contents
From editors desk... Relaxation can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mental wellbeing, helping you to cope with the challenges of everyday life. Introduce small moments of relaxation into your day. Take a moment to stop and look around, or close your eyes and listen to the sounds you can hear. Mindfulness techniques like this can help you to feel calmer and more in the moment. Gently breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, keeping the pace slow and regular. Slowly tense then relax all the muscles in your body, starting at your toes and working up to your head. Afterwards just take some time to be still and focus on how your body feels. A tropical beach? The park on a, sunny day? Imagine you’re there. Think of the sounds and smells around you, and how you feel. This can bring back nice memories and help you to unwind. Karibu Tanzania and you will experience all this!
Bongoland Team EDITOR Sameer Karmally
CIRCULATION MANAGER Terrence Ramadhan
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rex Kulewa
COVER PAGE Sameer Karmally
CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER Nelly Mkandawile Lulu Joseph Nuridin Juma
GRAPHIC DESIGN Sajida Tejani
SALES MANAGER Shariff S. Ali MARKETING MANAGER Mandisha Kulewa FINANCIAL MANAGER Elizabeth Tenga
PRINTER DeskTop Productions Limited EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:
ESCAPE Tanzania Mwai Kibaki Road, Mikocheni P.O. Box 71651 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255 754 366926 / 0714 004999 / 0784 244424
o
.
Udzungwa Mountains
National Park B
rooding and primeval, the forests of Udzungwa seem positively enchanted: a verdant refuge of sunshine-dappled glades enclosed by 30-metre (100 foot) high trees, their buttresses layered with fungi, lichens, mosses and ferns. Udzungwa is the largest and most biodiverse of a chain of a dozen large forest-swathed mountains that rise majestically from the flat coastal scrub of eastern Tanzania. Known collectively as the Eastern Arc Mountains, this archipelago of isolated massifs has also been dubbed the African Galapagos for its treasure-trove of endemic plants and animals, most familiarly the delicate African violet.
Udzungwa alone among the ancient ranges of the Eastern Arc has been accorded national park status. It is also unique within Tanzania in that its closedcanopy forest spans altitudes of 250 metres (820 feet) to above 2,000 metres (6,560 ft) without interruption. Not a conventional game viewing destination, Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers. An excellent network of forest trails includes the popular half-day ramble to Sanje Waterfall, which plunges 170 metres (550 feet) through a misty spray into the forested valley below. The more challenging two-night Mwanihana Trail leads to the high
plateau, with its panoramic views over surrounding sugar plantations, before ascending to Mwanihana peak, the second-highest point in the range. Ornithologists are attracted to Udzungwa for an avian wealth embracing more than 400 species, from the lovely and readily-located green-headed oriole to more than a dozen secretive Eastern Arc endemics. Four bird species are peculiar to Udzungwa, including a forest partridge first discovered in 1991 and more closely related to an Asian genus than to any other African fowl.
exploration will surely add to its diverse catalogue of endemics. About Udzungwa Mountains National Park : Size: 1,990 sq km (770 sq miles). Location: Five hours (350 km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam; 65 kms (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi. Getting there: Drive from Dar es Salaam or Mikumi National Park. What to do: From a two-hour hike to the waterfall to camping safaris. Combine with nearby Mikumi or en route to Ruaha.
Of six primate species recorded, the Iringa red colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey both occur nowhere else in the world – the latter, remarkably, remained undetected by biologists prior to 1979.
When to go: Possible year round although slippery in the rains. The dry season is June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain anytime. Accommodation : Camping inside the park. Bring all food and supplies. Two modest but comfortable lodges with en-suite rooms within 1km of the park entrance.
Undoubtedly, this great forest has yet to reveal all its treasures: ongoing scientific
For more information go to: www.udzungwa.org
clothing/shoes Pyjamas • Underwear •Trousers/ jeans •Socks •Skirts •Dress Shirts: casual and dressy • Belts Sweater • Jacket • Shoes: comfortable and dressy •Slippers • Swimsuit • Shorts • Accessories: Scarves, hats, and jewellery.
