UTALII TANZANIA : On safari in Serengeti’s North: Tanzania is blessed with the world’s Garden of Eden. Serengeti is an approximation of the word used by the Maasai to describe the area, s...
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
FAHARI YETU TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN IRINGA
Iringa District is one of the country's sleeping giants that need quick interventions in promoting its tourist attractions.Despite being endowed with historical cultural background and numerous tourist attractions; they are yet to be fully tapped.
According to the 2012 population census, Iringa District had a population of 405,377 consisting mainly of the indigenous Hehe tribe. According to the Bank of Tanzania's 2013 report, Iringa fell behind in contributing to the GDP after Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Shinyanga. This is despite its potential, and in view of this, a non-governmental organisation Fahari Yetu in collaboration with the European Union under the European Development Fund in Tanzania have embarked on a project to promote cultural heritage and tourism for sustainable development in the Southern Highlands.
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| Isimila Iringa, Photo: Angelo Dutto |
Fahari Yetu assistant project manager Jimson Sanga, who is also a University of Iringa lecturer in tourism and culture, said the Fahari Yetu project was started three years ago with the aim of promoting tourism in the Southern Highlands. "Our first project is Iringa, and we started by educating the people on the importance of preserving culture and identifying tourist attractions and also preserving them from ruin, " he said. He said Fahari Yetu first project includes the restoration of the regional commissioner's office into the district museum that will house the district cultural heritages.
According to him, the building which was built by the Germans in the early 1990s was dilapidated and therefore earmarked for demolition. However after negotiations, the local government agreed to hand it over for restoration and turn it into the districts museum and tourist attraction for both local and international tourists. "We started the renovation about three years ago with mostly planning, but the actual renovation started about a year ago," he said. He explained that so far the renovations total cost was Sh240 million and was expected to be finalized anytime soon before the actual launch, June 25, this year. "We expect the minister for Home Affairs to officiate at the launch of the building, " he said.
He noted that after the launch they will be performing archive activities curation and exhibiting culture and heritage material. Adding that, they will also be identifying and interpreting cultural heritage assets, to preserve and foster cultural awareness as well ad market tourism attractions. He said that they also aim to promote other tourist attractions in the district including Gangilonga, Igeleke Rocks and paintings hanging area including Chief Mkwawa's remains.
In another development Fahari Yetu project manager Mr Jan Kuever said that they museum will not only be a tourist attraction but will also be a cultural educational programme. "Our students lack practical learning experience, but with the museum they will be able to learn practically the history of the past history of the Hehe starting during the colonial era to the death of Chief Mkwawa leading to his successors," he said.
Meanwhile National Museum of Tanzania curator in charge Mr Mawazo Ramadhani said that he has been in the project since it started three years ago. According to him, he is lending expertise from the NMT to ensure the exhibitions go well.
Source: Here
Monday, June 20, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Tanzania Travel Tips
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| tourists taking a photo of lions on the tree. Photo:tripadvisor |
These are 4 practical things which its a must to know or get knowledge about before you embark on a life time safari experience in Tanzania. Putting them into use will help you to have a great, memorable safari in Tanzania. These are some of the improtant advices Watu Safaris gives to its customers but they do apply to everyone who wants to have a great safari in Tanzania. Enjoy your trip in Tanzania!
1. Your Health Is Vital
Before coming to Tanzania you will have to take few health precautions. Because Tanzania is in the tropical environments which favour growth of different bacteria, flora and fauna that most visitors are accustomed to.
Malaria :
This is the most feared disease to most of the visitors, Aren’t you?. Make sure that before you travel you visit your doctor to get ant-malaria tablets. Also you can buy mosquito sprays. All the accommodation places now days have mosquito nets fixed to your beds and the rooms are sprayed with mosquito repellents too. And just for your information malaria transmitting mosquitos only bites at late nights so its likely that you won't be exposed if all the precautions are taken care of.
Vaccination:
The yellow-fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania, yet because the disease is endemic many doctors will recommend it as a precaution. Other vaccinations that might be considered before you travel include typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and tetanus. For more information, contact your doctor.
Food and Water:
While on trip in Tanzania make sure that you drink bottled water, there are many brands available at every retail shop/kiosk. Make sure that if you eat on streets the food is hot, avoid eating salads, juices on streets because its likely that they were not prepared in a hygienic way. Most standard and high end restaurants prepare their food at a required hygienic standards so you shouldn't worry about eating anything there. But be advised that if you are not sure of what you ordered don't eat it. Most places you will eat during your organised safari measures and research have been made by your trip organizer to make sure that the food meets the required standard for you to eat. Mainly each safaris organizer will make sure that both dietary requirements are taken care during your trip.
2. Your Money
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS) and there are no smaller denominations. Average exchange rate for those coming from UK is TZS 2000/ 1 UK pound and as by November 2010 the exchange rate for a dollar was TZS 1400/ $ 1, please incquire for current rates at the time of your trip.
