Tanzania Tourist Board

Promise to market Tanzania tourism in the Middle East

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:59:28 +0000

H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Hamza (left) shakes hands with the Managing Director of Tanzania Tourist Board

Dr. Aloyce Nzuki (Right).

The newly appointed Tanzania Ambassador to Egypt, H. E. Mohammed Hamza, has pledged to promote the country’s tourism potential in the Middle East market.

The promise was made recently during a courtesy call on the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Managing Director, Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, in Dar es Salaam, where the Ambassador also pledged to attract Egyptian businessmen to invest in tourism industry and interest Egypt Air to increase flight frequencies to the country.

To that effect, the Ambassador called on TTB to collaborate with the Embassy in organizing educational trips for Egyptian tour operators, investors and journalists to Tanzania in order to tap more into the Middle East market.

The Ambassador noted that it is now high time Tanzania vigorously market itself in the Middle East as it is a market targeted by many other destinations worldwide.

Regarding cultural and historical products, Ambassador Hamza concurred with Dr. Nzuki’s request for assistance in getting some experts from Egypt who can help and impart knowledge on how to conserve and restore ancient ruins and historical sites including those in Bagamoyo, Kilwa and Zanzibar, because Egypt is famous for its historical sites and monuments.

The Managing Director also requested the Ambassador to arrange for the translation of TTB website into Arabic and secure opportunities for the TTB staff and others from the private sector to learn Arabic language in order to effectively tap into the market.

city scene

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:19:26 +0000

The unknown Mtwara Tourism Glory

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:45:04 +0000

By: Geofrey Tengeneza

Tanzania is so rich in tourism attractions that some suffer from the fate of going unnoticed. One such destination is Mtwara on the southern circuit which the Tanzania Tourist Board is vigorously committed to promote through national, regional and international corridors.

Located in southern Tanzania, Mtwara has so much to offer in terms of history, culture, irresistible landscape from the hinterland to the palm tree fringed beaches along the Indian Ocean, that every tourist would wonder, why he or she had not been there much earlier.

The destination’s documented history dates back to the German colonial era. Notably, is the old Prison which was built in the 1880s and is now partly in ruins. After the First World War, the structure was used by the British as Customs Office, Post Office and a Police station.

Another point of attraction, made out of coral stone during the same period is the Aga Khan building which was intended for educational purposes. Although neglected and partially dilapidated, the ground floor is currently used by the local community as an Islamic nursery school.

Written history of Mtwara dates back to the 19^th century when the Germans arrived in Tanganyika and made Mikindani their regional headquarters in the South. They built an administrative block which was also used as a fort, court and officers’ mess.

The U-shaped building has a German and Arabic architectural touch. The curved arches are a clear illustration of simple German style. To the South of the building and 300 metres up the Bismarck Hill is a water tank whose site serves as an excellent point for viewing Mikindani Bay.

Special on Mtwara attraction menu is the Msimbati Bay offering a variety of activities including motor vehicle driving on its beach. This area is also home to Mnazi Bay Marine Park which is a paradise for water sports lovers.

Wildlife enthusiasts are assured of game viewing thrills in Africa’s biggest trans-boundary game reserve, the Selous, which crosses the Ruvuma River into Msumbiji.

Seventy kilometers from Mtwara town lies a spring fresh water Lake, Kitele, which has a unique characteristic of not being fed by any river or valley.

On a cultural line, Mtwara is the spot that over time attracted so many visitors into settlement leading to the establishment of special Swahili Coast culture spiced by the world famous Makonde carvings, named after the superb and unique artistic wood carvers of the Makonde tribe.

As the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) breasts itself up to promote tourism in the southern circuit, Mtwara looks all set to receive more visitors. This is due to the fact that the age old communication problem linking it with Dar es Salaam is being solved with the on-going construction of the Kibiti-Lindi road and the completion of the Mkapa Bridge across the Rufiji River. This is on top of the existing access by air and by sea.

To cap it all, the people of Msumbiji, south of Mtwara, will now find it easy to cross the Ruvuma River into Tanzania after the construction of the Umoja Bridge, to pay homage to the fallen heros of the Mozambique Liberation War at Naliendele Cemetery (15 kilometers from town) where FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) and Uhuru monuments have been erected.

