A JOURNEY TO TANZANIA
Apr 25th, 2007 by kendi
A visit to Tanzania in East Africa is, indeed, an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. It simply blows your mind away. These were the words of Mr Aris Lycharas, an Attorney at Law with the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Council of State. Lycharas’ love for the landscape and natural beauty began as he was growing up as a child with his parents who lived in the country. Precisely 22 years later after relocation to Athens, Greece, Lycharas revisited country and brought with him some memories in this interview
Q. What were your experiences on Safari when you recently visited the country where you spent your childhood?
A. Growing up as a child in a country with diversified landscape is something that cannot be easily forgotten. Several years after our departure, I have decided to return there to assess to what extent tourism is developing, but this time on safari. It’s very marvelous and safari has left on indelible mark on my mind, especially how the tourism infrastructure has developed and the extent to which tourism resource has been maintained by the authorities. Everything is very attractive there. It also gave me an opportunity to see major parts of the countryside and I can vividly say that the country has significantly changed, judging through the eyes of a child and through the eyes of an adult. Going back was rather amazing, wonderful and interesting – to find oneself in another world of its won natural habitat. To say the least, it seems that I have no favourite place, East Africa especially Tanzania is unique in its own way. The major port of Dares Salaam is just a good starting point. Then you move to Ngorongoro and Serengenti with their attractive parks. The mere mentioning of the names are in themselves very exotic, they are places where until now I remember my hunting pastimes and the different species found over there.
Q. How would you describe your Safari trip?
A. You know, a journey on safari enables you to see wide animals in their natural habitat, the bird life is beautiful and a delight. For me it’s an experience of a lifetime, – I mean you go there and you see these wild and different kinds of animals in their natural habitat, you see the giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, zebras and a whole range of African widelife, in large numbers. Here, I must frankly stress that Tanzania is the ultimate safari destination. The way of life, the African rhythm is absolutely beyond me. Even the sunshine is magical, I love waking up as early as 5am to see the beauty of the sunshine. Seregenti is another delightful spot to visit. It has the most famous natural parks and also the largest. Its name is derived from the natural park with its diverse habitat. It’s usually best to begin at Boukova in the north and end up in Arusha. At Arusha, you have varied ecosystem, and a view of mount. Meril, which is good to see. This trip takes a couple of days but it worths it. Here, if you go inland, you can actually get a license and be able to go hunting, which I will strongly recommend to potential visitors and holiday vacantioners.
The specialization of Tanzania in natural tourism makes it unique. I know Africa is renowned for its natural beauty especially East Africa. For me, Tanzania holds a special love in my heart.
Q. What would you tell tourists to look for and also to avoid? What would you advice them to do?
A. If you are on a guided tour, you are completely cut off from interacting with the indigenous people. They are very friendly, peaceful and accomodating people. I personally think it’s something that should be part of safari tours. For instance, visits to rural villages and cities create different feelings in you. You learn a bit about the culture and way of life of the natives which enriches you as an individual. It is also extremly enlightning your as tourists. We were there and appreciate the richness of the culture, so never miss all these. It’s paying for a ticket to safari, indeed.
Q. How educative and informative are things that you saw during the trip there? Would you like to share some secrets with our readers?
A. Imagine this, Ngorongoro has a different phenomenon, you can see the volcanic crate which is no longer active but is unique. The Ngorongoro crate is often called Africans Eden and the 8th natural wonder of the world, something we never knew before. Serengenti is a more complete experience, you need days to make this trip, while Bourkova is in the north and close to lake Victoria, I remember we took a boat and went overnight across lake Victoria, that was a great fun to do, rowing the boat with specially designed wooden boards on the lake. Close to the Victoria falls, are lots of factories where fish is processed for export to all parts of the world. In Bourkova you will find a hotel where the classic film “The African Queen” featuring Katherine Hepburn, was shot. Though the hotel is no longer in operation it’s a good sight to see as a tourist to that corner of Africa. I know, Tanzania is a good destination for a safari trip and definitely I am looking forward to go back. I always recommend it to my friends who are in search for something different, something non-European because if I enjoyed it I know they will, and many of them want to go on safari but never know how to go about it, so I have become a link in organizing such trips for my Greek friends and associates. They will never miss the hidden secrets of Tanzania and of course Zanzibar island.