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The Tanzania Story

by Jerry W. Bird

The word is out and the excitement is building since we received the big news that Tanzania- Zanzibar will host the ATA 8th Ecotourism Symposium December 2 to 76, 2003 and that the next ATA-IPPT event is in Dar es Salaam. As one of Africa's major travel industry participants, Tanzania Tourism has made huge strides in recent years. At Africa Travel Magazine we like to think that hosting the Africa Travel Association's International Marketing Congress in Arusha was a catalyst that helped spur the phenomenal growth of this country's tourism sector. Being there and capturing the sprit during and following that landmark event , I certainly felt that we were on the verge of a period of an outstanding breakthrough.

Leadership is all important in the travel tourism and hospitality industries, and Tanzania's Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zakia Hamdami Meghji (right) has not only guided her country's tourism sector to new heights, at the same time she has provided wise counsel and a steady hand to ATA, the Africa Travel Association as its President. Thank you Madame Minister, your efforts are greatly appreciated. President Benjamin William Mkapa made it clear in the following statement presented at Tanzania's first Tourism Investment Forum. More ->-> below


Flashback
Tanzania "Authentic Africa" and Authentic Adventures First Official Kilimanjaro Marathon

Situated south of the equator - in Tanzania - at 19 340 feet, this is Africa's highest mountain and the highest "free standing" mountain in the world. Huge permanent glaciers flow down from the summit, and the sheer presence of this huge mountain dominates the entire area. An icon in Africa, "Kili " as she is affectionately known, is one of the sights every African should see at least once in his or her life. On the above date, a standard 42 km marathon will be run from the town of Moshi, Tanzania. This race has been set up to promote the sport in Tanzania, and has the official backing of the Tanzania Tourist Board, the Tanzania Amateur Athletics Association and therefore the IAAF, and is registered with AIMS. The route starts and ends in Moshi, Tanzania, and runs north towards the mountain, through rural farmland on a tarmac road, before returning on another rural dirt road to end back in Moshi. The total altitude gain is not great, and the whole race is completed between 4000 and 6000 ft above sea level. continued

TANZANIA "ON THE FLY" SELOUS TO KIGOMA
by Karen Hoffman. 24 hours in the Selous (pronounced Se-loo) is certainly not long enough for a wildlife safari in the world's second largest protected area and Africa's largest game reserve! But thanks to Coastal Travel Services, a charter flight took our press group of ten journalists from Dar es Salaam for the one hour scenic flight over this 21,000 square mile park. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 and more than half the size of the state of Ohio, the Selous is three and three quarters times as large as the more famous Serengeti in Northern Tanzania.

We arrived at the air strip where the staff of the Selous Safari Camp met us. Game viewing began immediately as we spotted giraffe, zebra and impala on the way to the luxury tented Selous Safari camp (formerly the Mbuyuni Safari Camp). Selous Safari Continued

"We have a unique tourism product mix. We must keep it unique by sustaining it. A correct balance has to be established between exploitation and conservation; and between economic interests and the social, environmental and cultural impact of human activity in tourism. " President Benjamin William Mkapa, The United Republic of Tanzania. The timely news briefs on this page attest to the fact that things are happening on a variety of fronts, from the Bagamoyo World Heritage Site, to Selous, Serengeti, Exotic Zanzibar and more places than we can name.

Check the index on the left hand column which lists some of the topics we cover on this web site and in our magazine. More topics are on the way! We hope you will be an extra set of eyes and ears for our magazine and website as we continue to seek, pursue and record the Tanzania Story for readers and viewers around the world. Jerry W. Bird, Editor

Tourism Investment Forum. Post Event Report now available on this highly successful Investment Forum. An update from the information provided in the earlier press release (below) written in advance of the October 2002 event. Continued

Tanzania Tourism News Briefs.
Coastal Airlines
flies daily to Mafia, plus launches new service to Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Home of Great Game Viewing and World Class Fishing. Coastal Airlines, already providing service to all coastal destinations north of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar on a daily basis, launched daily service to Mafia Island. Southern Tanzania was originally served by Eagle (Airline), which suspended service recently. This gap in the market prompted Coastal Airlines to organize direct service to Mafia Island, and from there to Kilwa and Songo Songo. Passengers can board an aircraft in Arusha and fly to Mafia without waiting at any transit stations. For details contact Coastal Travels Ltd., Tel. 255 22 2117 959 or 960, Fax 255 22 2118 647, Toll free 255 741 800 285. E-mail: safari@coastal.cc, Web: http://www.coastal.cc

Thomson Safaris Introduces Safari Offering Unique Combination of Northern & Southern Circuits. Your clients begin their Thomson safari by venturing deep into the heart of the Serengeti Savannah. Here they will spend three nights in a private Classic Camp, which allows them to explore far off the beaten path. Continuing to Ngorongoro Crater, they will see an unparalleled concentration of animals, before heading south into the remote wilds of Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. Walk along sand rivers past prehistoric looking baobab trees. Search for the elusive wild dog and greater kudu antelope. Drive through massive herds of buffalo. View some of the largest crocodiles in the world from a boat on the mighty Rufiji River. Look out from your private verandah and watch an elephant come down to drink. If they have already been to East Africa, this is the perfect opportunity to return. Land & Air Package $7,390 per person; Land Only $5,690 (commissionable) http://www.thomsonsafaris.com.