Visitor accommodation in Mtwara is bound to increase as the Mtwara Corridor area opens up for economic growth. The Mnazi Bay gas project, the port expansion programme to serve land locked southern African countries and the revival of the Mtwara/Nachingwea railway line, constitute the right menu for new hotel investment ventures. The railway line will also boost the cashew-nut industry and connect the planned Liganga coal mining and Mchuchuma iron ore project areas to the Indian Ocean.

Revisiting Tabora’s Lost Glory

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:43:16 +0000

By Geofrey Tengeneza

Tabora is the major town of the Nyamwezi people and was the main inland trade-link between the coast and the Congo River basin prior to colonial times. It was once a stopover for caravans that connected Lake Tanganyika and Central Africa with the coastal town of Bagamoyo to the east. The town was also an important station during early European exploration of Tanzania. The explorers Burton, Speke, Stanley, and Cameron all stopped here on their journeys to Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria between 1856 and 1875. The infamous trader Tippu Tip lived there in the 19th Century and made Tabora the centre of his vast trading empire of ivory and slaves. During the German occupation, Tabora was one of the most populated and prosperous towns in the whole of East Africa. It became an important administrative center of German East Africa.

Today, Tabora region is regarded by many people as a backward place with dwindling development. The past history of Tabora which could be potential in history tourism is forgotten. There is a great need to revive Tabora’s lost glory.

The Tanzania Tourist Board has taken the initiative to improve tourism in Tabora Region by sponsoring and participating in the Mtemi Mirambo Festival. The festival took place for the first time in July 2010 in the town of Tabora and is planned to be an annual event lasting for three days every July.

Mtemi Mirambo Festival is named in honour of Chief Mirambo who was the greatest and most popular chief of the Nyamwezi people before the colonial period. The purpose of the festival is to preserve the culture of the people of Tabora as well as to promote tourism in the region.

The festival includes tradition dances, cultural exhibitions, and speeches. The festival brings together cultural groups and singers from different parts of Tabora and the neighboring regions of Mwanza and Shinyanga.

The next year festival will be held from July 8th to 10th, 2011.

5 Things to Do in Tabora

1. Tour Ugalla River Game Reserve

The Ugalla River Game Reserve has an area of 5,000sqkm and is located in Urambo District in Tabora. It is about 190 km from Tabora town. The reserve gets its name from the Ugalla River which runs through the reserve on its way to empty into Lake Tanganyika. The reserve is characterized by two primary ecosystems: extensive miombo woodland and large floodplains. The wild animals found in the reserve include hippos, crocodiles, elephants, lions, topis, antelopes, wild dogs, and greater kudus.

2. Visit Kwihara Museum

The museum is an Arabic-style house where Dr Livingstone stayed in 1872 which might be considered by the majority of indigenous in Tabora as the main attraction in their region. Tabora is very rich in history. The museum is about 10 km outside Tabora town. The museum is in the house that Dr Livingstone stayed for some months before setting off on the final leg of the journey in 1872 that was to be his last. He died less than a year later at Chitambo, Zambia. The museum contains various things associated with Dr. Livingstone, as well as with other early missionaries and explorers.

3. Trace the History of the Father of the Nation

Tabora is where Mwalimu Nyerere attended his secondary school at Tabora School in 1937. While studying at Tabora School, now Tabora Boys Secondary School, Mwalimu Nyerere used to stay at Mkwawa dormitory in the first cubicle at the right hand side. It was also in Tabora, at St. Mary’s School (currently Mihayo Secondary School), where Mwalimu Nyerere started his teaching career. He taught at St. Mary’s from 1945 to 1948 when he joined Makerere University for further studies. There is a monument of the Father of the Nation in the center of the town.

4. Visit the house of Chief Fundukira

In Mtetemia there is a house that Chief Fundikira once lived in. The house was the state house of the chief before the abolishment of chiefdoms in Tanzania. Among other things, the house contains Chief Fundikira’s old chair made of the skin of lion, and some traditional war weapons of the past. Fundikira was a great Nyamwezi chief whose capital was Uyanyembe near present day Tabora town. He was a wealthy chief who dpended on the long distance trade with the coast.

5. Climb/Tour Izimbili Hill:

There is a hill in Tabora called Izimbili which is shrouded with and superstition. The hill has a small population of people living around it and the caretaker of the mountain is Mzee Mwanza Madili who has been in Izimbili since 1966. It is rumored that invisible people guard the hill. The myth holds that there are residents who are never seen but there are many occasions where smoke is sighted and the beat of the drum is heard. The mountain has several caves for prayers with blocked entrances that are opened by offerings. Mzee Madili says that the hill belongs to the people of Unyanyembe and was used by the Mtemi chiefs for prayers.

