THE MAGNIFICENT ANTS OF AFRICA

Ants collected in Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania. They will blow your mind: by G McGavin, 1995-97 Photo Ant's Life By: Ed Mmuni The Mkomazi Game Reserve is located in north-east Tanzania and lies adjacent to the Kenyan border and the Tsavo (West) National Park. It covers an area of circa 3250 km2 with geographical borderlines of 37°35'-38°45' E and 3°50'-4°25' S. The area is part of the East African high plateau, with an altitude varying between 240 and 1609 m a.s.l. The climate is semi-arid (Coe, 1995) with a pronounced dry season and high mean temperatures between 23.1 and 37.8 °C. Precipitation ranges from 300 mm in the eastern part to 900 mm in the central and western parts of the reserve and shows a bimodal distribution, with the long rainy season between March and mid-May and the short rainy season between late October and December. The habitat is wooded grassland on the plains and woodland on the top of most hills; the most common tree species belong to the genera Acacia and Commiphora. Insect sampling and analysis. Trees (see list at the bottom) were sampled during visits by the Dr George McGavin in April 1995, December 1995-January 1996, March-April 1996, and January 1997. Samples were taken using a "Hurricane Minor" petrol-driven mist blower (Cooper-Pegler Ltd), with an ultra-low-volume delivery nozzle. A mist of undiluted Pybuthrin 216. a pyrethroid formulation synergised with piperonyl butoxide. was sprayed into the canopy in still conditions with dry leaf surfaces. Only trees under 10m high were sprayed and spraying time was 30 s, with three bursts from different directions. After a standard drop-time of 1 h, insects were collected in 1-m2 funnel-shaped trays. Catches were brushed into collecting jars, separated from debris and plant material and stored in 70% alcohol. All trays put under one tree were lumped to form a sample. To avoid a proliferation of references the early taxonomic literature is not cited here. TL = total length from apex of gaster (abdomen) to the frontal margin of the head, excluding the mandibles. A simple listing of the ant species is given below. A draft in the style of a scientific paper, by myself and Dr George McGavin, with consideration of studies by other authors, notably in Kenya, is given onMkomazi Ants Draft, January 2009. The accompanying appendix showing thumbnail images of the ant species is on Mkomazi ants.

