New extended cab Land Cruiser

Duma has just added an extended cab safari vehicle to its fleet. The new Land Cruiser has been designed to comfortably seat up to 8 people and was built with a higher roof to allow for large windows. Electrical outlets allow passengers to charge camera batteries and other appliances. Click here to view a photo of the new car.

Open lodge safaris

We've just posted two new open lodge/tented camp safaris. One is an nine day trip beginning June 5 and the other an eight day trip beginning June 23. Please email us for additional details at info@dumaexplorer.com.

Yellow Fever vaccination update

Tanzania recently changed the rules regarding Yellow Fever vaccine requirements for entry to Tanzania. Travelers entering Tanzania from Yellow Fever endemic countries now must show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination to enter Tanzania. This includes travelers flying through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Travelers flying directly from Europe or North America do not need to show proof of vaccination when entering Tanzania. Yellow Fever vaccination will be offered at Kilimanjaro International Airport for USD 50/person.

Membership- International Mountain Explorers Connection

Duma Explorer is proud to announce that it has been accepted as a partner for responsible travel by International Mountain Explorers Connection. Duma is one of just a few Kilimanjaro trekking companies to qualify for IMEC membership. In order to be a partner, Duma must adhere to IMEC's guidelines on porter care regarding wages and gratuities, loads, and provisions on the mountain. For more information on IMEC's guidelines for Kilimanjaro operators, please view their website at http://www.mountainexplorers.org/.

Open trips

We have posted many new safaris and Kilimanjaro treks for 2007 and 2008. Check the itineraries page for details. If our dates don't work with your travel plans, please email us and we'll create a new trip for you.

Saving money on safaris

There are a few months of the year when the lodges offer lower rates. April and May are the least expensive months to go on a lodge safari while discounted prices are also offered in March, November and the first half of December. Camping safari fees do not decrease at any time during the year but we do offer discounts during low season.

Buying Tanzanite

Duma Explorer can arrange a visit with a local Tanzanite dealer in Arusha prior to or after your safari. Prices are USD 70 - 250 lower per karat when buying through a local dealer instead of a large souvenir store. If you are interested in making an appointment, please let us know.

Last minute camping safari available

We've just posted a new camping safari starting on October 13. The safari is five days long and visits Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The price is USD 900 - 1000/person depending on how many people join the trip.

Serengeti migration update

The wildebeest migration is now primarily located on both the Tanzanian and Kenyan sides of the Mara River. While the best game viewing between now and November will be in the far northern area of the Serengeti, there are also excellent resident wildlife viewing opportunities in the central, west and southern areas. The best lodges and camps to visit during the next couple of months are Sayari Camp, Soit Sambu Camp, Klein's Camp, and Lobo Wildlife Lodge. Duma's preferred camp in the Northern Serengeti is Sayari Camp, a small tented camp located in a remote area near the Mara River. Email us for discounted prices on October/November safaris.

Did you know?

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and can sprint up to 70mph over short distances. The cheetah is one of the only cats to hunt during the day and it has black tear marks underneath the eyes which are believed to be an adaptation to prevent glare during hunts. The cheetah expends so much energy while hunting that it must rest before consuming its prey. This results in a large percentage of the cheetah's prey being lost to other predators.

The cheetah is classified as among the most endangered species in the world and is listed in Appendix I of the CITES agreement. Because of its low genetic diversity, many cheetah cubs are lost to disease within the first three months of life. Many more are lost to predators. It is thought that only one in twenty cheetah cubs survives to adulthood. The Serengeti Cheetah Project is one of the longest ongoing studies of cheetahs in the world and you can read more about cheetah conservation at the Serengeti Visitor Center.

Open treks and safaris

We have many open trips scheduled over the next few months. Please check our itineraries page for details.

Ngorongoro fee hike

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is raising its fees for the second time in 18 months. The new fees apply to all Ngorongoro visits on or after July 1, 2007.

Conservation entrance: USD 50/person/day for tourists above the age of 15
Crater entrance: USD 200/vehicle/day

The new fees represent increases of USD 20/person for entrance to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and USD 100/vehicle for entrance to Ngorongoro Crater.

Did you know?

The giraffe is the tallest living animal and can be found in many of Tanzania's wildlife parks. The giraffe has a long black tongue which it uses to feed on broad-leafed deciduous foliage. Giraffes live in loose, open herds and lose from 50 - 75% of their young to lion and hyena attacks.