How to Get to Tabora

Tabora is on the Central Railway Line from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma. It is a junction of the Central Line to Mwanza.

The town of Tabora has an airport served by domestic airlines connected it to Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Shinyanga. Tabora is also well-connected by road to other towns of central Tanzania.

Where to Stay in Tabora

Moderate accommodation: Orion Tabora Hotel; Budget: Hotel Wilca, New Kiwasso Hotel, Fama Hotel, Golden Eagle Hotel; others; Aposele Inn & Guesthouse, Moravian Church Hostel

H.E.Sinikka Antila,The Ambassadors’ tour to various places in Tanzania

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:36:57 +0000

H.E. Sinikka Antila, The Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania

“During the Ambassadors’ tour to various places in Tanzania in October 2011, we could see for ourselves the richness of Tanzania as a tourist destination. The majestic beauty of the Mount Kilimanjaro, the plains full of wildlife in Serengeti, and the thrilling packs of lions in Ngorongoro Crater. These as well as the Human footprints in Olduvai George are all world class destinations that Tanzania can be proud of. So is Zanzibar that offers a unique historical stone town and marvelous beach resorts with true Africa flavor. We really enjoyed our tour.

A separate trip took me to Ruaha National Park which was truly an amazing experience of natural beauty with abundant wildlife and diversified nature. We got very good service from TANAPA, including appropriate information from the local office in Msemba”.

Msimamo wa Wizara kuhusu ugawaji wa vitalu‏

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:48:48 +0000

Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii haina mpango wa kurudia ugawaji wa vitalu. Mchakato wa ugawaji ulikamilika mwezi Septemba mwaka jana (2011) na matokeo yake kutangazwa wazi. Taarifa kamili

Seminar on marketing Destination Tanzania to US market

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:49:20 +0000

The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in collaboration with Tanzania Confederation for Tourism (TCT) is organizing seminars to be held in Dar-es-salaam on January 16^th, 2012 at Peacock Hotel and in Arusha at Kibo Palace Hotel on January 18^th,2012, for Tanzanian Tourism stakeholders. Download full advert

NOTICE TO ALL TOURISM OPERATORS

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:20:12 +0000

Notice is hereby given to all Tourism Operators (including Accommodation Facilities) operating in Tanzania Mainland that, they are required by Tourism Act 2008. Full advert

Other Tourist Attractions in Tanga region:

admin — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:04:06 +0000

Amboni Cave:
Tanga Region has some historical sites like Amboni caves. First spectacular world war German grave yard and the Tortern Island. These sites are within the Tanga city area and accessible. The Amboni caves are among the earliest settlement with good ancient paintings and other artistic work.
Darkness inside Amboni Caves not only scares many visitors who attempts to venture into these famous limestone caves in Tanga Region, but legend has it that the spirits are always there to please visitors with a good will and charm.
Located at some 8 km North of Tanga city on the way to Mombasa, Kenya border the beautiful Amboni Caves are the product of Limestone formations sculptured by nature through fascinating and various colors depicting an underground wonderful world. They are always dark and thousands of bats and snakes have made their natural homes inside.
Visitors to the Caves may get scared to get further inside but a distance of one kilometer is enough to satisfy a visitor curiosity. It is daring to walk what would be considered the whole length of the caves because no known person has ever discovered the last limits of these Natural caves. From the ceiling of the caves come huge and small stalactites projectiles of calcium carbonate met almost halfway from the ground stalagmites resembling the inverted stalactites formed from the dripping of percolating calcareaous water.

Local legends has it that the caves exit out in some locations themselves north ward close to slopes of mount Kilimanjaro before heading east to the coast. No body can say for sure that how far they really go. If one venture further than the known limits legends say one must prepare to cross several underground rivers. Stories abound about one European man who in 1914 accompanied by his dog ventured in but only his dog was found dead a few days later in Mombasa. The mysterious Amboni caves have different geological feature such as huge open ground with high ceiling where visitors could arrange their picnic’s. There is also a place where visitors could rest or camp for an overnight stay.
A scripture of virgin Mary is somewhere on one of the many walks of the caves and no body could tell its origin. An arm chair made of stones stands near the scripture and visitors can take a rest on it. New York city statute of liberty. Ancient animals paintings animal foot prints are naturally painted on each roof of the caves and no one has any record of when such paintings could have been done, but it is claimed that the caves were from time memorial some claim for the past 600 years, were used as sacred place by the local people of the area.
No doubt that Amboni caves are one of the world’s greatest underground natural wonders, Sculptures and produced by natural powers of fascinating limestone formations in a wide variety of colors. It is indeed a thrill to visit this wonder of Tanzania.

