Kitulo National Park: the first park in tropical Africa to be recognized largely for its floristic significance.

Kitulo National Park is the first park in tropical Africa to be recognized largely for its floristic significance. Known locally as “Gods Garden” or the Serengeti of Flowers’, Kitulo plateau has had over 350 species of plants documented to date ,These include 45 species of orchids, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Some 31 species are endemic to Tanzania; 26 to the Kitulo region; at least three to the plateau and in the adjoining forest.

The plateau is also home to some important bird species, again main endemic to Tanzania, including the endangered blue swallow, Denham’s bustard, mountain marsh widow, njombe cist cola, and kipengere seedeater. Some of the world’s rarest butterflies also inhabit in the area along with chameleon, lizard and  frogs

PHOTOS OF LIONESSES FIGHTING ON KOPJES IN SERENGETI TANZANIA

More than 3,000 lions call the Serengeti home. You're sure to see them lounging on a "kopje", rocky outcrops like these lionesses that provide excellent views over the savannah.

Ruvuma to market `Maji Maji` as tourist product

Ruvuma Region will celebrate the Maji Maji rebellion in a three-day festival starting February 25 this year, but this time with a business twist. The festival, to climax on February 27 in Songea town, has been organised jointly by the regional administration and the National Museum of Tanzania and it is this time tailored to turn into a cultural tourism event while also commemorates the Maji Maji heroes hanged in Songea town on February 27, 1906.

Activities earmarked for this special event include the launch of the Songea Tourism circuit so that tourists from different countries can start to visit the place. During the event, Songea town will be declared the historical and heroic town for tourists adventure.

General Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources Tarishi M.K speaking during the launching of the Maji Maji rebellion and Cultural tourism in Songea,Ruvuma in a three-day festival

 Conservator of antiquities Mr William Mwita elaborates a topic during the opening of the festival

Conservator of the National Museum put emphasis on something during the festival in Songea

Ms Nancy R from the St.Augustino Mtwara  branch explaining her topic

Chairman of the Ruvuma Tradition and Custom Assembly, Mr J.J.Gama giving his opinions

Philip Maligisu, Curator of the Maji Maji Museum providing information to the participants of the event

 Members took their time to survey the caves used by Nduna Songea during Maji Maji War

Photo of the members participating in the celebration of the Maji Maji rebellion and Cultural tourism event in Songea, Ruvuma.

PHOTOS OF A BLACK BACKED JACKAL HAVING A FIGHT WITH A VULTURE IN SERENGETI,TANZANIA

A Black-backed Jackal and Vulture having a fight over some food

Tanzania: Kopjes Help Klipspringer to Mock Hungry Cheetah in Serengeti

Kopjes are very small hills totally made up of ancient rock which protrude from the underground below the layer of volcanic ashes which formed the soil of Serengeti ecosystem.

Standing majestically around plains of savannah with vegetation dominated by bushes and grass these are beautiful metamorphic rocks consisting of very hard granite materials capable of resisting effects of rise and fall of weather, rain and harsh full tropical winds for millions of years ago.

The Kopjes have strange shape of round and round boulder which may stand above the endless and almost flat land called plains in height which may go up from few feet to hundred meters above the ground. Miraculously on top of some of these wonderful natural structures there are strange plants which have strong roots capable of penetrating into the rocks to extract nutritious materials enabling some tall trees with a very wide green canopy to stand on top of the Kopjes.

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TANZANIA: US delegation says Bagamoyo 'town of huge business potential'

Mayor Osby Davis

Mayor Osby Davis of Vallejo California on the West coast of the US yesterday led a delegation of potential investors from the city to visit Bagamoyo which he described as ‘a town with many investment and business potentials.’
Referring to Bagamoyo and Vallejo as sister towns Mayor Davis said “…it is good that the long time relationship is now evolving into business ties…” and “…we feel at home here.”
Their host, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Investment and Empowerment, Dr. Mary Nagu underscored Bagamoyo’s agricultural potentials noting that it has plenty of arable land and that river Ruvu and Wami (two of the largest rivers in the country) flow through the town creating a basis for large irrigation schemes.

