PHOTOS: BABOONS BUSINESSES IN THE LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK,TANZANIA

PHOTOS OF A LIONESS AND VULTURES IN SELOUS GAME RESERVE, TANZANIA.

Africa’s biggest conservation wildlife reserve (55,000 km²)– it covers about 5% of Tanzania and a World Heritage Site. WELCOME ALL

TODAY IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK: ACTIVITIES AT THE BUSIEST SERONERA AIRSTRIP

Scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara and Mwanza can lead you to Serengeti National Park. One of the airstrip used in the park is the Seronera airstrip which is the busiest of all airstrips found in the park as it is located in central area of the park and near the park headquarter.

Selous Game Reserve: Home to some of Africa's best boat safaris, walking and fly camping trips

Selous Game Reserve: The game
The Selous wildlife is all the more interesting as it attracts both east and southern African wildlife, both resident and migratory, and over 440 known species of birds.  Lion are particularly strong here and there are large numbers of leopard.  The park is home to over 50% of the endangered African wild dog and also hosts very good buffalo, giraffe, eland, hyena, sable, hippo, crocodile, kudu, baboon, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hartebeest, colobus and vervet monkeys along with over 450 species of bird. 

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Precision ups flights on key domestic destinations but drops Entebbe

Precision Air has just confirmed that effective 16th of March they will increase frequencies on key routes as a result of risen demand. Flights between Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro will go up from four a day to five a day, Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar (Unguja) flights will move from two a day to three a day and flights to the country’s ‘gas capital’ Mtwara will increase from daily to ten a week.

On all these routes will the airline use their ATR turboprop aircraft which provide the right size for flexible operations deploying either the ATR 42 or the larger ATR 72 depending on booked passengers.

The airline also confirmed the withdrawal of their own flights between Tanzania and Uganda, leaving the operation to code share partner Air Uganda, which now flies daily with a CRJ200 50 seater regional jet between Entebbe and Dar es Salaam while Kilimanjaro flights are combined with Mombasa. A source close to Air Uganda has expressed satisfaction over the agreement, saying that such cooperation will increase load factors and make the route more profitable, benefitting both partners equally.

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Top-ranked hotel sends aid to Hai flood victims

Hai District Commissioner, Novatus Makunga

Serena Hotels Tanzania has donated emergency foodstuffs to be distributed to hundreds of Hai District victims of the recent storms in the area that displaced numerous of people leaving many homeless and without provision.

Receiving the assistance at the turn of the week, the Hai District Commissioner, Novatus Makunga, said the foodstuffs would be distributed to some 100 displaced people in Hai southern villages where the heavy hit villages including Shirimgungani, Mijongweni, Kwatito, Ngosero and Kikavu Chini are located.

“Serena Hotels Tanzania does not operate in Kilimanjaro, but still felt the need to do something for the people of Hai district,” Makunga noted.

The Serena Hotels foodstuffs comprised maize flours, sugar, cooking oil and soya beans among other things.

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DAR ES SALAAM, NAIROBI AND KIGALI RANKED AMONGST THE TOP FIVE ENVIABLE AND EXCITING CITIES IN AFRICA

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was ranked as the fifth most liveable city.

Dar es Salaam,Nairobi and Kigali have been ranked amongst the top five enviable and exciting cities in the continent to live in.

The Kenyan capital is ranked as the third liveable city to live in amongst the listed 11 African countries as it is “a kind and gentle city where many multinational companies have set foot into for their African operations”.

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German society gives Tawiri ultra-modern research tools

As the world marks the International Wildlife Day, the Frankfurt Zoological Society on Monday donated an ultra-modern research equipment worth 400m/- to the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri).

Speaking soon after receiving the donation, Tawiri’s Director General, Dr Simon Mduma said that among the donated equipment include aerial survey tools, vehicles and computers to boost research initiatives of the institute.

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Into the wild

A pair of leopards sit atop a jeep at the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, where the number of Chinese tourists has increased 30 percent year-on-year. Photo: Courtesy of Yang Shuo

As Yang Shuo and his wife Duan Rui were walking back to their hotel room after lunch in Nakuru, Kenya, they were surprised to bump into their neighbors - a pair of baboons strolling around in the afternoon sunshine.

It was the first time Yang and Duan had come face to face with wild animals that weren't inside a zoo enclosure. Feeling awe mixed with anxiety, the couple hastened to their room. The infant baboon on its parent's back stared at them as they passed by, seemingly also startled. 

Yang and Duan's summer safari in Kenya last year brought them into contact with a menagerie of wild animals few ordinary Chinese ever encounter. "Baboons, monkeys and even wildebeests roamed freely around our hotel," Yang said. "The pure, natural and savage environment of the wilderness offered a refreshing change to us from our exhausting urban lives."

