The  425-seater aircraft is the latest addition to  KLM fleet and it signals a double ‘first’ being the first aircraft to leave the Boeing plant using environmentally friendlier paint and the first to be named after a national park in Africa.

The Amboseli National Park aircraft is painted silver with dark blue accents of the SkyTeam Alliance – a deviation from the well-known KLM blue. The naming is aimed to educate people that responsible flying and enjoying the beauty of our planet can be combined.

According to the airline the PH-BVA has been named after Kenya’s “Amboseli National Park,” in honour of the parks biodiversity conservation efforts. Amboseli National Park which was branded “Kilimanjaro’s Royal Court” is a jewel in the crown of Kenya’s world-famous national parks. The 390-km sq park has fantastic views of Kilimanjaro and is surrounded by six communally owned ranches. It lies 250 km south of Nairobi in Loitokitok District and is one of the most popular Kenya safari destinations.

KLM is the only airline in the world that names aircrafts with none-coded names and have been using national parks since March 2008.

Share This

This is because the country has a wide assortment of rivers both big and small, all across the country. From these rivers hail not less than twenty awe inspiring waterfalls that make Zambia’s landscape look like illustrations of the Garden of Eden.

The thunderous roar of the steady flowing waterfalls as water goes over their rocky edged cliffs is one of the most powerful sounds of nature. Various hotels offer tours, picnics and brunches at various waterfall sites. If your Zambia hotel does not have this, you can pack up a basket and have your own perfect little picnic.

Except for stubborn little monkeys and baboons, the sites of the falls are fairly safe as long as you keep off the waterfall edges.

The most remarkable of these falls is the glorious Victoria Falls Zambia which falls on the Southern Province. The Victoria Falls hails from the Zambezi River and is classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It covers a spectacular 1600m over a 100m high drop. The falls provide five vantage points; the devils cataract, horse shoe falls, rainbow falls, the main falls and the Eastern falls.

Each of these viewing points is an experience all on its own. If you happen to view the falls at sunset, then you will have no doubt that you are in the presence of a world wonder; sunset at the Victoria Falls has often been described as the most beautiful sight in the world.

Another beautiful cascade also falling on the Zambezi is the Ngonye falls. The falls is a wide spread of water falling 12m down below. Though Ngonye falls are not so high, the magnitude of falling water is close to that of the Victoria Falls. Ngonye falls are placed on the Western Province of Zambia and provide a wonderful picnic site.

Equally beautiful is the 20m high Nyambwezi Falls  situated in the Western Province on the Nyambwezi River. The falls provide a most unique camping site which is located under a natural rock shelter. The shelter contains pre-historic wall engravings and rock paintings among other evidence of late stone-age human existence in the area.

All the other popular waterfalls are located in the Northern Province of Zambia and make for interesting Zambia tours and safari. The most spectacular waterfall in this province is the Kalambo Falls which at 221m high is the second highest waterfall in Africa. The Kalambo falls are located on the Kalambo River which forms the border between Zambia and Tanzania. The falls are also home to the rare marabou stork as well as an array of many other creatures. 

Also in the Northern Province is the Lumangwe falls on the Kalungwishi River. The Lumangwe Falls are a small scaled version of the Victoria Falls. The beautiful falls occupy a 100m wide cliff and are 35m high. The locals around this area believe that the waterfall is the home of a great snake spirit called Lumangwe. Apart from the Lumangwe falls, there are two other waterfalls on the Kalungwishi River. Five kilometers downstream of the Lumangwe is the Kabweluma Falls. The Kabweluma Falls comprises of three flat bed waterfalls each spilling into the next. The first and main cascade is 25m high followed by two smaller cascades. Locals believe that this falls are the home of yet another snake spirit that lives under the rainbow which is in view at any time of day. The Chimpepe Falls come next down the Kalangwishi River. A lot of fishing is done on the Chimpepe falls and fish are in plenty here.

The Ntumbasuchi Falls comprises of a series of white water streams and pools along the Ng’ona River which then culminate to form the 30m high sacred waterfall. The waters of Ntumbasuchi are believed to be sacred by locals and are used to bathe chiefs, newborns and in the olden days, warriors just before they took off to war. The locals believe that the water cleanses a person’s spirit and protects them from bad fortune.

The Chipoma Falls also comprises a series of falls formed by rapids similar to those of the Ntumbasuchi falls. The Chipoma Falls are on the Chimanabwe River where a series of mini falls of forceful rapids each about 5m high form an overall 40m high waterfall.

Another sacred waterfall on the Northern Province is the Mumbuluma Falls on the Mumbuluma River. The Mumbuluma falls are formed by a two step cascade which plays the background of the temple of the protective sibling spirits Makumba and Ngosa, who are believed to have fallen from the sky and into the river.

The last of the waterfalls in the Northern Province are the Chisimba, Mutumuna and Kevala Falls. These falls are made up of three successive sheets flowing down a wide cliff. The three falls are separated by very shot distances and although they are named separately, most people refer to the whole setting as one waterfall. During the peak of the rainy season, the heavy floods merge the three falls into one wide roaring force. The falls are regarded as sacred and spirits are believed to reside within the caves behind the waterfalls.

