Mr. Gilbert

Welcome to Tanzania, Africa

Tanzania is situated in east central Africa and covers a land area equal to twice the size of California. Sixty three million people (2020) populate the country and this number takes into account the high mortality rates due to AIDS. Tanzania was under British colonial rule until 1960 and became an independent country in 1964 when the former countries of Tanganyika and Zanziba merged to become a single country. Tanzania is a democratic country and is considered stable for foreign travelers. (first 2 party elections were held in 1995)

CLICK HERE to download Tanzania Safari Scavenger Hunt

Basic Economic Story of Tanzania

Let’s talk money…all $ given in USD (US Dollars)

Per Capita Income (Average Salary Per Person Per Year)

Tanzania = $2,800 United States = $70,000

Population Living BELOW the Poverty Level

Tanzania = 43% ($690 or less per year) United States = 12% ($14,000 or less per year)

Rank in the World Economy (Based on GDP)

Tanzania = #76 $84,000,000,000 (84 Billion). United States = # 1 $27,000,000,000,000 (27 Trillion)

% of Labor Force in Agriculture

Tanzania = 65 United States = 10

A bit of Perspective…
4.4 billion dollars is the total salary paid to Major League Baseball (MLB) players, which is 5% of Tanzania’s total economy…might not sound like much, but it gives the baseball players an average salary of $4 million per year! (And when you are talking billions…5% is HUGE) I would be willing to bet if we all sat down and added up 1) Value of Stadiums, 2) Player Endorsement/Advertising Contracts 3) Apparel/Memorabilia Sales & 4) Profit to the owners…it might rival the entire GDP of Tanzania!

Swahili

English and Swahili are the official languages of Tanzania. Swahili, a term used by early Arab visitors meaning “coast people”, is the widest native spoken language throughout eastern Africa. Although Swahili is of Bantu (African) origins, it is a language of the “Cross-roads”, meaning many other languages can be found throughout it’s vivid dictionary of words. Bantu, Arabic, English, German, and Portuguese all have a presence within the Swahili language structure, this is due to the long history of colonization throughout eastern Africa. Hence my term “Cross-roads” language…many people have come through this region at different times throughout the centuries and left their mark on the Swahili language and culture.

Swahili Words… (I believe you might recognize a few of these…because as Americans we live in the ULTIMATE of “Cross-roads”!)

Hello/Hi = “Jambo”

Friend = “Rafiki”

No Problem = “Hakuna matata”

Lion = “Simba”

Journey = “Safari”

Tea = “Chai”

Where are the toilets? = “Wapi choo?”

Count to Ten: "moja" = one, "mbili" = two, "tatu" = three, "nne" = four, "tano" = five, "sita" = six, "saba" = seven, "nane" = eight, "tisa" = nine, and "kumi" = ten

Note: Swahili is not a “clicking” language that many associate in our popular culture when talking about Africa…IsiXhosa is a “clicking” type language!

The Geologic Story

Mt. Kilimanjaro is located in northern Tanzania, near the border of Kenya. Kilimanjaro has three dormant volcanic peaks: Kibo, Shira, and Mawenzi. The tallest peak of this group is Kibo, at 19,340 feet above sea-level, and this summit lies 204 miles south of the Equator.  Kili is classified as dormant volcano, but is known historically for having tremendously violent eruptions. Kilimanjaro is unusual because it is the tallest freestanding volcano in the world, which means it is not part of a mountain range Two hundred fifty million years ago, lava emerged up through a crack in the earth’s surface and formed this volcano. The last eruption occurred approximately 360,000 years ago.  

Kilimanjaro is a Stratovolcano, sometimes referred to as a Composite volcano, and has a “layered” structure from multiple volcanic events and lava flows.  This mountain was formed approximately 750,000 years ago, so it is considered “young” in geologic terms.  Stratovolcanoes are the most common type of volcano found on earth and have a “stereotypical volcano” look to them due to their sloping sides and dominating appearance in the landscape around them.  (Stratovolcanoes are the volcanos you drew as a child...2 popular examples of stratovolcanoes in the United States are Mt. Rainier & Mt. Baker in Washington)

Kilimanjaro lies just 50 miles from the Great Rift Valley, a giant fissure that cuts through Africa.  The rift forms when the movement of the earths plates slide away from each other. The African rift is related to a giant rift system that stretches 3,700 miles from Northern Syria to the country of Mozambique.  (The neatest feature to look at are the “elongated” lakes in eastern Africa...one can easily see this land separation or “pulling” apart)

Let’s GO ON SAFARI

Animal Spotlight: Hippopotamus “Hippo” (Swahili Name = Kiboko)

The Hippo is the most dangerous large animal on the African continent. They are responsible for more human casualties than any other animal and do this by charging and trampling their victims while protecting their stretch of river. Although the hippo appears “Piggish”, their closest living relatives on earth are whales.