Chinese tourists are renowned for their fondness of vacationing in major international metropolises where they travel in tour groups and embark on shopping sprees. However, a growing number of intrepid travelers are bucking this trend by venturing by themselves or in small groups of friends to destinations that beckon with adventure and intrigue.   

A growing number of intrepid Chinese travelers are venturing to East Africa for safari trips. Photo: Yang Shuo

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We intend to quadruple tourists numbers - new UTB boss

The new UTD executive director, Steven Asimwe(L) sharing a moment with his predecessor, Cuthbert Baguma(R) at the Sheraton Hotel. Picture by Titus Kakembo

Endowed with national parks, birds, primates, geographical features, the new executive director of Uganda Tourist Board (UTB) Steven Asimwe has promised to take tourism to greater heights, boost the numbers of visitors, attract investors and brand Uganda across the globe. “The onus is upon everyone to paint a rosy picture of Uganda as a destination,” said Asimwe. “I appreciate the outgoing team for attracting 1.2m visitor here annually. However, with the new team we intend to quadruple the figure.”

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Germany set to increase anti-poaching support to Tanzania

The Federal Republic of Germany is set to support Tanzania in anti-poaching operations using a special surveillance aircraft in the Africa’s famous Serengeti National Park.

Through this support, Germany government will also help Tanzania to control poaching in northern parts of this country where elephant and rhino species are threatened by poachers.

Hans Koeppel, Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Tanzania said the bloody ivory trade had massively threatened Tanzania’s unique ecosystems and livelihoods of rural communities, also tourism operations.

He said when seeing off Tanzanian delegation to the International Tourism Fair (ITB) 2014 in Germany’s capital Berlin, that, protection of wildlife for sustainable tourism was a priority to German support on conservation.

About 80 Tanzanian companies including hotels and tour operators are participating the ITB 2014.

TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS PRESS STATEMENT

TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS

NUMBER OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBERS NOT A THREAT

Of recent there has been information circulating in the social media originating from the story that was written in the Daily News Online (http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/27935-mt-k-njaro-overwhelmed-by-climbers) which is a Tanzanian online newspaper. Briefly the article was trying to quote some of the officials from Tanzania National Parks saying that Mount Kilimanjaro is currently overwhelmed by thousand of people and thus threatening the natural feature’s ecological balance.

 Tanzania National Parks would like to clarify on this incorrect information as follows;

In 2011/2012 Kilimanjaro National Park recorded a total of 57,456 tourists, being the highest number the park has ever had in the recent years. Contrary to the reported information and with reference to the current Limits of Acceptable Use as per the current General Management Plan of Kilimanjaro National Park, the mountain has never reached its maximum number of visitors allowed to hike per day.  During this year of record of 2011/2012, the average number of climbers in all the six routes of Marangu, Machame, Mweka, Rongai, Londorosi/Lemosho, and Umbwe was 45 climbers per day while the number which could be afforded as per the General Management Plan was 78 per route making a shortage of 33 climbers per route in all the six routes.

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East Africa: EAC Tour Operators Sign Deal

Arusha — Tension between Kenya and Tanzania tour operators is expected to reduce following a meeting in Arusha of the ministers responsible for Tourism, Wildlife Management, and EAC Affairs of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda recently.

According to a press release, in regard to the treatment of Tourist Driver Guides at the border crossings, the Ministers urged the Partner States to sensitize law enforcement officials and the general public on appropriate conduct when interacting so as to reduce incidences that may frustrate the smooth operations of the tourism sector.

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How single tourist visa will work in East Africa

Member states stand a chance to collect more revenue from tourists, thanks to the East African Tourist Visa that was rolled out recently.
Industry players, however, say although the launch by the three Presidents of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda is symbolically powerful, the tourism potential should have been realised much earlier and that this should be harvesting time.

Going by the remarks made by President Museveni (Uganda), President Kenyatta Uhuru (Kenya) and President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), there is a deliberate effort to speed up the integration process and spur the regional economy.

With the Single East Africa Visa, tourists can freely tour Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda at the cost of $100 (about Shs250, 000) only.

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114 ENTRIES SUBMITTED FOR 2013 TANAPA MEDIA AWARDS

A total of 114 entries have been submitted in this year’s annual TANAPA Media Awards being organized by Tanzania National Parks and only 82 entries out of them qualified for the competition.

TANAPA’s Corporate Communications Manager Pascal Shelutete explained in Arusha recently that among the entries submitted for competition, 79 were from Newspaper cuttings while 16 and 19 were from radio and television programs respectively.

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SERENGETI GREAT MIGRATION UPDATES!