And in the Eastern Province of Zambia along the Kaombe River hails the Kundalila falls. The falls are 70m high and spray down to natural pool which is popular for diving and swimming. If you are not brave enough to get into the water, you can take a canoe which will ferry you out almost to the very foot of the falls. However the falls are not the only eye treats in this area.

The vast Luangwa valley which has the best view from the top of the waterfall is legendary for its delightful display of wild flowers spread out as far as the eye can see. There are also more than two hundred species of birds and butterflies in this area.

Share This

The Simien National Park is one of the many popular and important sites boasted by Ethiopia. The park covers an overall area of approximately 14,000 hectares and is located on the vast Amhara plateau in the Western Simien highlands of Northern Ethiopia. The Simien National Park is a World Heritage Site and was made so in 1978. However, in 1996, the park was added to the list of delicate World Heritage Sites in danger as a result of continued encroachment of the land by humans.

Activities like cultivation, mining, woodcutting, hunting and construction of permanent as well as semi-permanent structures are threatening to completely deplete the resources within the park. Currently, there are a little over 30,000 people residing in villages within the park and they all rely on the park’s resources in one way or another. Therefore, 60 per cent of the total area of the park is under pressure from human settlement.

The Simien National Park receives over 2,000 foreign and even more domestic visitors per year. This rather impressive number goes to show that the park has a lot to offer despite its battle to survive depletion. The most attractive feature at the park is the landscape itself. According to various travel journals and documented testimonies of global travelers who have been on a Ethiopia tour, the landscape of the Simien National Park is one of the most thrilling in the world.

The remarkable setting of the park is made mainly of a level upland which is then dotted with sharp rises of the earth and high peaks, most rising over 2,000 meters. The sheer contrast experienced at the park is what makes it exciting and gives it its uniqueness. The towering pinnacles that form the Simien Mountains, coupled with the sudden drops that go on to form yawning gorges and glorious cliffs are a real eye treat.

The highest peak at the Simien National Park is the Ras Deshen Mountain which is 4,624 meters high. It is the highest peak in Ethiopia as well as the fourth highest in Africa. The Ras Deshen is very popular with mountain climbers and there are various camping sites set up as you go up the mountain. Though Ethiopia is generally hot, the mountains at the Semien National Park can get very cold especially at night as the highest cap of the Ras Deshen is covered with snow and ice.

The scenery of the park came to be after a series of seismic activity caused an upset in the leveled land a couple million years ago. Volcanic activity then resulted with the flow of lava forming several layers of rock and compact ash. Years of erosion then followed leaving behind a dramatic countryside of jagged surfaces and unleveled land.

Since the land at the Simien National Park is mainly made up of volcanic ash, it is very fertile and the vegetation here is a true testament to that. Though farmers have cleared a lot of the land for cultivation and grazing, particularly the lower slope, the rest of the land is filled with lush vegetation and seasonally, an attractive blanket of flowers covers the land.

The vegetation at the Simien National Park grows in four separate belts depending on altitude. The first of these is a lush forest, followed by dry woodland, which is then followed by grassland and last comes the moorland. The vegetation encourages the presence of quite a number of different bird species. The park is popular for bird watching because the landscape is vast and pictorial. There are the more common species of birds such as hawks, eagles and herons.

Other bird species are only found in Ethiopia and a number of scientists as well as bird watching enthusiasts visit the park every year to watch them. These include; the wattled ibis, the Abyssinian catbird, the thick billed raven, the black headed forest oriole, the black winged lovebird and the spot-billed plover.

There are a number of animals also residing at the park. The most popular are the hairy gelada baboons that are quite amusing to watch as their social behavior is much like that of humans. There is also the Simien fox which is named after the park. Also known as the Ethiopian wolf, the Simien fox is a carnivore which mostly preys on rodents and other small creatures. The most important species however is the Walia ibex mountain goat which cannot be found any where else in the world.

The goats are well adapted to the terrain and can negotiate even the most treacherous cliffs and mountains without so much as losing their footing. The goats are grazers and feed on leaves and grass. It is not uncommon to see the goats grazing among the farmer’s animals. There have been fears that the goats could face extinction from being hunted by the settlers in the area.

There were also cases of campers who had visited the park hunting the goats for food. This was brought to a complete halt when the park started proving scouts for every party that goes hiking or camping in the park. The guides are trained in first aid which is very important as accidents have been known to happen especially when mountain climbing. The guides are also armed with a firearm for protection against the wild animals which are potentially aggressive for example leopards, wild cats, hyenas, the Simien fox and even the Walia ibex mountain goats which have long sharp horns that are potentially lethal especially when protecting their young.

The main recreational activities at the park are hiking, camping and mountain climbing. Campers carry their own ready made food such as packed foods bought from stores outside the park. The more old fashioned campers however prefer to carry pots and pans and prepare meals themselves. They buy chicken, eggs and even small goats from the villagers and if a lot of meat is left over, they then smoke it to preserve it.