Huh? speaking of whales…a blue whales tongue is larger & more heavy than a full grown hippo…actually it is larger than a male African elephant!

Animal Spotlight: Giraffe (Swahili Name = Twiga)

The award for the tallest animal on earth goes to the giraffes of sub-Saharan Africa.  The average height of a giraffe is seventeen feet and they only live, on average, to be ten years of age.  Many times giraffes are seen in a “necking” pose, this is not a lover’s pose, but rather a sparing of two rival giraffe males.

Animal Spotlight: Baboon (Swahili Name = Nyani)

Unlike most monkeys, baboons are found in savanna and semiarid regions where they rove the ground. Plants make up a large part of their diet, however, they also eat meat, such as shellfish, birds, vervet monkeys, and small antelopes. Most baboons live in hierarchical groups called troops ranging in size between 5 to 250 animals. These troops confront predators by forming a line and strutting in a threatening manner while showing their large canines and screaming.

Did you know? Baboons use over 30 vocalizations ranging from grunts to barks to screams. Non-vocal gestures include yawns, lip smacking and shoulder shrugging. (Reminds me of my students on test days!)

*note…above 5 images were NOT taken by Mr. Gilbert

Animal Spotlight: Rhinoceros (Swahili Name = Faru)

The standard weight of a standard 2007 Ford F150 pick-up is about 4,800 pounds… with that said, I introduce to you the rhinoceros! Rhinos average 4,500 pounds, are 13 feet long, can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, and have very poor eyesight. Incidentally a group of rhinos is called a “crash”…seems fitting!

Animal Spotlight: Hyena (Swahili Name = Fisi)

Hyenas are the most common large carnivores found in Africa. (The spotted & stripped hyena species are found in East Africa) The hyena often invokes a “devilish” image in the minds of humans and this may be due to the following…

1) They are the only predator adapted to digesting bone.
2) They have a more powerful bite than a lion.
3) Hyena’s are known to hunt in packs, gang up on animals (and the occasional human) and slowly kill victims by running along side taking bites, tearing off the flesh of the prey & slowly bleeding them to death or just waiting for their “next meal” to trip on their own entrails. Well off to lunch!

*note…above 5 images were NOT taken by Mr. Gilbert

Animal Spotlight: Vervet Monkey (Swahili Name = Tumbili)

Vervet monkeys, little black-faced monkeys of Africa, are often considered an annoyance throughout the villages of sub-Sahara Africa. The vervet is the most prolific monkey species in Tanzania and many hotels/tented camps dedicate an entire portion of their staff to constantly stand guard against these little buggers. It is suggested to eat quickly in eastern Africa before it gets stolen by a vervet!

Animal Spotlight: Dik-dik (dik-dik is Swahili)

Dik-diks are a dwarf antelope species that rival a fox terrier in size. A mature dik-dik will weigh 12 pounds and reach a height of 14 inches. According to the Waliangulu tribe lore of east Africa, the dik-dik’s tendency to defecate repeatedly in the same pile goes back to the time when the chief dik-dik got stuck in a pile of elephant dung. So for centuries the dik-diks have been trying to “get even” and plotting against the elephant and trying to make a dung pile large enough to catch an elephant. According to scientists the real reason for these manure piles, or pellets, is to mark a dik-diks territory…scientists are so boring!

FYI – “defecate” is the final act of solid waste digestion aka. “pooping” to the younger generation out there reading this…never a bad time to work on vocab!

Animal Spotlight: Naked Mole-Rat (Swahili Word for Rat = Panya)

Ah the Naked Mole-Rat! Quite an interesting creature that happens to be the only species of mammal on earth to behave like an insect. Naked mole rats live in large tubular colonies underground with one “queen” rat that can give birth to over thirty young at a time.

Naked mole rat Features…
1) They never come above ground.
2) Their skin does not feel pain. (main reason it can live with high carbon levels underground)
3) The queen nurses baby mole rats for the first month, after birth then other mole rats take over and feed the baby feces until it can handle solid food.
4) The mole rats lips are sealed behind its teeth to prevent dirt from filling up their mouths while digging.