First batches of zebra just arriving at Western zone at Musabi plains. There are herds of wildebeest arriving along the Seronera area while other groups are in Ngarenanyuki and Moru areas.Remember this is the calving period for the wildebeests, so it a life experience to witness this wonders of the world.

TODAY IN SERENGETI: PHOTOS OF GIRAFFES IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Tanzania's hunters now after tour operators

Hunters in Tanzania are at loggerheads with tour operators over the latter’s intensified plea to the government to ban trophy hunting in the height of escalating poaching.

Trophy hunting is currently a legal trade and the outgoing director of wildlife division; Prof. Alexander Songorwa says the industry raked in nearly $75 million from 2008 to 2011.

Latest data are not yet out, but official sources say the industry estimated to have brought home over $50 million in 2013, up from $20 million the year before.

This is an increase of $30 million contribution to the economy per annum, thanks to new rules, which raised fee for hunting blocs and trophies.

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World Wildlife Day Highlights the Dangers of Wildlife Trafficking

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2014 - At a time when the world's wildlife has
never been more in danger of criminal exploitation, the United Nations has declared 3^rd March World Wildlife Day as a celebration of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of illegal trade.

Just in time for World Wildlife Day, a new study published in the journal Biological Conservation describes the trafficking of wildlife and their products as one of the most profitable and attractive of all the illicit trades, possibly surpassed only by the trafficking of arms and drugs.

The article notes that several of the most notorious armed insurgent groups and terrorist organizations, including Darfur's Janjaweed and the Lord's Resistance Army led by the warlord Joseph Kony, among others - all now derive substantial profits from the illegal wildlife trade to fund their incursions, civil wars, and other acts of violence.

"Criminal organizations are systematically exploiting wildlife as a source of financing," said co-author Kelvin Alie of IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare). "And the corruption is spreading like a disease - into armies, border guards, police, judiciary, customs officers, embassy personnel, and even state diplomats in several countries, all of whom benefit from and actively facilitate the illegal wildlife trade."

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Presidio photo exhibit shows 5 of world's crucial parks

Leopard in Serengeti National Park

A new photography exhibit in the Presidio of San Francisco takes visitors from the harsh, windswept stretches across the Tibetan Plateau in China to the wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It moves from the fascinating archaeological site that is Pompeii to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, and on to a critical rain forest reserve in Brazil and Venezuela.

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Kenya: Six Counties Team Up to Spur Tourism

COUNTIES in the Coast will work together to market the region and boost tourist numbers, Mombasa tourism executive Joab Tumbo has said.

Tumbo yesterday said the six counties have different unique products to offer and will market them better in a joint venture as opposed to individually.

Speaking in his office, Tumbo said discussions among Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Tana River counties are underway at the executive level.

"Coastal counties need to work together to have a central marketing pool. We want to regain the region's lost glory," said Tumbo ahead of their trip to Berlin, Germany for the 2014 International Tourism Bourse set for March 5 to 9.

Some 16 counties from Kenya will attend this year's trade fair.

Other counties set for the trip include Isiolo, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Rift valley counties which will form a circuit.

Tumbo said Kenya and the Coast have to take urgent steps to beat stiff competition from emerging markets like South Africa and Tanzania.

"Tourism is the backbone of this region. We cannot allow it to die," he said.

Dar, Kampala and Nairobi can’t agree on tour vans’ access

Serengeti migration

Kenya and Tanzania have reverted to their 1985 bilateral agreement as an interim measure to resolve their differences over free movement of tourists across the border.

The two countries and Uganda have been accusing each other of policies that aim to protect their tour operators from regional competition. In a trilateral crisis meeting in Arusha last week Nairobi, Kampala and Dar failed to reach a long-term solution.

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Kenya Airways Increases Tanzania Service from late-March 2014

Kenya Airways from 30MAR14 is increasing operations to Tanzania, with new flights added to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro. Planned operation as follow.

Nairobi – Dar es Salaam Introduction of 5th daily service KQ488/489
KQ480 NBO0810 – 0935DAR E90 D
KQ482 NBO1300 – 1425DAR E90 D
KQ484 NBO1655 – 1820DAR E90 D
KQ486 NBO1840 – 2005DAR E90 D
KQ488 NBO2230 – 2355DAR E90 D

KQ489 DAR0510 – 0630NBO E90 D
KQ481 DAR1025 – 1145NBO E90 D
KQ483 DAR1515 – 1635NBO E90 D
KQ485 DAR1910 – 2030NBO E90 D
KQ487 DAR2055 – 2215NBO E90 D

Nairobi – Kilimanjaro Increase from 5 weekly to daily
KQ420 NBO0900 – 1005JRO EQV D
KQ421 JRO1055 – 1155NBO EQV D