Tanzania brims with historical and cultural treasures
Africa
COMPILED BY GABE WEBB
Tanzania brims with historical and cultural treasures
“ If Africa ’ s tourism opportunities were to be summarized by one single country , that country would be Tanzania ,” says Scholastica Ponera , managing director of Pongo Safaris & Tours .
Her company ’ s itineraries span much of the country ’ s geographic and biological diversity . Travelers visit the conservation areas , marine parks and national parks that make up more than one third of the Tanzania ’ s area .
“ Over 20 percent of the large mammal species of Africa are found across Tanzania ’ s reserves ,” says Ponera . Serengeti National Park , which is slightly larger than Connecticut , is home to wildebeest , Nile crocodiles , honey badgers , lions and an estimated quarter-million zebra . The park shares a border with Ngorongoro Conservation Area , a UNESCO World Heritage site . Its eponymous crater is the largest caldera in the world .
“ Tanzania has a diversity of cultures and great historical discoveries ,” says Ponera . “ With over 120 resident tribes , there is plenty of local history and color to be found in all areas of Tanzania .”
The Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli archaeological sites are significant for containing some of the earliest fossil evidence of human ancestors , including footprints dating back 3.7 million years . The ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani on the coast of the Indian Ocean are the remnants of an ancient sultanate that prospered thanks to the gold , ivory , porcelain and carnelian trade that flourished between Africa , India and China .
“ This country has a number of world-famous historical sites that provide clear insights into the past and help people learn about human history ,” says Ponera . “ The government of Tanzania is doing all it can to preserve and promote these sites for sustainable use .”
Pongo Safaris offers its receptive services to NTA members , and all its programs are customized to each particular group , family and FIT . Tours range from half-day excursions — with lessons from local craftspeople — to month-long stays .
“ We are recognized and have been awarded as the best tour operator to conduct safaris in remote , less-visited areas of the southern and western safari circuits of Tanzania , where other companies find it difficult to operate ,” says Ponera .
For more , contact her at info @ pongosafaris . com or visit the company ’ s website , pongosafaris . com .
CC FLICKR / MARCEL OOSTERWIJK : bit . ly / 2npqnDA CC FLICKR / RICHARD MORTEL : bit . ly / 2mKRIwQ CC FLICKR / RICHARD MORTEL : bit . ly / 2ncbkN8
Zebra in Tanzania ’ s Ngorongoro Crater
Pongo Safaris takes travelers to the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani ( above and below ), an ancient port on the coast of Tanzania .
NTAonline . com 45