This provides a real feel of the camping experience as it is supposed to be however, the choice is yours. It would be wise to carry a lot of bottled water as this is guaranteed safe for drinking; you can also carry a few beers. It is however prohibited to get drunk within the park as some parts of the landscape are very unforgiving and the recklessness that comes with drunkenness could lead to serious injuries and even death.

Share This

The Ngorongoro conservation area, which  became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, is located towards the north of Tanzania and covers an expansive area of over 7,000 square miles.

The park joins up with the Serengeti to the north-west and it is through here that wildebeest horde through during their world famous migration from the Masai Mara to Serengeti, then to Ngorongoro.

The Ngorongoro area has been the site of on-going experiments on multiple land use. This involves having human inhabitation among the presence of wildlife. The human inhabitants of the Ngorongoro are mainly the Masai. The use of land for these activities is highly controlled to maintain a strong balance of the land for the sake of the eco-system.

The Maasai are allowed to hunt most of the smaller animals like hare, dikdik and gazelles but this activity is also controlled. They are however not allowed to hunt for sport, and the hunting of bigger animals such as elephants, lions, rhino and buffalo among others is strictly forbidden .

The Ngorongoro is named after the long gone mountain which is said to have existed close to two million years ago. The mountain is said to have been 19,000 meters in height and among the tallest in the world. This mountain was an active volcano and at one time, an eruption caused it to cave in and form a 612 meter deep crater.

The Ngorongoro crater covers an area of 264 square kilometers and is easily the most stunning spectacle of the entire Ngorongoro conservation area. The two most eye-catching view points of the crater are from up above where you can see the floor of the crater, and from down below where you can look up at the unbroken, steep, and towering walls of the crater. The crater is doubtlessly one of the most popular Tanzania safari feature drawing over 360,000 annually.

The floor of the Ngorongoro crater is the habitat of a wide array of animals including the big five. Game drives to the floor of the crater are never disappointing. There are three large herds of elephants and even greater herds of zebra, gazelle and antelope. Lions are also in plenty here and watching them is an unforgettable experience. Being in the presence of lions at the crater is even more exciting if you get to hear a male lion’s roar echoing off the crater walls; it is exhilarating as well as spine chilling.

If you love picnicking and enjoy being in the presence of unperturbed nature, there are various picnic sites set up at the crater. The picnic sites are very secure and save for flicking a few ants off your sandwich, there will be no interruptions by wild animals. The volcanic ash at the crater is very fertile and therefore trees grow well here. The tall trees provide the picnic sites with a cooling shelter that is not too cold.

Ngorongoro also provides a little excitement for lovers of history as it is located in East Africa; the cradle of mankind. East Africa gained this name because the fossils of the earliest hominids known to have existed down the evolutionary chain were found here. The first of these were found in the Olduvai Gorge by the renowned archaeologists Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s.

The Olduvai Gorge is seated along the rift valley in the Northern plains of the Ngorongoro conservation area. The gorge is still undergoing excavation and more evidence supporting the evolution theory is being sought. A relatively short distance from the gorge, there is a tiny museum where you can see pictures of Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey and their team doing the early excavations. You can also see replicas of the fossils found here and educate yourself on their significance in evolution.

If you are fascinated with various aspects of the African culture and indigenous tribes, you can interact with the Masai who are one of the most popular African tribes. The Masai have inhabited the Ngorongoro conservation area for over 50 years. They are famous for their leaping dances which are perfomed by the tall morans (warriors) and are known to invite tourists to their manyatta (homestead) to watch these dances and share a meal.

The meals of the Masai mainly consist of roasted meat and milk mixed with blood; both from cows. If offered this meal, do not decline, this is considered rude by the Maasai. If you don’t care much for milk mixed with blood, take at least one sip, this will satisfy them. However, you will be missing out on a whole new tasty experience if you do not eat the roasted meat. The Maasai have perfected the art of roasting meat over a fire for many years. The roasted meat is always soft and well-done, not to mention incredibly delicious.

The Ngorongoro conservation area is flanked by a couple of lakes. The most popular of these are Lake Eyasi and Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara is especially excellent for taking canoe trips and most people use this as their approach to the Ngorongoro crater. The lakes and other water sources provide water for both the Maasai and the animals living in this area.

Another delightful experience at the Ngorongoro national park is bird watching especially at the lakes. Lake Ndutu is mainly popular because of its high bird population. The most common bird species here are flamingos, storks and ducks. Cheetahs and lions are also in plenty here. The cheetahs are very fond of hunting these birds and a cheetah chasing a flock of birds as some of them fly away could make for a fine picture to add to your collection.
Photo by Karen Hoffman

Share This

Renowned for the sheet of clouds that pours incessantly down its slopes, the mountain provides mountain climbers a wide range of routes.

Table Mountain adventures depend on your preference; you choose whether you want to reach the peak and enjoy spectacular views of Cape Town or simply move around the cool shade of indigenous forest. But no matter your choice, you will never be disappointed.