Ant species from Mkomazi * first record for Tanzania DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma danitschi Forel * type location Kenya, Fundu Island on Lannea schweinfurthii (Tree 3/66) DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma demissum Forel Type location Zimbabwe, soil nesting Single finding of one specimen on Dicrostachys cinerea (Tree 2/34) [amended from earlier ID as T. luteum] DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma minimum Mayr type location Tanzania, Tanga Four findings, two on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/55/ & 5/63), 1 & 4 specimens; one on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/28), 1 specimen; and, one onCombretum molle (Tree 2/31) single specimen DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma modestum Santschi * type location Zimbabwe. three findings; one on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/56), 2 specimens; two on Lannae schweinfurthii (Trees 3/66 & 3/67) many & 23 specimens DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma schultzei (Forel) known from Tanzania but diagnosis questionable as, like all Tapinoma the specimens crush as they dry out. Two findings; one on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/17), 3 specimens; and one on Combretum molle (Tree 3/65), 1 specimen DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma mcgavini new species Tanzania * possible new species on Combretum molle (Tree 2/18) DOLICHODERINAE Tapinoma mkomaziae new species * possible new species on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68), 1 specimen DOLICHODERINAE Technomyrmex pallipes (F Smith) * new status - type location Mauritius; reported from Kenya; single dealate queen & 3 workers on two different trees; one on Dichrostachys cinerea (Tree 2/37), one queen; worker on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/28) DOLICHODERINAE Technomyrmex vapidus Bolton * reported from Kenya; one on Lannea schweinfurthii (Tree 3/66) 4 specimens FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmacrhaphe) rotundinodis Santschi * prior records from Uganda & Zaïre, new senior synonym of Camponotus tameri (Weber) from Sudan One specimen on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/17) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmisolepis) erinaceus Gerstäcker type location Arusha, Tanzania One finding of 3 specimens on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/51) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmisolepis) braunsi Mayr wide ranging in East Africa, Mozambique to Somalia One finding of 17 specimens on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/64) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmopelta) kollbrunneri (Forel) * type location Ethiopia One finding on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50), 4 specimens FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmosaga) mombassae Forel - revived status * previously known only from holotype worker from Mombasa, Kenya One finding of 3 workers on Ochna holstii (Tree 3/56) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmosericus) flavomarginatus Mayr * widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Known as a quite common ground-nesting species that forages on trees Five findings - 3 on Acacia zanzibarica (Trees 5/16, 5/17 & 5/28), 19-46 specimens; 1 on Grewia sp (Tree 2/15), 1 specimen; 1 on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68), 6 specimens FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmotrema) ilgii Forel * single dealate queen only; first report from Tanzania; earlier reports from spines of Acacia fistula Schwf. and Acacia bussei Harms One finding, single specimen on Ochni holstii (Tree 3/56) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmotrema) robecchii Emery * widespread in eastern Africa Four findings; three on Acacia zanzibarica, 1-3 specimens; one on Terminalia brownii, 1 specimen FORMICINAE Camponotus (Orthonotomyrmex) sericeusFabricius common pan-African species; ground-nesting and foraging Single finding, one specimen on Dicrostachys cinerea (Tree 2/34) FORMICINAE Camponotus (Myrmosaga) jeanneli Santschi * type location Kenya. Five findings, all on Acacia nilotica, 43-72 specimens on each tree. Likely co-dominant FORMICINAE Lepisiota depressa (Santschi) * type location Kenya (Coastal area, River Ramisi) Single finding of one specimen on Acacia dendropanolobium (Tree 5/60) FORMICINAE Plagiolepis chirendensisArnold * type location Zimbabwe (nests under bark of dead trees). Single finding of one specimen on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/64) FORMICINAE Plagiolepis pictipes Santschi * type location Mbuyuni, Kenya, holotype specimen only. Single finding of one specimen on Grewia sp (Tree 2/15) FORMICINAE Plagiolepis alluaudi Emery * sole previous record from type location, Imatong Mountains, southern Sudan. Five findings; one on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/17), 2 specimens; one on Combretum molle (Tree 3/65), 1 specimen; two on Heywoodia lucens(Trees 3/50 & 3/51), many and 12 specimens; one on Ochna holstii (Tree 3/56), 3 specimens (note - previously listed as P. sudanica FORMICINAE Polyrhachis cubaensis Mayr reported from Kenya south to South Africa; known to nest in hollow stem galls Single finding of three specimens on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68) FORMICINAE Polyrhachis schistacea(Gerstäcker) common pan-African savannah species; ground nesting but known to forage on bushes and to tend homoptera Two findings; one on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/64), 8 specimens; one on Acacia zanzibarica (Tree 5/28), 10 specimens FORMICINAE Polyrhachis viscosa F Smith common pan-African savannah species; ground-nesting but known to forage on trees and bushes Six findings all with single figures for specimens; two on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/63 & 5/64); two on Combretum molle (Trees 3/64 & 3/65); one on Lannea schweinfurthii (Tree 3/67); and, one on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68) MYRMICINAE