary School.

I have travelled to Arusha via Dodoma through the central heart of Tanzania. The rainy season is arriving and the days have been wet. Nevertheless, arriving in Arusha has been exciting.

Visiting the Neema Craft workshop was a highlight of this section of the trip. Supported by the adjacent Anglican church, the vocational training centre provided employment and ongoing training for staff all who were either deaf or physically disabled.

I had a smooth crossing across the border into Tanzania today and was issued a visa on entry. On route I came through the flooded lands of northern Malawi. Whole villages were under water following heavy rain.

Perched on the edge of the Livingstonia escarpment is the Mushroom Farm, a permaculture ecolodge. I stayed here to experience the off-grid facilities, sweeping views and a guided hike to the Chombe Plateau.

I have travelled north along the west side of Lake Malawi, stopping in Cape Maclear, Mua, Senga Bay and Nkhata Bay. Each location has its own unique character, focussed around the fishing industry.

Today was another of those special days, spent out in nature in the company of a knowledgeable and determined young guide from the local community.

Famous for its emerald-green tea plantations and the spectacular massif, the Mulanje region was a wonderful place to visit in the quiet tourist season. The people in the area are experiencing the impact of last year’s earthquake and the rising cost of fertilizer and grains.

Blantye was hot and humid with intermittent rain. I stayed in the centre at the wonderful old colonial villa which is Henderson Street Guest House. From here I was able to walk into town to explore.

My journey north ended up being towards Malawi rather to the northern border of Mozambique into Tanzania as I had intended. This border area was still unsettled and I was advised by locals to travel through the Tete corridor where the borders to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi were all safe to cross.

A destination for Maputo tourists and visitors from South Africa, Tofo has a long tradition as a laid back beach location. Spread out on a peninsula of land by the sea, the village is predominately built from foreigners’ money invested in lodges and villas. I found it to be quiet and rundown with a ‘out of season’ feel.

The capital of Mozambique reminds me of Libreville. There is evidence of Portuguese colonial architecture, the grand monuments of independence and the more recent impact of oil wealth.

A wonderful day spent watching African wildlife from the comfort of a jeep with a fantastic guide and friendly companions

I found Johannesburg to be a vibrant and fascinating city with neighbourhoods which varied in character. I stayed with a friend and heard first hand how she and her community are committed to the developments in South Africa.

I was sad to leave the island after my three week adventure into the southern region. I had only started to discover the vast differences of terrain and culture that exist across its land.

Along the coast from Tulear to Ankao, I was able to see al little of the life which revolves around fishing and the part tourism has played in the development of resorts along the beach front.

The villages of Manakara spread out along the canal des Pangalanes. The people live from fishing and use the canals to circumvent the capricious Indian Ocean.

I stopped at the hill top based town of Ambositra and the transport hub of Fianrantsoa. Travelling is slow, in local minibuses and full of adventures. It provides a magical snapshot into life on the island.

Antananarvo is steeped in history, revealed to me on visits to the Haute-Ville and at Ambohimanga. Here there is proud evidence of a rich and diverse history leading into the period of French rule in 1883 including the rise in nationalism in the post-war era.