Border dispute
Tanzania–Kenya border post dispute raises the heat
A report in eTN in recent weeks to the effect, that the Tanzania Tourist Board has advised the Bologonja border between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti must remain closed, has attracted dozens of agitated mails, hot tempered and at times foul mouthed responses and explicit text messages to this correspondent, with most in favor of opening the border – including surprisingly many from Tanzania – and far less opposed to the move already announced in Kenya and then denounced in Tanzania last week.
The border crossing at the Sand River, between the Keekorok Lodge in Kenya’s Masai Mara and the Lobo Lodge in Tanzania’s Serengeti, was in the old days a convenient way to attract safari tourists from overseas wishing to see all the main national parks by way of circuit. After the breakdown of the first East African Community in 1977 ALL border posts with Kenya were shut by Tanzania for several years, before in late 1984 cross border traffic was allowed to resume. This, however, was restricted to the main highway border crossing points, while the park border remained closed for commercial traffic but permitting individual travelers to cross with prior arrangements.
As previously reported, this adds substantial extra cost on those safari packages which cover both the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, as tourists have to back track the entire way via Nairobi and/or Arusha to reach “the other side,” a situation which in times of economic crisis and tight money simply cannot be explained away any longer. Most comments were not fit not to be repeated here, but all except seven were in favor of opening the border crossing once again. About the same ‘sample’ was in agreement not to promote ‘one day trips’ to the other side, but use the crossing for safaris, which then proceed onwards to other national parks in the respective countries. All the pro comments made however called in various terminology the environmental reasons advanced by the Tanzanian Tourist Board an “utterly misleading statement” and “willfully false.”
Official sources in Nairobi remained unusually quiet and non responsive over this development, probably not wanting to rock the boat ahead of the next East African Head of State Summit in November, where the agreements towards the common market protocol are due to be signed. Under these agreements the way could be paved to overrule the continued closure of the border post, but it is probably too early to make reliable predictions towards that end, knowing how a reluctant partner can quite deliberately, and for almost indefinite periods of time, delay final agreements. It is however understood from usually well-informed sources that intense consultations are ongoing between senior government figures to seek a way out of the far too public disagreement, news of which has gone around the world and caused considerable consternation in tourism circles.
However, with other deliberate non tariff barriers still in place in regard for instance on aviation movements, amongst others, pressure will undoubtedly increase from the East African Community head quarters as well as affected other member states to resolve such issues on the fast track to avoid making the regular head of state unity announcements a laughing stock and become ridiculed over their divided stand on such obstacles to unity.
Comments
Dear Sirs,
the article shook a tree and what fell out hit his head badly. Mr. Ole is a minoroty case and by now everyone is just laughing and wondering what next he will cook up. Anyway, the common market next year will sort this out and the rest of EAC can take the matter to the court in Arusha.
How anyone takes his utterances serious makes one wonder, no one calling himself scientist or journalist would write such rubbish and try to smear others that way.
Yours faithfully
Mukasa Fred M.
Tanzania national parks win accolades in the world
By Damas Kanyabwoya
Serengeti and Kilimanjaro national parks among the most celebrated and iconic destinations in the world, according to a survey.
The recently released annual survey was conducted by the National Geographic Traveler in conjunction with the National Geographic Society's Centre for Sustainable Destinations.
The Serengeti ecosystem, which scored 71 points, was voted the best destination in Africa and among the 12 best destinations in the world.
It has been rated alongside other exotic places like HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/europe-text/9" l "delphi" Delphi in Greece, HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/north-america-text/5" l "california-mid" Santa Barbara to Monterey in California, US and HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/north-america-text/15" Taos and the Enchanted Circle Tour of New Mexico, in the US . It was followed by HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/africa-text/3" Kruger National Park of South Africa and the HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/africa-text/4" Seychelles.
The annual "Places Rated" Destination Stewardship survey rates tourism destinations according to how well they have weathered the pressures of mass tourism and other threats.
A total of 133 destinations were surveyed by a panel of 437 well-travelled experts in a variety of fields related to sustainable tourism.
The survey is the cover story of the November-December 2009 issue of the National Geographic Traveler magazine which was expected to be on news stands from November 3.
Serengeti went up ten points since it was first surveyed in 2006, compared to Kenya's Masai Mara score which went down three points at the 29th best destination. This reflects Tanzania�s efforts in conservation even though it shares the same ecosystem with the East African neighbour.
The survey comes hot in the heels of a recent dispute between Kenya and Tanzania regarding the latter�s refusal to open an entry point between the two countries and thus allow tourists from Kenya�s Masai-Mara national park to cross into the Serengeti.
Kenya had announced that Tanzania agreed to open the Bologonja entry point, but Tanzania authorities denied the report. They said the country would not open the entry point closed in 1977 because doing so would threaten wildlife in the Serengeti ecosystem.
Comments gathered during the survey from anonymous panelists described the Serengeti as an amazingly beautiful place and a rich ecosystem in terms of wildlife.
"I've known the Serengeti plain for 40 years and it remains, thankfully, one of the natural wonders of the world. It is still offering fabulous game viewing and a sense of vastness, emptiness, and solitude.
''Guides are generally first rate and increasingly drawn from local communities. Although tourism has grown substantially, the number of hotels has been kept fairly low,'' said one of the panelists.
Another commented: "Hugely appealing on all fronts, amazing ecosystem and terrain appear to have done a much better job than the Masai Mara in prioritizing the environment over uncontrolled tourism.
''It appears to take on more considerations with respect to locals, but certainly not to the degree necessary for long-term sustainable development and quality of life. The outlook is good to great; continue rigid controls on vehicles and development."
