The best African Safari country.

Am so excited to write this or to paste this piece of information from The Huffington Post. But before that I want to remind you that earlier this year Tanzania was celebrating the big win after scooping three position among seven, during the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Over 1,000 safari travelers and industry experts participated in the largest survey of its kind to reveal the best safari country of Africa. The results are in and Tanzania came out the clear winner.

SafariBookings.com, an online marketplace for African safari tours, conducted a two-year-long study, gathering reviews from more than 1,000 safari-goers and reputable industry experts to see which African country is best for African safaris. With a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars, Tanzania took the spotlight as the clear winner, beating Botswana by about a tenth of a point. Rounding up the top five were Kenya, Zambia and South Africa.

The study was based on 2,305 reviews from safari travelers and 756 reviews from industry experts, most of whom are reputable guidebook writers working for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer's, Bradt and Footprint. Over half of the safari travelers have undertaken multiple safaris and have a good idea about what's offered. This secures the fact Tanzania deserves this top spot.

Annual Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti National Park

The key reason that Tanzania was rated the best is because it is home to two of the most famous safari destinations in the world, the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Both parks offer stunning scenery and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Serengeti National Park is primarily known for the annual migration of over 2.5 million wildebeest and zebra. The Ngorongoro Crater is a popular safari destination, because the wildlife viewing in its immense volcanic caldera is superb throughout the year and sightings of game species such as lion, hippo and rhino are almost guaranteed.

While the Serengeti and Ngorongoro are located in the Tanzania's northern circuit, there are equally impressive safari parks in the country's western and southern circuits. In the less visited western circuit are Gombe and Mahale Mountains national parks, both excellent parks to see chimpanzees. Katavi National Park is known for its abundance of large mammals such as hippos and buffalos.

Chimpanzee, Mahale Mountains National Park

In the southern circuit, there is Ruaha National Park and Mikumi National Park, where safari travelers are sure to see large predators. Finally, there is Selous Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in the world. It features boat safaris where sightings of crocodiles and hippos are common.

The study broke down the best time to visit Tanzania by "monthly user ratings." Overall, every month of the year received above four stars in terms of an excellent travel month. This came as a surprise. The afternoon rains (which are typical for the wet season) seldom interfere with a safari, so that reason wouldn't be suspect for a low rating, but wildlife viewing in the southern and western parks is not as rewarding during the wet season. On the other hand, most northern parks offer excellent wildlife viewing year-round.

For the full report, including the ratings of the other safari countries and Tanzania's major parks, please visit http://www.safaribookings.com/blog/2/

Photographs by Ariadne van Zandbergen / Africaimagelibrary.com

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My trip to Dar es Salaam.

It all began with high expectations as I took my flight from Mwanza to the cosmopolitan rhythm city. Am optimistic by nature and you can call me Mr. High expectations. My flight was not enjoyable, I tried the famous new Airline in Tanzania that claims the cheapest. I had issues with the baggage payment. It was an offal experience being the new bee to the airline, I was left stressful and my heart jumping like a popcorn in a fryer. The system has lot of loop holes for tips (softening the unpleasant word “corruption”) you know what I mean.

I was super welcomed with a dramatic transport after landing. I chose the public transport from Airport to Gongo la mboto I have forgotten how it can be with public transport. Since I arrived in the late morning I presumed it will be well but not. Later on I paid a visit to my auntie in Vingunguti the return to my former destination in the evening became tremendous hard. Imagine I had to board a lorry for transport, fun enough I had to straggle hard for it. In spite of all the hardship, the craziest and most enjoyable thing was when we were mocked by other passengers from other Lorries heading opposite direction. Whenever we came across these groups of passengers there was a lot of shouting and commotions and we were asked where we buried our loved one or from which sleep out (kigodoro) we were from. Very interesting the charge is also high. You real can’t claim being in Dar es salaam without tasting what the local goes through in the daily basis.

In Dar es Salaam two minute lateness can mess up your entire day, if you have an appointment you ought to wake up as early as the first cook crows. Here is when I remember a past issue from Mwananchi newspaper that goes by "Dar es salaam residents are in danger of turning into Zombies due to lack of enough sleep caused by transport hardship. I lost some few ponds because of this and I guess at least this is a positive perspective.

Let’s see what Dar es Salaam had to offer this time. It is like I have been everywhere for every occasion, from an invitation to a wedding party to a funeral, to former college, to every possible relative out there and to Morogoro. I want to just emphasizing the rhythm of the city, colorful people that are hospitable to anyone. Do you still remember the festivals that are coming up ahead? Do you know that Ramadan is right at hand? Well it is and am planning to cover it like no one has ever done before. And why the reminder, it’s because most Muslims are trying hard to get married now so that they can have the pleasure to have someone prepare the mouth watering futari. I can’t wait for the season!

This time I didn’t go to any fancy place in town, I was kind of uswazi (a normal street guy) explorer. And now you can feast your eyes with these unprofessional photos from your amateur photographer who uses a phone to capture the moment as they happen.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam

A street in Vingunguti 

Fetching water

A woman in celebration in a local bar

A piece of Art (an earring made of  a beer cap)

At a  barber shop to be updated about what's on the street.

A mini safari to Morogoro.

funeral

A Muslim wedding match (as we draw close to Ramadan) 

people as they wait for  unpredictable transport.

Am back in Mwanza 

Have you ever been in Dar es Salaam? what was your experience? I would love to hear from you as you comment. See you afterwards!

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Morogoro: The calmness at the foot of Uluguru Mountains.

Do you know the Eastern Arch Mountain Range? If you don't, here is the remainder. Today I'll take you to "Mji kasoro bahari" a city without an ocean. Am talking about Morogoro, a town located at the slopes of Uluguru mountains among the Eastern Arch Mountain Range. I have been at this place for a short business endeavor but I come to love the calmness of this town.

This time I will let the photos talk to you although they are not the best shoot, I hope you'll bear with me. WATCH-OUT! a new surprise coming your way, just in-case you want to know what was this meeting all about. That is reserved for next time but about the hotel I won't be stingy! The hotel you see in the photos is Morogoro Hotel, the best thing I like about it is the magical view of the Uluguru mountains and the calm surroundings. I believe those how love to meditate this hotel is just the place to be.

Busy roads (clean and calm)

Arawa on a motorbike

Ukombozi (Freedom) keep left

Looks like nobody exists 

Simply clean

A welcome avenue

Restaurant

Note the mountains

The way down to the garden

A little bit of water party

Note the Sun bursting the mountains

Arawa and Mr. Bhavesh Jani

One of those buildings

Simply townish

busy bus station

People in the making

That's all for the day I hope you learnt at least a thing and enjoyed what Morogoro has to offer.

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Phillip Imler and the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

A reminder to the world that Tanzania scooped three position at the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The three attractions include Ngorongoro crater (world's largest unbroken caldera), Mountain Kilimanjaro (the roof of Africa) and the incredible Serengeti migration. I have never been any prouder of my country than this big win.

Phillip Imler the Founder & President at the 7 Natural Wonders.

Special thanks to Mr. Phillip Imler the Founder and President at the Seven Natural Wonders for initiating this meaningful competition. Phillip Imler was recently appointed by Tanzania with two others as the U.S. Goodwill Ambassadors of tourism  

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