Cataulacus huberi André * almost all prior reports are from West Africa and the Congo Basin, with one from Uganda Single specimen found on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50) MYRMICINAE Cataulacus intrudens F Smith widespread in Eastern Africa, from Somalia south to South Africa; this appears to match a described Tanzania variant of a "very variable species" Five findings; two on Lannea schweinfiurthi (Trees 3/66 & 3/67); two on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/55 & 5/63); and, one on Grewia sp (Tree 2/15); in low numbers MYRMICINAE Cataulacus kenyensis(Santschi) * type collection from Nairobi, Kenya Four findings; three on Acacia zanzibarica (Trees 5/17, 5/26 & 5/28), one with many specimens; one on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/63), single specimen MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) acaciaeForel * widespread but apparently uncommon in Eastern Africa, from Somalia south to South Africa Single finding, 2 specimens, on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) gallicolaForel * four known reports from Somalia south to South Africa Two findings; one on Combretum molle (Tree 2/18), 2 specimens; one on Lannea schweinfurthii (Tree 3/67) numerous specimens MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) mimosaeSantschi * type location Kenya, lower Mount Kenya in galls of Acacia stenocarpa;, also known from Somalia and Ethiopia Six findings; five as a dominant on Acacia zanzibarica (Trees 5/16, 5/17, 5/26, 5/27 & 5/28); one of two specimens on Ochna holstii (Tree 3/56) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) nigricepsEmery several reports from Tanzania north to Ethiopia and type location Somalia, from acacia spines Four findings, all as a dominant on Acacia drepanolobium (Trees 5/58, 5/59, 5/60 & 5/61) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) rauana(Forel) new status; sole prior report as a variety of gallicola was from Tanzania; near Moshi Single specimen found on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/51) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) senegalensis Roger * two findings on Heywoodia lucens (Trees 3/50 & 3/51); one specimen on each MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) sjostedti widespread in Eastern Africa, from Somalia south to South Africa; type location is Tanzania, Usambara Three findings, probably as a dominant; two on Combretum molle (Trees 2/25 & 2/31); one on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Cr.) tricolorGerstäcker revived status; widespread in Eastern Africa, from Somalia south to Mozambique; this possibly matches the described Tanzania variant bruta Two findings; one as a possible dominant on Lannea schweinfurthii (Tree 3/66); one of 25 specimens on Grewia sp (Tree 2/15) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Decacrema) solenopsides Emery type location Tanzania, subspecies flavida type location was Usambara in Acacia galls Four findings; three of 4-49 specimens on Acacia nilotica, (Trees 5/55, 5/56 & 5/57); one of a single specimen on Combretum molle (Tree3/65) MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) amita (Forel) * known from eastern and southern Africa; two findings, both on Combretum molle (Trees 3/64 & 3/65), 4 & 2 specimens MYRMICINAE Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) kneri Mayr * first report from Tanzania; type location Zimbabwe, other reports from Angola. Three findings; one on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/55), 2 specimens; two on Combretum molle (Trees 2/26 & 2/27) ca 25 specimens on each MYRMICINAE Monomorium pallidipes(Forel) type location Eritrea, other reports from Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) Four findings; three on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/55, 5/63 & 5/64 - 11 specimens); one on Grewia sp (Tree 2/15), 1 specimen MYRMICINAE Monomorium speluncarum(Santschi) * holotype & 2 other workers known only from a single site in Kenya Single finding of four specimens on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50) MYRMICINAE Nesomyrmex latinodis (Mayr) new status, type location Mozambique Widespread sub-Saharan form that seems wrongly lumped with the Egypt/North Africa type N. angulatus by Bolton Ten findings of 1-7 specimens; five on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/55, 5/56, 5/57, 5/63 & 5/64), two on Combretum molle (Trees 2/18 & 2/31); two on Lannea schweinfurthii (Trees 3/66 & 3/67); and, one on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68) MYRMICINAE Tetramorium caldarium(Roger) * tramp species with African records including Kenya Three findings of 1-2 specimens each; two on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/56 & 5/63); and one on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50) MYRMICINAE Tetramorium candidum Bolton * single previous record from type location in eastern Zaïre, Bukavu Single finding of 1 specimen on Heywoodia lucens (Tree 3/50) PSEUDOMYRMECINAE Tetraponera ambigua (Emery) * known from Ethiopia south to South Africa Single finding of many specimens on Terminalia brownii (Tree 3/68) PSEUDOMYRMECINAE Tetraponera bifoveolata(Mayr) first findng of a major worker; type location Mozambique but known otherwise only from Tanzania and the Horn of Africa. Six findings; two on Acacia nilotica (Trees 5/63 & 5/64), many specimens & one queen; three on Acacia zanzibarica (Trees 5/17, 5/26 & 5/28), 24, 3 & 7 specimens; plus a single specimen on Combretum molle (Tree 3/65) PSEUDOMYRMECINAE Tetraponera parops Ward reported without details from Kenya (type location), Tanzania and Somalia, collected in dead twigs Two findings of 14 and 19 specimens on Lannea schweinfurthii (Trees 3/66 & 3/67) PSEUDOMYRMECINAE Tetraponera prelli (Forel) type location Tanzania, Monga; also from Moshi and Usambara Five findings; two on Lannea schweinfurthii (Trees 3/66 & 3/67), 1 & 20 specimens; two on Combretum molle (Trees 2/25 & 3/64), 1 & 2 specimens; one on Acacia nilotica (Tree 5/55), 11 specimens

© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 - Brian Taylor CBiol FSB FRES 11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.

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9 TIPS EVERY PRO-PHOTOGRAPHER USE TO GET BEST SAFARI IMAGES IN TANZANIA

Tanzania Photography Tips:

1. Be patient, it may sound a little strange but patience is one of those wildlife photography tips that really will improve your wildlife pics. The most interesting animal images are the ones where they exhibit some kind of behavior other than sleeping or walking around and to capture these type of images, takes time and patience.

2. Be prepared and ready with your camera at all times for those stunning photographs, animals suddenly appear and may only give you a glimpse. A general setting is recommended at f8, servo mode with aperture priority for the sharpest photos.

3. When taking close-up pictures with a tele-photo lens set the aperture at f8 and focus on the animal’s eyes. This guarantees that most of the animals face will be in focus in your photo.

4. When the subject is in motion, use a shutter speed of at least 1/125 for sharper images, except if you are using a panning method. Photographs of birds in flight necessitate speeds of 1/500 or more. A good starting point for wildlife photography is a lens with a 300mm in focal length. Good bird photos will require a 500mm lens.

5. Do not centre all your photos, leave room in your subject for the animal to move into. This will prevent lifeless composition and give an imitate portrayal of your subject in your images. Photographs taken at the animal’s eye-level will appear more sensational.

6. If your prime reason for going on safari is to take photos, do not go on a regular safari. You will find yourself sharing your vehicle with up to 6 guests. So do not expect to stay at any sighting long enough to take any behavioural pics.

Photo safari with a cheetah… (by Chris du Plessis)

7. Use the available light to the best advantage for all those stunning photos. One of the lesser known wildlife photography tips is that the best time for spotting wildlife animals on safari is during the early morning and late evening. Coincidentally that is also when the light is best for photography so take full advantage of this. Midday is problematic because of the harsh direct light and dark bodies against light backgrounds makes for difficult exposure of your animal pictures.

8. Getting the focus right is not as easy as it sounds especially with today’s auto focus cameras. Because there are often branches, grass and vegetation obscuring the subject in safari wildlife photos the camera can easily focus on that instead of the animal. So be careful that your camera isn’t focussing on that clump of grass in front of the subject and spoil that once in a life-time image.

9. Think carefully about the aperture you use for the best pics. By using a large aperture you can throw the background out of focus to isolate the subject on your image.

Do you have more tips, share with us:

Source: Tanzania wildlifeSafaris

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VOLUNTOURISM: What it is and How to Do it in TANZANIA

Voluntourism is a combination of both volunteering and tourism. If you are looking to visit a foreign country and use your time effectively, a voluntourism trip through Projects Abroad may be the perfect opportunity.

Voluntourism: Volunteering and Tourism

Similar to a volunteer travel trip  or volunteer vacation, voluntourism is a way to discover a new country and play an important role in the local community.

Most of our volunteers live with host families, so in addition to your worthwhile work, you will also experience total cultural immersion, which is not possible as a simple tourist. You’ll be working with volunteers from all over the world who share your commitment to helping others and your desire to discover a new culture.

Voluntourism Opportunities

Projects Abroad offers voluntourism trips to suit any interest, experience level, or age. We offer hundreds of different types of programs in over 25 developing countries. Ourplacements run year round and voluntourists choose the exact day of the year that they would like to begin and the duration they would like to stay for. Each of our 10,000 annual volunteers are supported by nearly 700 trained staffaround the world.

Community Benefits of Voluntourism

Voluntourism projects are quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of international travel. It is important to carefully research the voluntourism organization you are considering. Experience, sustainability, and financial responsibility are essential to running programs that truly benefit the global population. This is and has been the primary motivation of Projects Abroad for over 20 years. Please take a moment to read through Projects Abroad’shistory, values, financial profile, and our impact within the community.

Source: Here

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FUN THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU CAN DO WHILE IN TANZANIA: More Than Just a Normal Safari

Apart from being the country with hundreds of thousands of natural beauties that millions of people from all around the world know about and travels miles to witness, Tanzania is a land that has many fascinating activities that many do not yet know she has. Some of these activities that you should never miss to try once you are in the country are like the following;

1. Balloon Safaris

Balloon safaris in Tanzania are a romantic and evocative way of experiencing the wilderness of East Africa, as you gracefully and silently fly over the plains teeming with herds of wild life in the early morning.

Typically, a ballon safari begins between 6 am and lasts for around 1-2 hours, during which you will likely see the magnificent wildlife below over several square kilometres of the game park. Ballon safaris are held regularly only in the Serengeti and take off from designated sites (in the Seronera area) where the disturbance to animals is kept to a minimum. Your safari vehicle drops you off at the take off site and picks you up from your landing site. The safari is followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush, a fitting end to your memorable flight in the wild.Maximum in a balloon

2. Paragliding and Microflights

There are some fabulous areas to paraglide. Very few people paraglide in Tanzania, therefore it is a novelty.

Once in Tanzania, the Tour guides will guide you  in all the local processes like seeking permission and regulations from the local village, explain what you are doing and where you think you will land. Just some of the areas to fly are the Usambaras, the Rift Valley and numerous hills around Mt Meru.

3. Cycling & Mountain Biking

A Tanzanian cycling safari is amazing because there are thousands of miles of single-track routes to explore, most of which are smooth, easy riding.

