East Africa ~ Tanzania ~ Mwanza ~ Mwadui - (a picture tour)

You should win HOD for this - it's beautiful - informative and I love your original photographs! The music and videos were fantastic - had to laugh about the last photo caption! Lol

I just can't wait to visit Africa! Some day I will be there:)

Beautiful hub and pictures. I laughed at your monopoly on the baby Sonja. She is a beautiful woman and you can see a family resemblance.

Thanks to you and Sonja for an engrossing photo tour of your Tanzanian "stomping grounds". For me, sitting in the lush Green Mountains of Vermont, yours is an exotic and mysterious land half a world away, but your travelogues make it all more accessible.

I must mention too that your childhood photos show that your family has a knack for producing lovely little girls who grow into beautiful women.

CP

Great write for East Africa. Voted up and awesome.

Africa is beautiful! I heard that Lake Victoria had a Lake Monster. I wonder if it's true? Lovely photographs and images. Loved it!

I've had two virtual journeys to Africa in just a few days! A friend just returned from his trip to Namibia and his photos were up close and personal with animals and visuals. He had a wonderful trip.

Now I have the pleasure of taking another African trip. How much luckier could I be?!? Beautiful photos and details. Much thanks to your generous cousin and you for sharing!:)

It is so strange, before i met you and Tony, I always thought of Africa as a wild, dangerous place. I see by your photos that it is beautiful and modern. You were a cute Chick at eleven.. Thank's for the share...

Dear Martie,

You knew I needed a virtual getaway and oila... this magical paradise of a hub appears from your corner of the world!

Thank you ever so much! This is an exquisite compilation of photography. I feel as though Lake Victoria is truly calling me... I am having the jet fueled as I write...

Fabulous photo essay, my Sista! Voted UP & UABI.

Love, Maria

my oh my Martie of Magnificent - what a beauty of a hub this is and will be posted as such to our music group for all to see - you offered us such a world class presentation and I felt I was sitting in first class all of the way - lake erie time 7:09pm and yes you can be my sexy tour guide anyday because you have the brains and beauty to go with it -

My brother and sister-in-law are coming to Tanzania in mid-October. I will forward this link to them.

Great Hub, Martie!

I adore you!! My friends photos are on his Facebook and they are spectacular. Dunes and deserts and animals. I bet he would allow us to use some for a project one day:))

Thank you for bringing us along

Martie...Thank you for the most wonderful vacation I have been on in years! This is absolutely stunning...some of the photos are breath-taking.....

I should think the tourist Industry must send you a big fat check for such inviting temptations!!

and you are just as cute and sweet now as you were at 11 !! Look at that smile! Thank you for this fabulous trip!!

Thanks cuzzie for sharing this with us. I might still have the scars of your teeth but I miss you so much! (The reason why I fled to England to get away from those fangs)

Excellent Hub - loved the photos and detail. Voted Up!

Amazing hub Martie, so full of detail and the photos and videos really made me feel as though I was there, fantastic. I never realised how beautiful East Africa is, I would love to visit, this is voted all the way, and defintely shared for all your hard work! nell

I knew of Tanzania, Martie, because at one point in one of my many varied careers, I ran a mail order company (you know it was B.C. - Before Computers) and sold fine gem jewelry to discriminating customers. One of the most popular gems was that brilliant, fascinating violet-colored jewel known as tanzanite - available only from Tanzania.

So you can imagine my pleasure when I read this lovely travelogue of that country and viewed the beautiful photos.

So thank you, Martie, and thank Sonia for this delight.

And tell your dear cousin you promise nevermore to bite.

I thoroughly enjoyed my cyber visit and learned that I like the new Tanzania music! You make a great tour guide.

Though I loved all the photos, the ones of Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria were breathtaking.

I also liked the personal story you told about Sonja and how you fought for the right to take care of her when she was a baby. It brought a nice, light-hearted tone to this hub.

The adult photos of Sonja show she grew up to be a beautiful woman and it was fun to see the family photos from your childhood.

Voted up across the board.

Excellent. I think that's particularly true about my fellow Americans.