Hiking on Table Mountain is a preferred activity among locals and tourists and several trails of varying difficulty are available. Steep cliffs around the summit limit the number of direct ascents from the city side. There is a prominent gorge up the centre of the main table known as Platteklip Gorge, which offers straight forward ascent to the summit. This usually takes between 1-3 hours depending on one’s fitness level.

Longer routes to the summit go through the Back Table, a lower area of Table Mountain placed to the south of the main plateau. From the Southern Suburbs side, the Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine routes begin at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

The route via Skeleton Gorge to Maclears Beacon is referred to as Smuts Track in honour of the late Jan Smuts, who was a keen hiker. The Bridle Path, also known as Jeep Track, makes a less steeper ascent from Constantia Nek along the road used to service the dams on Back Table. Kasteelspoort, a gorge overlooking Camps Bay, is the most popular ascent on the Atlantic side.

Rock climbing on Table Mountain is also a popular activity for most people who undertake Cape Town tours. There are well-documented climbing routes of varying degrees of difficulty up the many faces of the mountain. The main climbs are placed on cliffs below the upper cable station. No bolting can be done here and only traditional climbing is allowed. Commercial groups also offer abseiling from the upper cable station.
Those who don’t have the muscle-power or hiking skills can also reach the summit without breaking a sweat, thanks to the Aerial Cable Car that revolves its way to the top.Going up the mountain along the 1200m cableway is really an experience. The cable car’s rotating floors ensures that each of the 65 passengers get a 360 degree view of Cape Town Peninsula, Robben Island and the Table Bay.

Upon arriving at the summit, you can stroll along 2 km of well-maintained pathways while enjoying panoramic views of the neighbourhoods from over 12 viewing sites and decks. The waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans swirl in front of you and the white ribbon beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay spread out below. All of a sudden Cape Town’s unpredictable weather brings about a beautiful blanket of white cloud - the famed Table Cloth - tumbling over the side of the mountain like a waterfall.

Strolling around the 3km wide mountain top that rises up to 1085m at Maclears Beacon - the mountain’s highest point – makes you feel like an eagle soaring up the skies. All along the pathways, you will find some of the 1470 or so species of plants hosted by the mountain. And if you are lucky enough you may as well spot one of the rare but famous Table Mountain Ghost Frog found nowhere else in the world.

The cableway, run by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Co. Ltd., opened its doors to the first visitors on 4 October 1929. The opening ceremony led by the then mayor of Cape Town attracted 200 guests. Since then over 19 million passengers have ridden the cableway to the top of the mountain. Around 800 000 visitors use the cableway to reach the top of the mountain annually.

Over the years the cableway has carried some of Cape Town’s most illustrious visitors including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew, Margaret Thatcher, Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tina Turner among many others.
To board a cable car you need to drive to the lower cable station situated at the base of the mountain. Once you reach the station you will find taxis and cars lined up as far as the eye can see. Driving past the station further along Tafelberg Road takes you into the Table Mountain National Park with even more astonishing views of the city. Driving further along the road will take you to Devilspeak (the pyramid shaped eastern corner of the mountain); the perfect spot to park your car before turning back to the station.

The cable way is open daily from 8:30am – sunset, with the best time to go up in the afternoon when the sunset colours are spectacular. The cableway operators, however, do not take bookings due to the fact that the operation of the cable cars is weather dependent. Operation is stopped if it is rainy or the mountain is too overcast.

Share This

Here, you will find no roaming lions; there will be no charming vistas of motor vehicles giving the right of way to tall giraffes or magnificent elephants. But despite this, the land beyond the rift is perhaps Kenya’s best kept secret.

A number of ecosystems come together to create this magical region of Kenya. Gentle lolling hills blanketed by tea plantations; sedate lakes that support rare populations of birdlife and fish; grasslands that are only broken by pockets of densely forested woodlands and dank swamps; little agricultural towns, each unique and different from the last.

This is a portrait of Western Kenya, an image of rich culture and fertile lands, and best of all, it has not been trampled upon or been cheapened by millions of tourist vans and feet. The region is becoming popular Kenya safari destination, especially due to its association with US President Barack Obama whose father was born in Kogelo, Kisumu.

Kisumu is a city that has been described as languid, sultry, easy-going and friendly. Sitting on the edge of Lake Victoria, this city is the third largest in Kenya and is the hub of the west. Kisumu was a colonial port that connected Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It remained in relative isolation from the rest of the country until the railway line was finished in 1903. But this was not the first attempt to connect Kisumu with the outside world.

In 1895, a steamship chugged its way from Scotland to Mombasa. This steamship was destined for Lake Victoria with the hope that it would facilitate transport in the East African region. It was taken apart and transported piece by painstaking piece across the country, however, halfway through the journey, parts of the ship were stolen. The Nandi, angry at a European incursion, seized the precious cargo and for the next five years, pieces of a British steamship served as Nandi weaponry and ornamentation.

Culturally, the city is one that has taken a little bit from various cultures and created a unique society. Asian, African and European elements have melded in a grace that permeates the whole city; from the gated mansion communities to the poorer areas of town. Despite its location on the edge of a lake, Kisumu’s layout turns its back to the waters of Lake Victoria.