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Malawi Airlines introduces Dar es Salaam link from Lilongwe

Malawi Airlines, which in the previous week added Lusaka to its Lilongwe offering, continued to expand its presence in Africa, with a new service from its Lilongwe (LLW) base in Malawi to Dar es Salaam (DAR) in Tanzania on 18 February. The 998-kilometre sector will be served thrice-weekly, utilising Ethiopian Airlines’ 69-seat Q400s. The carrier’s new route to the largest city in Tanzania will face no competition from other carriers. Commenting on the partnership with Malawi, Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian, said: “Ethiopian is first and foremost a pan-African carrier that strongly believes that intra-African partnership is critical for the emergence of a globally competitive indigenous African airline industry. It is with this spirit that we have entered into a long-term partnership in Malawi. Together, we aim to serve the public and the air travel needs in the southern Africa region, both for regional and inter-continental travel, through an integrated network that offers seamless and convenient connectivity options to our 79 global destinations.”

Best places in Africa to sleep beneath the stars- By Emma Gregg, for CNN

A private platform in the African bush, soft bedding, starlight and nature's night-time noises.

Whether it's a raised star-bed or a treehouse kitted out for sleeping, each of these six retreats spread across Africa has the elevated experience just right.

Kiboko and Koija Star Beds, Loisaba Wilderness, Kenya

These "star beds" comprise wooden platforms with thatched roofs, open decks and big beds.

They're rolled out under the night sky when it's time to sleep, giving guests great views of the thick star clusters, unclouded by light pollution.

The mosquito net draping over the four-poster becomes invisible once you've climbed inside.

You can end up at your star bed after a game drive or other wildlife outing, when staff will be lighting the campfire and preparing pre-dinner sundowners.

Antelope and zebra may be drinking at the Kiboko waterhole in the valley below.

If you stay at one of Loisaba's two sets of star beds you'll have an extra reason to sleep comfortably -- they're part of a responsible tourism project that benefits the local Koija community.

Loisaba Wilderness, Laikipia, Kenya; + 254 62 20 31070; from $420 per person, per night, including full board, safari activities and transfers, through Cheli and Peacock (+254 20 600 3090)

The Stilted Lodge, Mandina Lodges, the Gambia

The ordinary rooms here, set in a mangrove forest, are impressive enough.

But the Stilted Lodge adds something extra -- a thatched two-story riverside tower with open sides, including a (discreet) open-air bathroom, separate bedroom and lounge room open to the skies.

Mandina Lodges, Makasutu, The Gambia; from $2,230 pp for seven nights, half board through The 

Gambia Experience (+44 845 330 8708)

The Tree House, Tongabezi, Zambia

You can't quite hear the roar of Victoria Falls from The Tree House but they're close.

The broad Zambezi River looks peaceful from the deck at the top of this three-tier treehouse, but a few bends away that all changes.

When it hits the lip of Batoka Gorge, the river hurls itself over at 3,000 cubic meters a second.

The spectacle has drawn visitors to the area since 1855, starting with the explorer David Livingstone.

There are multiple ways to experience the falls, from soaring through the spray in a microlight to rafting the rapids or bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.

This riverside eyrie high up in an ebony tree, with king-size bed and claw-footed bath, provides a place to hide out after all that activity.

Tongabezi, Livingstone, Zambia; +260 213 327450; $620 pppn, incl. full board and safari activities

Chalkley Treehouse, Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Lion Sands has three luxury treehouses in wilderness rich in wildlife.

The Chalkley Treehouse, a timber deck built around an ancient leadwood tree, is particularly good for photographers. It's high off the ground and exposed, with superb panoramic views.

Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa; +27 13 735 5000; from $250 pppn, incl. picnic dinner 

Baines' Camp, Botswana

Part of a small safari camp on a private concession in the Okavango Delta, the five suites here are built on stilts with decks looking out over wetlands.

On dry, warm nights, you can wheel your four-poster bed out to hear the throaty chuckling of hippos and the high-pitched chirrups of frogs.

Baines' Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana; +44 20 7190 7728; from $755 pppn incl. full board, safari activities and transfers, through Sanctuary Retreats

Chole Mjini Lodge, Tanzania

Some Swahili Coast aficionados have been to Zanzibar many times but never heard of its little cousin, the island of Mafia.

The name may sound ominous, but Mafia is a perfectly innocent island of sand and shimmering light, around 160 kilometers south of Zanzibar.

Of the few people who make it here, most are divers: in the surrounding waters whale sharks and turtles float above some of the best preserved coral reefs in Tanzania.

Mafia has an even tinier relative, Chole, an islet just over a kilometer long tucked off its southeastern shore.

Hidden among the dense mangroves, baobabs and tangled figs are half a dozen treehouses making up Chole Mjini, a simple off-grid eco-lodge.

Stay in Treehouse No.1, and you may have nesting fish eagles for neighbors.

