Dorobo Safaris Newsletter 2020
Dear friends, colleagues & acquaintances,
It has been a long time since we have sent out a Dorobo update – and a lot has happened in the world in the meantime. With the global pandemic that has so suddenly turned things on its head, and has exposed so many underlying issues in our personal, political, economic & social lives, it seems the only place we can turn to for ‘normalcy’ is nature. The rhythms of nature, infinitely diverse in their detail yet slow and long-sighted in their whole, offer us a baseline, something we can use to give us perspective. Never before has it been so important to be able to access and reconnect with Nature, to allow oneself the space to remember the basics of why life is so good and what is important!
It has been a long time since we have sent out a Dorobo update – and a lot has happened in the world in the meantime. With the global pandemic that has so suddenly turned things on its head, and has exposed so many underlying issues in our personal, political, economic & social lives, it seems the only place we can turn to for ‘normalcy’ is nature. The rhythms of nature, infinitely diverse in their detail yet slow and long-sighted in their whole, offer us a baseline, something we can use to give us perspective. Never before has it been so important to be able to access and reconnect with Nature, to allow oneself the space to remember the basics of why life is so good and what is important!
The greater Dorobo family of staff, camp crew and guides, as well as the communities we work with, are fortunate that we are all in good health and doing well all considered. Although Tanzania has been heavily criticized for its lack of transparency for not providing any data on the Covid situation within the country, for us living here we have seen little impact from Covid-19 on the day-to-day lives of Tanzanians. We are still amazed at how unscathed Tanzania is on the health front. According to our contacts, the Arusha Regional hospital Mt Meru, which has been designated as the special Covid unit for this region, has not had a positive Covid patient since July 2020.
While there are many potential reasons for this, the fact remains that we feel it is safe enough to invite and to host guests in Tanzania. The Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resource & Tourism has laid out comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures for all facets of the tourism industry to follow. Based on these, we have created our own procedures to make sure our guests, as well as our staff, have a safe and enjoyable experience.
While there are many potential reasons for this, the fact remains that we feel it is safe enough to invite and to host guests in Tanzania. The Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resource & Tourism has laid out comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures for all facets of the tourism industry to follow. Based on these, we have created our own procedures to make sure our guests, as well as our staff, have a safe and enjoyable experience.
We want to thank those who came on Safari with us over the last few months, as you have helped immensely by giving all of our guides, camp crew and extended staff a bit of work and income. Those who have been able to visit, have been rewarded with very special experiences. With the wildlife show as spectacular as always and few other tourists in the wilderness areas, this has truly been a ‘once in a lifetime’ (we sincerely hope) opportunity. In their own words:
“We were looking for an escape from Covid which was safe & fun... and found Dorobo Safaris! Away from the Covid Chaos we enjoyed the amazing African wildlife up close & personal and observed behavior only really accessible on foot.” Jen Paton – Traveled September, 2020
“We were looking for an escape from Covid which was safe & fun... and found Dorobo Safaris! Away from the Covid Chaos we enjoyed the amazing African wildlife up close & personal and observed behavior only really accessible on foot.” Jen Paton – Traveled September, 2020
“One of the benefits of traveling to Tanzania during this strange year was the lack of other tourists - we felt safe and there were good procedures in all airports and areas we travelled through. If you can travel this year before it gets busy again do it!!
Thanks for a trip of a lifetime during such a strange year!! We will be back for sure!” AJ Sutherland – Travelled September, 2020
“Despite the global COVID situation, we never had the feeling that either the Tanzanian authorities or the safari organization were being lax or careless about regulations… More importantly, however, was the unforgettable experience that we had in the Serengeti and near the Mara River. The first half of our trip consisted mainly of daily walking safaris where the dedication and knowledge of Douglas, our guide, made the whole difference. COVID 19 never posed a risk during our trip and we always felt safe. In fact, because of lower levels of international tourism, having the chance of doing a Safari in 2020 made the entire trip unique. “ Carlos Mendez de Vigo – Traveled August, 2020
Thanks for a trip of a lifetime during such a strange year!! We will be back for sure!” AJ Sutherland – Travelled September, 2020
“Despite the global COVID situation, we never had the feeling that either the Tanzanian authorities or the safari organization were being lax or careless about regulations… More importantly, however, was the unforgettable experience that we had in the Serengeti and near the Mara River. The first half of our trip consisted mainly of daily walking safaris where the dedication and knowledge of Douglas, our guide, made the whole difference. COVID 19 never posed a risk during our trip and we always felt safe. In fact, because of lower levels of international tourism, having the chance of doing a Safari in 2020 made the entire trip unique. “ Carlos Mendez de Vigo – Traveled August, 2020
We had one guest in September who was keen to visit some of our more remote Ruaha and Katavi wilderness areas in the South & West of Tanzania. Due to the lack of safaris it was one of the first times that we have had the privilege of taking many of our guides and camp crew with us to these areas, when opening them up with tracks and checking them out for the upcoming safari. This was a unique opportunity for many of them who had never been to these areas, to learn about the walking/wilderness zones of Ruaha and Katavi National parks.