New treks page

We've recently updated our treks page. Please visit http://www.dumaexplorer.com/treks.html to view the new page. We've also posted a few new treks for this year so check http://www.dumaexplorer.com/itineraries_treks.php to see what is available.

Arusha's first art gallery: Artizanian

Interested in buying African art while in Tanzania? Visit Artizanian Art Gallery, a nonprofit organization that works to support and promote the work of African artists. The gallery features oil and watercolor painting, iron sculpture and unique furniture designs. New selections are featured monthly. If you are interested in stopping by the gallery before your safari, please let us know. For more information on Tanzanian art, please visit http://tanzania.africancolours.net/.

New August Kilimanjaro trek

We've just posted two new August Kilimanjaro treks. The seven day Machame climb begins on August 23 and the eight day Lemosho climb on August 22. Both climbs summit with the full moon. Email us for details.

Confused about travel insurance?

QuoteWright.com can help you choose the insurance that best suits your needs. Receive quotes from several different insurance companies by entering trip details directly on the QuoteWright website. One of our clients climbing Kilimanjaro in May recommended this website to us. Thank you!

Finding flights to Africa

The New York Times recently published an article on finding cheap fares to Africa. To view the article, click here.

We've moved offices

Duma has moved its Arusha office from the Golden Rose building to PPF in Njiro. Our new office address is below:

PPF Oloirien Estate, Office #22; Njiro, Arusha, Tanzania

Cell phone rental

We are now renting cell phones for $5/day for the duration of your Tanzania safari or Kilimanjaro climb. We include a phone line in the cell phone, but you must add credit to the phone before using it. Email us for details.

New April Kili climb and safari

We've just opened a new April Kilimanjaro trek and camping safari. The Kili climb follows the Machame Route over six days and the camping safari is a five day trip that visits Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. The climb runs USD 1379 - 1549/person and the safari USD 875 - 925/person. Dates for the trip are April 2 - 7 for the climb and April 8 - 12 for the safari.

Last minute Kilimanjaro climbs

We have two open February Kilimanjaro climbs. The first runs from February 4 - 10 and the second from February 13 - 19. Both climbs are seven days and follow the Machame route. Please refer to our itineraries page for pricing.

Update on Serengeti airstrips

The Seronera Airstrip is still closed, so flights are being rerouted to other airstrips in the area. Airstrips in the Southern Serengeti remain closed due to heavy rain.

Cell phones in Tanzania

If you would like to stay connected while on safari or on Kilimanjaro (yes, cell phones work on the mountain), we recommend purchasing a local Celtel SIM card after arriving in Tanzania. International calling rates are reasonable at approximately USD 0.40/minute and you simply add credit to your phone to use it. There are no upfront costs other than the SIM card which is USD 1.50. To use a Celtel SIM card, you must have an unlocked, tri-band mobile phone.

Rain, rain, rain

It is still raining heavily in Tanzania, and some safari roads are flooded. Several airstrips in the Serengeti are closed, and it is now impossible to reach some of the lodges. A hurricane is developing off Tanzania's coast, and it is unlikely that the rain will end anytime soon.

Seronera Airstrip closed

The Seronera Airstrip is currently closed for repairs. It should reopen by December 26. Flights that are scheduled to leave via Seronera are now being rerouted to depart from Fort Ikoma.

Short rains

This year's short rainy season has been unusually wet and Tanzanians and visitors can look forward to a long green season. The wildebeest migration, which follows the rain, is already approaching the Southern Serengeti Region. Game viewing during the busy holiday season should be excellent.

Ban on plastic bags

Tanzania's government recently banned the thinnest type of plastic bag which are used in most small stores across the country. The ban should help rid the country of the ubiquitous bags which are seen along Tanzania's roads. The bags, which are approximately the width of cling wrap, take up to 1,000 years to degrade.

New January Kilimanjaro trek

We've just opened a new January Kilimanjaro trek starting on January 2 and ending January 7. The climb is six days and follows the Machame route. The price is USD 1,479.00/person.

Open February Kilimanjaro climb

We have just posted a new Kilimanjaro climb. The seven day Machame trek runs from February 4 through 10. The price is USD 1659/person.

Breast cancer fundraising climb

Duma Explorer is operating a fundraising Kilimanjaro climb for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia. The seven day climb starts on December 28 and the climbers will ascend via the difficult Umbwe Route to Crater Camp. To make a donation or learn more about the climb, please visit the following website:
http://www.breastcancer.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Itemid=163