|
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN TANZANIA.
Responsible tourism is an attitude of mind to which we
should all aspire. When on a walking safari or camping
safari it is a must to keep to the tracks laid out in the
parks; in Tanzania it is important to keep to the designated
trails. If a driver is caught making a new trail with his
vehicle he looses his license and is banned from all
National Parks. To keep to the trials helps protect fauna
and prevents soil erosion. Tanzania takes its responsibility
towards the environment very seriously. The African in these
parks is the heritage of the Tanzanian people.
In the National Parks use authorized land for camping. The
official camps sites may be little more than a cleared area
of ground to pitch your tent; camping is generally very
basic in Tanzania. Camp fires are not allowed because of the
danger of a bush fire, the small amounts of wood there is
available is not to burn but to return nutrients to the soil
or best left for the resident pastoralists. It is preferable
therefore to bring you own camp stove.
It is advisable to use bottled water; the local water
sources may be heavily used by people and animals so may
well be contaminated. If you do use water purify by
filtering and boiling and/or the use of purification
tablets. Avoid using soap or shampoo directly in the water
sources and wash at least seventy meters away from any water
source. Use established toilets where possible otherwise dig
a shallow hole and bury all evince of you visit; a makeshift
toilet should be seventy meters away from any water.
The local people of the area - remember you are their guest
– treat them with the regard a visitor should show toward
the host. Many of the National Parks are home to people
whose economy is based on livestock; respect the local
customs and traditions and dress code. Often tourist has
little respect for the dress code of other cultures. It is
not pretty to see tourism interfere with the native peoples
work and private lives use common sense and remember what is
acceptable in your culture may not be acceptable in a more
traditional culture.
Ask permission before photographing people, try to use
designated village to visit within the National Parks and
Game Reserves. If you are camping close to a village it is
possible to negotiate a visit with the village elders. This
will normally involve some payment.
The Tanzanian Government does not encourage roadside deals
for photography or giving of gifts at the roadside. This
encourages people to harass tourists and has been known to
cause the deaths of children who run into the road looking
for sweets or money when a vehicle approaches. It is better
to visit a village and give through the elders or make a
donation to a registered charity.
I would also advise that many of the peoples may be poor in
material positions but they are rich in skills. Pay them for
their bead work, carvings basket weaving… when buying a
curio it is better to buy from the people who make them so
they get the full benefit. If you buy from a curio shop you
make the middle men rich. Your driver/guide may well take
you to a curio shop or two; driver's receive commission for
this; so it is in his interest to convince you to buy from
an established curio shop as this is where the largest
commission is paid.
An exception to this rule would be Tanzanite; this beautiful
blue stone is better bought from an established gem dealer.
Do not be tempted to buy in the street you may get a good
deal but it is more probable you won't. You may even find
buying from an established merchant is a better deal than in
the street! It is also safer, much more comfortable and
stress free.
This should not have to be said but say it I must; remember
not to littler. Pack with care leaving all unnecessary
packaging in the town. Carry out all you litter, do not be
tempted to bury it as animals will invariably dig it up –
litter looks unsightly – littler kills.
In conclusion treat the peoples here as you would want to be
treated by visitors to your home. Treat the country with the
respect it deserves; remembering you are the stranger here
arriving with the strange customs. Relax and enjoy this
wonderful country, Africa is an amazing place to be, the
peoples of Tanzania are friendly and very polite with a keen
interest in learning about where you come from and to
welcome you.
Send
Email to:
info@makundiafricaexpedition.com |
