How to be a Responsible Tourist 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
bushfire, 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 burry
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 beadwork, 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 lagest 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 burry
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. Threat 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.