Final thought…thank goodness this rat can’t feel pain because if one were to look in the mirror I think it would be a disaster! Google this little guy…eek!

Animal Spotlight: Oxpeckers (aka. “tick birds” )

The oxpecker is a bird species of Africa that is most comfortable atop the backs of large mammals.  These creatures are not “hitchhiking”, but are actually feeding on ticks, blood-sucking flies, fleas, and secretions omitted by the host animal.  Oxpeckers (red & yellow billed are the two species found in sub-Saharan Africa) are considered semi-parasitic due to the fact they spend most of their lives on the back of animals feeding.  Most large African animals live harmoniously with oxpeckers foraging their backsides, ear canals and tails, but elephants & most antelope species will not tolerate them.

Animal Spotlight: Ostrich (Swahili Name = Mbuni)

The ostrich is the world's largest bird.  An adult male will stand nearly 8 feet in height and weigh as much as 230 pounds. Though they cannot fly, ostrich are strong runners sprinting up to 43 mph and covering 10 to 16 feet in a single stride.  Besides using their powerful legs for running, they can also be used in defense. Ostrich kicks can kill a human or a potential predator like a lion.

Ostrich Fun Facts:
1) Ostrich do not bury their heads in the sand. At the approach of trouble, ostrich flop down pressing their long necks to the ground. This gives the appearance that they have buried their heads in the sand.
2) Ostrich only have two toes - all other birds have three or four toes.
3) An ostrich egg can weigh 3 pounds. That’s equivalent to 2 dozen chicken eggs.
4) An ostrich’s eye measures almost two inches across - the largest of any land animal.

Animal Spotlight: Elephant (Swahili Name = Tembo or Ndovu)

The trunk of an elephant has over 150,000 muscles and has enough strength to kill an animal, as large as a cape buffalo, with a single swipe. Elephants use their trunks for a wide variety of purposes that range from greeting fellow friends, scratching, picking leaves and even sucking up water to be squirted in their mouth for a drink. An elephant can suck up over 12 liters of water in a single “trunk gulp”!

Animal Spotlight: Cheetah (Swahili Name = Duma)

Cheetah VS. The 2009 Porsche 911 GT2 Sports Coupe

Porsche 0 - 60 mph = 3.5 sec, Cheetah 0 -70 mph = 2.8 sec
Porsche Top Speed = 204 mph, Cheetah Top Speed = 70mph (can only hold speed for 100 yards or it overheats)
Porsche Price = $194,000.00, Cheetah Price = Priceless (well about $6,000 USD to travel to Tanzania to see one)

Note: Cheetah is Hindi/Sanskrit term meaning “spotted one”

Animal Spotlight: Flamingo (Swahili Name = Heroe)

Question: Why are Flamingo’s pink? Answer: The flamingo is pink in color due to their diet of shrimps they forage for in the lakes, swamps, & brackish waters of Africa. Shrimps actually contain the plant compound carotene, which has a red pigment that is transferred to the flamingos giving them the vibrant pink hues. Flamingos kept in captivity at zoos do loose their pink color unless their keepers infuse their diets with carotenes.

Note: Swahili name for flamingo lawn ornaments = TACKY

Animal Spotlight: Wildebeest (Swahili Name = Nyumbu Ya Montu)

Known as the “Clowns of the Savanna”, the wildebeest is one of the most awkward looking and acting herbivore in Tanzania.  It is thought that this animal got its front (forequarters) from the ox, its mane from a horse, and its backside (hindquarters) from the antelope.  The wildebeest, or gnu, is in the antelope family and is best known for its mass migration through the Serengeti twice each year.

Animal Spotlight: Lion (Swahili Word = Simba) - Why does the average male lion sleep 20 hours a day? 

A male lion’s job within the pride (pride is a term for family group) is to protect, therefore he slumbers most of the day in order to conserve energy in case of an attack.  So, all the men/fathers/sons out there…next time someone tells you to get off the couch and quit being lazy, simply tell him or her you are conserving energy in order to be ready to defend the family! In defense of the male lion…as males sleep their noses are still hard at work constantly surveying danger, so they never actually get very “deep” sleep.

Animal Spotlight: Egyptian Goose (No word for Goose in Swahili)

The Egyptian goose is one of the most recognizable flying creatures throughout Tanzania and Eastern Africa. Flocks of these geese do very well in this region due to the many swamps, ponds, and wetland areas, so travelers are sure to spot these large flyers. This particular goose species was considered sacred in ancient Egypt and can be seen frequently illustrated within their art. Incidentally the Egyptian goose has been hunted to extinction in the north Africa/Egypt regions.