Dar es Salaam Wins Heart of North American Author
according to author Henry Pelham Burn, his travel agent was quite concerned that, during a scheduled trip to Tanzania, he would be "stuck" in Dar es Salaam for two whole days. After some deliberation, Burn resigned himself to visiting Dar, a city depicted by some as a place to go through rather than enjoy as a destination in it self. This misconception is prevalent among the uninformed, or those who haven't taken the time to explore this historic capital and seaport city with its ideal climate, classic buildings, modern airport and ferry service to Zanzibar and other exotic islands. Commenting in Africa Travel Magazine, Pelham said, "A couple of days in Dar proved not long enough." Among Mr. Burn's recommended attractions are KARIOKOO MARKET, THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, NYERERE CULTURAL CENTER, MWENGE VILLAGE, VILLAGE MUSEUM, COCO BEACH, KIGAMBONI. A newly minted Dar enthusiast, the American author provides many reasons why the sites mentioned are sure please most visitors to Dar es Salaam. Details: http://www. africa-ata.org/tz_dar_es_salaam.htm

New Sand Rivers Selous and Fundu Lagoon Packages and Five &endash;Day Walking Safaris

SELOUS: A popular new tour begins at Dar es Salaam airport, with a charter flight by Cessna 206 to Selous, where visitors will enjoy five nights at Sand Rivers Selous, with full board and all activities. A night of fly-in camping is optional if pre booked. On Day 6 of the tour, a charter flight by Cessna takes visitors from Selous to Zanzibar, with air connections to Pemba. The next 5 nights at Fundu Lagoon, include full board, transfers and snorkeling. On the final day, visitors fly from Pemba to Dar es Salaam International airport for departure. Package price in US dollars is $2750 net, and the offer extends from Nov. 1, 2002 to April 2003; June 15-June 30, 2003 and excludes December 15, 2003- January 5, 2003. Five day Walking Safaris are also available, and they have proven to be very popular. Contact: sand-rivers@intafrica.com.

Enhanced Flight Schedule and New Twin Otter Aircraft for Tanzania's Regional Air Services. Regional Air Services, operating from Arusha Airport and serving the Northern Route, has added a 16 seat Twin Otter to its fleet. Locations include Arusha, Manyara, Seronera. Grumeti and Klein's Camp. There will be a surcharge for afternoon and low season flights to and from Grumeti. Despite rising costs the airline is maintaining most established prices. The airline's new schedule and rates are valid up to 14th December 2003. Information is available from Mrs. Caroline Blumer, Marketing and Administration Manager, Regional Air Services, e-mail sales@regional.co.tz

Olivers Camp Offers New Options In Walking Safaris. Olivers Camp has earned a proud reputation for its intimate knowledge of Tanzania's fascinating and varied wildlife. Now there's a new opportunity for guests &endash; to view Africa's fauna at close range, while walking one's way to peak health and enjoying an unequaled, unforgettable experience. Among the many programs at Olivers Camp, the Walking Safari has become very much in demand. One example is a 3 night fly-in camping expedition in the Tarangire Wilderness, starting in the extreme south of the park and heading due north along the river for 3 days. It covers quite different terrain and passes through southern comiphora stands (gerenuk and vulturine guinea fowl country) to seasonal flood plains to dense riverine and onto the very typical Tarangire sausage tree and acacia stands near Kuro. Walks are led by one of Olivers experienced guides. http://www.oliverscamp.com

Bagamoyo, Tanzania's Former Slave Route Center Proposed World Heritage Site. Because of its strategic location as a staging point during the ivory and slave-trading era, Bagamoyo, 45 miles north of Dar es Salaam, has been proposed as a World Heritage site. If approved, Bagamoyo would join six other UNESCO sites in the country. Tanzania Tourism Board Managing Director, Peter Mwenguo said, "Given the growing interest in Cultural Heritage Tourism, especially in the American market, the timing of the focus on the development and preservation of Bagamoyo as a World Heritage Site is excellent." He stated that this would enable Tanzania to develop its African Diaspora Heritage Trail product, a project announced by Bermuda's President Jennifer Smith at the ATA 27th Congress. Few travelers realize that Tanzania was once part of German East Africa, and Bagamoyo was its capital.

Bobby Tours and Safaris Offers Safaris for All Reasons. Since 1976, Bobby Tours and Safaris has provided tour packages and services to all national parks, lodge safaris, beach holidays and camping safaris. The company specializes in Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru mountain climbing expeditions, with qualified porters and guides. Bobby Tours offers your clients a variety of options from 3 day Safaris to luxury tented Camping Safaris and excursions. Locations in Tanzania include Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and much more including Southern Tanzania. Contact Bobby Tours and Safaris: E-mail bobbytours@bobbytours.com; http://www.bobbytours.com

For more information on Tanzania visit www.tanzania-web.com or contact the Bradford Group in New York at (212) 447-0027. Email: Tanzania@bradfordmarketing.org