TANZANIA. parks all protected by government law and placed in trust for future generations to marvel at in wonder and awe.

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1 TANAPA Tourism, a land of contrasts and majesty Introduction Tanzania is one of the unique destinations on the African continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land of many wonders hubbing an un-paralleled diversity of fauna and flora. Kilimanjaro, the highest permanently snow-capped free standing mountain in Africa, the exotic Islands of Zanzibar, the finest game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous and the Marine Park of Mafia Island are only but a few of the living examples. The scenery, topography and very friendly people harbour the growth of excellent cultural tourism beach holidays, historical and archaeological ventures and certainly the best wildlife photographic safaris on the continent. Tanzania has more land devoted to national parks and game reserves than any other wildlife destination in the world. It boasts 15 national parks, 32 game reserves, 50 game controlled areas, 1 conservation area and 2 marine parks all protected by government law and placed in trust for future generations to marvel at in wonder and awe. Management of the sector The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Tanzania (MNRT) oversees the tourism policy, national parks development, game and game parks, development of beaches and other tourism attractions, national heritage, antiquities and museum, national resources and forests. The operating mission of the Ministry is to formulate policies and strategies that would lead to sustainable conservation management of natural, cultural resources and environment, promote and diversify tourist attractions and increase sector contribution to national income and foreign exchange earnings. National Tourism Policy and Strategies The first National Tourism Policy was adopted in 1991 to provide the overall objectives and strategies necessary to ensure sustainable tourism development in the country. Nearly a decade later, there have been considerable changes on the political, economic and social fronts within the country, which raised the need for regular review of the policy. The thrust of these changes have been towards stimulating efforts to expand the private sector, in tandem with the disengagement of the Government from the sole ownership and operation 149

2 of tourist facilities. Knowing the potentiality of tourism sector, as a strategy for poverty alleviation, the National Tourism Policy of Tanzania was reviewed in 1999 to cope with the dynamism of the tourism industry. The overall objective of the policy is to assist in efforts to promote the economy and livelihood of the people, essentially poverty alleviation through encouraging the development of sustainable and quality tourism that is culturally and socially acceptable, ecologically friendly, environmentally sustainable and economically viable. It is also sought to market Tanzania as favoured tourist destination for touring and adventure in a country renowned for its cultural diversity and numerous beaches. The Government recognizes that the private sector plays a major role in the industry s development, with the Government playing the catalytic role of providing and improving the infrastructure as well as providing a conducive climate for investment. Strategies for Tourism Development Tanzania has developed an Integrated Tourism Master Plan, which outlines strategies and programmes for the sector. The primary focus of this plan is to obtain sustainable benefits for the people of Tanzania by generating additional economic activity from available resources. Six primary areas addressed by the Integrated Tourism Master Plan are the following: Creating greater awareness of Tanzania in the tourism source markets; Expanding tourism products; Securing a more competitive position; Maximizing the necessary service skills; and Establishing the necessary structures and controls to underpin tourism development. 151

3 Performance of the sector Tourism in Tanzania plays a vital role in the country s economic development. It contributes about 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 25% of the foreign exchange earnings. It also contributes about 14% of total investment and offers employment opportunities to over 300,000 people. tourist markets such as China, India, Japan and Eastern Europe countries. An existing environment conducive to private investment, combined with Tanzania s natural beauty and the potential of the tourism sector, have made Tanzania an extremely viable and appealing market for investment Investment opportunities are in all sub sectors of tourism in Tanzania, such as hotels Though the tourism industry has been growing at a rate of around 10% per year since 1995, it was hardly hit by the effects of the global economic crisis during 2009, through a slowdown in tourist arrivals. The number of tourists who toured different areas of the country in 2009 went down to 714,367, from 770,376 in 2008, which represents a 7.3% decline. Proceeds dropped by 3.0% from US$ 1, million in 2008 to US$ 1, in As part of its strategy to mitigate the situation, the government, through the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), has recently intensified its efforts to revamp domestic tourism. Following a promotion campaign, the number of local tourists grew by 19.3% in 2009 to reach 639,749. Additionally, TTB is currently targeting the newly emerging The tourism industry is nonetheless projected to register positive growth during 2010 with many of its potential markets on the road to recovery. As such, the Ministry for Tourism and Natural Resources predicts that the sector will expand by 8% in Investment opportunities In spite of its natural beauty, the Tanzania tourism sector still remains relatively untapped. Furthermore, a considerable majority of tour operators see Tanzania as a growth destination offering an authentic African experience generally superior to competing destinations in the region. development, conference tourism, eco-tourism, restaurants, deep sea fishing, lake cruising, air operations, and training services to mention a few. ATTRACTIONS Mt. Kilimanjaro The snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro rising majestically from fertile green foothills just 330km south of the equator have become a powerful motif for this land of extremes. At 5,895m Kilimanjaro, Africa s highest mountain, 153

