Forodhani Gardens Zanzibar reopened

The renovated Forodhani Gardens in Zanzibar Stone Town

After more than 18 months of redesign construction time, Forodhani Gardens have opened again last week. Rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at a cost of $2.2 million, the park was officially opened on the 30th of July 2009 by Zanzibari President Amani Abeid Karume in a function that was also attended by His Highness the Aga Khan.

The 1.4 acre park has regained its landmark status with a fresh new look that added to the beauty of the old Stone Town, itself a World Heritage Site recognised for its exceptional significance to mankind.

We have uploaded more images of the redesigned park to Flick. And you can read a full article about the redesign of the park on allAfrica.com following this link. 

Sounds of Wisdom festival Zanzibar 2009

Sauti za Busara is an international festival celebrating East African music taking place around the second weekend of February each year in Zanzibar. The dates for 2009 will be 12th to 17th of February.

Featuring top-quality musical performances by more than 400 established and upcoming artists (40 groups in total), Sauti za Busara has already established itself as one of Africa’s leading music festivals. It’s an event that unites people in celebration. The festival celebrates Swahili music and culture, old and new. It’s popular with locals and now attracting people from all over the world. Since the first Sauti za Busara festival in 2004, the number of visitors to Zanzibar during February has increased 400%, boosting local revenue and bringing important economic benefits to the island through cultural tourism. The festival directly employs 100 local crew, builds skills and opportunities for musicians, artists, traders and technicians.

During the time of Sauti za Busara, all the hotels and restaurants in Stone Town are full, the boats and planes are fully booked, the tour guides are busy, Zanzibar is energised and excitement is in the air.

A carnival and street parade kicks off festivities on Thursday 12th February, featuring a beni brass band, drummers, wanandege (umbrella women), dancers, stilt walkers and acrobats. The parade arrives at Forodhani around 5pm and continues into the Mambo Club (grassy side) of the Old Fort, where the main stage of the festival is situated. The venue is exploding with colour and there are around twenty stalls selling food and refreshments, clothing, music and local handicrafts.

From Thursday through til Sunday, around ten groups perform each day. Big names rub shoulders with upcoming artists, including thirty of the best groups of Zanzibar, Tanzania and around East Africa, from Comoros, Zimbabwe, Mali, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and UK, traditional and modern, acoustic and electric.  

ZARA now offers a luxury 12 nights all-inclusive program with a Canadian tour leader, visiting the festival and staying at the historic 236 Hurumzi Hotel in Stonetown. After the Festival, we are up to the 5 star Fairmont Zanzibar for some downtime at the beach. See the itinerary.

TravelTalkRADIO broadcasting from Tanzania

California-based tourism & travel broadcaster “TravelTalkRADIO” attended the 33rd African Travel Association’s (ATA) annual meeting last week in Arusha/Tanzania and produced a series of interviews with key people related to tourism in Africa. We have picked the interviews which deal with Tanzania for you.

• Tanzania is one of the view countries to have a permanent secretary to Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mrs. Blandina Nyoni. Listen to what she says about her role: Interview with Blandina Nyoni.
• Mr. Gerald Bigurube, Director General of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) gives an insight into the concept of the Tanzanian National Park and its future development: Interview with Gerald Bigurube.
• Prof. Pius Yanda from Dar-es-Salaam University won a Nobel Prize about climate change together with Al Gore. He explains about the relevance of the topic for Tanzania and Africa: Interview with Prof. Pius Yanda.
• The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s top attractions and one of the biggest natural wonders of the world. Asantael Melita, principal officer of the Ngorongoro Conservation area talks about challenges to the conservation area such as the rising number of tourists and cultivation of local people taking place within the protecte area: Interview with Asantael Melita.

You can listen to all of TravelTalkRADIO’s recent reports about Africa here. Also don’t miss their weekly travel life stream, every Sunday 9 – 11am US Pacific Time. 

‘Bizarre’ new mammal discovered in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The forests of Tanzania bear many surprises: Several news agency yesterday and today reported the recent discovery of a cat-sized bizarre elephant shrew, dubbed Rhynochocyon udzungwensis. It looks like a cross between a miniature antelope and a small anteater and is genetically related to elephants.

You can read more about this discovery on the website of the BBC.

Reinstallation of Health Surveillance Desks at Tanzania borders

We have received notification from the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, that the ”Health Surveillance Desks” which were removed in 2001, have been reinstalled at all borders, ports and international airports of Tanzania.

As Tanzania is among the countries which are at risk of being infected by yellow fever, Health Officials have been instructed to deal with the control and prevention of YELLOW FEVER for international travellers coming
from infected countries.

The Yellow Fever endemic zone in Africa includes Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

Other affected countries include Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Bolivia.

At the Health Surveillance Desk, travellers entering Tanzania from one of the above mentioned countries, you must be able to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.

What does this mean for passengers arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)?

• All travellers coming directly from Europe to JRO, e.g on a KLM flight, and did not cross an endemic country, will NOT need proof of Yellow fever Vaccination.
• All travellers coming from Europe via or transitted through an endemic country e.g. on a ET flight via Addis and Nairobi, they WILL need a Yellow fever vaccination card.
• Anyone arriving on any internation flight to NBO e.g. SN, BA, Swiss, KQ etc. and then using a charter plane or KQ/PW flight to JRO, they WILL need proof of Yellow fever vaccination.

Those who do not have yellow fever vaccination on arrival might be asked to get yellow fever vaccination at JRO airport at a cost of USD 50 per person. When arriving, all passengers are required to first go to the health desk before going to the immigration desk. No passport will be accepted at the immigration desk without having a stamp from the Health department.

New National Park for Tanzania

The Tanzanian government is in the process of adding another wildlife park, increasing the number of tourism parks in the country to 15. Tanzanian tourism minister, Jumanne Maghembe, is seeking parliament’s approval to raise the status of the Mkomazi Game Reserve (bordering Kenya) to a protected national park. Tanzania is the only country in the world that protects more than 25% of its land. “Seventy percent of our product is wildlife-based and conservation is paramount,” says Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board, Peter Mwenguo. “Sensitivity to wildlife means that the yearly migration of animals from one national park to another is uninterrupted.” says Mwenguo.

Other recent developments include government approval for new hotels and infrastructure. The Singita Grumeti Reserves, in particular, will build three new lodges in Southern Tanzania – all of which are subject to an environmental impact assessment.

Source: Deborah Gray, The Travel Hub

Western Breach Route open again

The Tanzania National Parks authorities have recently announced that with effect from 1st of December 2007, the Western Breach Route of Kilimanjaro (Arrow Glacier) will be open to the public again.

The Western Breach route had been closed after a rockfall accident in January 2006 which has been attributed to the melting of ice in ice-scree composite caused by global warming. ZARA Tours will however not offer treks using the Western Breach Route, as it is highly risky and extremely dangerous.  

Increased visa costs for US citizens

As of September 20, 2007, the Tanzania visa fee for U.S. passport holders is now $100. This is for the standard single, double, and multiple entry visas. For all other passport holders, the fee remains at $50.

Tanzania visas can be acquired from a Tanzanian embassy or upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport, the Dar es Salaam Airport, or the border crossing at Namanga. Your passport must be valid for at 6 months beyond your travel date. The visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue for a visit of up to 3 months.

If mailing your visa application, payment must be made with money order. At the border, they only accept cash. You must also provide passport photos, your airline tickets, and your reservation confirmation as proof of sufficient funds in the country.