Posted here on 14/2/2013.
Tanzania: Moment of Glory for Tanzania
by Marc Nkwame and Rose Athumani, allafrica.com
February 12th 2013
Arusha, Tanzania.
SERENGETI National Park was declared the
best of the seven New Natural Wonders of Africa as all the three entries from
Tanzania made it to the coveted seven.
Announcing the new 'Seven Wonders' of nature here,
the President and Founder of the Texas (US)-based 'New Seven Wonders,' Dr
Philip Imler, revealed that though the seven wonders are not ranked in
positions, Serengeti stood out due to its legendary, spellbinding largest
migration of large mammals.
Ngorongoro Crater, found within the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area Authority, and described as 'The Bowl' in which a variety of
wildlife live,' was also voted among the Seven Wonders of Nature while Mount
Kilimanjaro, which is Africa's highest mountain, became the third entry from
the country.
Other winners were the 'Red Sea Reef,' on the
coast of Egypt and Sudan; River Nile, which flows into more than 10 countries
in Africa, the Sahara Desert encompassing nearly ten countries as well and the
Okavango Delta of Botswana.
A total of 12 entries from around the continent
had been competing for the coveted 'Seven' positions and Tanzania had fielded
its own top three tourist attractions. "I was a bit skeptic upon learning
that, the 'New Seven Wonders' of nature will have three winners from a single
country but official statistics and experts' opinions did not lie," said
Dr Imler.
He added that even the votes from Tanzanians did
not help to sway final experts' conclusions. He also named the Seven Wild Life
Wonders of Africa as the leopard, crocodile, elephant, hippopotamus, rhino,
mountain gorilla and the lion.
The colourful proclamation ceremony was graced by
the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, who was the chief guest at the awards
giving session, held at the New Mount Meru Hotel. "As Tanzanians, we must
protect not only the three winners but all natural resources and wildlife that
our country has been endowed with," said the prime minister.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism,
Ambassador, Mr Khamis Kagasheki, said Tanzania is proud to have three of its
natural wonders among Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Among those who attended
the function include the Minister of State (Tourism) of Uganda, ambassadors,
MPs and representatives of tourist boards from Zambia and Uganda.
The Director-General of Tanzania National Parks,
Mr Allan Kijazi, was proud to have two destinations under his authority making
it to the top seven and pointed out that Tanzania was always regarded as
'Number One Natural Summit of Africa.'
Also vying for the title were Mount Kenya, Zuma
Rock of Nigeria, the 'Peak of Furnace' in the Reunion Island, the 'Aldabra
Atoll' of Seychelles, 'Tsingy Debemaraha,' of Madagascar and the 'Avenue of
Baobabs' also found in Madagascar. Visitors wise, the Ngorongoro Crater,
located in Ngorongoro District of Arusha, seems to be the most popular,
attracting over 500,000 tourists every year.
Serengeti comes second with 350,000 annual
visitors while Mount Kilimanjaro attracts nearly 55,000 tourists per annum.
Overall, Tanzania as a country attracts around 1.2 million tourists per year
with more than 80 per cent of these ending up in the Northern Circuit where the
three features are located.
The Ngorongoro Crater is managed by the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) while both the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro
operate under the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
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