Dismas (MUFASA) Alex, TANZANIA, Travel Profile

Introducing you to Tanzania by Dismas (Mufasa) Alex.

 

Mufasa is a dear friend to me who I only recently met on my amazing and epic journey, Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. As head guide, mufasa is responsible for all arrangements with staff and for the primary care of all 9 international participants on the trip. He commands his crew and orchestrates his tribe incredibly for a seamless and highly enjoyable tour.

 

I cannot wait to go back to Tanzania (planning 2 years time) to see more of the wonderful country and with my best guide and dear “Rafiki” (friend) by my side.

 

Read more about wonderful Tanzania from Mufasa and see his contact details below for those who are going!

 

 

1. Name: Dismas Alex (MUFASA)

 

2. Occupation: Tourism

 

3. Country of Residence: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

 

4. Country of Origin: Tanzania

 

8 NORTHER ICE FIELDS FROM THE RIM

5. email/contact/ website ( If happy to be published on a website):

dismasguide@hotmail.com, safaris@tanganyikaparks.com

P.O.BOX 7711, MOSHI

Cell: +255 768 848 323; + 255 658 848 323

 

6. Why do you love Travel? I feel happy to participate and deliver my community with responsible travel caring about nature flora and fauna living free in wilderness.

 

7. Favourite place in your home country and why?

Kilimanjaro (the roof of Africa), been there more than 150 times. I feel freedom of mind on the highest peak of Africa, as on the foothills where I grew up in Marangu volcanic fertile land, God given us. I’m so proud of it.

 

Snows of Kili background

8. Best place for tourists to visit in your country?

Places in combination eco-tourism Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro & Serengeti.

 

9. What other country would you live in if you had to leave your country?

I love my country Tanzania; more important, it’s a peaceful country; If it happens I’d like to live in any country similar as my home country.

 

10. Best travelling experience anecdote in your own country?

That is during my childhood, when I first climbed Kilimanjaro 14 years ago; with no proper gearsuntil 4,600 meters, and that I was happy getting closer to those big blocks of permanent glaciers I use to see from the bottom, and also landscape when on Ngorongoro crater rim and Serengeti endless plain with vast wild beast migration.

11. Favourite activity when around your city?

Chatting and exchanging tourism ideas with friends and colleagues

 

12. Do you feel you know your country well, or is more exploring of your homeland needed?

I know most of my country places of interest physically in spite of the fact that more exploring needed (eco-tourism) to the new places for Tourists to visit as Tanzania is big and believed to have plenty of virgin interesting places to visit.

 

13. Any warnings for travellers visiting in your country?

Others are normal like any other country, to bring/have copy of their yellow fever certificate.

 

14. Must see movie featuring your country and Why?

Novels and movies featuring Tanzania, so they can have an idea what kind of a country they are going to visit

October 2011

 

15. The best book to read before visiting your country?

The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernst Hemingway.

 

16. The must eat dish or delicacy of your country?

Ugali (stiff porridge- corn flour) Banana stew, banana beer,

 

17. The top three sayings to make travellers stay in your country easier? E.g. How much? Too expensive or Hello.

“Karibu” – Welcome

“Hakuna matata” – No worries, no problems

“pole pole” – slowly slowly

“Poa kichizi kama ndizi” Crazy cool like a banana.

 

Our mountain tent

18. Best time of year to visit?

All year around, except the raining season March & April for hikers

 

19. The 4 words that best describe your country:

Tanzania the land of “Kilimanjaro”, “Serengeti”, “Ngorongoro” & “Zanzibar”

 

Emma and Mufasa on the SUMMIT!!!

 

 

 

 

 

KILIMANJARO

Mountain Guides & safari Outfitters

Post Office               Home Address:-

7711 Moshi              Taifa rd.

East Africa               Tanzania

Phone +255 768 848 323

E-mail: dismasguide@hotmail.com

Climbing/Safaris & Beaches

Top 5 Kili Blogs

• Backdate to 18^th august 2011

   

  In preparation for my big Kili climb, I’ve decided to research and read other people’s blogs, stories and experiences for inspiration. Here are the Top 5 I have found and the reasons why I enjoyed them so much.

   

  1. Karen Graham, Explorer Girl

  Karen Graham is a talented photographer and travel writer. She climbed Kilimanjaro a few years ago and posted this wonderful article on Exploregirls.com. She gave a brilliant account of her experience and posted some incredible photos.