In the city proper, it is not easy to get a direct view of the lake, and the only indication of the giant pool in the backyard is the occasional breeze that will brush through the city giving it a distinctly fresh scent.

Attractions in Kisumu include the Kisumu Museum and most obviously Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the worlds second largest freshwater lake and is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It remained unknown to most of the western world until the 19th century with the crusade to discover the source of the Nile.

Until the 1960s, Lake Victoria was home to about 320 species of fish including the brilliantly colored cichlids. The introduction of the carnivorous Nile Perch diminished the cichlid population and Lake Victoria now only has eight species of fish.

The Kisumu Museum is run by Kenya National Museums and will probably be about fifteen minutes walk from your hotel—it’s very easy to get around on foot in Kisumu.  To err on the safe side, you might opt to take a taxi. The Kisumu Museum has a surprisingly wide and well displayed collection of historical and ethnographic artifacts. It has one single main gallery that is surrounded by a garden full of labeled indigenous plants. It also has a good taxidermy collection, the centerpiece of which is a lion caught mid-pounce over a wildebeest.

Homa Bay is your go to place for tapes of traditional Luo music. It is also an excellent place to explore Thimlich Ohinga and the Ruma National Park. Thimilich Ohinga is probably one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Western Kenya.  It is a large stone enclosure built in the same manner as the structures of Great Zimbambwe and dates back at least to the 15th century.

It is said to have been built by an earlier people who inhabited this lake region. Thimlich Ohinga, in Luo means ‘thick bush with stone enclosures’, and true to the name, the place is a bit remote. If you are really into ruins, then you might need to go to the trouble of finding private transportation for your trip to Thmlich Ohinga. Similar to later building styles of the Luo, Thimlich Ohinga is an important stop on the African history and heritage tour.

Near Homa Bay is the Ruma National Park. Established as the Lambwe Valley Nature Reserve, the park is made up of a delightful medley of woodland and savanna vegetation. Ruma is home to Jackson’s hartebeest, the roan antelope that is found only here and the small statured oribi. Rothschild’s giraffes are quite conspicuous above the grass, but the leopards may be a bit of a challenge to spot. There is a camp site at Ruma National Park but you will need your own gear. As the park is still not very accessible, be prepared to find your own transportation there or to walk for the last kilometer or two.

Beyond Homa Bay is Mbita. Mbita will be your gateway to the Islands of Mfangano, Rusinga and Takawiri. In 1984, a causeway was built between Mbita and Rusinga Island. The drive across the causeway to Rusinga Island will be unique chance to see some of Kenya’s unique plant diversity. It will also be a chance to make a closer acquaintance with not only Kenyan history, but human history too.

On Rusinga, in the early twentieth century, Dr. Louis Leaky discovered fossil remains belonging to a distant relative of Homo sapiens. The discovery of these remains thought to be at least 17 million years old, have served as yet another piece in the complex puzzle that is our evolutionary line. Take a boat from Rusinga to Mfangano and enjoy the unique scenery.

Share This

It is no wonder that statistics of mammals habituating here are more than 100 000 buffalo, 40 000 hippos, 150 000 wildebeest, 5 000 zebra and 50 000 impala.

There are lots and lots of the ever-towering giraffes hovering above the Selous grounds, that’s why some people call Selous the ‘Giraffic Park.’ The sheer size and numbers of game to see in Selous is phenomenal enough to make you pack your vacation bags and head there. The diversity of the park saw it earning the honor of being considered a World Heritage Site in 1988.

If adventure be your middle name, Selous will be your first choice of vacation because the restrictions here are close to zero. Due to the fact that it is a Game Reserve as opposed to a national Park, you can engage in tracking lions by foot, rowing a kayak over some fat hippos, driving under the giraffes or flying above their heads.

Roaming elephant populations, the reserve’s famous wild dogs and some of the remaining Black rhinos share in its rivers, hills and plains. The scenery is simply enchanting, and a wonderful Tanzania wildlife safari destination.What with the variety, super-green grass, ranges of vegetation and river routes characterized by legions of tall Borassus Palms along the banks growing up to 25m tall. The Selous also conserves a surprisingly colorful African landscape, with white Lead wood trunks in stark contrast to the surrounding vibrancy of well-watered greens and a ranging palette of sandy terracotta.

The defining feature of the Selous is the great Rufiji River, which naturally splits the ecosystem into two distinct parts. Stiegler’s Gorge, 100m deep and 100m wide, is a magnificent natural feature with a rickety, gut-wrenching cable car that ferries safari vehicles across the river - not for the faint of heart. The gorge is a breathtaking example of the diversity and spectacular scenery along the game reserve’s waterways.

The Rufiji River Delta, connecting the Great Ruaha River with the Rufiji River and not far from the park boundaries empties out into the Indian Ocean along the Tanzanian Coast. Rufiji River is the largest water catchment locations in the region, and as such, is home to a plethora of varied water and bird life.
Along its shores, hippos sleep languidly in the mud and sun themselves, mouths wide open, as the river passes by. Crocodiles are also common along the Rufiji’s riverbanks, their armor plated skins the only rough edges in the rivers incessant flow.

