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 diary of Serengeti Ecosystem lions

On our world today a good number of people have their personal books famously known as diary We have read a lot about different stories from these personal note books and probably watched one or two movies of such topics example the Diary of a black mad woman. Have you ever wondered how lions of Serengeti ecosystem put down their daily stories? First and forward most Serengeti ecosystem includes; Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro Conservation area, Ikona wildlife management area, Loliondo game controlled area to mention a few.

This is a pictorial diary of the lions, take a look and enjoy.

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Safari Lager Nyama Choma Competitions Mwanza Finals at Furahisha grounds 2013.

Last week I post on top 16 seasonal activities and outing you don't wanna miss in Tanzania and Nyama Choma (barbecued meat) competitions was included. Now lets explore deeper on Nyama Choma Competitions 2013. This finals took place at Furahisha grounds in Mwanza. I was the number one fanny since I arrive earlier than most people ha ha ha ha!

One thing before we dig a little deeper with the festival, the sponsor is the number one best beer of 2013 in Africa by the Institute of brewing and Distilling Africa. So I call this a win win festival. Not promoting the beer but I guess by the time your in Tanzania you will give it a try. Congratulations to Safari lager Tanzania.

The final 5 Nyama Choma competing bar, pub and Hotel included:
In no particular order
1. Lunara Hotel from Nyakato

Lunara Hotel

2. AR Pub from Nyegezi

AR Pub

3. Victoria Princess from Kirumba

Victoria Princess Bar and Pub

4.Gemstone Pub Nyegezi

Gemstone Pub

5. Shooters bar from Kirumba

Shooters Pub.

Honestly the competiton was a very nice one  I enjoyed so much. There was a panel of three judges who had to inspect and judge the competitors to make sure things went well and accordingly to standards. 

An advice from the chief Judge on the left.

What about a plate of Nyama Choma? You can't avoid this because it's what I come for in the first place.

You are welcome, it's Halal.

Are you in need of a drink ?

What's your flavor?

Live music was so available to keep the rhythm in style. While you have to  enjoy Nyama Choma and a drink of your choice but mostly best beer in Africa Safari Lager, music had to make the beat go on and create a mood. 

Dance to the beats.

A competition without audience and or fans is as good as dead. But Nyama Choma Competition in Mwanza was parked with a blast.

Lets enjoy people.

And now the moment You have been waiting for, to know the winner. Here the chief judge had to announce the winner of Safari Lager Nyama Choma Competition in Mwanza 2013. Along side the guest of honor and Safari Lager brand manager. The winner is ........ Victoria Princess from Kirumba

Victoria Princess Chef  showing grand prize of Tshs 1,000,000

The joy of winning.

So are you planning for the next year season of Nyama Choma Competitions? You can still catch up with the competition in Arusha on 24th March 2013. But if its impossible worry out there is always next time. Winners from other regions of Mbeya and Dar es salaam are Saigon Pub and Titanic Bar from Vingunguti respectively.

For more stories and photos of the Safari Lager Nyama Choma Competition Mwanza 2013 please check on our facebook page: Karibu Bongo and stay updated on twitter: @karibubongo

Do you like the competitions? If yes or not please drop your ideas on the comment box.

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Top 16 seasonal activities and outings you don't wanna miss in Tanzania.

Tanzania the land of Mountain Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and Zanzibar. Yes it is an authentic wonderland, full of Natural blessings and friendly people. Do you know the seasonal activities and outings that are worthy while participating? Here are the top 16 that you should consider while in Tanzania. This will help you mix your safaristrip to the parks and games and end your experience by getting to know the local in the process during the events and activities. This emphasis our previous post on how to get to the climax of enjoyment when in Tanzania via tourism activities and sports.