4 is still almost snow-capped although the familiar ice cover continues to shrink each year and within decades may be just a memory. Hans Meyer was the first European to scale the mountain in 1889; now over 20,000 climbers a year attempt Kibo, the highest of its three volcanic cones. The route progresses from tropical forest to heath, moorland to alpine desert, to rock and ice fields at the summit. There are several routes to reach the top of Kilimanjaro. These include: along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers sites, rolling plains, dunes, forests and most importantly Ngorongoro Crater and man s cradle, the Olduvai Gorge. Lemosho route It takes six days to reach the top using this route. It is rarely used, unspoilt, remote but beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. Machame route About 100 km. It takes about six days to reach the snow cape of the mountain. Marangu route It is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Total hiking distance is about 96 km and it takes five to six days to reach the summit. Rongai route It allows for climbing the Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. Umbwe uja arrow glacier route This route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Ngorongoro Conservation Area The area is home to man and wild animals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its active volcanoes, mountains archeological Ngorongoro Crater A natural wonder to behold, the Ngorongoro Crater was an active volcano whose cone collapsed leaving behind a crater 20km in diameter and 610m deep. Covering an area of 311 square km, it is home to about 30,000 large mamals. This ectinct volcano offers the finest wildlife viewing in Africa. Its combination of abundant animals including the endangered black Rhino and cheetahs and awesome scenery are immensely impressive. The crater is home to elephants, lions, jackals, wildebeests, hyenas, zebras, elands, Cape buffalo and a wide assortment of colourful birds, including a large flock of flamingos. 155

5 Olduvai Gorge - Cradle of Mankind Appropriately named after the wild sisal plant Oldupai in maasai, the site is believed to be man s first home. It was in this gorge, which lies between Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, that Louis and Mary Leakey discovered important hominid remains of the nutcracker, Australopithecus bosei, who lived nearly 2 million years ago. areas and game reserves in an exceptional bid to preserve one of the last great migratory systems and the greatest and most varied collection of wildlife on earth. The endless plains of the Serengeti are the stomping ground of millions of wildebeest and zebra for 9 months of the reserve area in Africa, is bigger than Switzerland, and yet has few tourists. Just 5000 visitors a year experience the accessible northern corner of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The lagoons, sandbanks and lakes of the Rufiji River and surrounding forests create an exciting ecological environment for walking, boating and fly-camping safaris. The spectrum of wildlife is diverse, with east and southern African fauna, including 440 species of bird and a healthy population of wild dogs. NATIONAL PARKS Serengeti National Park A national park, an ecosystem, one of the world s most celebrated wildlife reserves and now part of the seventh wonder of the world. The unfenced boundaries of the 14,763 square kms expanse of the Serengeti National Park are flanked by conservation year; this is wild Africa, alive with energy, a realm of endlessly rewarding safaris. Selous Game Reserve The Selous Game Reserve, the largest protected wildlife Ruaha National Park Tanzania s second-largest national park, Ruaha is seriously under-visited but very worthwhile especially when combined with the Selous Game Reserve. A wild and distant safari experience, its dry red-earth vistas are studded with ancient baobabs and irrigated by the rocky meanderings of the Great Ruaha River. This elemental landscape supports one of Africa s largest elephant populations, plentiful lion 157