Chole Mjini Lodge, Chole Island, Mafia, Tanzania; +255 784 520799; from $220 pppn, full board

Romania, Tanzania and Peru beckon Indian travellers

Move over Thailand, Malaysia and the Maldives. The wanderlust of Indian travellers has attracted even countries as far apart as Romania, Tanzania and Peru to promote their country as an attractive travel destination.

"We get very few Indian tourists," said Razvan Marc, director Britain, Middle East and India, National Authority for Tourism Romania.

"We want to attract more Indian tourists because they want to explore new destinations and we (Romania) have the best scenic and cultural bonanza for them," he added.

Romania

Located between central Europe and southeastern Europe, the country with 19.59 million population has a mix of traditional and cultural rhapsody, with vast areas of true wilderness and ever-fresh beauty of the Danube delta to discover.

And who can forget this: Transylvania in central Romania is where Dracula originated.

Similarly, Justice Muunbe, manager community conservation of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, said they want people of India to know that there is more to Africa than Kenya and South Africa.

"Indian tourists are not many in Tanzania, but they travel a lot to Kenya and South Africa. We don't offer just safaris, but offer a bouquet of wildlife, nature and culture. You can meet local people, see wild life and do a lot of sightseeing," said Muunbe.

"As the visa is on arrival, it will make travel easy," he added, saying one can meet people from the Maasai tribe, trek to Mount Kilimanjaro and soak in the breathtaking scenic beauty.

Marc and Muunbe were in the capital for the OTM travel trade show, a platform for stakeholders to meet and interact.

Lion in Tanzania

According to the Indian tourism ministry, 14.92 million Indians travelled abroad in 2012 against 13.99 million in 2011 and 12.99 million in 2010. These figures are, however, much lower than China, which saw 82 million outbound tourists in 2012, making them the number one global travellers.

For 48-year-old banker Sanjeev Khanna, exploring new places is a passion, and though he has travelled to Europe and Southeast Asia, he is always on the lookout for new destinations.

"Travel fairs help you to connect with private tour operators of foreign countries or their tourism heads. While they are still exploring a setup in the country, they give you an idea about what new they have to offer and what the package is," said Khanna.

"So, I go to these fairs to get the best offers," he added.

This is just what a Greece-based private tour operator is looking for- "potential travellers" who want the "best deals."

"In 2013, Greece had 18 million tourists, though we are a nation of 11 million people. So, you can understand how much people want to visit us. Unfortunately, out of these figures there were only 35,000 Indians," said Alec, who uses only one name, from a private tour company.

"Many Indians think Greece is expensive. We want to break this myth. It is not at all expensive and you can have a romantic three-day holiday in just 200 euros (Rs.17,000)," he added.

While Marc was at the fair to create awareness about Romania, Alec was looking for a tie-up with local tour operators to reach out to more people.

And the common thread, according to Alec, between India and Greece is that they have similar cultures, thus helping in fostering a better tourism relationship.

If Europe and Africa have shown keen interest in India's "potential", Latin America too isn't far behind.

Peru

"Come to Peru and you will see (15th century Inca site) Machu Picchu," said Jose Torres, general manager of Journey Travel Company. Lamenting the fact that distance between the two continents is a major deterrent for Indian travellers to discover archaeological and historical marvels of this South American nation, Torres is optimistic about seeing more Indian tourists in future. "If one can travel to the US, why not Peru? It is a great place to be in," he added.

The Great Annual Migration in the Serengeti Plains- Zebras

The great annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra starts and ends in the Serengeti National Park. The numbers of zebra are increasing every year!!!

Reed Travel Exhibitions announces details of its Hosted Buyer Programme for Africa Travel Week

Africa Travel Week event organisers Thebe Reed Exhibitions in conjunction with Reed Travel Exhibitions have announced further details of the Hosted Buyer Programme for Africa Travel Week, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 28 April to 3 May 2014.

The week comprises three co-located shows – International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa; Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings (IBTM) Africa and World Travel Market (WTM) Africa.

The Hosted Buyer Programme is exclusive to all three Africa Travel Week events, creating tailored opportunities for exhibitors to meet with top-level buyers in focused, one-to-one appointments. These VIP buyers are qualified to attend WTM Africa, IBTM Africa and ILTM Africa via a bespoke accreditation system.

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Kenya: Tourism board asked to increase its activities in Africa

 

Regional Vice President for Africa at the UNWTO Kenneth Ombongi said that mandate, activities and operations of the organisation’s affiliate members board and its 400 members are not very well understood in Africa and perhaps the rest of the developing world.