That said, major currencies (like the USA Dollar, the English Pound, and the Euro) are easily changed in large towns and mainly in bureau de changes. It takes longer to change money in the banks than in the bureau de change. With dollars make sure that you bring new notes not bellow series year 2000. Most places will give low, flat rate for older notes (some place will not buy them). Several banks which includes Standard Chartered Banks, CRDB, National Bank of Commerce (NBC), FMBE, EXIM, Barclays Banks around the country have ATM machines that allow you to withdraw cash from your VISA card and/or MasterCard accounts. Credit cards are accepted only at major lodges, hotels, and travel agents. Travellers checks are not accepted now days in most places even banks and would advice you to carry no or little amount of travellers checks. One Bank which still does traveller's checks is Kenya Commercial Bank (KBC).
While travelling in Tanzania always make sure that your money is secured on your money belt or bag and only have some few notes close by for immediate use if need be. While your safari organizer works hard to make sure that your trip is as safe as possible exposing lots of money on streets or congested areas may attract opportunists, so take care!
3. Visa Information
In Tanzania, visas are required by most foreign nationals whether visiting for a holiday or to conduct business.
Tanzania does permit some foreign nationals (mostly African and Asian) visa free travel for up to three months, however, except for Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, they still need to obtain entry permit clearance.
For more detailed information about Visa please visit the Tanzania Tourist Board visa section.
4. Security During Your Safari
Tanzania is the most peaceful country in East Africa and Africa. While Tanzania police and military forces work hard to make sure that the country is at peace all the time but also the citizens are very friendly and willing to help any time there is problem. Most places have police posts close by and especially all major tourist places. Tanzania Safari organizers works with all peace keepers to make sure that all guests are safe all the time and if any problem arises there is immediate coordination to solve it. Also during your organised trip you will always be accompanied by professional guide who will make sure that you have a safe, enjoyable trip.
This is all for today friends, would love to hear what you think!
5. Culture of local people
Usually you will spend your holiday in Tourist destinations such as Game parks. Around these game parks are villages which local people reside. Example at slopes of Kilimanjaro are Chagga tribe, Ngorongoro conservation area are Masai poeple. So your destination guide will give you briefing on what to do and how to behave when you meet with local people. These helps to create love, trust and harmony with local people.
10 Interesting Facts About Zanzibar
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| Zanzibar by the Beach side. Photo: http://cdn1.buuteeq.com/ |
The name Zanzibar is an Arabic word that is translated as 'the coast of black people'. The Zanzibar archipelago is a series of islands on the Indian Ocean about 16-31 miles from the mainland Republic of Tanzania. It is a semi-autonomous region of the Tanzania. The island has the best beaches in the world - and this is not an exaggeration. If you love lazing around in the sun, then this is the place to go. Below are a few facts that will give you an overview of the Island country.
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| Zanzibar Coastal View. Photo:http://greatpelicansafaris.com/ |
The name Zanzibar is an Arabic word that is translated as 'the coast of black people'. The Zanzibar archipelago is a series of islands on the Indian Ocean about 16-31 miles from the mainland Republic of Tanzania. It is a semi-autonomous region of the Tanzania. The island has the best beaches in the world - and this is not an exaggeration. If you love lazing around in the sun, then this is the place to go. Below are a few facts that will give you an overview of the Island country.
1. Zanzibar is comprised of several islands, but two are the larger ones. Ugunja is the largest one and is erroneously called Zanzibar. The other is called Pemba.
2. The island is home to the almost extinct Zanzibar Red Columbus Monkey, the Zanzibar Servaline Genet, and the Zanzibar Leopard.
3. Zanzibar has been home to intelligent humans (Homo sapiens) for more than 20,000 years.
4. The capital of Zanzibar is called Zanzibar City and its most historic feature is the ancient Stone Town.
5. Due to its proximity to Equator, Zanzibar is warm throughout the year and has equal day and nights (12-hours each) like most of the East African Countries.
6. Apart from tourism, the other economic activity in Zanzibar is spice growing. In fact, the island is sometimes fondly referred to as The Spice Island due to its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper.
7. Some ancient potteries have been discovered in Zanzibar showing that it was a major trading route for the ancient Assyrians.
8. Amazingly, the shortest war ever recorded by man is the Anglo-Zanzibar War where the British bombarded the Beit al Hukum Palace and after 38 minutes, a ceasefire was called.
9. Thanks to Monsoon Winds, by the first century, Arabs, Persians and Indians were sailing to Zanzibar in their fast sailing dhows.
10. Throughout history, the Persians, Portuguese, Omani and British have fought to control the important island. It was seen as a gateway to mainland East Africa. In fact, the Sultanate of Omani was the first to trade slaves, cloves and ivory from East African Mainland.
The Island of Zanzibar boasts pristine white sand beaches, abundant sunshine, exotic Swahili dishes, a hospitable people and luxury tourists resorts. If your idea of fun is to mix a jungle safari with lazing on the beach, then you have just found a hidden gem in Zanzibar.
Stay tuned for more fascinating facts about Tanzania.
Source: Here
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