1. Sauti za busara

Sauti za Busara, East Africa’s No. 1 festival brings people together in celebration of the richness and variety of African music. It takes place in Stone Town Zanzibar.  Centered within the ancient walls of The Old Fort, the main stage hosts three nights of non-stop live music, with the main program continuing Friday ‘til Sunday with performances from 5pm until 1am. Sauti za Busara features local and international artists across Africa and some other parts of the world. The month of the festival is mainly February where you got to celebrate Valentine's day. Named as among Africa's 10 best music festival by MSN AFRICA

2. Yatch Club Fishing Competition

Joining Dar es Salaam Yacht Club or Tanga Yatch Club is a simple matter, and you do not have to be a sailor to join, but it helps to enjoy the place. There are also the possibilities of fishing, scuba diving, swimming, sail boarding & kayaking. The sport fishing competition is on October in Tanga and monthly for Dar es salaam.

3. Swahili Fashion Week

Swahili Fashion Week is now THE platform for fashion and accessory designers from Swahili speaking countries and the African continent to showcase their talent, market their creativity and network with clientele and the international fashion industry. This is all aimed at emphasizing to the region that fashion is an income generating creative industry, meanwhile promoting a "Made in Africa" concept. It currently is the biggest and largest annual fashion event in the whole of East and Central Africa. This fashion week showcases on December.

4. Kilimanjaro Marathon

The Kilimanjaro marathon is run out of the town of Moshi, at the foot of this iconic mountain. This professionally organized IAAF approved race consists of a full marathon, half marathon and fun run. Set up by the organizers to grow sport and promote tourism in Tanzania, these races attract over 3200 runners from over 50 countries, and numbers are growing yearly.

Known as one of the most scenic races in the world, with Kilimanjaro's white peak looking over the runners as they run through both urban areas and rural farmland and villages, this is a must on all runners’ wish lists. March is the month of the competition. You register on February and race on March.

5. Fiesta

Fiesta Tanzania is the annual celebration of Bongo flava music, the festival brings in local flavor from local artists to international arts worldwide from such as Lil Kim, Ludacris, Ricky Ross and many others, you name them. Its evolves from the regional level and finally its gets to down town Dar es salaam to wind up the event. The finalizing festival happens on September most of times at Leaders Club ground.

6. Nyama Choma Competition (Meat Roasting)

It involves various cities and town such as Dar es salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and others. It’s a competition of roasting meat where the top five bars with the best roasted meat gets into regional final. Leaders Club grounds kinondoni gathers winners from Dar es salaam and there is where the fun at, you will enjoy the sweet aroma and the meat itself. It’s very delicious, March is its season. 

7. Miss Tanzania

Re-presenters for Miss World from Tanzania are prepared and nurtured here. It is among the very popular red carpet event in the country. The show acclaims International audience since it's prepared in an international manner. It features high performance from the pea-gentry themselves and from local and international artists. The event is carried on November.

8. Canoe Competition.

 Do you love water sports? Mwanza  got you covered on this. Come and compete in the largest lake in Africa, the lake Victoria canoe competition. If you have got the skills and the speed why not participating? Date and month of the competition is on October.

9. Goat Race.

It is the best for family day out, here there is a lot of family entertainment, kids corner and family picnic area. While the goats have to race you got to rest and enjoy the race. It is 13 years old now and it is held at Msasani Peninsula, on June. 

10. Miss Utalii (Tourism) Tanzania

The Pageants aims at promotion of tourism, culture and Investment of the world and the Nations, it also aims at promotion of Education, Health, Environments, Unite and Peace among Nations. Come and see the authentic beauties of Tanzania and at the same time enjoying the colorful event and meet new friends.

11. Rock City Marathon

Aims at promoting local tourism in Tanzania, but foreigners are warmly welcome to compete. This competition takes place in Mwanza, the home of Saa Nane Island National Park, the Lake Victoria and were the famous Nile Perch and Tilapia fish are much found. You will enjoy the magnificent rocky scenery and Tilapia for dinner. It’s Amazing. The marathon is mainly on October.

12. Tanzania Premier League.

It was started in 1965, the league consists of 14 teams playing a double round-robin. There are so many merging stars from Tanzania football so surely don't want to miss watching them kicking it like Messi and Ronaldo. The league takes off on September.

13. Wildebeest Migrations

The best time to see the migration is usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the Grumeti River. However the route and timing of the migration is unpredictable so visitors must plan carefully to be assured of seeing the spectacle.
During the early wet season (December to April) the animals are found on the short grass plains around Lake Ndutu, the Moru Kopjes, the Gol Mountains and Seronera in the south of the park.