Tongoni Ruins:
Tongoni is a small fishing village 17km South of Tanga. It is famous for the 15th Century ruins of a mosque and forty tombs that are found in the village. Tongoni was a different place four to five centuries ago contrary to its almost un noticed presence today, it was a prosperous and a respected trading centre during the 15th century. One tradition claims that Tongoni was established by the shiraz (people of Persian Gulf origin) who established many Islamic settlements in Eastern Africa such as Kilwa and Mafia.
There are also claims that the settlement of Tongoni was once dominated by the Wadebuli tribe believed to be of Asiatic – origin coming from dabhol off the western India.
Tongoni remained a prosperous trading centre till the 17th Century. The Economic decline began with the arrival of the Portuguese who disrupted the India Ocean trade in the 16th and 17th Century. Many Swahili Islamic settlements on the coast faced a similar fate. Tongoni is believed to have lost its glory by mid 18th Century.

Vasco Da Gamma, the Portuguese sailor first visited Tongoni in April 1498. He took the opportunity to eat the local oranges which he said were better than those available in Portugal. He made the second visit the following year and spent fifteen days in Tongoni. The ruins at Tongoni are under the antiquities Dept. They have been properly excavated and are open to the public. Tongoni also offers a good insight into typical Swahili – Islamic coastal community. It is traditional village with many houses made of mud and thatched roof. The main activities are fishing and subsistence agriculture. It is worth visiting Tongoni as it has good attractions for tourist and conducive environment.

Lushoto:
At 1400m above the sea level Lushoto is a cool gateway in Tanzania again the Germans laid a strong foundation for this little known town Lushoto. Engulfed by Usambara mountain on the West, Lushoto is stunningly beautiful like an enchantress luring you into love making.
In 1880′s the Germans conceived and built Lushoto which was originally named Wilhemstahl after their ruler Kaizer Wilhesm. If the British had not ousted them in world war one, the Germans would have made Lushoto the Capital of German East Africa which include Burundi and Rwanda.
Prior to the Germans the Usambara Mountains were already inhabited by the Lushoto an eco – friendly tourism spot. Lushoto can be reached from Mombo situated on the main Tanga, Arusha highway at the fort of the western Usambara. Driving up here on a tarmac through escarpments is a pleasant experience. Twisting and turning around roads, stopping green and gray walks of the mountains running and falling rivers colorful birds, tiny villages deep in the valleys and over obliging people make Lushoto a focal point for eco – tourists. The town also offers an excellent study of tradition and customs of Wasambaa farmers. Various view points on the edge of the mountain are also interesting parts of the tourism programme. All these can be experienced in places like Irente, Mtae, Mlalo, Soni, and Mazumbai.
Lushoto gives a feeling of being on the Swiss Alps. The town inspires the visitors to include in reverting what is behind the curtains of nature. The Germans have played a very vital role in developing Lushoto. Interiors of the mountains were, made accessible with roads and bridges. Lutheran missionaries established schools and Hospital forests and agricultural activities were also established. This way Lushoto made substantial progress in economic activities.

Pangani:
A major transit port for slaves looked for markets in Zanzibar and beyond Pangani under the control of the Sultan of Zanzibar, grew during the 19th century. It was also a stepping stone for European missionaries and explorers to the interland. River Pangani served as the passage for discoveries of new settlements. History of settlement in Pangani however is believed to exist since Biblical time. Raphta (circ. 100 AD) a boat building centre mentioned in the ancient Greek and Egyptian chronicles is believed to be in Pangani.
During the 14th and 15th Centuries a settlement existed at Muhembo to the North of the present Town. That was the time when the village of Tongoni further North was a permanent settlement. The German established their rule in Pangani in 1886. The German faced tough resistance from the local residents. An Arab named Abushiri Bin Salim stood strong against the colonialists. He rebelled in the year 1888 but was arrested and hanged.
Pangani is very small town in size spectacularly situated on the Indian Ocean beach and the Banks of River Pangani. The most breath taking site in the confluence of River Pangani and the Indian Ocean. From the Hill-top across the ferry, the merging of the river and the sea expresses and district feeling of an ever lasting courtship.
In the year 1892 the first sisal was introduced in Pangani sisal plantations developed in 1890′s. The North and South banks of the Rivers were enriched by these plantations. Pangani offers interesting stretches of beach at Kigombe, 20 km North of the Town, Pangani itself Ushongo,12 km. South and further south to Sakura, Kipumbwi, Mkwaja leading to the Saadani Game Reserve, now Saadani National Park.

