Tanzania News

News, v iews and interesting items brought to you by TaZnews. 

Archive 1

This issue:

Editorial:

For those of you who need help with the Tanzania geography... Tanzania is a huge country in Sub Saharan East Africa bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and, on the eastern border, the Indian Ocean. Each of the neighboring countries has hit the International press in the recent past, or is currently in the press for wars or strife of some form. Nestling in the middle is peaceful, bountiful Tanzania. 

Formally Tanganyika, the country achieved an almost unprecedented (in Africa) bloodless independence from the British in 1961 and in 1962 became a republic under the guiding hand of Nyerere, the first president. 

Thanks to a stable political environment, the diversity of the country and a growing tourism industry, Tanzania is fast becoming one of Africa's most popular and dynamic tourist destinations. Justifiably proud of it's reputation for tolerance and peacefulness, welcoming guests to our country and to our homes is almost an art form. 

Read on for a flavor of what we hope will interest you about this amazing country.

Where is Kilimanjaro?

At a majestic altitude of 5,895 meters above sea level, Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly the highest mountain on the African continent, the highest free standing mountain in the world and one of the largest volcanoes to erupt from the earths crust. Its big, it’s noticeable, but where is it? For years the Kenyan tourist industry overshadowed Tanzanian tourism and claimed the mountain as its own. OK! we Tanzanians concede that Mount Kilimanjaro is on the Tanzania border with Kenya but it is definitely in Tanzania. The Tanzanian Tourist Board and tour operators have worked hard to promote Tanzania's iconic mountain and relocate it in the hearts and minds of the world.

Western Breach route (Arrow Glacier) closed on Kilimanjaro


The Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) closed the western breach route (also known as Arrow Glacier) on January 5, 2006 until further notice. The closure is due to a recent rock fall. The closure affects the Western Breach and Crater Camp routes only. All other routes (Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira) will remain open.

A bid to preserve Tanzania's heritage

Entry fees for  Tanzania 's Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park were increased on 1st January 2006 in a bid to preserve the environment and curb the human impact of mass tourism. In an effort to redistribute visitor numbers TANAPA is developing a strategy to encourage tourists to visit the National Parks during the low season and not just during the months of August to December. There are also plans to promote lesser known paths on Kilimanjaro to ease pressure on the popular Machame and Marangu routes.  (East African Media News)

TANAPA says:  A representative of TANAPA explained ‘we need to control the numbers in order to maintain the ecological integrity’.  

The latest new monkey species discovered in Tanzania

Long known to local hunters as Kipunji, the highly secretive monkey remained illusive to conservation workers until December 2003 when observer descriptions revealed a monkey species never before recorded. Named the Highland Mangaby (scientific name Lophocebus Kipunji), the monkey has only been found in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands and the Udzungwa Mountains. Living within the mountainside trees at elevations up to 8,000 feet, its long fur is thought to be an adaptation to the cold.  Researchers estimate around 1000 Highland Mangaby’s inhabit the highland forests, but its habitat is threatened by human exploitation, hunting and deforestation. Researchers and conservationists are calling for the   Udzungwa National Park boundaries to be extended to protect the species. (Wildlife Conservation Society) 

Help to conserve the Highland Mangaby:  Contact tdavenport@wcs.org to purchase high resolution photographs.  

Eco sponsorship sought for Serengeti projects

Corporate businesses looking to broaden their social commitment are encouraged to sponsor one of the Serengeti's many conservation projects to help preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations. The Frankfurt Zoological Society is currently looking for sponsors to kick-off a number of new projects. Projects planned include Serengeti migration, wildlife patrol, rhino translocation, veterinary, ranger equipment. 

For more information log into http://www.serengeti.org/sponsors.html

The Tanzania Cheetah Watch Campaign

WCS and Zoological Society of London scientists have conducted extensive research on Tanzania 's cheetah populations, particularly in the world-famous Serengeti  National Park, where records of individual cheetahs (each animal has its own unique spot pattern) date back to 1975. Now, researchers are enlisting the park's visitors to help keep track of its cheetah population, in much the same way that ornithologists use photos and information from "citizen scientists" to monitor trends in bird populations. A photo taken by a tourist, coupled with the time and location, can provide scientists with valuable insights about how cats use their environment. This information can then be applied to ensure a future for this big cat.

Join the cheetah watch campaign. Log into: www.wcs.org/cheetahs  

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