Migration of the wildebeest, part II
Today I went with Eric Mathew, the “Human Resources Executive” of the Lodge, on a trip to the next and bigger village: Mugumu. On the way I realized once more that you can’t leave the lodge without automatically having a game drive. And so after seeing some other animals we ended up amidst the migrating wildebeest. A few days before we had searched for hours for the wildebeest and now they suddenly surrounded us in thousands. An exciting view!
Mugumu
To call our track to Mugumu a “bumpy road” is a friendly euphemism. Some sections consisted only of deep potholes – but the Bilila Lodge’s 4WD took us comfortably to our destination. However our average speed in these special sections was about 30 km/h and so the journey took us several hours.
Mugumu is located outside the Serengeti National Park and is not a tourist attraction at all. It is a normal, bigger village where everyone from the surrounding does his shopping. But I was curious about the way of living there and Kempinski maintains good connections with the local communities.
Mugumu’s main road mostly consists of stores. Of course, these stores are very basic here: small units that are opened on one side with a hand drawn sign in front. But considering the fact that most people here have only very small incomes, the local economy does remarkably well.
Sergengeti Arts group
Happily it seems like Eric knows nearly everybody in Mugumu. We first went to the “Serengeti Arts Group” where we had a talk to their President Paulina Boma. The Serengeti Arts Group is a community that helps people out of poverty and maintains Tanzanian Culture and traditions. They handcraft indigenous items like necklaces, ethnic garments, animal miniatures, etc. You’ll find the items in many shops in Tanzania’s more tourist-orientated areas. They also offer workshops and seminars concerning the problems of the poorer population.
I was impressed by their own initiative and it was good to see that the people here help and support each other in their development.
The market and the Ikoma Cultural Centre
The market in Mugumu is like all typical markets here: you find everything from fresh fruits, fish, meat, corn and rice to all kinds of cloth and household goods. It is a very lively and friendly atmosphere. Eric introduced me to some sellers there – they all were very charming people. One of them, invited us to visit her farm and so we drove to a small place outside Mugumu.
The farm is part of the Ikoma Cultural Centre. Besides the agriculture, they handcraft wicker baskets and similar items. This community was founded to give the local tribe a new perspective in the changing world. Again I was impressed by the energy with which they helped each other.
After a pleasant chat with these friendly people we headed back to the lodge into a beautiful sunset.
01
A hartebeest in the Serengeti National Park
02
Hippo family on their way to the hippo pool
03
Wildebeest migration crossing the road
04
Zebras joining the wildebeest on the annual migration
05
WIldebeest migration
06
Wildebeest
07
Vultures sitting on a dead tree
08
Baboon
09
Paunlina Boma of the Serengeti Arts Group is demonstrating how to craft traditional clothing
10
Paulina Boma and Eric are examining arrows
11
Part of an traditional cloak crafted at the Serengeti Arts Group
12
Scale at the market in Mugumu
13
Sellers examining some beans
14
Maize is weighted at the market in Mugumu
15
Rice from a nearby farm
16
Seller is praising local bananas
17
Weights and vegetables
18
Seller is weighting rice
19
Locally grown papaya
20
Women are trying out a clay pot
21
Tailer on the main street of Mugumu
22
"Mama" of the Ikoma Cultural Centre
23
Wodden handcrafted spoons from the Ikoma Cultural Centre
24
Traditional hut at the Ikoma Cultural Centre
Comments
Hi!!
Your website is awesome!!! I’m gonna read every single word cause I have a trip planned and I would like to get some ideas from you. Indeed, I’m interested in catching a car and discover the real Tanzania… I would appreciate if you could give me some advices!
Thanks!
iam a nigerian but i love tanzania
YO!! Wow! the pictures in your website are wonderful especially that of the wild beast s and the local craft on display,they portray the richness of Afrian tradition.I hope to visit Tanzania some day…..am an African from N igeria.
i realy lyk wat ur doing in nature
Hi Daniel, thanks for your kind words! So if I got you right you want to rent a car and drive by yourself? I think it is possible and most Parks will let you in (if you are going on safari). Just make sure you’ll get a good 4WD! But in most cases guides / drivers are recommended because they know the way and can tell you interesting things about the nature - and of course they speak Swahili which is often a big advantage.
Best
Jan
Hi,
The Mail&Guardian would like to use your photograph of the giraffe to accompany a story that giraffe populations have declined dramatically and that human settlements are possibly to blame. Could we please use your photograph?
Thanks
Paul
I have stayed at both properties in DAR and ZNZ. When I daydream, I go to sitting out in the sun looking at the beautiful water.
The ZNZ property is one of the most beautiful luxurious resorts I have been to in the world.
It is mind blowing…Amazing …fantabulous
Just stunning, I feel the need to experience these stunning properties!
Nature - exotic animals - colour and smell - all is in it - african feeling!
Beautifoul pictures and information Can not wait to visit those places one day
Amaizing pictures and very interesting information
just come and see the pure land of tanzania
Magnificent shots!
Tanzania was my first African love… Now it is already 22 years ago that I have the African “virus”.
i love all the stuff you do there, keep it up guys God bless you more and more everyday.