Bill_H

<b>Drive to Tarangire; ...
Drive to Lake Manyara; </b>

Kavey, this will take you thru Makhuyuni twice. Check this map ... http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TZ/0/Makuyuni.html ... the lake is Lake Manyara, Arusha would be bottom-right, Tarangire the road dropping out the bottom-left. So this place is at the cross-roads and you'll pass thru on the way to Taragire and then back again on the way to Manyara.

FWIW we've driven thru/past this eight times and never even noticed it was there as a 'town', much less stopped, but you might bring it up to your driver that you've heard of problems against tourists there so could he stop in Mto Wa Mbu (not far from the HTLM note on the map, which is the Manyara airport beside the Serena) or Karatu.

Bill

Kavey

Thank you so much for your input, much appreciated. I'll make sure to mention it!

kiburuwa

Hi Kavey

As Bill said you will pass twice. It is a tiny place, you will literally see a small shopping centre on the corner and that is all. I would assume it is just a good place for criminals simply because of a few possible escape routes.
Probably because of the size of the village there is no police presence there but maybe now there will be and that is what I would like.


Brian I am quite positive that in the next few days you will hear of this incident through some drivers. When you do please let me know. Don't worry about numbers etc. I know who you are - I am suprised you have heard nothing though. How is your move to town going though? Are you missing the bush?

Regards
Kibu

Kavey

Thanks Kibu
Am I right in thinking that, as long as we don't stop, we shouldn't have any problems at all?
It's not as though they are likely to set up roadblocks or anything!

Personally, I really appreciate being aware of stuff like this. It seldom makes me cancel a visit but it allows me to make informed decisions.

kiburuwa

Hi Kavey

Yes I agree. Knowledge is power as the saying goes.

If you go through and do not stop there will not be a problem. There are also no road blocks in the area.
At least a few people will be aware now even though I do not think it will be a danger point again for a couple of months after this latest incident.

Enjoy your holiday!

Regards
Kibu

andybiggs

I have been through Makuyuni (not Makhuyuni) more times than I can shake a stick at, as well as stopped for different items in the town. I would be surprised if this is a trend there. I am sure that this was an isolated situation.

Brian_in_MN

It was confirmed today that there were some incidents recently in Tanzania - though Makuyuni wasn't mentioned. Perhaps I didn't ask the right question. Apparently police are everywhere and they have caught 3 suspects. So now my tail is between my legs because I too am surprised that I didn't hear about it sooner. Well, we have procedures in place all the time, regardless of recent activity, to protect our guests.

Kibu, I'm not sure you got the right person because I haven't lived in the 'bush' for 13 years.

safarimama

I just heard from a local contact in Arusha about a robbery between JRO and Mt. Village when people arrived via KLM. I'm not sure of the date, but it was recently within a month or so. He emails me this info:

About half km before the lodge the robbers stopped the Serena Mt Village manager and one Rangers Safari car; that was around 9 and 9 30pm - the KLM time. They did take everything from the clients; things like passport and bank cards and the cash they were holding with them. Nobody got hurt. I just heard about it, one of the companies is Bobby Tours but I am not very sure what happened and who did that. I was on safari I and will try to find out although it is not very clear to us, as our country is hiding the story from us.

I'm confused about the safari company, which one it was or if there were more than one company that got their clients robbed. It's unsettling when this happens on your first day as you arrive, but at least they don't kill you. Stuff like this happens everywhere, so it's not going to deter me from travelling to TZ for sure. As a matter of fact I leave again for Kenya in a few days.

jules39

This would have been a very stressful welcome to Tanzania. Not good.

ShayTay

This was reported on the All Africa website: http://allafrica.com/stories/200808060221.html Apparently, the police arrived quickly and the robbers got away empty-handed. A couple of later articles reported that the police had arrested some &quot;bad guys&quot; around Arusha; nothing was said if they were involved in this incident. Yes, this would not be a way to begin your safari! (Or any other trip around the world.) I'm stopping off in Amsterdam on my way to Tanzania next month and was told by a former resident to be very careful walking around the city.

luangwablondes

Considering where Makuyuni is, I doubt if it was Somalis. I think they are just blaming them when all along it is some Masai doing this. Its fairly difficult to have roving bands of robbers in that area that are strangers.

divine54

luangwa
i 100% agree in view to the somalis.
these guys haven't got a good reputation (poaching, robberies, raoe etc.) and are very much blamed for anything besides the fact that the area is not much frequented by somalis

div

LEANNA

Ok you guys are scaring the hejeebies out of me. We are 2 older matrons taking what we thought would be a fun adventure but safe safari. I don't know the territory so are we going to be in danger?

We will be on a tour but I don't know of how many...we have booked thru Brendan but dont' know who the local company will be.

Our route in order: Nairobi,Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Nairobi.

Like I say I don't know the towns or the highways....so what do you all think?

Thanks

luangwablondes

When get there, you will realise that most likely those tourists were doing something abit different/unique then the usual tourist path and my guess, time of day in a couple circumstances. These were most likely crimes of opportunity. All it takes is for the police to blanket the area in force again- this kind of stuff happened in the 90's- and let them know this is unacceptable. Tourism is recognised as too important to the economy to let a few criminals upset things.

safarimama

Here is the latest and I wouldn't worry. You're more likely to have a car accident on the way to the airport at .... home!!!

My contact reports back: The police in our country (Tanzania) are now very busy trying to avoid that anything will happen to any tourists any more. I hope things will be worked out.

Just go and enjoy it. If you don't you'll be sorry.

Ve

The reports of all these robberies are quite intimidating, especially since I'm leaving on Sept. 1st for most of the places mentioned, all by land too.

I am a single traveler but will meet up with a small group of 6 the day after I spend my 1st night at the Kia Lodge in Arusha. These reports makes me just want to stay right in the lodge and not venture out by myself.

One thing I'm curious about and maybe some of you that have traveled a lot to Africa can help me, I'm a first timer.

I have a pouch that I'll be wearing around my neck, underneath my clothing, and it will hold my passport, visa and some money. Do you always travel with your passport/visa, even when going on wildlife viewing in vehicles? Or do you leave those things in your room, perhaps in a suitcase with a lock ? I have a room of my own and sometimes I'll be staying one night at a lodge, other times I'll stay 2 nights at some lodges.

I'd hate to think I'd be one of the unfortunate tourists to face off with a robber and lose my passport when I could have left it behind in my own room, in my own locked suitcase. I do know enough to divide my money up, but what stays, what goes ? Thanks for any help...Ve

Temba

Ve,
Make a photocopy of your passport and put it in your locked luggage in your room at the lodge. Kepp the original and all of your money with you. I never leave valuables in hotel or lodge rooms. Small safari camps are probably secure and many even provide safes. Your locked luggage is not secure for anything but underware.
Ted

Ve

Thank you Temba, I never would have thought about making a photo copy of my passport. And I'll certainly check if all my lodges have safes...Ve

sandi

You should also make photo copies of: passport, credit cards, airline ticket (e-ticket), safari itinerary - leave with someone at home (good trusting friend or family member). Have copies of each of above for yourself, keeping the originals with; copies in camp/lodge safe or locked securely inside socks in your suitcase.

Keep a photo copy of your itinerary inside your luggage should it get delayed and airline has to determine where you're heading.

I keep all original docs on my; rarely use safes where provided (I'd hate to forget and be miles away when I remember).

Ve

Thanks for your help Sandi. I'd already made copies of my flight/trip itinerary, plus a copy of my trip insurance,all of which stay at home. Didn't think of making a copy of the other items you mentioned.....great tip. Ve