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News from East AfricaNewsletter from East Africa January 2010Dear Reader, KENYA TOURIST BOARD SCOOPS PRIZE AT CHINA FAIRKenya was recognized at a recent Chinese trade show as the third best-liked destination by Chinese travelers and this is a huge bonus for the tourism sector in Kenya. SERENGETI DISTRICT BENEFITS FROM TOURISMSafari camps and lodges built along the boundaries of the Serengeti National Park and the Grumeti sector boosted the income of the district from USD 12,000 6 years ago to over USD 150,000. In spite of the setback in 2008/9 due to the global economic and financial crisis, tourism in Tanzania is expected to make a full recovery in 2010, making up for the loss of arrivals over the past one-and-a-half years. The added benefit is employment opportunities at the recently-built camps and lodges outside the park. BIOFUEL DEVELOPMENTS MAY DESTROY KENYA’S TANA RIVER DELTAThe Tana River Delta on Kenya's north coast is under threat from planting export crops, biofuels and mining of minerals. Nature Kenya (BirdLife Partner) & partners together with local communities try to stop the proposed developments which would result in tens of thousands of people losing their livelihoods. An economic study shows that an integrated conservation-focused and more sustainable management of existing activities, could generate more income and better livelihoods. VIRUNGA VOLCANO ERUPTS AGAIN IN EASTERN CONGOMt. Nyamarugira, one of the most active volcanoes in the eastern Congo, erupted in the early hours of January 2nd 2010. The mountain is 10,033 feet high and is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. Wildlife in the area, including chimpanzees, fled from the scene as park rangers and wardens monitored the direction of the lava flow. The volcano is located some 20 kilometers from the town of Goma and about 25 kilometers north of Lake Kivu. No immediate danger reportedly exists for Goma, however, events are being carefully monitored to allow an early evacuation of the town, should the eruptions intensify. Visitors are reassured Mt. Nyamarugira poses no threat to tourists or residents in neighboring countries. KENYA HOLDS 'RHINO POACHING GANG'Kenyan authorities have arrested a gang suspected of killing a white rhino and cutting off and selling its horns. Kenya Wildlife Service said the suspects were caught with two rhino horns and 647,000 shillings ($8,500; £5,300) in cash. It is thought some of the 12 suspects were buyers of the horns and had used the money to pay the poachers. Kenya had many thousands of rhinos in the 1970s but only hundreds remain after decades of poaching. The hunters supply an illegal trade in rhino horns, which are widely used in traditional medicines in Asia. Lobby groups warned that rhino poaching around the world was on the rise as a result of lax law enforcement and despite efforts to protect the animals. HOTELIERS IN NAIROBI PLEASED WITH 2009Occupancy levels in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi have risen to the pre-election and pre-global economic crisis period. The opening recently of the Crowne Plaza in Nairobi’s Upperhill area, added another 250 rooms and suites to the market. Meetings, conferences, conventions, events, and incentives now constitute a major market for Kenya, estimated to soon be reaching well over 20 percent of the overall tourism arrivals. FOUR RHINOS ARE RELEASED INTO THE WILD IN KENYATwo males and two female white were recently relocated to Kenya. This reintroduction initiative is spearheaded by a partnership of conservation organisations, including Fauna & Flora International, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Dvůr Králové Zoo, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Back to Africa, and the Kenya Wildlife Service. The long-term aim of the translocation is to establish a viable breeding group of locally adapted white rhinos for reintroduction back into secure areas of their original range in Eastern Africa within the next 20 years. The process of selection was driven by their likelihood of normal breeding. Conservationists believe that by providing the four rhinos with a natural habitat and secure African setting, they will significantly increase their chances of breeding successfully. POWER BLACKOUT IN ZANZIBAR THREATENS TOURISMThe more than a month-long power blackout in Zanzibar is apparently threatening the Island’s tourism. Famous for its warm sandy beaches, spice aroma, water-sports and old Arab architecture, the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania had experienced zero electricity supplies since December 10 last year, with most hotels going with standby generators. Zanzibar government expects that hydro-electric power supply will be restored on February 20th. TANZANIA CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS OF JANE GOODALL’S LEGACYThis year fifty years of chimpanzee research in Eastern Africa will be celebrated. The famous British primatologist, Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking studies of the primates at Gombe Stream National Park in western Tanzania in 1960, after working before with the legendary archaeologist, Louis Leakey. She made a number of discoveries about chimps’ social and family life. The 75 year old Goodall founded JGI in 1977 and continues to travel the world to promote community-based conservation. Among her many honors, she became a UN Messenger of Peace when Kofi Annan was UN Secretary General. KENYA AIRWAYS WILL PARTICIPATE IN EU EMISSIONS SCHEMETo cut aviation-generated carbon emissions in Europe, the EU has made it mandatory for airlines operating within the region to have carbon management plans and an offsetting scheme by 2012. Kenya Airways is using the UK environmental agency to submit an emissions management plan aimed at reducing its carbon footprint considerably in years to come. Airlines from both within the EU and those flying to the EU, will be required to participate in a carbon emissions trading program. Nairobi National Park drought over – Wildlife thrivingAfter a two year drought, The Nairobi National Park finally received some decent rain in December and early January and the effects have been dramatic. Before the rains came, every last blade of grass had been grazed to dust by the 6000 or so resident herbivores & a similar number of illegal cattle. However the surviving cattle have now moved away to grazing lands in Maasailand. The Nairobi National is 120 kms2 teeming with game and contains almost everything you might see bigger more remote parks, except elephants. In fact it is the best place in Kenya, if not the whole of Africa, to see Black rhinos in the wild. Further InformationNewsletter in Deutsch: www.kenyaonetours.de/news.htm |
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