Tanzania Drums Up Local Tourism With Trek

Dar es Salaam — The Uhuru Expedition, which has become a yearly event to mark and celebrate Tanzania's Independence anniversary this year had an additional message other than promotion of domestic tourism.

Cleanliness, protection and conservation of Mount Kilimanjaro was the highlight of this year Uhuru Expedition as Retired Chief of the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF) General George Waitara led a group of 24 trekkers up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the 'Rooftop of Africa' at 5895 m, is arguably one of the biggest attractions in Africa, in which there is always a special recognition for those who take the liberty and risk to experience it in their lifetime.

This past week, I was part of the crowd, which thronged the Marangu gate, one of the popular Mount Kilimanjaro routes, to welcome the Uhuru Expedition 2015 group a group of gallant soldiers and a diplomat who spent their six-days in the boundary of the free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Geofrey Tengeneza, who represented the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) at the event said that the Uhuru Expedition has kept its momentum since it was started of promoting local tourism.

Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) over the years has been working with strategic partners such as Tanzania national parks (Tanapa) and Zara Tanzania Adventure (Zara Tours) to help increase the awareness of locals to scale the mountain every year in December as part of tourism promotion.

Zara Tours, once again, provided the guiding which was led by Faustine Chombo (41 years old), a chief mountain guide, who is also a graduate of the Mweka College of Wildlife Management (MCWM). He was ably assisted by 56 porters who were hired locally.

Chombo has a deep passion for nature at its wildest in Mount Kilimanjaro and absolutely detested pollution of the environment over the years he has climbed the rooftop of Africa. He believes that the wilderness is something to be explored, admired, and as well as be conquered.

Lieutenant General Samuel Ndomba, the current Chief of Staff in the TPDF was one of the finalists who reached the Summit and former Board Chairman of Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Ambassador Charles Sanga together with six other senior members from the TPDF.

About half of trekkers reached the Kibo and Gilman's point' and had to retreat because of the weather challenges, according to Chombo. However, one trekker made it to Stella point, about 45 minutes short of the Summit (Uhuru) and three members reached the Gilman's point, 5151m.

The Uhuru Expedition 2015 group was met at the Marangu gate with the guest of honour Ms. Remida Ibrahim, the Moshi district administrative officer including TTB and TANAPA senior staff.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Erastus Lufungulo, Chief Park Warden, Mount Kilimanjaro national park (Kinapa) lauded the trekkers for their brevity and the spirited interest in scaling the mountain, in which some of them have scaled the mountain more than five times.

He also recognized in a special way General Waitara who has always been a key contact and promoter in the Uhuru Expeditions, including TTB and Zainab Ansell owner, Zara Tours. Trekkers were awarded with an additional certificate, besides the ones offered by Tanapa. TTB offered all members of the group a certificate as a recognition of their contribution in promoting domestic tourism. through climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. The certificates were presented to the climbers by the guest of honour Moshi District Administrative Secretary Ms Remida Ibrahim.

The retired Chief of Defence Forces General Waitara speaking at the event said he is impressed with how the management of the park has taken the environment cleanliness which is commendable.

The six-day Uhuru Expedition 2915 was flagged off on December 5 and successfully made their descent on December 10, 2015, was organized by the Zara Tanzania Adventures (Zara Tours).

Tanzania last week celebrated the 54th anniversary of its independence from the British rule, an occasion that would usually be marked with lavish celebrations. However, Tanzania President John Magufuli cancelled the country's celebration and instead ordered clean-up to be undertaken across the country.