KARIBU SANA : The kind of accommodation that is on offer and set to please anyone searching for a rustic touch.
ARUSHA,
TANZANIA - The centrally positioned Burunge Wildlife Management Area,
just across the western border of the Tarangire national park in the
north of Tanzania is renowned for its wide choice of accommodation
facilities, in which the development of tourism in the sprawling
neighbourhood area has changed for the better.
Burunge
WMA in Babati district Manyara region is a community-owned resource
management area, typically located near high-value protected areas –
Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks’.
It provides an
economic gain in ten villages’ communities from managing wildlife and
other natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The Burunge
Wildlife Management Area, along with other 18 WMA’s in Tanzania were
recognized in 2014 by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) for
outstanding achievements in conservation of wildlife resources, the
preservation of habitats essential for survival of threatened species
and for their significant contribution to sustainable wildlife
conservation on village lands in Tanzania.
In Burunge WMA, as in
many parts across the country, the upmarket as well as standard
accommodation investments has emerged over the past two decades. This
has been further compelled by the profound opportunity of the visitors
to view various wildlife and bird life species in their natural habitat.
After
a trip in the area recently with a small group, I am totally hooked on
the richness of Burunge WMA. It has a distinction of being the best
model in appropriate and sustainable land use, run as a joint venture in
ten villages between the private sector and local communities. Thus
involving the local community directly in the benefits of wildlife
tourism, among others, and the protection of the natural environment.
On
the way we stopped to admire several curio shops in which visitors have
a chance to buy take home souvenirs. The shops include: Kilimanjaro
handicraft, Tarangire Art Gallery and Einoti Maasai women group.
In
the heart of Burunge lies Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge, one of the
latest additions of accommodation facilities in the Burunge WMA’s 283
square kilometer area.
We were met by Hawa, the assistant manager
who took us around the sprawling area. Roika owned locally and named
after the founder sits in a unique flora and fauna of schrublands and
acacia woodlands, including the hearty Baobab trees strewn around with
plenty of bird species to admire.
The lodge is just a short
distance from the Tarangire River, where one of nature’s most
awe-inspiring spectacles occurs throughout the year It attracts a high
density of wildlife, in which large herds of elephants patronize the
riverbanks regularly.
Tarangire National Park has some of the
highest population density of elephants found anywhere else in the
Tanzania parks, and its sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia
trees – makes it a beautiful and special park in the Tanzania northern
circuit.
Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge, is becoming a favourite
home for discerning travelers as there is plenty of scenery to soak up
and an incredible wilderness that surround it.
For nature lovers,
this is a family getaway that offers genuine escapism. Guests in 21
luxury en-suite tents can spend their time in complete isolation.
The
tents are hand crafted and boasting idyllic scenery, mild climate Roika
offers a countryside retreat that perfectly incorporates the authentic
African wilderness.
While animals, including zebras, dik-diks,
impalas, elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos are commonly sighted
near the lodge. Facilities include a swimming pool, a lounge and a
Maasai boma.
By Elisha Mayallah, Sunday, January 31st, 2016
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