Important to know is that it’s almost impossible to reach the reserve by car as a result of the horrible roads or lack thereof roads. Most visitors have to fly there, therefore bringing the annual number of visitors to stand at a lowly 2000 and also making it one of the purest, untouched reserves in the world. Only the Northern section of Selous is open to tourists. The Southern part is allocated for private hunting and scientific research. Despite this, the public portion of Selous is marvelously evocative, and magical.

As mentioned earlier, the game reserve status reduces restrictions and as such, one can have boat rides as an alternative to game drives and hiking safaris are also a popular alternative. Bird lovers will not feel left out in this reserve since there are about 350 species of birds recorded here.

The most sublime way to explore the reserve is by boat, meandering through channels and swamps, and exploring hidden lagoons. This offers you an unusual view of game. There are sandbanks crowded with huge crocodiles; exposed mud banks under red clouds of carmine bee-eaters, and swampy islands visited by wandering elephants.

Fishing for tiger fish and the giant catfish which could easily weigh up to 50kg can be an exciting way to pass an evening, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles, hippos and lions. There are hot springs at Maji Moto (said to be the source of the water used in the Maji Maji Rebellion) in the Beho Beho section of the reserve, and it’s a great place to soak away the dust and bruises of overland safari travel. However, immersing yourself in the waters of nearby Lake Tagalala is not allowed thanks to the massive and hungry crocodiles that live there.

Also in the Beho Beho area is the simple grave of Captain Frederick Courteney Selous, the British hunter, soldier, naturalist and great eccentric who gave the reserve its name. Selous, a British explorer and hunter in East Africa, wrote a book about the region and his travels, and was tragically killed in land now named after him during the First World War In 1922.

The Selous is an experience that can be combined with Tanzania’s other wildlife areas too; pay a visit to Gombe or Mahale National Parks and you can tick off chimpanzees and forest birds as well. The above are the main attractions of the Selous Game Reserve but not the entire so you’ll have to head there to explore the full effect of being in a magical wilderness.

Share This

Alexandria, a city with a population of more than 3 million people, was founded by the renowned  Alexander the Great in 331 BC and designed by architect Denokrates II in the shape of a chessboard.

Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolised by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the centre of learning in the ancient world. However ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

From the 19th century Alexandria took a new role, as a focus for Egypt’s commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalised by writers such as E-M- Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture.

Alexandria is a popular travel destination in the northern coast of Egypt. From historical walks to cultural tours, Alexandria has something for everyone. The city offers some of the best opportunities to discover the northern Egypt. The main attractions in the area include, among others, spectacular beaches, ancient monuments and museums.

The most spectacular of all the sandy beaches of Alexandria is the Abu Kir Suburb. Placed at the eastern boundaries of the city, Abu Kir is the calmest of all beaches in Alexandria and it is also famous for fishing and specialty seafood restaurants. Others popular beaches are El-Agami and El-Montaza Place.

El-Agami: These suburbs (Bitash and Hanoville) lie at the western boundaries of the city. These are famous for their white soft sandy beaches, transparent clear waters, and beautiful climate.

El-Montaza Palace beaches: this area includes several natural bays and five of Alexandria’s beat beaches.. Aida, Cleopatra, Semiramis, Venisia and Palestine Hotel private Beach. There is also a scuba diving center.

Major monuments in Alexandria are Pompeii’s Pillar, a granite pillar with a height of 25 m surrounded by the ruins of the Serapuim and Catacombs of Kom-al-Shoqafa, the largest Roman cemetery dating back to the 2nd century AD. The cemetery is built in three levels representing Pharaonic and Roman art. Alexandria, lined with many charming sandy beaches extending from the east to the west makes for some of the best ancient Egypt tours.

The world famous Lighthouse of Alexandria also attracts numerous visitors. The Lighthouse was originally built in 280 BC to serve as that port’s landmark. With a height estimated at between 115 and 135 metres it was among the tallest man made structures on earth for many centuries, and was identified as one of the 7 Wonders of the World by classical writers such as E.M Forster, the poet Cavafy and Lawrence Durrell.

The Lighthouse was apparently a tourist attraction right from the very beginning. Food was sold to visitors at the observation platform at the top of the first level. A smaller balcony provided a view from the top of the eight-sided tower for those that wanted to make the additional climb. The view from there must have been impressive as it was probably 300 feet above the sea. There were few places in the ancient world where a person could ascend a man-made tower to get such a perspective.

Alexandria is reached by air, train and bus. Majority of international arrivals first land in Cairo, then use internal flight or travel by rail, bus or private transport to Alexandria. There are daily flights from Cairo and weekly flights from many Arab countries to Alexandria. EgyptAir, for instance, flies daily to Alexandria throughout the year and to Mersa Matrouh in the summer months. There are also regular buses that ply between Cairo and Alexandria.