14. Darts Championship

This is for those who like indoor sports, its Darts Championship. Join the huge number of participating players from several regions across the country. Simply find a club in your region register and your already in the game.

15. Kili Music Awards

Here comes the Grammy Awards for Tanzania, its Kili Music Awards. This is a special night to honor the best musicians or artists in the country and across East Africa. Have you heard the sweet melodies from Tanzania? Its your chance to find out what Music means in Tanzania. All genres are included from coastal music known as Taarab to Bongo flava and so many more. The event is mostly held on April or May.

16. Mount Kilimanjaro hiking

There are so many reasons to climb to the roof of Africa, you name them. Here is the best season to hike to this 5895m standing mountain. Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months (see Kilimanjaro weather).

Additional  Activities and Outings In Tanzania from comments.

i. Whale shark watching
Whale shark season - October to March, Mafia Island. They are heavily present during that time in the Mafia Channel, outside the Marine Park on the West side. 

Do you know any seasonal activities and outing that you wish  to be included here? Please just add it to the comment box and will pull it here.

Worthy reading: How to reach climax enjoyment when in Tanzania via tourism activities and sports.

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Tanzania on the edge of glory after the big win at the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Who can beat the famous three out of the seven African Natural wonders?

It all happened last Sunday in the tourism capital of Tanzania the magnificent Arusha. All eyes where in Arusha where the official naming of the new Seven Natural Wonders of Africa were declared.

Tanzania had three entries which were Mountain Kilimanjaro, Serengeti Migration and Ngorongoro Crater. Believe it or not among the twelve entries from all over Africa, Tanzania won three places from its  three entries. I remember how I took take and campaigned for this to happen, and here I am so proud. Infact very happy considering this took place in Tanzania and yet Tanzania won it big! 

I was not in Arusha but I new what was happening and I decided to gather worthy reading news from a site that I follow; allAfrica . Am certain that they won't mind for me giving just a bit from the story here:

Tanzania: Moment of Glory for Tanzania

BY MARC NKWAME AND ROSE ATHUMANI

Arusha — SERENGETI National Park was declared the best of the seven New Natural Wonders of Africa as all the three entries from Tanzania made it to the coveted seven.

Announcing the new 'Seven Wonders' of nature here, the President and Founder of the Texas (US)-based 'New Seven Wonders,' Dr Philip Imler, revealed that though the seven wonders are not ranked in positions, Serengeti stood out due to its legendary, spellbinding largest migration of large mammals.

Ngorongoro Crater, found within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, and described as 'The Bowl' in which a variety of wildlife live,' was also voted among the Seven Wonders of Nature while Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa's highest mountain, became the third entry from the country.

Please continue reading from here: allAfrica

Its only recently we where celebrating the victory over two award from Safari Awards of 2013 where Singita Faru Faru lodge and Lamai Serengeti scoop the awards back home. The winning was on Best safari property in East Africa and best new safari camp in Africa categories respectively. 

These are among other reasons why Tanzania should be your African Safari Destination of the year. Welcome to the land of Kilimanjaro, The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

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The Cheating games of Cheetahs (did you know this about cheetahs).

AUTHENTIC WONDER

Cheetah

Facts:

Swahili Name:           Duma

Scientific Name:        Acinonyx jubatus

Size:                          30 inches at the shoulder

Weight:                      110 to 140 pounds

Lifespan:                   10 to 20 years

Habitat:                     Open plains

Diet:                           Smaller antelopes

Gestation:                  90 to 95 days

Predators:                 Eagles, humans, hyenas, lions

The lion is said to be majestic, the leopard ferocious and shrewd. But elegant and graceful best describes the cheetah. The cheetah is smaller than the other two cats, but by far the fastest at speeds of 70 miles per hour it can run faster than all other animals.

Now restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, wild cheetahs once were found in most of Africa, the plains of southern Asia, the Middle East and India. 

Do you have any problem with me?

