Offbeat Africa

Regarding “Zanzibar: Adventure on Tanzania’s Spice Island” by Jessica Misuraca:

I visited Dar es Salaam in March. Ms. Misuraca’s description of it as “delightfully unspoiled” is misleading. The city is a dangerous place for tourists. The merchants close their businesses before darkness sets in because the streets are unsafe at night. In fact, there is not much, if any, in the way of night street lighting. During the day, the streets are dangerous, especially for tourists foolish enough to carry backpacks, cameras, purses, luggage or anything of value.

ALLAN B. STRELLER

Santa Monica

I was born in Zanzibar and have spent most of my life in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. It appears that Ms. Misuraca and group did not meet the right person or guide to take them around and show them good hotels, good restaurants and places of interest.

Zanzibar has a number of good hotels, among them Hotel Bwawani, Africa House, Zanzibar Hotel, Narrow Street Hotel, Uroa Beach Hotel, High Hill Hotel and Hotel International. All have restaurants. There are also a number of guest houses and beach hotels with accommodations that serve food.

PRAVIN V. MEHTA

Corona

I have traveled extensively in Africa on many “offbeat” safaris over the years, including much bush walking, hiking around the southern rim of Lake Turkana, crossing the Sahara in the east and west, and spending weeks in the mud of the Sudd. I have traveled to more than 80 countries around the world and nowhere else quite competes with Africa.

I am planning a year and a half safari by four-wheel drive across Africa. We will cross the Sahara, explore the cultural delights of West Africa, crawl through the Zaire forest, track game in East and Southern Africa, and learn about the new democracy in South Africa. This trip will be much more comprehensive and run at a slower pace than the commercially available trips. Anyone interested in sharing costs and an adventure can contact me at 5532 Woodruff Ave., Suite 196, Lakewood, Calif. 90713.

ROBERT DAVID

Lakewood

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