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Nyalandu calls for teamwork to boost tourism in East Africa

Tanzania Natural Resources and Tourism minister, Lazaro Nyalandu

Natural Resources and Tourism minister, Lazaro Nyalandu has urged East African Community partner states to honour timeline agreed upon in the just concluded meeting on tourism and wildlife sector.
He made the remarks here when addressing the just-concluded meeting of Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries responsible for Tourism, Wildlife Management, and EAC affairs of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to resolve their ongoing differences in tourism and wildlife management.

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MIRACLE IN SERENGETI NOW AS MORE THAN 8,000 WILDEBEEST CALVES BORN EVERY DAY

Tourists from around the world are flocking to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to witness a unique experience of the wildebeest’s annual birthing season.

GO TO SERENGETI NOW!

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania- step by step

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania stands at 19,340 feet (5895 m) and is Africa's tallest mountain. The photos below are from a trek made using the Lemosho-Barranco-Barafu Route. This is a 7 night, 8 day trek and allows enough time for acclimatization to the high altitudes -- critical for a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro.

At 19,336 feet, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is Africa's highest peak. It is the world's tallest free-standing mountain.

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Rubondo Island National Park, Tanzania

Rubondo Island National Park was gazetted in 1977. It is an important breeding ground for both migratory birds and fish species (especially Tilapia and Nile perch) as for a long time it stood to be the only area in the waters of Lake Victoria which was well protected and preserved.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY FROM MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

Set below the verdant slopes of the spectacular Usambara and Pare Eastern Arc Mountain ranges and overseen by iconic snow – capped peak of Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi a virgin breathtaking beauty exhibiting unique natural treasures and immense sense of space - adds to the fulfillment of high visitor enjoyment expectations – a much needed bridge between northern circuit and coastal attractions.

 Mkomazi supports several dry – country specialists species that are rare elsewhere in Tanzania; these include the spectacular fringe – eared oryx, with its long back – sweeping horns, and the handsome spiral – horned lesser kudu. Oddest of all is the gerenuk, a gazelle distinguished by its slender neck, bizarre alien – like head, and habit of standing tall on its hind legs stretch for acacia leaves that other browsers cannot reach.

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DAILY NATION: New pact will boost tourism

A Ngare Serian tented camp in Maasai Mara, Kenya

THE agreement between Kenya and Tanzania allowing Kenyan operators to drop tourists in designated Tanzanian towns is a move in the right direction.

The issue of Kenyan tour operators being locked out of Tanzania was a bottleneck to integration and the growth of the tourism sector. The Kenyan and Tanzanian governments should be encouraged to start thinking of each other as partners in the tourism sector rather than competitors.

As Kenya had not locked out Tanzanian tour operators from airports and tourist sites, Tanzania’s latest gesture signals that the neighbour is now opening up for business, which can only be beneficial to players on both sides. It should set the stage for further co-operation now that Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda last week signed a protocol allowing their citizens to cross borders using only an identity card rather than a passport.

Tanzania should not be left behind either. Were it to be brought on board, the ties between the regional neighbours would be further strengthened.

fastjet announces latest passenger numbers

fastjet has announced its passenger statistics for the month of January 2014, carrying 31,241 passengers in Tanzania and achieving a load factor of 60 per cent. The average yield per passenger was $88, compared to $46 in January 2013. Total revenue for the month was $2.75m, a 128 per cent increase from January 2013 with only a 27 per cent increase in capacity.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Tanzania

Where to explore and wonder in tantalising Tanzania.Being home to Africa’s highest mountain and several famous national parks and game reserves has put Tanzania on the travelling map, making it one of the continent’s most popular destinations. It is famous for its rich diversity in wildlife and offers plenty to see and do; here are the top 10 things to do whilst in Tanzania:

1. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Standing 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, making it popular among climbers from all over the world. The mountain consists of three peaks, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi, with the Uhuru peak on the Kibo crater rim being the highest. Climbing this dormant volcanic mountain isn’t easy, however there are plenty of tour options which allow for different climbing abilities. Hiking tours are also available at lower levels of the mountain, where travellers can explore the Shira Plateau, craters and wildlife whilst capturing plenty of scenic views. The natural park surrounding the mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can be enjoyed by those who do not wish to climb.

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SCI Celebrates World’s Greatest Hunters’ Convention & Wildlife Conservation

USA --(Ammoland.com)- The 42^nd Safari Club International Hunters’ Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada once again proved why it’s the biggest and best hunting convention in the world.

Over 22,500 SCI Members from 100 countries, exhibitors and members of the press converged on MandalayBay in Las VegasNevada to celebrate hunting and raise money for Safari Club International. For over 4,000 attendees, it was their first SCI Convention.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to see over 1,100 exhibitors from around the world to book hunts and shop from a wide variety of hunting products.