Generally, Alexandria has an arid Mediterranean climate  characterized by mild, variably rainy winters and hot, dry summers. January and February are the coolest months in the region with daily maximum temperatures typically ranging from 12°C to 18°C. The region experiences storms and sometimes hailstones during the cooler months.

There is a wide range of accommodation in Alexandria as well as other parts of Egypt ranging from 5-star luxury to budget lodgings. You are advised to compare Egypt hotels and resorts before making your reservation to ensure you get the best deal in the city.

Share This

The ‘Real Africa’ due to some of Africa’s purest game parks and ‘sleeping giant’ for its mineral stock, untapped energy sources such as the mighty Zambezi River and vast expanses of arable soil underutilized.

Zambia’s capital city is one of the highest points at an altitude of 1, 300m above sea level and it lies at the junction of the main highways to the north, east, south and west covering about 70km square. There are air links to most of the major tourist destinations in Zambia from Lusaka International Airport which also acts as landing for most international flights 25km from the centre.
Zambia airways flies to and fro Jo’ burg and has scheduled flights to Mfuwe, Chipata, the Copperbelt and Livingstone. The domestic railway goes to Livingstone, Kapiri Mposhi and the Copperbelt while the Tanzania Zambia Railway - Tazara - comes down as far as Kapiri Mposhi, where the Zambia Railways train links it to Lusaka. Buses arrive from Harare, Lilongwe, Johannesburg, Livingstone and the Copperbelt. Check out Lusaka flights here.

Local buses are generally available for those with a character of steel to guard against petty theft scenarios, and the discomforting pushing and shoving that comes with it. There are several local car rental services to counter that, and even though they are expensive, they might save you more in comparison to the theft.
Once you have you transport figured out, let it take you to the best attractions starting with the simply beautiful Munda Wanga Environmental Park. A naturalistic environment has been set up within it to keep the wide animal variety in character. The Park is a noble cause with the intention to educate Zambians on the importance of Wildlife conversation and of course to keep the foreign currency flowing in form of tourism.

A sanctuary within the park keeps safe a number of yellow baboons and elephants are found in plenty in the same Mundi Wanga. Tigers, The African painted dog, bears and lions are another reason you will have to visit the park while in Lusaka. Some of the rarest plant species will be found in the environmental park’s garden together with other exotic variety of plant life.

From the park to church, check out The Anglican Cathedral regarded as one of the best local attractions in town. The beauty of the stained glass windows of the cathedral are surprisingly mesmerizing and worth the quick visit.

The best bet for a true feel of Lusaka is probably when you go shopping. The shops are mainly grouped along the broad double carriageway of Cairo Rd with the different markets among which the Soweto Market is famous. It’s a hive of activity with thousands of stalls filled and cleared every day with a myriad of products. Motor spares dealers, restaurants, hairdressers, fishmongers, fruit-sellers and rows and rows of “salaula” - discarded clothing from the West sold to Africa by the bale are at your disposal.

There are two modern shopping complexes, Manda Hill and Arcades, located within one kilometer of each other. The two complexes combined house approximately 90 retail shops, including two large Supermarkets: Shoprite and Spar, GAME (a Walmart-type store), bookshops, Blockbusters Video, clothing and jewelry stores, drycleaners, baby shop, music shop and furniture stores. Arcades has a five-screen cinema complex and Lusaka’s only bowling alley. There are smaller shopping areas scattered throughout the city, some specializing in textiles, others in crafts, etc.

Sporting activities have been on the lips of many as a worthy pastime with world class golfing facilities, tennis courts, swimming pools soccer and polo fields to mention a few. The Lusaka Golf Club will quench the golfers urge to madly hit a small white ball far into thin air in the hope that it lands into a hole only a few feet wide. There are polo matches on the weekends at the showground while the Hash House harriers organize walks and runs on Saturdays at 1500hrs.

Even though not in the centre of Lusaka, the Victoria falls also called “Mosi-O-Tunya” “the smoke that thunders” will definitely spice up your trip and help in meaningful travel chit-chat with friends back at home. They are 295 or so miles (6hr drive) from Lusaka near the border town of Livingstone. The Zambian Wildlife at the South Luangwa National Park and Kafue National Park are to die for. Of course not literally. They have budget cottages as well as numerous full service lodges and each of them is approachable by road although Luangwa visitors prefer to fly over the 400 miles of the terrible network. Close to Lusaka, there are a few getaways within a one-hour drive or less.

As the sun plays hide with Lusaka, venture out to a nightclub or roadside Shebeen and shake a leg with the local people. Dance the night away to the sounds of Rhumba, Kwela, Techno or good old Rock ‘n Roll.
The beautiful countryside and pleasant climate are surpassed only by the warmth and friendliness of the Zambian people. To have an idea of the people of Lusaka, let’s take a look at the statistics of the country.

There are more than 70 Bantu tribes, who speak 70 different languages and dialects, including Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Ndembu (Lundu) and Kaonde. Some tribes are small, and only two have enough people to constitute at least 10 per cent of the population. English is the official language and Zambia is officially a Christian nation, though traditional beliefs, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced. Lusaka has approximately 1,100,000 people according to statistics gathered in the yr 2000.

