09-Jul-2005 -- Travelling to Arusha we intended to try out another Confluence after the one in June, 7S 37E did not turn out to be successful. We calculated to allow us some 4-5 hours to search for 5S 38E, knowing we had to reach to Arusha the same day. But our maps already indicated that the Confluence would not be easy, as there are no track roads near and the area is marked by the indications: river, swamp; not a god terrain to cross by car after the rainy season lasted longer that normally indicated.

We decided to drive up to Mombo and to search for some road towards the Confluence. Luckily, we found a nice track along some sisal plants leading us as close as 14 km to the Confluence.

We started getting off the road and asked people in the villages for some other possible track in the direction of our Confluence. We got some secure guidance and followed the direction, ending at 12.9 km distance in front of a river that we did not intend to cross, though not as famous as the Ruvu, but wide, deep and unknown.

Back at the village we asked for some other direction and again it was pointed out 'very sure' in the direction we went before. But with one difference: a little side path was mentioned... Astonished, we asked if we could cross at that point by car and the answer was: YES. Ok, we turned and tried our luck once more.

The result was indeed a "bridge", but only for brave people... So we decided to come back on our way back to Dar es Salaam and returned to Mombo to get back to the main road to Moshi and Arusha.

On Saturday we returned early from Arusha and took the road from Mombo towards the Confluence. This time we tried to follow a different track and came to real bridge that we could cross by car. So we did and searched for further tracks leading in the direction of 5S 38E. We got closer and ended at 11.9 km distance, which did not satisfy us sufficiently and so we returned to choose another road (actually it made the impression of only being a path for cattle).

That was the right way and the best so far. We reached a distance of 7.43 km to the Confluence and once again had to call it a day, as we had to get back to Dar es Salaam the same day. But now we at least know how to get close and decided to return "in sha'a-Llah" some time later.