   

  Mt Kilimanjaro Article – http://www.explorergirls.com/node/4730

  Read more from her blog – http://www.explorergirls.com/blog/18

  

  1. Andyonthemountain

  Andy on the Mountain is a short blog about Andy’s experience of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. From inspiration to the experience itself and the reflection. I really like the focus of this blog and his detailed description of his experience.

  http://www.andyonthemountain.com/

  

  1. Mt Kilimanjaro Travel Guide

   

  You can’t get more specific to Mt Kilimanjaro then the Mt Kilimanjaro Ttravel Guide. Described as the one stop shop, there’s a whole lot on here including forums, Kilimanjaro articles by all different authors, advice on climbing and also other information on Africa. It’s a good way to get some facts on the experience of the climb.

   

  http://www.mtkilimanjarologue.com/

   

  

  1. She’s 50- she climbed Kilimanjaro

   

  This article on journey woman is more like a poem/ reflective piece than an informative piece and I really enjoyed it

  . It’s nice to be able to follow the thought process of a person climbing the mountain. Especially someone who would perhaps not usually be a mountaineer-  gives the rest of us some hope. A great piece! 

  http://www.journeywoman.com/olderadv/kilimanjaro.html

   

  1. Inspired Adventures Blog

   

  Of course this would make my top 5 list as this is the group I’m going to do my Kilimanjaro challenge with. There are stories and experiences on here from past participants which is great motivation for me before I head off. Also a breakdown of the trip from one of the group leaders. This is  a great read for anyone taking on the trip to know what’s in store for them.

  http://blog.inspiredadventures.com.au/blog/2011/06/14/mount-kilimanjaro/

  

  Please send through links to other blogs or stories you have read about Kilimanjaro that might help me prepare or get excited for my adventure.

   

   

  I am currently in Africa Climbing the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Mt Kilimanjaro. I’m climbing on behalf of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and raising money for the wonderful work they do.

   

  You can still sponsor me by visiting my online fundraising page:

  http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA

   

  KILI COUNTDOWN – 27 Days to go

 

Beautiful Bracelets from Miss Mia Jewellery

On Sunday 27^th July, my friend Steph and I hosted the Climb 2 Harry Potter Movie Event. This was a fundraiser for our upcoming Mt Kilmanjaro Climb 2 Remember for Charity. The event was a great success and we would like to thank one of our great sponsors and supporters, Miss Mia Jewellery.

 

Karen from Miss Mia Jewellery donated 50 of her beautiful bracelets to our goodie bags to be given to all of our guests. The bracelets were a lovely way to say thank you to all of our supporters who came to the event.

 

 

The bracelets are hand made using beautiful beads of crystal, natural gems andsemi precious stones. Each of our bracelets came with a lovely charm inclusing elephants and hearts.

 

If you would like to purchase some of these unique pieces or learn more about Miss Mia Jewellery, Visit www.missmiajewellery.com.au

 

Or visit the Facbeook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Mia-Jewellery/196634250392215?sk=wall

I will be taking on my biggest Adventure yet, Climbing Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW!  I will Climb Kilimanjaro in honour of my Grandpa who passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2008. I was in Africa when I found out and I said at the time I would one day do this for him, in his memory! We are raising money for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW to raise awareness and the necessary funds for prevention of the disease that affects so many. Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke. We must prevent and find a cure as it’s not a normal part of aging, and does affect 100,000’s of Australians.

 

Help me reach my $10.000 target by donating to my online fundraising page:

http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA

 

KILI COUNTDOWN – 26 Days to go

Birthday/ Farewell/ Fundraiser Party SUCCESS

Last night I had my elaborately named birthday/farewell/fundraiser party! And it went swimmingly!

I cannot thank the people who attended enough! Their love and support really showed through and I just could not stop smiling.

I raised a couple of hundred dollars extra for my cause, but most importantly, I raised awareness for the Climb2Remember and the wonderful charity I’m doing it for, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW.

 

The party wasn’t all about the fundraiser – it was also a celebration of my birthday (which is next week August 20th) and also my leaving Sydney for my new home town, Melbourne. This was to be the last weekend for perhaps 2 months that I’d be up in Sydney so I wanted to make the most of it and why not kill 3 birds with 1 stone and have a MULTI theme/ reason party.

I loved catching up with my friends and family in the gorgeous Club Bar of the CBD Hotel. The venue was fab and I was really impressed with the staff, the food and the room itself. A pool table, bright red walls with stylish map shdes and a very shabby chic antiquey feel to it. Definitely somewhere I would book again and a lovely place to spend time with friends.

