just wanted to let our members know the major playmakers in fighting the increase in trophy fees in Tanzania.After GN159 was issued to the hunting companies everyone had lost hope except for the following companies who spent alot of time and money fighting it.They are PASANISI, MIOMBO SAFARIS, MALAGARASI SAFARIS AND MASAAILAND HUNTING SAFARIS.The directors of these companies ARE the reason Tanzania is in a better situation now. These people deserve recognition as they have saved hunting in Tanzania. I know for a fact michel mantheakis of miombo safaris did not guide a safari this year so he could focus on the problem, how many other outfitters did that??? NONE everyone could just talk thinking the problem could go away, well they were wrong including individuals like sheny of game frontiers who is claiming he is responsible for dropping the fees. credit should be given to people who deserve it.

Ndorobo

Dont forget Luke Samaras on your List !

Seloushunter

Can someone tell me how many concessions the above mention companies have together?

Also, do they hunt on them themselves or do they sub-lease them?

Ndorobo,
Those you have mentioned (except one, Masaailand) have all done their part - some more than others. Indeed they require recognition

I can assure you though that you have left out at least 2 companies that have invested tons of precious time and money in consultancy, charters, legal fees, et al ;- as much if not more than any of those listed! They don't need the publicity though...
More than the companies themselves, the individuals of these companies and others such as Abdulkadil L. Mohamed, Sec Gen of TAHOA, are the real heroes.

Saeed,
1-Probably between 25 and 28 all together.
2-Both

I agree we all owe them a very big vote of thanks.... and let's hope they carry on with their good work and finalise the 2008 prices asap!

quote:

PASANISI, MIOMBO SAFARIS, MALAGARASI

To be Specific, these three people are

Gerard Pasanisi - President TAHOA
Michel Mantheakis - ??? (someone fill this in for me)
Licky Abdallah - Executive Representative

My hats off to all three for an excellent job in negotiating a fee schedule that would not decimate the industry. Every Tanzanian owes these guys a debt of gratitude.

I do not know what role Masailand played in this, but anyone who worked toward a solution gets a huge "Thank you" from me.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

PASANISI, MIOMBO SAFARIS, MALAGARASI

To be Specific, these three people are

Gerard Pasanisi - President TAHOA
Michel Mantheakis - ??? (someone fill this in for me)
Licky Abdallah - Executive Representative

My hats off to all three for an excellent job in negotiating a fee schedule that would not decimate the industry. Every Tanzanian owes these guys a debt of gratitude.

I do not know what role Masailand played in this, but anyone who worked toward a solution gets a huge "Thank you" from me.

I agree 100%.

Michel Mantheakis serves on the Executive Committee of TAHOA and TPHA.

There are a total of 8 EC members in TAHOA + an Exec Secretary.

They are:
Gerard Pasanisi
Abdulkadil L. Mohamed
Sheni Lalji
Abdallah Licky
Paulo Shanalingigwa
Michel Mantheakis
Charles Williams
Michel Allard

Several other individuals have been assisting the EC with information, statistics, legal advice, projections, and support. It has been a group effort with a handful of absolute standouts diserving of praise and respect.

To clarify on the situation, Gov has "verbally" confirmed that the latest TAHOA proposal was an acceptable compromise to GN 159 with regards 2007. HOWEVER this communication needs to be officialized through the issuance of another GN. This has not been done yet (but should be imminent) so there may still be a few suprises as Wendell pointed out above.

The TAHOA proposal also dealt with 2008 & beyond and the Associations position is that that is all TAHOA is going to accept at this late stage.

A scheduled meeting by the Minister with TAHOA EC on 12th Dec to clarify 2008 fees was cancelled without notice - The Minister did not show up!! He has now confirmed his attendance on Mon the 17th for what TAHOA expects to be a final meeting to confirm the proposal submitted.

Wendell, Michel Mantheakis is the director of Miombo Safaris ( www.miombosafaris.com ) and seems to be a very squared away professional. He and his outfit are at the top of my list for dream hunts.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
Wendell, Michel Mantheakis is the director of Miombo Safaris ( www.miombosafaris.com ) and seems to be a very squared away professional. He and his outfit are at the top of my list for dream hunts.

Yes, but I don't know what position he holds in TAHOA. He is there in teh meetings, and played a key role in the talks. Is he VP? A Board Member? I believe Bwanamich knows.

Oops, should have read the posts first! I see that Michel serves on the Executive Committee of TAHOA

Thanks for your good info Bwanamich. I look forward to updates when you have them.

bwanamich, the reason i mentioned masaailand is because i was told abdulkadil mohamed is a director of the company. yes you are right he was a playmaker aswell.thank you

Whatever how is shakeing out on the meeting on 17 th. It is Better you book your hunt for 2008 or 2009 with your favourite Outfitter now when fees are confirmed.
2009 are new Block allocations and RICH Arabs with help of local Tanzanian (Indian) Businessman try to Interupt ( with help... of the Rulers in this Country ) heavily the TZ hunting scene.

Seloushunter

Just to clarify on what Mboga Biga Bwana said;

The re-allocation of hunting blocks is at the END of the 2009 season i.e. 2010 will begin a new 5 year tenure for concession holders.

The hunting regulations of 2000 clearly state that so long as an operator has fulfilled his minimum yearly obligation in Anti-poaching, Community development and block infrastructure maintenance & development, they will be re-allocated the same blocks. This is law and is further supported by the Industry Consensus so anyone trying to tamper with this as suggested by MBB is exposing themselves to legal action.

If RICH Arabs/Indians are indeed looking to expand into the hunting industry, all they have to do is buy an existing outfitter with their petro dollars!

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:
Whatever how is shakeing out on the meeting on 17 th. It is Better you book your hunt for 2008 or 2009 with your favourite Outfitter now when fees are confirmed.

Sorry MBB, that is not how it works. No operator will guarantee fees when he is still not sure what they will be. Better advice is to book it after all this mess is settled.

I'd actually recommend booking asap. - I know of at least 5 companies, who despite the price rises and confusion, are already fully booked or almost fully booked for 2008 and many who are at least 50% booked for 2009. - These same companies will also have bookings at least into 2010.

Slightly off topic, but not much, although the price rises have upset a lot of people, but many haven't been put off booking hunts in Tanzania and elswehere and the falling dollar is making African hunting generally a lot more affordable for hunters from outside the USA.

unless someone has money to burn, i can't believe they would book a Tz hunt now when they have very little knowledge of how much the final price tag will be. then again there are a lot of people to whom money is no object-unfortunately i am not one of them!! as far as Bwanamich's post about the hunting regulations of 2000 being law and essentially guaranteeing the renewal of concessions if certain conditions have been met- well, those same laws spelled out a 9 month notice that the government had to give safari operator of fee increases and we have seen how much attention government officials paid to that requirement!!!!!!!