tials Essen port ss
a •P a Vis
icket • card or E-t rs: t D e I k • c e ti numb irline cy •A servation ntal urren e e c r R r n • a g i c e & for otel & h ney: local o •M dit cards e C •r
Toiletries • Shampoo/conditioner • Shaver/shaving cream • Body wash
• Cotton buds
• Cleanser
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Hair brush/comb
• Toothbrush/
• Tweezers
toothpaste/floss
l trica Elec dryer ir
a •H pter da •A ble speakers yer orta •P or CD pla ded) d o al nee •iP era (film, if nt for electric e m m a •C arging equip , camera h c e obile R m • , i.e. t n e m uip eq
us
neo
lla isce
M
block • Sun sses gla • Sun ito repellent squ o • M file sters or nail u’re taking / la d n P a • yo ers edicine il clipp • Na rescription m ou lose any se y yp • An locks - in ca a r • Ext
Don’t forget to take these items in your hand luggage: paracetamol, bottled water, a book, lip balm, lotion and anything else you’d need on the flight.
MINI DIRECTORY LEOPARD TOURS LIMITED Head Office (Arusha): +255 27 2548441 Dar Es Salaam Branch: +255 22 2119754-6 Zanzibar Branch: +255 24 2238752 www.leopard-tours.com BUSHBUCK SAFARI LTD - ARUSHA Tel: +255 27 2544186 / 2543336 / 2544308 / 2548924 / 2548939 www.bushbuckltd.com FOXES AFRICAN SAFARIS Tel: +255 713 237422 / 754 237422 / 784 237422 www.tanzaniasafaris.info SUNNY ADVENTURE SAFARIS LTD – ARUSHA Tel: +255 27 2544040 Cell: +255 754 600786 / 784 600786 / 754 471086 www.sunnyadventures.co.tz NEW AFRICA HOTEL Tel: +255 22 2117050 / 2117051 www.newafricahotel.com THE TANZANITE EXPERIENCE Arusha & River House: +255 27 2505101 TanzaniteOne Mine Visitor Centre: + 255 767 600990 www.tanzaniteexperience.com
OCEAN PARADISE RESORT ZANZIBAR Tel: +255 774 440990 /1/2/3/4/5 www.oceanparadisezanzibar.com DOLPHIN PARADISE RESORT & SPA KIZIMKAZI MKUNGUNI, ZANZIBAR Tel: +255 24 5501166 www.zdvp.com MBALAGETI SERENGETI Tel: +255 27 2548632 / 784 982211 www.mbalageti.com HOTEL TILAPIA MWANZA www.hoteltilapia.com THE ARUSHA HOTEL Tel: +255 27 2507777 / 754 250777 www.thearushahotel.com EASY TRAVEL & TOURS LTD www.easytravel.co.tz SIMBA SAFARI – ARUSHA Tel: +255 27 2501504 – 8 www.simbasafaris.com www.tanzaniasafari.com MASUMIN TOURS & SAFARI LTD - MWANZA Tel: +255 28 2500192 / 2503295 www.masumintours.com
GOLDEN TULIP Tel: +255 22 2600288 www.goldentulipdaressalaam.com
GRUMETI LUXURY TENTED CAMP Tel: +255 27 2752999 www.roughtracksafrica.com
DOUBLETREE www.doubletree.com/tanzania
INTIMATE PLACES LTD - ARUSHA Tel: +255 27 2553885 / 784 751555 www.intimate-places.com
MKOMA BAY – PANGANI Tel: +255 27 2630000 / 786 434001 www.mkomabay.com ZANZIBAR SAFARI CLUB Tel: +255 747 410318 / 844481 / 844482 www.zanzibarsafariclub.com
TAKIMS HOLIDAYS Head Office (Dar Es Salaam): +255 22 2110346/7/8 Arusha Branch: +255 736 210944/5 www.takimsholidays.com
DISCOVER ZANZIBAR WITH ZANTOURS, THE ZANZIBAR EXPERTS
• Our long experience in East Africa and total client focus make us the premier tour operator on Zanzibar • Zanzibar is our home: we know it inside out • We offer luxury transfers in airconditioned vehicles• • Plus customized accommodation options to suit your style and pocket…..
• From thatched beach bungalows and exclusive private villas to international hotels • Romantic weddings & unforgettable honeymoons • Personalised island excursions – from Stone Town tours to swimming with dolphins to sunset dhow cruises • Personalised charter flights in East Africa & custom safaris in Tanzania
Zan Tours Limited PO Box 2560, Tanzania, East Africa Tel: +255 (24) 2233116 / 2233042 / 2232692 Fax: +255 (24) 2233116 Email: zantoursinfo@zantours.com