Panelists said, however, that government policies need to be stronger to protect local rights and provide benefits to surrounding communities.
They believed that if this, plus control over types and number of accommodation, are accomplished, long-term sustainability is possible. Poaching, they further said, needed to be highly reduced.
Said another panelist: "I worked on the design of a lodge adjacent to the park and visited several times. The potential of this region is huge; the issues equally so.
�Poaching needs to be reduced, which is likely to happen only if alternative jobs become available. The small upscale development of tourism that is prevalent has the potential to invigorate the region while minimizing its adverse impact."
Like the first Destination Rated survey in 2004, Norway's fjords region has again taken top honours in this survey with a score of 85 points. Judges noted the gorgeous scenery and well-preserved rural life that are vigorously protected.
Mt Kilimanjaro scored 58 points and was the 25th best destination, also ahead of the Masai-Mara ecosystem.
�Everyone knows that the famous snows are melting; what we don't hear as much about are the mounds of garbage left by the growing number of hikers.
�The good news is trails are well maintained, camping sites and huts are in good shape, guides are well trained and proud of being able to work in such a magnificent location," a panelist said.
Commented another: ''The main issues on Mt Kilimanjaro include managing overcrowding and waste/trash to maintain the quality of the experience.
Other issues are working conditions for porters, training guides to be able to offer tourists a high-quality, genuine experience and participation of communities around the mountain in tourism activities.
''In general, Mt Kilimanjaro is doing okay and continues to be a major tourist draw with a generally satisfying experience, but faces challenges on all those fronts."
Other African destinations surveyed include HYPERLINK "http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/africa-text/6" Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, Lalibela and Rock-Hewn Churches in Ethiopia and the Luxor (Thebes, Valley of the Kings) of Egypt.
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/newo.php?id=15413
Thank you Maj. (rtd) Kamunge, the issue here is most of these journalists are corrupted by Travel agencies that do not know the reasons for keeping the gates shut are more ecological than political! Does it make a sense to open the gate just to accomodate their demands to shorten the distance they use from Nairobi to Serengeti?
Pls you corrupted Journalists try to report the facts and not some allegations that won't help the region but passing across sentiments/feuds that have no help to the reagion! How about trying Investigative Journalism?
Dear Sir,
Are we to assume that this is the official TZ Government policy position on cross border operations, and that Mr Ole Sirngoti's sentiments articulate this?
If this is the case, then God help the East African Cummnity.
The rest of the East African Residents do not have to put up with this kind of arrogance and co-descending attitude from the writer, and it is high time we started putting them to task on their stand on serious issues.
We should have some form of limit as to the amount of whining and insults, diguised as excuses, thrown by one partner to the others, and how much of it should be tolerated.
Let us try to be focussed on issues as much as possible and while we are at it, use only civilised language.
The time the gate was open, Serengeti was not in the LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE and it had no ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN! Why the hell should another country pressurize us to open our border to allow tampering of our precious and delicate ecosystem? Leave Tanzania alone Serengeti belongs to Tanzania and nobody can tell TANAPA to stop following its conservation measures! I see another Migingo issue araising here! To demonstrate how fools and greedy are our neighbors! I don't urgue here as just a lousy journalist but as a scientist!
Keep inciting the others to see Tanzania is unfriendly on its Management Policies and pls dont compare what is happening in Masai Mara to Serengeti since Masai-Mara has neither ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN nor ENLISTED IN WORLD HARITAGE LIST. Please respect what TANAPA and TTB is doing, don't look at things in a propaganda way as you are full of! Serengeti by itself is a superbrand and Tanzania does not fear any sort of competition from anybody in Tourism business! So while you are destroying the Masai-Mara ecosystem now you are pushing to gain a share of benefits of Serengeti Conservation Efforts! Grow up you uneducated Ugandan by the name Mukasa Fred
And please again stop your childish behavior Tanzania can stand on its own on Tourism we fear nobody those mere allegations that we fear Kenya as a bigger competitor to us are just fabricated! Arusha can pull its own sort of tourists that are unique and neither Kenya nor Uganda can take that cause both of these countries can not offer what Arusha Circuits can! Understand that, you make noises here cause of wanting the fruits of years of conservation efforts from the Frankfurt Zoological Society who put the standards you see and cry for now!
Dear Sirs,
the truth always is bitter and Mr. Ole cannot eat it without choking.
That border was open for very long and the closure was political. The only reason for this is fear of Tanzania safari business. They should get real or get out of EAC and not lie to everyone about fake reasons.
Yours faithfully
Mukasa Fred. M.
Seem you are against your principles Mr fake Prof. Read here
The Tanzanian government appears set to extend help to TANAPA and inject funds towards road upgrades and improvements of a nearby aerodrome to permit tourist visitors to reach the park with greater ease. Plans to build an aerodrome inside the park were rejected and environmentally unsound and harmful to the game, a lesson which should be transferred to those intent on building an international airport in the Serengeti district. According to statements availed to this column, it is also understood that other highways, linking the area, were due for upgrades as well, to generally open up the vast area for both tourist visitors but more notably also for business opportunities, permitting agricultural produce to reach markets so far beyond accessibility. The government has also invited private investment for the Ruaha National Park and hopes that new safari camps or lodges and related facilities can be put up to increase the attraction of the park.
Get a life Mr Prof. Wolfgang, Tanzania can not open the gate for a mere reason to shorten the distance Kenya takes to access Serengeti! That's a World Heritage site! Mr. fake Prof. wasn't that you making noises on airport project in Mugumu town? What happened now? Why all this propaganda? Isnt the reason conservation strong enough for you?
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