Names, names, funny names
When in Tanzania one constantly encounters its warm, friendly and hospitable people. Even if you meet strangers, they are bound to assist you in any way possible.
Gazelles vs Antelopes – what is the difference?
When out on safari whether it is in the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti, you are bound to see a lot of antelopes and gazelles. In fact, of the 91 antelopes and gazelle species in the world, the African continent is home to 72 of them.
Why are there so many half-finished houses?
For visitors to Tanzania it must be strange to see so many half-finished houses, but for locals it is a common sight. As a guide on safari with guests, I always get questions about these buildings. To understand why so many people do not complete the building of their houses you have to understand how rural people live.
Who said bicycles are just for riding?
People, bananas, wood. In Tanzania bicycles are important to transport all kinds of goods. I am always amazed to see what people can load onto bicycles here in Tanzania, every time I think I have seen it all, I am proved wrong.
Up and away – a safari that will take words away…
Much like many a fellow traveller, I have a list of things I want to experience before the end of my days. When I was offered the chance to move to Tanzania my bucket list bells went ballistic - so many adventures to be experienced. Moments such as sitting on top of Mt Kilimanjaro, sipping cocktails on idyllic beaches in Zanzibar and seeing the pure majesty of the big migration up close, are memories I will treasure for life.
Owls in Tanzania – feared in Tanzania
Tanzania has over 1100 bird species and 15 species of owls and it is a big deal for ornithologists some owls as these are nocturnal birds. However, for Tanzanians owls are bad news. They believe that owls do the work of the devil… I have had heated arguments with gardeners who were intent on cutting down trees in my garden for reasons varying from 'they bring to much shade' or 'trees are stop the plants from growing'.
Khanga – clothing for Africa
Bright, colourful, blowing in the wind. Traditional cotton cloths worn by African women and bought by many tourists visiting Africa, the “kanga” (the Swahili word for guinea fowl) is a garment worn mainly by women in Tanzania and east. The khanga has been around for a long time and there are many opinions to its source or where it first started.
Dik dik – a small African story
Dik-diks are tiny antelopes found in southern and eastern Africa. They are only 30-40cm high and eat leaves, berries and fruit.There is an African tale which goes like this:One fine sunny day in the savannah a dik dik called Juma was on a walk when suddenly he stumbled and fell into some elephant dung.
Tanzanian street food – all you need to know
Tanzania has a very rich diversity when it comes down to food. Influenced by years of trading between cultures, the cuisine has been shaped into what it is today. For visitors to Tanzania it is quite normal to see small food stands everywhere. Some start up only at night and some trade only in the daytime. Many people wonder what they offer at these fast food places.
Hippos – Dangerous vegetarians
Fat and friendly? Not so. A hippo is a force to be reckoned with. These huge semi-aquatic mammals are quite commonly seen when out on safari. During the day they like to spend most of their time lazing about in the water, not doing much. They seem harmless and lazy, but weighing in at up to 3 ton, they can easily reach speeds of up to 30km/h when charging.