Physical Characteristics

The cheetah is built for speed. It has long, slim, muscular legs, a small, rounded head set on a long neck, a flexible spine, a deep chest, nonretractable claws, special pads on its feet for traction and a long, tail for balance. Although fast, the cheetah cannot run at full speed for long distances (100 yards is about the limit) because it may overheat.

Cheetahs have distinctive black "tear stripes" that connect from the inside corner of each eye to the mouth that may serve as an antiglare device for daytime hunting.

Habitat

Cheetahs are found in open and partially open savannas.

Behavior

Cheetah mothers spend a long time teaching their young how to hunt small live antelopes are brought back to the cubs and released so they can chase and catch them. Unlike most other cats, the cheetah usually hunts during daylight, preferring early morning or early evening, but is also active on moonlit nights.

Cheetahs do not roar like lions, but they purr, hiss, whine and growl. They also make a variety of contact calls, the most common is a birdlike chirping sound. 

Am real getting exhausted.

Diet

Once a cheetah has made a kill, it eats quickly and keeps an eye out for scavengers lions, leopards, hyenas, vultures and jackals will occasionally take away their kills. Although cheetahs usually prey on the smaller antelopes such as Thomson's gazelles and impalas, they can catch wildebeests and zebras if hunting together. They also hunt hares and other small mammals and birds.

Although known as an animal of the open plains that relies on speed to catch its prey, research has shown that the cheetah depends on cover to stalk prey. The cheetah gets as close to the prey as possible, then in a burst of speed tries to outrun its quarry. Once the cheetah closes in, it knocks the prey to the ground with its paw and suffocates the animal with a bite to the neck. 

You are all mine for lunch.

Caring for the Young

With a life span of 10 to 12 years, the cheetah is basically a solitary animal. At times a male will accompany a female for a short while after mating, but most often the female is alone or with her cubs. Two to four cubs are born in a secluded place. Their eyes do not open for a week or two, and they are helpless at first. When the mother is hunting, she leaves them hidden, but by 6 weeks of age they are able to follow her. They are suckled for 2 to 3 months but begin to eat meat as early as 3 weeks.

By 4 months the cheetah cub is a tawny yellow and almost completely spotted; the tail has bands of black and by adulthood a white tip. The grayish mantle disappears more slowly; the last traces are still visible when the cubs are adult-sized at 15 months. 

'Just try me by getting close to my sweet cubs'.

Predators

A shy creature that roams widely, the cheetah is not seen as easily as some other cats. Never numerous, cheetahs have become extinct in many areas, principally due to shrinking habitat, loss of species to prey upon, disease and a high rate of cub mortality. In some areas 50 to 75 percent of all cheetah cubs die before 3 months.

 Source: Darimo Dream Africa

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Serengeti, the world greatest wildlife show (watch the mystery wildebeest migration).

A million wildebeest... each one driven by the same ancient rhythm, fulfilling its instinctive role in the inescapable cycle of life: a frenzied three-week bout of territorial conquests and mating; survival of the fittest as 40km (25 mile) long columns plunge through crocodile-infested waters on the annual exodus north; replenishing the species in a brief population explosion that produces more than 8,000 calves daily before the 1,000 km (600 mile) pilgrimage begins again.

Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, also a world heritage site and recently proclaimed a 7th world wide wonder, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.

The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania’s greatest park. Golden-maned lion prides feast on the abundance of plain grazers. Solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera River, while a high density of cheetahs prowls the southeastern plains. Almost uniquely, all three African jackal species occur here, alongside the spotted hyena and a host of more elusive small predators, ranging from the insectivorous aardwolf to the beautiful serval cat.

But there is more to Serengeti than large mammals. Gaudy agama lizards and rock hyraxes scuffle around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite koppies. A full 100 varieties of dung beetle have been recorded, as have 500-plus bird species, ranging from the outsized ostrich and bizarre secretary bird of the open grassland, to the black eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills. 

As enduring as the game-viewing is the liberating sense of space that characterises the Serengeti Plains, stretching across sunburnt savannah to a shimmering golden horizon at the end of the earth. Yet, after the rains, this golden expanse of grass is transformed into an endless green carpet flecked with wildflowers. And there are also wooded hills and towering termite mounds, rivers lined with fig trees and acacia woodland stained orange by dust.