For more on Club Bar

 

 

So my fundraising page is now at $3500 – only $25 from my minimum fundraising target set by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW for the climb. I’m so pleased and just can’t wait to see the total keep going up and up as the time approaches.

I love to Party and I think having a celebration such as the one last night was a great way to say Happy Birthday, All the best for the move and Good luck for the big adventure! So thanks to those who said it!!

 

I will be taking on my biggest Adventure yet, Climbing Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW!  I will Climb Kilimanjaro in honour of my Grandpa who passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2008. I was in Africa when I found out and I said at the time I would one day do this for him, in his memory! We are raising money for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW to raise awareness and the necessary funds for prevention of the disease that affects so many. Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke. We must prevent and find a cure as it’s not a normal part of aging, and does affect 100,000’s of Australians.

 

Help me reach my $10.000 target by donating to my online fundraising page:

http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA

 

KILI COUNTDOWN – 32 Days to go

 

Itinerary for Climbing a Mountain

As I keep talking about my Climb2Remember challenge, I realised that most people won’t even know what the Climb2Remember is or entails. This is a Climb to Kilimanjaro and it will run over 2 weeks. I will be doing the trek to the summit and back over 7 days and the adventure is run via Inspired adventures with the beneficiary being Alzheimer’s Australia NSW.

Here is my itinerary so you know exactly what’s involved:

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14 September: Day 1 Depart Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne)

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15 September: Day 2 / Marangu

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met and transferred to Hotel Nakara in Marangu, approx 85km from Kilimanjaro airport. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day. In the evening there will be a briefing on the trek. You will be able to leave your normal travelling bag and any excess luggage at Hotel Nakara to be collected upon your return.

Meals included: none

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16 September: Day 3 / Simba Camp

After breakfast at your hotel you will meet up with your porters and guides and transfer to Rongai Gate where you will complete registration procedures. The climb begins from the village of Nale Moru at around 1950 metres. Today’s walk is about three to four hours, beginning on a small path that winds its way through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. A gradual ascent through attractive forest brings us to the edge of the moorland zone at around 2600 metres. Extensive views over the Kenyan plains will be a highlight of today’s camp. Note that it can be wet in the rainforest. The night is spent camping at Simba Camp. Meals included:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Image found here

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17 September: Day 4 / Kikelewa Camp After breakfast, you will set off at around 8am to head up to the Kikelewa Caves. Today your walking time will be about six to seven hours. From your overnight campsite a steady ascent is made up to ‘Second Cave’ at 3450 metres. Here you are rewarded with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields of the crater rim. Leaving the main trail after lunch we travel across the moorland on smaller paths towards the jagged

Mawenzi peaks. Tonight we camp near Kikelewa Caves at 3800 metres. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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18 September: Day 5 / Mawenzi Tarn

Today’s walk is a shorter one at three to four hours but involves some steeper sections. After leaving camp, a short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by a real sense of wilderness and stunning all-round views. The vegetation zone is left behind shortly before we reach our next campsite at Mawenzi Tarn at around 4330 metres. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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19 September: Day 6 / Mawenzi Tarn

Today will be spent acclimatising to maximise your summit success chances. Acclimatisation walks will be planned with plenty of rest. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

—————–

20 September: Day 7 / Kibo Camp

Today we will walk for four to five hours as we cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp tonight is at Kibo Camp at about 4730 metres. This campsite is spectacularly located at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in final preparation for tomorrow’s summit ascent. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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21 September: Day 8 / Summit and Horombo Camp Every year on 21 September, World Alzheimer’s Day unites people living with dementia around the world. There are more than 36 million people with dementia worldwide and by conquering the world’s highest free-standing mountain on World’s Alzheimer’s Day, you will be helping to fight to make sure that dementia is recognised as a global health priority.

