WRITING A GUIDEBOOK IN AFRICA
Its wealth of game - the wildebeest migration is singularly the largest movement of large animals on earth - as well as tourist add-ons of conquering that rather large mountain and relaxing among the spicy aromas and tropical beaches of Zanzibar are what Tanzania is best known for. But away from the safari lodges and beach resorts, there’s little information – Africa is certainly not a destination where friendly tourist offices dish out leaflets and, although improving, tourist boards know little about the offbeat places to visit. So as a guidebook author, it’s essential to illicit genuine help from local people. In a dusty backwater town like Tabora or Kigoma, where is the best place to get a coffee or chapatti and chips, and where can I stay that doesn’t double up as a brothel? Even as a female, I find football does the trick. All Africans are nuts about football and engage in a conversation about favourite teams and they’ll do anything to help. I learnt this in Tanzania during the 2005 UEFA European Championship League. After claiming I was a Liverpool supporter it won me a ride through the Serengeti with a local teacher from Bunda to Karatu to watch the final. After whisking past elephants and lions, two flat tyres resulting in no spare, and a torturous drive on three wheels and one rim up the Ngorongoro Crater, we made it to Karatu for kick off. After Liverpool won I had another 300 new friends to help me on my way.
By Lizzie Williams www.writeafrica.co.za & www.wanderlust.co.uk
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