Popular the Serengeti might be, but it remains so vast that you may be the only human audience when a pride of lions masterminds a siege, focussed unswervingly on its next meal.

About Serengeti 
Size: 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles).
Location: 335km (208 miles) from Arusha, stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west.

Getting there
Scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara and Mwanza.
Drive from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.

What to do
Hot air balloon safaris, walking safari, picnicking, game drives, bush lunch/dinner can be arranged with hotels/tour operators.  Maasai rock paintings and musical rocks.

Visit neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron's flamingos.

When to go
To follow the wildebeest migration, December-July. To see predators, June-October.

Accommodation
Four lodges, six luxury tented camps and camp sites scattered through the park; one new lodge will be opened next season (Bilila Lodge); one luxury camp, a lodge and two tented camps just outside.

More info on accomodation

NOTE
The route and timing of the wildebeest migration is unpredictable. Allow at least three days to be assured of seeing them on your visit - longer if you want to see the main predators as well.

Source: Tanapa

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Gombe National park, the smallest but wondeful (Meet the Chimps).

AUTHENTIC WONDER


Gombe Natinal Park

An excited whoop erupts from deep in the forest, boosted immediately by dozen other voices, rising in volume and tempo and pitch to a frenzied shrieking crescendo. It is the famous 'pant hoot' call: a bonding ritual that allows the participants to identify each other through their individual vocal stylisations. To human listener, walking through the ancient forests of Gombe Stream, this spine-chilling outburst is also an indicator of imminent visual contact with man's closest genetic relative: the chimpanzee.

Gombe is the smallest of Tanzania's national parks: a fragile strip of chimpanzee habitat straddling the steep slopes and river valleys that hem in the sandy northern shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Its chimpanzees - habituated to human visitors - were made famous by the pioneering work of
Dr. Jane Goodall, who in 1960 founded a behavioral research program that now stands as the longest running study of its kind in the world. The matriarch Fifi, the last surviving member of the original community, only three - years old when Dr. Jane Goodall first set foot in Gombe, born 1958 and died in 2004.


Chimpanzees share about 98% of their genes with humans, and no scientific expertise is required to distinguish between the individual repertoires of pants, hoots and screams that defines the celebrities, the power brokers  and the supporting characters. Perhaps you will see a flicker of understanding when you look into a chimp's eyes, assessing you in return - a look of apparent recognition across the narrowest of species barriers.

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Zanzibar's ten best places to be, see, and things to do.

'AUTHENTIC WONDER'.

It is well know that it is real overwhelming to choose places to be, things to see and do when your on tour. Zanzibar can be very dramatic if you can't find your way to the very best that it can offer. That is why you need knowledge about the very intriguing places that worth being and take part. Karibu Bongo is dedicated to inform you on the ten best places, things to see and do while in Zanzibar to have a lifetime experience.

With the help from Zanzibar Travel and Tourism directory 2012/2013, we proudly announce the ten Zanzibar's best.


10.  Festivals! - Sauti za Busara, ZIFF, Jahazi & Mwaka Kogwa
Get into the groove at one of the the Zanzibar's three largest annual festivals - Sauti za Busara (Sounds of  Wisdom). the Music festival takes place in February, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds in celebration of African music. Sauti za Busara is the fusion of old and new, classic and contemporary like historic Zanzibar itself. The festival is a magical meeting place, a melting casserole of diverse cultures, styles and visions - where town meets country, young greets ild. The ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries, East Africa's largest cultural event and takes place each June/July. It is a hotbed of activities, with cinema, music, performing arts, literature and exhibitions across the island. Mwaka Kogwa, also in July, celebrates Shirazi new year in Style and is not to be missed.

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Slogan for Destination Tanzania.

'AUTHENTIC WONDER'.

The Tanzania Tourist Board is proud to announce the slogan for Destination Tanzania Competition.

The competition seeks to find the next short and exciting phrase that will define Tanzania as a unique destination.

I have posted my slogan "Tanzania -  Authentic Wonder." What is yours? Post today.

follow link below.

http://apps.facebook.com/

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