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12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Dar es Salaam

One of East Africa's busiest ports, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and commercial center, though no longer its capital. The name means "haven of peace" in Arabic, and was more fitting for Dar's former status as a sleepy fishing village than the now bustling city of more than three million people. Nevertheless Dar es Salaam is loved among travelers for its seaside setting and eclectic vibe thanks to its mix of African, Arabic, and Indian cultures. The city's architecture is a mix of Swahili, German, Asian, and British influences.

Here are the top-rated tourist attractions in Dar es Salaam; 

1. National Museum & House of Culture 

Originally opened in 1940 as a memorial to King George V, the National Museum & House of Culture takes visitors on a journey through Tanzania's colorful past. The museum displays important fossils of some of the earliest human ancestors unearthed during the Leakey digs at Olduvai Gorge. Visitors can learn about Tanzania's tribal heritage and the impact of the slave trade and colonial periods. Other highlights of the museum include ethnographic displays on traditional crafts, customs, ornaments, and musical instruments.

Official site: www.houseofculture.or.tz

Address: Shaaban Roberts Street  

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PHOTO OF THE DAY FROM THE SPICE ISLAND OF ZANZIBAR

A red star fish on a beach on Zanzibar Island.

VISIT TANZANIA...The Land Of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar & Serengeti!!!

Ngorongoro Conservation Area- A Unesco World Heritage site

Masai kraal in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Maasai people live within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area around the crater. The Maasai are nomadic herders and warriors, a visit to their traditional, temporary villages "enkangs" is a highlight for tourists. Visiting the Maasai allows a glimpse of their fascinating culture: their bright red robes, ornate beadwork and how they live off the land by utilizing cattle. The nomadic Maasai have grazing rights of the Ngorongoro Crater and treat cattle as a sign of wealth. 

WELCOME TANZANIA & VISIT NGORONGORO!!!

KALAMBO FALLS ON THE KALAMBO RIVER AT THE END OF LAKE TANGANYIKA, TANZANIA

Located on the Kalambo River, it is a 772 feet single drop waterfall on the border with Zambia at the southeast end of Lake Tanganyika.

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Meeting On Tourism and Wildlife Management Issues Concludes in Arusha

Uhuru Monument in Arusha

Press release

The 17 to 20 February 2014 meeting was held to discuss among others, Partner States denying entry of tourist vehicles registered in other Partner States; harassment of driver guides at the border crossings; disparities in fees charged; cross border cooperation in wildlife law enforcement; and cooperation and support in addressing multi-lateral environment agreements.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, who is also a Chairperson of EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Phyllis Kandie, commended the readiness of the three Partner States to meet and discuss the challenges in the tourism sector. She reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Kenya towards the EAC integration agenda.

Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania commended the Republics of Uganda and Kenya for working with the United Republic of Tanzania to resolve the issues persisting in the tourism and wildlife sectors. He noted that by resolving these challenges, Partner States would improve the standard of living for the people in the Region.

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Banking borders in EAC to disappear

Following the single tourist visa, a major deal between banking switch services in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania is in the offing to unlock more value in the East African banking, finance and trade sectors.

Banking switch services allow a customer of one bank to access their account at ATM’s of another bank without opening an additional account.

Uganda currently has 5.3 million commercial bank accounts spread out in 27 licensed commercial banks. There are 13 banks on the Ugandan switch run by Interswitch East Africa.

“We are soon signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya’s Kenswitch, Rwanda’s Rswitch, and Tanzania’s Umoja. Our goal is to expand to the entire African continent,” Olumuyiwa Asagba, the Interswitch boss said at the Serena Kampala Hotel last week.

“We want to be a catalyst for the East African intergration and the move towards having a cashless economy,” he added.

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Tanzania: Govt Defends Planned Serengeti Highway

Cheetah crossing the road in Serengeti National Park.

The Tanzania government has defended the planned highway across the Serengeti National Park, saying its construction neither violated the East African Community (EAC) Treaty nor would it be harmful to the park's ecosystem.
A counsel for the government Mr. Gabriel Malata told the East African Court of Justice (EAC) hearing a case filed against the road that the proposed road would instead benefit the tourism sector because it would facilitate the movement of tourists to and from the area.

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A visit to Eslalei: One man’s village

Mzee Oloiboni second left, third his younger brother and the writer.

ARUSHA, Tanzania – For centuries the Maasai people, who are found in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, have lived in harmony with nature. They view their place in the complex ecosystem of Africa as its guardians. 

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