Graduation Picnic at Saanane Island National Park

It has been forever since the last time I posted. The good news is am well and ready to take you through the unforgettable Tanzania. I have gone through the valley of death and the mountains of life metaphoric and literally. I experienced a lot in life during the time I was away from this enjoyable hobby of mine. Lets get started with a graduation picnic that happened at Saanane Island National Park .

My friend had her Masters degree in Education and she had no idea on how to celebrate this amazing milestone. I came up the idea of 'Graduation picnic'. She intended to have few friends and family members to join her. After pitching my idea to her about Saanane Island National Park she agreed right away.  We started planning it and this is how amazingly things turned out

And here is a video when we were having sparkling wine aka champagne in the boat like the rich ones. Best part!

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10 popular global personalities on a Tanzania Safari

In 2013 I posted about top 10 reasons to visit Tanzania, if you were not convinced this is the ultimate call to action. I went through different website to prepare a list of 10 global personalities who ever graced the majestic land of authentic wonders Tanzania. In one way or the other I believe there is at least one star you look up to from the list. May be this should trigger your safari appetite to visit Tanzania next year.

A.                Hollywood Celebrities

1.       Oprah Winfrey

On July 2013 Oprah and partner Stedman escaped to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania for exclusive game drives and wildlife sightings and the memorable hot air ballon ride. Read more......

It's Oprah world in Serengeti!

2.       Justin Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel

Newly weeds should emulate Justin and Jessica’s taste and style by honeymooning in Tanzania just like them. Read more.......

Newlyweds Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake can be seen getting on a private plane at the Kilimanjaro International airport in Tanzania on October 21, 2012.
Credit: Splash News

3.       Terrence Jepkins

The think like a man star and E! News presenter visited Tanzania to “give back, learn new cultures and marvel at God’s work”. Read more.......

Live from mE! is this Terrence's Family? (photo: Belle Naija)

B.            World renowned athletes

4.       Lionel Messi

Selfie battle between Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi Turkish Airlines advert has it all. Take a look....

Uhuru Peak and Messi!

5.       Luis Figo leads Real Madrid stars to Tanzania

Football legends such as Luis Figo, Micheal Owen, Fernando Morientes , Fabio Cannavaro, Fernando Hierro, Reuben De la Red, Christian Karembeu, , Michel Salgado ,Steve Mcmannaman, Ruud van Nisterlooy, Jose Maria Gutierrez Hernandez ‘Guti’, and Fernando Redondo visited various Tanzania safari tourist sites like the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mount Kilimanjaro and many more. Read more.....

Figo at a press conference in Tanzania (photo: taarifa.co.tz)

C.               World billionaire’s club

6.       Howard Buffet

An American billionaire visited Tanzania twice in less than a month? This is too good to be true but it is an immutable fact. See full story

Jump Buffet jump like a Maasai!

D.               The Royals (Prince & Princess)/politicians

7.       Saudi Arabian princess Haifa Bint AbdulAziz al Mogrin

 “It is unbelievable, I used to read about the Serengeti in various literatures but today I am overwhelmed from what I can see here” declared the princess.  Fortunately enough I was among the Saudi Tanzanian Youth Dialogue Forum delegate which took part earlier this year initiated by the princess and Tanzania parks. I had the pleasure to eat, sightsee, discuss with the princess and fellow delegates both from Saudi Arabia and Tanzania. It was a safari of a life time. Read more......

Exclusively Me and the Princess of Saudi Arabia in Arusha National Park!

8.       Japanese Prince Akishino and his lovely wife Princess Kito

July, 2014 the royal family had an impeccable experience in Tanzania by visiting Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. Read more.......

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (MP) welcomes Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kito from Japan at Manyara Airstrip ready for their visit to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. (Photo: Pascal Shelutete)

9.       Former US President’s daughter  Chelsea Clinton

August 2013 the president’s daughter visited Tarangire National Park exploring  the beauty of the Park which is famous for a large collection of baobab trees, spectacular large mammal’s population and variety of bird species. Full story....

No ivory trade just a statue (Photo: TANAPA)

E.            Religion/Spiritual leaders

10.   The late Doctor Myles Munroe

In less than a month before his tragic death with wife and some delegates from his organization, this phenomenon public speaker and preacher had his final safari in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro National Park.

Post by Myles Munroe.