You made me feel I was right there in that amazing land. Thank you for that. Your pictures, videos and information are just priceless. Oh, I must visit one day!

Wow what an awesome trip here Martie! Its not often you see elephants in a pic where they look like ants. The snows of Kilimanjaro indeed. The Golden Age superstar Clark Gable made a lot of movies where he was in Africa and John T. Williamson looks like him. Cuz Sonja sure is a doll and so is that pretty and intelligent looking 11 year old. An enjoyable tour de force here friend Martie- thanks!

Wow...I can't say anything, Martie. You have wrote the most beautiful hub about Africa. I really enjoy the virtual tour through this hub. Good job and voted up!

Prasetio

Martie, I was listening to the first video as I read the hub and watched the photos and it was a wonderful virtual tour. Nature in Africa looks intense in some way and so unbelievable beautiful. Travelling to Africa is growing in popularity in Sweden right now and especially Serengeti is on top of desired places to visit. Thanks for this beautiful hub, I enjoyed it very much. You did a fantastic hub as always, voted up, up

Tina

Martie,

I totally enjoyed this hub! My thanks to Sonja for providing the photos. I have a whole new appreciation why so many friends from "across the pond" prefer to vacation there. It's stunning! I was glued to the single shots and videos. It's a kaleidescope of color, animals, water, mountains, villages and cities, and so incredibly exotic.

I would sincerely love to visit the place, but, please tell me they don't have bottle flys ....

femme

Awesome hub, and a great story in pictures! I noticed most cars are white - I assume it's because of the endless sun that needs to be deflected. And driving in a Rolls-Royce through the jungle or swamps is kinda surreal, I like it. I find everything about Africa fascinating, cannot wait to see the continent (Namibia, Kenya, SA, Lake Victoria). A lot of people visit Tunisia and Egypt as vacation destinations, but very few people I know have ever visited Sub-Saharan Africa. Voted up.

Theres a fearsome animal living in Lake Victoria called the Lukwata. It could be some kind of fish or some kind of whale. It could be a long neck such as Nessie. Reports of its size and its physical description are conflicting. Some say it has a rounded head while others say it has a square shaped head. Estimates of its size are anything from 12 feet to 100 feet long. Its said to be violent and dangerous. It attacks and kills people and any other animal it can catch. It kills and eats large Crocodiles. It loses pieces of its skin during these fights which some natives collect and keep as amulets. The Lukwata is believed by some to have supernatural powers. It makes loud bellowing roars which can be heard from afar. Obviously theres a breeding population of these animals and not just a single individual. The European Sir Clement Hill saw a Lukwata in 1900 as it attempted to snatch a crewmen from his boat. Travelguides should mention these animals and warn visitors. Lake Victoria borders Uganda Kenya and Tanzania. Anyone swimming in or wading in the water and anyone in a canoe or in a small boat is risking being attacked by a Lukwata. Warning signs should be posted about these animals. Lukwatas are the most dangerous animals in the world. Read the books On the Track of Unknown Animals by Bernard Heuvelmans and authors Michael Newton and George Eberhart mention these monstrous animals in their books. The Badanga tribe in Uganda believe in the existence of Lukwatas. Theres a zooful of unknown animals living in lakes rivers swamps forests grasslands and jungles in Africa.

These animals are real. One may never see one nor encounter one while living near Lake Victoria yet a number of people have seen them since 1900. The Badanga tribe of Uganda is aware of these animals. In the 1930s biologist E.G. Wayland collected a bone fragment from a Lukwata. He also heard the animals bellowing roars. Sir Clement Hill's boat was nearly capsized as a Lukwata tried to snatch a crewman. The Lukwata drags men and beasts into the water to drown them. Other sources say it can break Hippo bones with its bite. The animal's physical description size and identity are conflicting and controversial. Some say it's a fish such as a catfish or an eel. Some say its a snake such as a python(snakes don't have vocal cords and generally cannot roar) while others think its a dolphin or a whale. Others suggest its a Plesiosaurus or a longneck such as Nessie. Some sources say its neck is 4 feet long. Some believe Lukwatas have supernatural powers or magical powers. The only thing everybody agrees on is that Lukwatas are dangerous. These maybe the most dangerous animals in the world. They frequently kill and eat large crocodiles. The Lukwata is only one of many unknown beasts or cryptids in Africa. There could be living dinosaurs in Africa such as Mokele-mbembe and the Chipekwe. The Lau the Dingonek the Kongamato the Water Elephant the Mngwa the Nandi Bear the Pongo the Emela N touka and the Mblieu mblieu mblieu are all real. All of these are dangerous. The Lukwata is the ultimate monster. Its bellowing roars can be heard from afar. People should be warned about the presence of these animals. Good advice would be to stay out of the water or stay out of the lake.