Tanzania biking tour offers diversity - a range of biking terrain combined with fantastic scenery! With plenty of National Parks and game drives, this tour offers the opportunity to see the Big Five, Mt Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro crater, The Usambara and Uluguru Mountains and the stunning beaches of Zanzibar.

Tanzania has stunning landscapes - from the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to the Rift Valley. This trip offers biking as it should be - off the beaten path and great fun!

4. Diving and Snorkeling

Tanzania offers divers world-class reefs and plentiful schools of tropical fish just offshore of the popular beaches and secluded locations.

Dive courses are offered at many of the hotels and lodges on the mainland coast as well as Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia islands, and it is a rewarding skill to learn while on holiday, but the surface swimmer need not to despair since most of the reefs are accessible to snorkellers and equipment are easily rented from dive shops and lodges.

Diving can be done all year-round, however during the rains visibility can be limited.

5. Birding Safaris

The wild expanses of East and Southern Africa are paradise for birders.

While there is plenty to occupy the keen or amateur birdwatching fanatic from the moment you touch down, there are also plenty of opportunities to spend time with some seriously impressive guides.

Some guides have developed bird knowledge as a special interest, some have become so familiar with the common bird guide books that they literally name the page with each bird sighting… It certainly saves time leafing through indexes! It is wonderful and worthwhile to have someone to share your enthusiasm with.

The many habitats of East Africa provide dream birdwatching locations, and a dauntingly long list of endemic species that you simply have to travel to find.

Furthremore, there are som other spectacular activities that can be done while you are spending your time in Tanzania, like Horse Riding. 

Additional: Horse and Camel Riding

Horse and Camel rides safaris are a specialized product aimed at experienced riders, with the average safari being at least a week in duration. If you are a competent rider, there are few better ways to experience Africa's beauty and wilderness than getting on a horse and heading out into the wilderness.

If you are a rider going on safari in Africa, among a few better ways to experience Africa’s bush and scenic places is on a galloping horse out into the wilderness or through the lush vegetation of Africa.
Horse and Camel ride safaris are specialized products aimed to animal ride lovers, with an average safari being at least a week in duration to half day basis depending with visitors’ interests and time
Horse and camel rides are available from a few camps and centres in Tanzania, for all standards of riders the experience is rewarding as it allows visitors to approach the wildlife much more closely than usual. 

The best part about these adventures is that game animals are not afraid of Horses and camels in the same way they are of cars or pedestrians. There are a few superb areas for horse riding in Tanzania. 
In the Northern circuit, Manyara Ranch Conservancy is a private concession that lies between Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks where Horse rides is professionally organized. Everything about Manyara ranch is a treat for the senses bordering on magical setting. From the huge wildlife families of elephant, wildebeest, zebra, Lesser Kudu, Impala, Grant and Thomson Gazelle, dikdik, Ostriches, jackals, hyena, leopard, lion, cheetah, eland, giraffe, waterbuck and several birds species (an unbelievable collection of birds - especially brightly coloured love birds) wandering in the 44,000-acre piece of land.
The abundance of animals, the Maasai warriors wandering around to protect visitors and cattle from the wild animals, is a bush experience that is more authentic. The Horse ride is complimented by the sundowner drinks in a different magical place each evening creates unforgettable memories for visitors. The best times to visit the ranch for Horse riding are between June and February although Horses are stalled at the ranch all year round.

Horse riding is now conducted in a number of National Parks; in Arusha National Park, visitors explore the slopes of Mount Meru with lush mountain forests and sweeping views of the surrounding scenic places on a Horse back. Horse riding in Arusha National Park offers visitors a full benefit of the knowledge of the wildlife, bird life, forestry, waterfalls and many more. Following game trails stimulates visitors as one gets closer and interacts with the wildlife and then learns much more about it. 

Specialized on Camel riding; Mkuru Camel safaris are among the most fascinating adventures in Northern Tanzania. The Camel Safaris are organized from the camel camp located in Mkuru Maasai village; from a few hours to a week long expedition to Oldoinyo Lengai, Ngorongoro highland and Lake Natron. A trip on a camel back through the Maasai land is magical, visitors get a great chance to experience wildlife, Maasai people ‘day to day life’ and the beautiful scenery

Horse and camel riding adventures are also organized within and around West Kilimanjaro, Usa River, Meserani Snake Park and Lake Natron area. 
In Dar-es- salaam there is a “Horse club” which offer horse riding activities south of the city along the Indian Ocean. With horse club visitors will enjoy low tide rides along the shoreline for fresh air under the moonlight alone or with friends.

What more would you wish to do when you are in Safari. Share with us.

Source: Here

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