I have given you some inspirational role models and I hope you start parking for a life time safari experience in Tanzania. Karibu Tanzania!

Note: If you know any other global stars who have stepped their feet in Tanzania, please do not hesitate to keep us informed via the comment box.

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Win 10 double Tickets to Swahili International Tourism Expo

***Terms and Conditions:
- Tickets are valid for the 3-4 October 2014
- Participants must be over the age of 16 years old, proof of age can be called for
- Prize excludes any transport, visas to and from S!TE
- Drinks and meals are excluded
- The prize cannot be exchanged for cash.
- The judge’s decision is final
- Staff and direct family of Tanzanian Tourism Board and Pure Grit Project and Exhibitions Management Ltd are not eligible to enter.
- Neither the prize sponsors and or the competition organizers can be held responsible for any loss sustained by the winner resulting from the prize.
- Tickets are to be collected on the day from the registration desk
- Tickets cannot be transferred
- Proof of identification must be produced when collecting the tickets

Good Luck

For more information please contact, aalia@puregrit.co.za

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The fear factor at Meserani Snake Park.

In  1999 was the first time I visited Meserani Snake Park. It was a school study tour, and by that time I was in class three (3). We took off to Manyara National Park and on our way back to school is when we had to stop and visit the snake park. Watching snakes in their cages was cool but touching the non - venomous snake was freaking crazy. I couldn't dare! Well there were other activities like camel back riding and greeting some Maasai who were hanging around. By that time Maasai cultural museum was out of the picture, I congratulate the park management for establishing one.

This is how my second time visit of 29/03/2014 looks like in the picture. Accidentally I forgot the names of these awesome creatures.

This is how I let go of my fears.

Inside the Maasai Cultural Museum. The below are models and not real Maasai

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Be aware of Musth a dangerous seasonal behavior of male elephant

My last visit to Tarangire National Park exposed me to a behavior of grown male elephant known as Musth. The bull elephant was very uncomfortable in a way my peers thought it was sick. It changed tune and started acting aggressively towards our vehicle and other nearby tourists. We had to leave the place at once and It caught my attention and here is what I found out.

Musth from scientific point of view is a periodic condition of bull or male elephant which is characterized with aggressive behavior resulting from a rise of production hormones. The hormone is called testosterone which is found in mammals, birds and other vertebrates where in mammals it is secreted by testicles of males and ovaries for female, it's a principle element for male sex hormone whereby a small amount of it is produced from adrenaline glands.

A bull elephant in Musth may be identified in the national park or game reserve through a discharge of fluid called temporin from temporal ducts on both sides of his head. The temporin fluid contain protein and other smelling cholesterol materials which some amount of it passes through the mouth of the elephant creating uncomfortable situation causing him to react vigorously towards anything coming his way
Another contributing factor for harshness during Musth is that this period may be accompanied by a swelling of temporal glands which passes through the eyes and causes acute pain comparable to severe root sore toothache. Some male elephants try to counteract this by digging their tusks into the ground.

Please observe the flow of temporin fluid between the ears and eyes of the bull elephant.

Do not go closer to any elephant bull when you observe such signs, it was reported that a woman was killed by a bull in Musth in Marangu village in Tanzania. Be ware and be worn!

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The magic behind the Maasai colorful attires (Shuka).

If you are such a fashion fanatic or lover you might if not must read or watched Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2012. Am talking about the Maasai shuka, the fashion runway was colorful than never before this is my on opinion. The inspiration behind was from East African one of a kind Maasai tribe which are mainly found in Tanzania and Kenya.

If you have ever visited Tanzania you must have seen these magnificent group of people in there local settings or residence. Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers you 100% chance to meet, see and learn one, or two things from the Maasai, because they dwell with their livestock in the area. Hopeful you know how they dress super colorful in there shukas. If you you haven't visited Tanzania and have no clue about the Maasai, here is part of their rich tradition and basically I will show you how they rock in their traditional attires. The traditional way Maasai shuka is simply draped around the body but you can do it your own way and rock it! You can learn from my photos below.

Me on the left and A Maasai I met at 4 season hotel earlier this year.

Make a jacket out of the Maasai Shuka  

Drape it like you got no time.

Make a suite 

Let it flow like a pony tail.

Tie a knot and relax

Green is the color of life

Energize yourself with the colors and lough out loud

Show it like you mean it.

See you next time

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