Dear Martie these animals are a mystery in many ways. Some say the Lukwata is a plesiosaurus which survived extinction. Yet most reports do not mention any flippers. It seems to have a fish like head or a snake like head and a long thin neck and a dolphin like body. Some say it has barbs on its snout like a catfish. Others say it has tentacles on its snout and can eject poison to stun its prey. Its obviously a very large very powerful animal which doesn't need poison. Some say it creates whirlpools in the water. Lake Victoria has periodic waterspouts which may or may not be caused by these animals. One source says its 20 feet to 30 feet long which is the size of a Killer Whale. My personal opinion is that its some kind of aberrant evil dolphin or whale living in freshwater. Nobody knows really what these creatures are. One source says that female Lukwatas lay eggs. If that's true then its not likely a mammal but a reptile or amphibian or a fish. Maybe its an oversized Catfish. Yet some sources claim it has a long thin snake like neck which is unlike a catfish. Population numbers of these animals is unknown. Also mysteries are how often sightings take place and how often it attacks and kills people and livestock. Its been known to overturn canoes and slaughter everyone in it. It has a bloodlust. These animals are violent brutes. Its been sighted close to shore but its more often seen miles from the shore in remote deep parts of the lake. Any person who hangs out on the lake long enough could be a target for these monstrous animals. Any movement or smell could alert these brutes into focusing their evil eyes to attack and slaughter. Lukwatas are the most dangerous animals in the world. One source says its human victims faint before it even attacks. The game Pathfinder on google has the Lukwata as one its monsters and the game Dungeons and Dragons is considering adding it to its list of monsters. Some believe that Lukwatas have magical powers. Look up or search Lukwata-Lake Monster on the Internet or on google. Lukwatas are one of Africa's deepest darkest mysteries.

Martie, what beautiful country! Friends of mine recently travelled to South Africa and shared photos with me. I was mesmerized!

As far as the Lukwatas, can you say scary and creepy? I'd love to see photos of this aquatic monster!

Yeah, Martie - beware of the waters! My friend lived in South Africa for a couple of years. She returns every year for vacation. She took her new husband there this year for two weeks and he fell in love with the terrain and the people. They hope to vacation there again in a couple of years when my friend has retired, at which point they hope to spend a month there.

Sweetheart, I'd have to find a suggah-daddy in order to come to Africa! :-). But I'll consider that a standing invitation!

Interesting and informative peek into your world, Martie. This is truly fascinating. That first video was mood setting as I read through the rest of the text. The closest I've come to seeing this environment is a few trips to Busch Gardens where they have many of these animals on terrain they have created to simulate these pictures. Nothing quite as beautiful as that view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Stunning. The history of the diamond mines and J.T. Williamson was an added bonus along with your Sonja story.

All the pictures and videos made this article a fascinating read. Great job.

Thank your cousin Sonja for sharing these wonderful photos with us and thank you for assembling this beautiful and informative hub. Lots of up votes and sharing. That video was a good one! That is a cute story of your wanting to hold Sonja like a doll when she was a baby. :))

Hi Martie,

What a stunning guide you have written us for such a beautiful part of Africa. Your cousin Sonja's photos along with your pics and videos make it a fascinating journey. I have always wanted to visit Africa (only been to Tunisia), and have a number of people I know through Sport in different locations so would love to get there to visit. Loved your facts on Tanzania great to learn even more on this part of the world on your doorstep! Thanks Martie! Votes, shared and pinned to travel.