Today will be a big day, and a climb to remember as we challenge ourselves with 11-15 hours of walking! We will start the final and by far the steepest, most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight at around 1am. We walk very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point at 5685 metres. We will rest there for

a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Kibo, at 4700 metres, is surprisingly fast and, after some rest, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo at 3720 metres. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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22 September: Day 9 / Nakara

A final day of five to seven hours walking precedes a well earned rest at Hotel Nakara in Marangu. A steady descent takes us down through the moorland to Mandara Hut at 2700 metres. The descent continues through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu at 1700 metres where you will be met by the vehicle and transferred back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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23 September: Day 10 / Arusha

Today you will be transferred by a private 25 seater coaster van from hotel Nakara to the Arusha Hotel. The rest of the day will be a free day to rest and recover from the climb. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

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24 September: Day 11 / Departure Day

Today you will be transferred from the Arusha Hotel to Kilimanjaro airport by private coaster van for your flight to Australia. Meals included: Breakfast

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25 September: Day 12

Travelling via Nairobi and Bangkok back to Australia.

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26 September: Day 13

Welcome home!

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So that’s quite an adventure right!! I’m looking forward to it, but also reading this makes me a bit nervous as there is still a lot of preparation I need to do. Going to get my walking boots on now!!

I will be taking on my biggest Adventure yet, Climbing Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW!  I will Climb Kilimanjaro in honour of my Grandpa who passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2008. I was in Africa when I found out and I said at the time I would one day do this for him, in his memory! We are raising money for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW to raise awareness and the necessary funds for prevention of the disease that affects so many. Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke. We must prevent and find a cure as it’s not a normal part of aging, and does affect 100,000’s of Australians.

Help me reach my $10.000 target by donating to my online fundraising page:

http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA

 

KILI COUNTDOWN: 41 Days to go

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hit 15% of my Fundraising Target

So excited that today i have hit 15% of my Fundraising Target!!

 

My goal is $10,000!!

 

I’m raising this for my Climb 2 Remember in honour of my late Grandpa Jack. I’ll be Climbing a massive mountain, the largest freestanding mountain the world, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

 

To view my fundraising page and donate, visit

 

http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA

I’m so excited!

We have our Harry Potter Movie event coming up.

Buy tix here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209019039137319

 

We’re also raising money thjrough chocolate selling!

 

I’m gonna get there! Just need to keep pushing!!

Counties I’ve visited

This is a list of the countries I’ve visited and how many times I’ve been there.

My brother and I decided to do this for a bit of fun.

 

Here goes:

 

• England x 6
• Scotland x 4
• Japan x 2
• Germany x 5
• France x 4
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Canada
• USA x 4
• India x 5
• Nepal x 2
• NZ x 2
• Bali x 2
• South Africa
• tanzania Kenya
• New Caledonia  (possibly 3 seperate destinations)(Loyalty island, Devine island, isle of pines)
• Austria x 2
• Denmark
• sweden x 2
• czech republic
• spain x 2
• Mexico
• Singapore x 2
• hong kong x 2
• malaysia
• thailand

 

I have been to 28 individual countries as we counted it.

 

But I have visited countries, i.e. entered a foreign country 58 times. hahha

 

This years plan:

• Bahamas
• St Maartens
• St Thomas
• Bangladesh.

 

competing with my dad for most countries visited!!

 

How many have you been to?

 

Farewell to my Lazaro

I have written the following piece for World Vision about my little sponsor child Lazaro. World Vision have completed the project in his community and they are now leaving. This is such a sad time but such a truly great time for him.

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My name is Emma Lovell and I have been a Sponsor parent for approximately 6 years. I had always wanted to sponsor a child and kept saying “when i’m older, when I have more money, when mum and dad will agree to it.” There will always be a reason that you can’t do something, until oneday I realised that my tips alone for 2 nights at my waitressing job could cover a childs living expenses for a month. My selfish side went out the window and my friends and I jumped on the World Vision website and started searching.

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 My search for a child was very thoughtful, and I was concious of the popularity contest syndrome we have to choose the sweetest looking child or supposedly neediest. Instead I decided to go with a feeling. I knew I wanted to sponsor a young boy, so I could watch him grow, and I knew I wanted to support Africa. Tanzania was the choice and after flicking through a number of photos, I stopped on little Makesen Lerungo Lazaro, a beautiful 6 year old boy with the face of an angel. I know it was over the internet, through a computer screen and just a small photo, but I felt a real connection. This was my boy!

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Lazaro and I have sent many letters to one another over the years and he has not gone without a Christmas card or Birthday card, as well as additional donation, since I started sponsorship. When I received his very first letter thanking me for my sponsorship, giving me Gods blessings and telling me about his family situation, I burst into tears. So much emotion for a child I had never met from a world I could never know. There were 7 people living in a 2 bedroom hut. His mother was just 40 and was a grandmother already. Here I sat, crying in my living room with a plasma TV, car and 4 bedroom house. How could I ever complain about going without or wanting more. Again, worlds apart.