Coastal forest, mangrove forests Wildlife and marine reserves have in recent years attracted environmental concern. As compared with the Northern and the southern Tourism circuits of Tourism in Tanzania, Pangani or the Tanga Region as such is isolated in terms of mass Tourism. Local Community leaders say that this is a blessing in disguise, as they prefer to serve only a few environmentally conscious investors and eco friendly Tourists. They hope will turn Tanga into Tanzania’s leading eco – Tourism centre.
Pangani offers wonderful and safe beaches. Beach and resorts offer a peaceful and pollution free holiday. Set amidst coconut plantations and on the sparkling beaches resorts offer an excellent ritual for total relaxation. It is a great joy to see the coastal beauty and explore the History of the bygone era. Pangani Welcomes friends who are prepared to maintain the splendor of the past to get the best of the present.

Mkomazi Game Reserve (now Mkomazi Natioanal Park):
Mkomazi game Reserve contains 90% of all botanic species found in Tanzania with one third classified as unique in the world. The reserve is also home to the Mkomazi Rhino Project. This involves the re- introduction of four black rhino from south Africa which it is hoped will breed before being relocated to traditional natural habitats within Tanzania.
Mkomazi is a 3,700 Sq.Km game reserve in Northern Tanzania. It is a spectacular wilderness of dry bush, ancient Baobab streets, isolated rocky Hills, acacias and shallow valleys of grass land.
The North West is Mount Kilimanjaro to the South the Pare and Usambara Mountains, and to the North KenyasTsavo National Park. Tsavo actually shares a border with Mkomazi allowing huge herds of Elephant to migrate during the Wet season.
Mkomazi was established in 1951 but, remote and inaccessible at that time, never attracted the financial support provided for the better known wildlife areas. By 1988 Mkomazi was in steep decline. Heavy poaching had wiped out its black Rhinos and elephant populations and it was feared that the reserve might be de-gazetted and released for Agriculture. Then, with a view to ensuring the complete rehabilitation of the area and the re-introduction of its endangered species, the Tanzania Government designated Mkomazi a National Priority Project.
Roads, boundaries and air strips were cleared, a new radio network installed water sources sited, dams constructed, rangers recruited and equipped, and hundreds of air-hours flown on anti-poaching patrols.
The Captive Breading Programme for the African wild dog was established and the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary constructed and stocked. Both projects form part of the Tanzanian Governments policy on endangered species. The years of hard work have had a pre found effect on the animals in the reserve. In the late 1960′s some 250 black Rhino roused wild in Mkomazi. By the end of late 1980′s there were none. And at the end of 1980 after two decades slaughter at the hands of ivory poachers, only eleven elephants remained. But today the black Rhino has returned to Mkomazi. In 1977 the 28 square mile Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary the first in Tanzania, received its first four Rhinos from South Africa. Eventually the sanctuary will hold up to 20 Rhinos pending their transfer to other safe and secure areas of the country. During the rainy season close on 1,000 elephants range freely across the reserve, including herds of females with their calves.

Buffalo, eland, giraffe, gerenuk, Grants gazelle, hartebeest, Impala lesser kudu, Oryx Steinbok, water buck and Zebra, share the reserve with the elephant while large predators include numerous Lion, Leopard Cheetah and hyena.
In all, 78 species of mammals have been recorded while a reptile population includes Crocodile and python. The birds of Mkomazi are far more numerous with between 400 and 450 recorded species. Bee-eaters, hornbills guinea fowl starlings and weaver – birds are seen in large numbers but less well – known species include martial eagles, Secretary birds and violet wood – hoopoes. The plant and insect life is probably the most diversified in Tanzania. For Tourists Mkomazi offers abundant game viewing, scenic beauty and a quality wilderness experience ideal for game drives, walking safaris and hiking. It is an ornithologists’ and photographers paradise.