Warm sunny summers, interspersed with cooling thunderstorms and mild winters with loads of sunshine make Zambia an almost ideal destination for tourists and inhabitants alike. However, It can really heat up between October and March if there’s no rain. The average rainfall, between November and April, is about 950mm. Summer temperatures range from 20 degrees to 32 degrees C. Winter temperatures from 10 degrees to about 26 degrees and humidity is usually below 40 per cent.

Share This

In the 20th century the maximum security prison facilities of Robben Island held for over twenty years within their walls Nelson Mandela and some of his comrades who were most vocal in the fight against apartheid.

Though the original intention was to detain and quiet anti-apartheid political activists here, the results were the total opposite. Robben Island turned out to be the central and pivotal point that propelled the struggle for democracy and representation onto the international stage.

Today this island is a reminder of the refreshing power of forgiveness. For many, it is a destination of political pilgrimage. Robben Island is, according to UNESCO, a witness to the triumph of democracy and freedom from oppression and racism. The institution has, since 1999, enlisted the entire 6 square kilometers of the island as a world heritage site.

Just how far back does the history of Robben Island go? Robben Island was discovered in 1488 by Bartolomeu Dias as he docked on the Table Bay.  The island was utilized by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century. For many years later, the Dutch and British used the island as a prison and outpost. It was in 1591 that the Khoikhoi tribe used the island as a refuges from the trickeries and disagreements they were faced with on the mainland.

At the time the explorers arrived from Europe, hunters and herders of the San and Khoikhoi communities lived in southern Africa. They had been living here for several centuries. It is their search for lush grazing pastures for their livestock that led the two communities to travel south towards Cape Town. Their presence here was beneficial to the explorers as it provided them with trading opportunities. Unfortunately some of the explorers were not interested in trade. Instead, they used their guns to extort from the native communities whatever they needed. Letters could be dropped off and pick up on the island as it was also turned into a post office.

In 1652, Jan Van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape. The Cape at this time became a very important point for refreshment of ships traveling through the southern tip of Africa. An employee of the Dutch East India Company, Van Riebeeck worked to bring many sailors to the Cape of Good Hope. The Khoikhoi people traded their cattle and sheep for tobacco, beads, and metals. At the Cape of Good Hope, ships on traveling to the East Indies were able to replenish their stock of mean and fresh produce.

Robben Island also served as a stopover for those who were too afraid of the local tribes they deemed uncivilized. These sailors stayed on Robben Island where they could hunt seals. This attitude stemmed from the belief that the Khoikhoi tribe practiced cannibalism. Robben Island became increasingly important as clashes increased on the mainland. In spite of the insecurity that prevailed on the mainland, sailors were able to obtain their replenishments and refreshments for their trips to the Indies. These replenishments were vital as they helped in the prevention of diseases related to poor food quality while at sea.

Riebeeck had his men work the on the island to extract whatever resources were available there. As Resistance to the colonial Dutch rule heightened, the colonial regime sent dissenters to the island as its first prisoners. These prisoners included the Khoikhoi and Muslims. Later on, tribal and community leaders such as princes, kings, and religious leaders were sent to the island as political prisoners because of their resistance to Dutch colonial rule.

There is much to see, hear, and feel while on a Robben Island tour. This island that has been the focal point of international interest for many years is located a few kilometers off the Waterfront. Every day there are ferries that carry visitors from Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront to the island. The ferry ride takes an approximated 30 minutes. Once on the island, bus rides take visitors to sites of historical significance such as the Kramat, the Leper Grave Yard, and a chapel designed by Sir Herbert Baker. One of the most significant sites that you will have an opportunity to visit is the lime quarry. It is here that political prisoners spent seemingly endless hours of backbreaking work.

Beyond the grim reminders of a dark past, Robben Island offers its visitors a fantastic view of a shipwreck strew coastline. Here seabirds and antelopes can be spotted. The tour ends with a visit at the maximum security prison.  Here, former inmates will give you a firsthand account of what life at the maximum security prison was like. This tour includes a walk along the Footsteps of Mandela trail in the infamous B-section. The very cell in which Mandela was lockup is bare open while the others are locked. Visitors can access the Cell Stories exhibition in the A-section of the prison. It is here that the realities of prison life on Robben Island are brought to mind.

The Cell Stories exhibition is enriched by the contributions of personal items from former inmates. These items include a special saxophone that was hand crafted using a combination of scraps. The saxophone is still in working condition. Finally, the Smuggled Camera Exhibition can be found in the communal cells. The pictures exhibited here are from a collection of pictures taken by inmates who managed to smuggle in cameras around the 1980s. The pictures give you an insight into the pain, camaraderie, and the eager anticipation that ordeal would soon be over.

Spend R180 per adult and R90 for children aged 0 to 17 and have a three-hour trip that will leave you forever impressed. Book your tickets in advance for your Robben Island trip as tickets sell very quickly. In addition to a wonderful island tour, you will have a fabulous view of Cape Town from the island.

Share This