Dorobo guides Killerai, Daudi, Allen and Eliza along with Directors Joshua, Simon, Mika and Thad traveled to Ruaha to open and check on the walking area along the great Ruaha river. This was a chance for our guides who had never been to Ruaha to learn about this beautiful park and to spend some quality time together. We all had so much fun learning and sharing our knowledge of the vast flora and fauna the park has to offer. We are also excited that the park has now opened sport fishing thereby adding a new activity for guests who are interested. Our guides, many of whom had never been fishing before were hooked by the end of the trip!
Katavi National Park is another overlooked park and sees very few visitors due to its remoteness. Again we had a group of guides join on a recce to open up areas and learn about these fly camping/walking areas. Guides Douglas and Simon Kipuyo joined directors Simon, Joshua, Mike and Lisa on this trip. The walking areas required classic navigational Dorobo bush skills as the last cars through the area were Dorobo’s safaris that visited the areas a year previously!
This is perhaps an appropriate time to also note that Dorobo Safaris is collaborating with the PAMS Foundation www.pamsfoundation.org to develop community tourism initiatives in southern Tanzania in the areas bordering Mozambique. PAMS is working to provide economic opportunities for villages that can help protect key corridors and wildlife habitat between the huge Niaasa Reserve in Mozambique and the Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) in Tanzania.
The 800 km long Ruvuma River which borders Mozambique offers an incredible river experience with amazing cultural interaction but also wilderness and wildlife. The river varies incredibly from huge slow-moving expanses with hippo pools and vast reed beds to fast flowing rapids and whitewater canyons. Look for news on inflatable canoe trips starting June 2021 – we have excellent high-quality inflatable canoes and equipment from South Africa and are ready to go. This is a unique and very remote off the beaten tourist track experience with options for including some walking in Ruaha National Park, a visit to the amazing southern highlands near Njombe, and a visit to the Indian Ocean at or near Mtwara.
The 800 km long Ruvuma River which borders Mozambique offers an incredible river experience with amazing cultural interaction but also wilderness and wildlife. The river varies incredibly from huge slow-moving expanses with hippo pools and vast reed beds to fast flowing rapids and whitewater canyons. Look for news on inflatable canoe trips starting June 2021 – we have excellent high-quality inflatable canoes and equipment from South Africa and are ready to go. This is a unique and very remote off the beaten tourist track experience with options for including some walking in Ruaha National Park, a visit to the amazing southern highlands near Njombe, and a visit to the Indian Ocean at or near Mtwara.
Even though Tanzania has for whatever reason escaped the Covid storm, many of you are understandably concerned about air travel. From reports of our clients, and those few of us from Dorobo who have traveled abroad, the airlines have taken such a big hit that they are extremely cautious in their protocols.
Obviously, we want and need visitors, though of course not at the expense of jeopardy to you. But if you need a Covid break & after weighing the risk, decide to come, we welcome you to the fresh air, the evening Acacia fires and the open spaces of Tanzania’s natural & cultural wonders now to be imbibed in relative isolation.
Thank you for reading,
The Dorobo Team
Obviously, we want and need visitors, though of course not at the expense of jeopardy to you. But if you need a Covid break & after weighing the risk, decide to come, we welcome you to the fresh air, the evening Acacia fires and the open spaces of Tanzania’s natural & cultural wonders now to be imbibed in relative isolation.
Thank you for reading,
The Dorobo Team