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 It was always my desire and dream to go and visit him and his family. I felt close to him through his letters and thought of him often. His photo has always held pride of place in my bedroom and I am forever talking about him and my experience as a sponsor. Finally in 2008, I had the opportunity, when buying a round the world ticket, to go to Tanzania and visit him. I had to seek approval from World Vision, lock in dates, have a police check and plan all travel arrangements once in country in advance, but it was so worth it.

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The trip nearly ended in disaster as I had so much difficulty getting in contact with the office and had not had confirmation from the team – Luckily, at the 11th hour ,the Australian, Tanzanian and World Vision HQ offices in America helped me and all went well.

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I get so emotional talking about the trip and smile every time I think back to being there. It was the single most amazing experience of my life and I cherish every second I had with my boy. I cannot describe the power of the emotion and intensity of the interaction I had with his parents when they looked me in the eye, and across all language barriers, thanked me for what I was doing for him. This program is saving and changing lives – I will treasure this thought forever.

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When I went to the village, I was told that the program was running well and may finish withing the next 2 years. I decided that I would get back there within, if not exactly to the date, 2 years, so that I could see him again before they moved on. I was informed that once World Vision leaves the area, it is practically impossible for me to go there again. And sadly, for me, that day came just a few weeks ago.

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The letter which explained to me that the settlement was successful and sustainable came as a shock and I was overwhelmed by the information. It’s such a wonderful thing that this village has come so far that they can now manage on their own, but as a sponsor parent, I also thought of the relationship and bond I had developed. Going to the village and seeing the work they do and holding my boy in my arms really intensifies this feeling of sadness and loss. After all, I had known this young boy for half of his life, 6 years, we had grown together. But ultimately, my feelings were selfish. For me to continue sponsoring him means that he is not living at the quality of life which he should and that is not fair. I have to take with me the thoughts that he is now in good care of his family and community and that no matter what, we will always have the memories of our time together and the relationship we had.

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 I still get teary thinking of him. I sent my final farewell card and cried with every word. Goodbye is always the hardest word to say. Lazaro, you are in my thoughts always, as you have been for so many of the past years. I teasure the gift you gave me when I came to visit you and it will continue to have pride of place in my room and my heart. You were an inspiration to me and you put my world in perspective. This world is so much bigger than we can ever imagine, it is so much greater than all of us and you are helping me to understand this.

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I started sponsoring a Nepalese girl one year ago as I also have a close affinity to this country. I look forward to developing a relationship with her and her community and someday soon visiting her in Nepal.

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Thank you World Vision. The magnitude of the work you do can not be put into words. God Bless.

What a legend!

 My dear friend Rich has just returned from one of the most incredible experiences of his life. Climbing Mt Kilmanjaro.

 

I am so inspired, amazed and unbelievably proud of the groups achievements. The amount of effort and time that went into the planning, organisation and practice for the trip is incredible. Not one thing was overlooked in the preparation for the big trip and it was a true success.

What I think is so incredible is that they organised the trip themselves. Although going with tour guides and having a prominent charity as the beneficiary, the rest was done by them. Flights, tour group planning, travel to and from the mountain, training, equipment, website, charity communication and fundraising. IT’S INCREDBILE!

 

I have always thought that oneday I would climb a mountain and last year when I saw Mt Kilimanjaro as I drove through the open plains of Tanzania, I knew this was the mountain for me. I am so happy that I now have a close friend who has done the trip before me and this has filled me with such an eagerness to get there and do it.

 

My friend Jarred and I are planning to do an 8 week trip next year in December with one of the main goals being to CLIMB KILI!

Again, what an achievement! Really. Congratulations team!

Here are a few words from the group and, most importantly, details on how to sponsor and donate to the charity “Help for Heroes.”

 

“Kilimanjaro 2009 – Many thanks from all the team for your support. We made £2000 for Help For Heroes which is brilliant. Of the team, Ian, Andrew, Brownie and Jo made Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. I made Stella Point at 5756 meters and Kathleen and Pete…… made Gilmans Point at 5685 meters. Not bad when Everest base camp is at 5200 meters. Cricket played at Stella Point.

http://www.aimhighchallenge.com (19,344 feet to be precise)

Or if you want to be the one to push us over the £1400 mark for H4H then this can be done at http://www.justgiving.com/aimhighchallenge“