The first words said to me on arriving at kilimanjaro airport were "this is probably going to be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life", words that later turned out to be truer than i'd have liked.

The shear scale, variation and majestic beauty of the landscape was a privileged to be in. From the lush green rainforests through to the moonscape like alpine desert, Kilimanjaro is truly an unique place on earth. My next stop was Zanzibar: flat and warm!

If you are a "texture" person like me, this Island is a treasure trove of crumbling walls and Moorish architecture coupled with it's diverse population (don't be surprised to see a Maasai warrior out doing his weekly shop). Zanzibar is as mysterious as it's name suggests.

Ian Winstanley.