This was an excellent article! You made everything come to life with your original images and amazing videos. You certainly captured my attention. (Voted Up) -Rose

East Africa is exciting and important for several reasons. Anthropologists Louis Leakey and Donald Johanson have found bones of hominids believed to be early ancestors of modern humans, and the wildlife and scenery is stunning.

Most interesting for me about East Africa is the saga of George and Joy Adamson in Kenya. From 1955 or 1956 to 1961, Joy Adamson raised a female Lion named Elsa. Elsa was raised as a cub and after hard work introduced into the wild. She adapted to the wild and even had her own cubs and still remained semi tame. Elsa was both a tame and wild animal at the same time and was like a big friendly dog. A book and movie, Born Free, were produced in the 1960s. Elsa lived for only 5 years, which is a blink of an eye. Another book and movie is called Living Free. This is one of the most touching stories between a human and animal. Its also filled with heartbreak and tragedy. In the movie Born Free, George Adamson is seen suffering from an overdose of medicine used to treat malaria, and Joy's pet Rock Hyrax dies from old age in Joy's arms. Hyraxes are cute little animals that look like Marmots but are actually more closely related to Elephants. This Hyrax was a companion to Elsa when Elsa was a cub. Some parts of the movie are painful to watch.

Joy Adamson kept other animals like Pippa the Cheetah and Penny the Leopard. Read the book, Queen of Shaba, the story of an African Leopard.

National Geographic magazine did an impressive article about African wildlife in February 1972. Hippos, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalos, Wild dogs, antelopes such as Wildebeest and Topi, and Chimpanzees are common in East Africa. Mount Kilimajaro, Ngorongoro Crater, and Olduvai Gorge are noteworthy landmarks.

Travelers should consider taking pills for malaria and snakebite kits, and should consider drinking juices and sodas and avoid the water as water in tropical countries are nearly always polluted. For those brave enough to travel, East Africa is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Africa has a mystique and aura unmatched by any other continent. The climates, the landscape, the peoples, and cultures are diverse and fascinating, and the diversity of wildlife is perhaps greater than anywhere else.

Zoologist Daphne Sheldrick in Kenya has raised orphan animals for many years, and Jane Goodall has studied Chimpanzees in East Africa since the 1960s.

Dian Fossey studied Mountain Gorillas in Zaire and Rwanda which is more western Africa. Read her book and see the movie Gorillas in the Mist. Her life was filled with immense suffering, both physical and mental. She helped to save the Mountain Gorillas from extinction. Her murder in 1985 is unsolved.

Africa is beautiful but cruel and dangerous. All equatorial and tropical locations are filled with dangers such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, and diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Ebola is spreading and expanding its range and is causing fear, suffering, and death. Rampant crime, genocides, unsafe drinking water, and mass starvation and famine are other evils.

Im unable to travel for various reasons. The closest I can get to Africa is in the Museum of Natural History. The Carl Akeley Hall of African mammals is most impressive. Theres a diorama of a family of Mountain Gorillas. A male is shown standing in a bipedal position. The taxidermists have done a very realistic job and the animals look almost alive and are shown in various positions. The background scenery is also realistic. Its as if a small slice of Africa has been recreated in a Museum. Theres also so much to read in each exhibit. A large, good quality Museum is a wonderful, educational, and entertaining place to spend time at. Theres much to see, much to read, and much to learn. Museums make learning fun. There are also interactive displays, TV screens, and computer screens, and certain exhibits even have sound effects or audio.

I used to have a collection of stamps just on African wildlife years ago. The story of Born Free, Elsa the lioness, and Joy Adamson has touched me deeply as it shows how strong the love and bond can be between human and animal, even a dangerous wild animal like a Lion. Elsa wasn't just any Lion. Elsa was a pet and companion for Joy and she was a loving animal. Joy loved Elsa more than anything, which makes Elsa's death more painful. People who spend time with animals and who become bonded with them have to suffer loss and grief, and losing a beloved animal companion or pet is as painful as losing a family member.

National Geographic magazine has many articles about Africa over the years and interesting documentaries exist about African wildlife.