6 prides and thriving packs of African hunting dogs. Leopard sightings are frequent, wonderful antelope action abounds and the park is a birdwatcher s delight. deepest and least-polluted fresh water lake. It is Snorkel with iridescent cichlids to conclude an exceptional safari experience. Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park, South of the plains of southern Maasailand, covers 2,600 square kms of grass and flood plains, acacia woodland and dense bush. Dominated by the Tarangire River, the park thrives in the heat from August to October when masses of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and giraffe migrate to the valley floor. Resident predators suffer lean months to enjoy these feast days. Impressive elephant herds congregate from July to October. Katavi National Park The wide alluvial plains of Katavi are barely visited at all, mainly because there venture the distances are well rewarded; the park is home to vast buffalo herds and hippo pods, and concentrations of elephant around February. Wildlife disperses but birdlife proliferates following the short rains in November. THE LAKES Lake Victoria The second largest fresh water lake in the world and the largest in Africa, this lake is also the source of the river Mahale Mountains National Park The steep, forested slopes of Mahale Mountains National Park are home to approximately 800 of Africa s remaining wild chimpanzees. Further north, Gombe Stream National Park is the site of an alternative chimpanzee research programme in which around 200 chimpanzees are fed and monitored. Chimp-trekking in Mahale requires stamina, trekking through rich woodlands populated by various monkey species and rewarding, diverse birdlife. Inaccessible by road, visitors must fly or arrive by boat from Kigoma, along the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika, the world s are presently no permanent camps. Miles off the beaten track; Katavi is a remote, classic dry season reserve, superb in the driest months of the year but unpredictable and partially impassable for the remainder of the year. The intrepid few who do Nile. Scenically beautiful and bordered by large boulders on the Eastern front (Mwanza town), the lake has a great number of fish, the most successful commercial variety being the Nile perch. The lake is bordered by Musoma, Mwanza and Bukoba. 159

7 Lake Manyara This shallow lake at the base of the Great Rift Valley attracts flocks of flamingos to its alkaline waters. Famed for its excellent birds, butterflies and tree-climbing lions, the park also has an understated diversity of other game such as elephants, giraffes, buffalos, wildebeest, hippos and a vast number of baboons. The habitat varies throughout with grassy floodplains and thick acacia woodland contrasting with the rocky escarpments of the Rift. THE ISLANDS for its buildings (a blend of Portuguese, East Indian, Persian and Omani Arab architecture) and narrow, windings streets. Among the sights in Stone Town are the sultan s palace, the old Arab fort, built to defend against the Portuguese around 1700, two cathedrals and several mosques. Lake Tanganyika The Tanganyika lies 773m above the sea level within the Africa Great Rift Valley on the western Tanzania. It is the longest fresh water lake in the world streching 677kms. It is also the second deepest at 1,443m. It houses over 1,000 different types of fish. The town of Ujiji, off Lake Tanganyika, is one of Africa s oldest market villages. Zanzibar Zanzibar is known throughout the world as being the jewel of Indian Ocean. Its history is tainted by romance and colour (e.g. the tales of seafarers and explorers, and riches) and tragedy (e.g. the dark stain of slavery). Zanzibar s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world. Mafia Once a strategic Indian Ocean trading post visited by Lake Nyasa The most southerly of the Rift Valley Lakes and biologically it is the most diverse. The lake contains 30% of the world s cichilds species of colourful fishes that are easily observed in clear waters. Matema Beach on the northern tip of the Lake Nyasa is rated as the best beach on the lake and has a beautiful setting against the mountains. Once a city-state ruled by sultans, Stone Town is famous dhows, Mafia Island became Tanzania s first Marine Park, 161

8 and now provides colourful diving and fishing opportunities. Just 30 minutes flight from Dar es Salaam, Mafia is home to rural farming and fishing communities whose lives continue just as they have for millennia. This is its charm: a virtually unchanged island home, with just a few tourist lodges. The fascinating ruins of Chole Island can be reached by ferry, and further historic links to the ancient ruins of Kilwa and the surrounding islands are a short flight away. Pemba Island North of Unguja, Pemba is a surprisingly large rural island and the main source of Zanzibar s cloves. Seaweed farming and even rubbertapping may also be seen. Pemba has a unique charm, enhanced by its lack of visitors and local reputation as a centre for traditional medicines. Separated from Zanzibar by the Pemba Channel that drops to depths of more than 1000m, this is the place for superb diving and deep-sea fishing of whales, sharks and manta rays are often seen in the deeper channels. Tanzania s Myriad of Cultures and Traditions Tanzania is endowed with the rich cultural heritage of 120 ethnic tribes. The diverse cultures, traditions and customs manifest themselves in Tanzania s unique tourist attractions in the form of rich traditional dances, handicrafts such as weaving and pottery and art in the form of paintings and the wood carving of the Makonde ethnic community from southern Tanzania. Conclusion Regardless of the country s abundance of tourist attractions, there is a need for more emphasis to be placed on preservation of natural resources, some of which are World Heritage. Tanzania has a unique tourism product mix and 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. This is why the government aims at developing low volume-high yield tourism while continuing to encourage private sector investment in the sector. However, greater publicprivate sector cooperation and coordination is required in order to plan, promote, market, and regulate the industry in a manner that will ultimately prove to be sustainable, and successful, for Tanzania. 163