SAA Dar–Jo`burg daily flights increased from nine to 18

South African Airways (SAA) has doubled its daily flights from South Africa to Tanzania from the original nine flights to 18, to meet increased demand as tourists book flights to this East African nation.

The increased tourist flight bookings come as a result of marketing done by stakeholders in Tanzania and South Africa in which tourists from South Africa have been encouraged to also visit Tanzanian tourist attractions during the FIFA world cup tournaments in South Africa.

This was revealed in Dar es Salaam over the weekend by Edward. Mbwiga, the Tanzania Tourist Board Finance Manager who attended the just- ended Indaba Travel Show in South Africa, and where Tanzania emerged overall winner.

Marketers had said it was possible for soccer enthusiasts to kill two birds with one stone: to enjoy the soccer tournaments in South Africa as well as the numerous tourist attractions in Tanzania.

Tourist attractions in Tanzania include locations of some of the oldest human fossils ever found on earth, as well as the oldest human footprints to be discovered on earth. The attractions also include some of the oldest human drawings found in ancient caves, leaving no doubt the first humans to inhabit the earth most probably lived here.

South African Airways is doubling flight to bring the human race back home. There is also the wildlife to see in numerous game parks.

“During the on-going 2010 FIFA World Cup, there will be daily morning and evening direct flights from South Africa to Dar es Salaam and back,” Mbwiga said.

The number of daily flights will increase from 9 to18, he said, noting that the focus is to assist tourists to come to Tanzania, although the flights will also enable Tanzanians wishing to go to South Africa to see soccer matches and to fly there and back without a problem.

“As TTB we are very glad that South Africa has embarked on this initiative because this will help Tanzania to strengthen business ties with South Africa,” Mbwiga said.

The high frequency starts June 12th this year during the on-going 2010 FIFA world cup, he added. Among the flights, 7 will be destined from South Africa directly to Dar es Salaam, while 2 flights will be direct flights from Cape Town to Zanzibar, and others from Johannesburg to Zanzibar.

As part of the marketing campaign, Tanzania has used some 67m/- to sponsor 38 South Africa Tour Operators to come and meet with local tour operators and hoteliers to see how they can corporate with each other to bring tourists from South Africa to Tanzania.

The funds were offered by the Tanzania Tourist Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Some 29 tour operators have visited the Northern Tourist Circuit while the remained 9 have visited the southern circuit tourist attractions.

Mbwiga said this achievement is just one example of TTB's effort to promote Tanzania as one of Africa's greatest tourist destinations, adding: “We are confidence that these new routes will expand SA’s travel to Tanzania.”

Amant Macha, Director of Marketing at Tanzania Tourist Board added that Tanzania has remained in the hearts of many South Africans as a country which gave its moral and materials support to South African freedom fighters in order to root out apartheid. Back in South Africa, tour operators have vowed to continue promoting Tanzania tours.

Africa`s Top 10 African Safari Destinations

Africa's top safari destinations include wildlife parks in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Gabon. If you're looking for the best safari where you're almost guaranteed to see the "Big Five" you can't go wrong with these choices.

1. Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

Kenya is Africa's most popular safari destination and the Masai Mara Reserve is the most popular wildlife park in Kenya. From July - October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra. The Maasai tribesman also offer cultural tours which will enhance your experience.

2. Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Chobe National park lies in Botswana's Okavango Delta and covers four distinct Eco-systems. The Savuti marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year round. Chobe boasts around 120,000 elephants, you're unlikely to miss them when you enjoy a safari here.

The best time to visit Chobe is between May and September, the dry, cooler winter months. Herds of zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest congregate around the Savuti marsh this time of year. Chobe is accessible by car which makes it a little less expensive than some other Botswana Parks. There's a wide variety ofaccommodation available to suit all budgets, you can even rent a houseboat.

3. Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Kruger National Park in South Africa boasts the highest variety of wildlife in Africa which includes the Big Five, hippos, crocodiles, cheetah and more. Kruger is one of the best maintained parks in Africa which means it's ideal for a self-drive safari.

4. South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)

Home of the "walking safari" South Luangwa National Park in Zambiaoffers a true African experience. There's plenty of wildlife and over 400 species of birds. The Luangwa river is filled to the brim with hippos and if you're lucky you'll spot prides of over 30 lions at a time. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species living in the National Park.

South Luangwa offers both budget and luxury safari lodging. The best time to visit is during the dry season from April to October. Near the end of the dry season, the animals really concentrate around the remaining waterholes, which makes for a great safari.

5. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania offers the absolute classic African safari setting. The grasslands make the Serengeti fantastic for spotting lion kills because you can see the whole spectacle clearly. The migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra starts here and because it's much larger than the Mara (see above), it is also less touristy.

6. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is home to almost half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. Besides offering a wonderful backdrop to Gorilla tracking, you can also see chimpanzees, and many other mammals. Bwindi has been designated a World Heritage Site.

7. Etosha Natonal Park (Namibia)

Etosha National Park is Namibia's top wildlife destination. Etosha is home to Africa's tallest elephants, the endangered black rhino, and 91 other species of mammal. Etosha is especially popular withphotographers in the dry season who flock to the waterholes (along with the wildlife). Etosha doesn't offer scheduled game drives, it's a self-drive safari experience.

8. Loango National Park (Gabon)

Loango National Park in Gabon is probably the least well known park on this list but it's only a matter of time before it's discovered. Loango is the only place in Africa where you can see whales, chimps,gorillas and elephants in one park. In Loango you get to enjoy watching wildlife on the beach, savannah, swamp and forest in a single day.

9. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)

The Ngorongoro Conservation area in Tanzania includes the world's largest crater which acts as a natural enclosure for almost every species of wildlife found in East Africa. The Maasai still live within the conservation area, and it's also home to Olduvai where some of man's earliest remains have been found.

10. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is a personal favorite of mine because of its abundance of giraffes, elephants, and lions as well as 105 other mammal species. Hwange also has one of the largest populations of wild dogs left in Africa. There are several comfortable lodges to stay at for reasonable prices. The park is close to one of the world's greatest natural wonders -- the Victoria Falls.