Hmmm? What do Swahili speakers say when geese fly by…do they just point and look at each other insilence?  I guess I will have to start up a game of “DUCK DUCK GOOSE” with my friends here in Tanzania to see what they say!

PEOPLE - The Masai

The Maasai are a nomadic tribal people who live in the Kenyian and Tanzanian region of Africa. Maasai are a colorful people who are known for their artist beadwork, flamboyant appearance, and the red colored robes used to drape their bodies. Traditionally the Maasai are cattle herders who move constantly throughout the grasslands in search of fertile pastures for their animals. Cattle are the center of the Maasai world, dictating where the Maasai live, showing wealth of tribal leaders, and are an integral part of the tribes diet. The staple food of the Maasai people consists of a cow blood and milk mixture, which is consumed twice each day. Rarely are cattle killed for their meat and a slaughter is saved for only special occations. Obviously as our world evolves and becomes more technologically advanced the Maasi’s culture is deteriorating. This is mainly due to social pressure on young Maasi to leave tribes in search of a “better” life and governmental control of “protected” land for African animals in order to boost tourism. One of the most popular “characters” of the Masai tribes is the Masai warrior. Masai warriors, males between the ages of 15 and 40, have a long ceremonious tradition that historically involved killing a lion to enter “man-hood”. The Masai warrior is still a part of the Masai traditions and these men are in charge of herding and protecting cattle from other tribes and lions.

Hmm…”Blood & Milk”…the breakfast of champions! Wow that would give me yet another reason to jump out of bed each morning and get my butt to work…”Venti Soy Low-fat Vanilla Latte No Whip” anyone? I think the Maasi would be equally impressed and maybe a bit puzzled with our caffeine driven ways.

The 7 Summits

Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s 7 Summits…the highest points on each of the seven continents! Meaning, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a pretty big deal for many adventurers around the world. Where/What are the earth’s 7 Summits?

Africa = Kilimanjaro
North America =
South America =
Europe =
Asia =
Antarctica =
Australia =

Flora & Fauna of Kili”

Kilimanjaro is a unique mountain because of the has six ecological zones along its slopes. The variety of ecological zones is due to the fact that this high peak is basically situated on the equator and raises to an elevation of over 19,000 ft in elevation.  This extreme elevation change, on a equatorial location, creates an amazing contrast of environments. It is basically like walking from the equator to the arctic as you climb up this high peak.

The first zone is the cultivated area. It is from 2600 to 6500 feet.  This has rich grounds for crops from the volcanic material.  Two animals found within this zone include the Galagos (also known as bushbabies) and the tree hyrax.        

Dense rainforest covers the second zone from 6,200 to 9,200 feet.  It includes ferns, jungle plants, high humidity, and huge trees.  As climbers traverse this zone, they will be walking under a canopy of huge trees that are competing for sunlight to survive.

The third zone, 9200 to 11,000 feet, is called heath.  This zone doesn’t include the larger plants of the rain forest because of the cool temperatures.  The plant life here will include everlasting flowers, and red or yellow tubular blossoms (Erythrina caffra).

The fourth zone is the moorland, which runs from 11,000 to 13,200 feet.  Unusual plants inhabit this area, including the groundsels that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.  This will be by far the most unique zone for me in regards to plants and I will be sure to have my camera out of my backpack.

The fifth zone is the alpine desert from 13,200 to 16,500 feet.   This area has very extreme conditions: high winds, low humidity, and extreme temperature changes.  Life can still be found here, but only because adaptations were made over time.  Hail Mr. Darwin!

Finally, the sixth zone is the summit from 16,500 to 19,240 feet. Plants and animals rarely venture into this zone due to the lack of oxygen and water.  So in other words, the only animals “dumb” enough to venture into this zone are crazy humans, including geography teachers on “vacation”!

FYI – Flora & Fauna = Plants & Animals

Acacia Trees

Africa is one of those places, even if you have never been here before, you can shut your eyes and visualize. Huge savanna horizon, an outline of an elephant, a beautiful orange sun-set (the orange sunsets are due to the dust in the air) and those flat-topped draping trees…you with me!  (Beautiful isn’t it…ahh)

So what are those trees? The trees that make those famous African scenes complete are called acacia trees. Acacias are thorn trees and are shaped like umbrellas in the African savanna due to browsing giraffes and other animals. The shade provided by the acacia is an important micro-climate within this region by providing much needed shade for certain plants and animals.