African Explorer


The Cradle of Mankind and Ngorongoro Crater

The Cradle of Mankind is a crucial prehistoric site in Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge. If like me you’re intrigued by the story with the evolution of mankind, Olduvai Gorge, a designated World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979 due to the outstanding ecological and geological value, may be the one place on earth steeped in layers of prehistoric finds dating dating back to 2.6 million years. A steep-sided ravine within the Great Rift Valley, the Olduvai Gorge stretches through eastern Africa and it has been instrumental in furthering comprehension of early human evolution. This article will look at the evolution of humankind and what is available to view in a touristic setting.

For decades, the western media has presented us with images of Africa, showing starving children and families surviving in poverty, barely in a position to scrape together a living. So it really is logical we would assume that for such poor people to survive the price of living have to be low. Indeed it is, a high level subsistence farmer.

Ngorongoro Crater
A one-of-a-kind wildlife sustain, Ngorongoro had been the position of the world’s biggest volcano-a giant summit about 3 times the height of Mt. Everest. In a devastating explosion, the volcano erupted, building a giant, 100-square-mile crater that features a rim reaching to 7,000 feet. The crater today provides the biggest concentration of nonmigratory fauna in Africa. Across the flatlands with the crater wander massive herds of wildebeest, antelope, and zebras, which frequently, consecutively, moreover draw in the big predators (lions, leopards and cheetahs) in main amounts. The waterways within the crater abound with hippos and also waterfowl. Shielded because with the crater’s high, mountainous rim, elephants and rhinos have been able to elude the poachers here, surviving in great numbers. For optimal closeness towards the creatures, look for a tent-camping safari within the middle of the crater. It is also possible to stay at luxury lodges inside crater rim.

Keep in mind that comfortable clothes are the best for safari, tight clothes will just spoil your entire day since Africa is simply too hot. Loose fitting clothes are an absolute necessity. Don’t forget to pack a hat and convenient shoes. A good hat is the fact that which has a wide brim that will assist you protect your neck and face from the scorching sun of Africa. You only need like two pairs of shoes one for safari activities as well as the other for causal functions.

Africa’s temperature is difficult to determine but to become safer side; you must pack a sweater or light jumper. This will be able to help you in case of the problem. Long sleeved shirts and shorts are also vital. The tips below will surely assist you to enjoy your safari in Africa. Preparation is perhaps all you should get the best memorable experience with your health. Enjoy the great thing about Africa.

By Melanie Padoa On August 17, 2017  0 Comment
Read More

The African Masaai of Kenya

The Masaai are in the North West a part of Kenya. According to their oral history, they originated from the north of Lake Turkana. They migrated south in the 15th century. They now reside in the Kenya and Tanzania. The Masaai are traditionally nomadic pastrolists and so they normally move from place to place looking for water and grazing land because there cattle. They are the only tribe in Kenya containing experimented with hold on to there culture. This has greatly boosted the tourism industry in Kenya as the tourists visit experience this rich and unpolluted culture from the Masaai people.

Maintaining a pure culture is a serious problem for the Masaai as they connect to people coming from all avenues of life. Being nomadic pastoralists has additionally been threatened since the gazing land is not as available as before. This is because that has reached over population, and them being banned from grazing in forests since they disrupt the wildlife. Today, many of them have opted being traders and others farmers but a number of them hold on to there culture no matter what problems.

Its always vital to understand the purpose of the clothes you are planning to pack in lieu of just packing for the sake. Please while you do your shopping, make sure that you use a jacket or vest that is to be in a position to carry small items such as a camera, binoculars and other components of order to prevent choosing a bag for example on the safari walk. Note that the jacket you are taking must protect your epidermis through the sun with the insects that are in the wilderness. Its not easy to determine the climatic changes of Africa, therefore its preferable to have the vest and also jacket that may give you the warmth in case there is rain or any bad weather, incidentally an easy sweater is going to be of use inside the evenings as the sun initiates.

My travel continued to Greece, Portugal, and Spain. I visited Prague and cities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Then, it was time to head down through Asia, which included stops in China, Japan, and Thailand. On the journey back through the continent, I visited India and then headed down through Turkey to achieve Africa. After a brief stop in Egypt, it had been on Kenya, where I took an African safari.

Experiencing the Djemaa el Fna square come to life in the evening, with its snake charmers, henna artists, and, naturally, hagglers. Shopping at the souks (markets) within the Medina (Old City). Visiting the Jardins Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s oasis inside middle of the city. Going on an excursion on the nearby Atlas Mountains.

By Melanie Padoa On August 17, 2017  0 Comment
Read More

What to Expect on a Safari ?

When considering a safari tour every person’s expectations might be different. For example someone would prefer to see the larger animals such as the big five. Others have a more delicate taste and desire to do bird watching or explore the habitat of smaller animals. No matter what your preference may be, everyone wants to see the animals in their natural environment. Living in South Africa makes safari tours a real possibility as all the tours are easily accessible and in near proximity to all of the major cities. We recently stayed at Ashanti Backpackers Greenpoint Cape Town which offers an impressive selection of tour offers, overland trips and even shark cage diving tours.

Botswana

The country of Botswana which borders Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa does not require a long journey from the major northern cities in South Africa and offers many safari adventures.

  • The Chobe National Park has the largest troops of elephants, due to the Chobe River. There is an abundant water supply and various boat safaris are available, which allows the tourist to view the game drinking water as well as plentiful bird life along the banks of the river. The Park also offers 4 x 4 game safaris that will allow you to view wildlife that is not easily seen by the general visitors.
  • The Okavango Delta also offers game viewing by means of water boat safaris, and also land, 4 x 4 safari tours. In the Delta there are various territories that offer an abundance of wild life and bird life. The Delta is well known for its lavish grass lands that lure numerous wildlife species. The Moremi Game Reserve lies in the eastern section of the Delta and offers the tourist canoe safaris where you will be able come into close proximity of the hippos, elephants and crocodiles.  You will also be able to view the big cats, giraffes and rhinos.

african safari

  Namibia

Namibia is well within the reach of Cape Town and most of the towns in the Northern Cape. Due to its very dry conditions it makes it an ideal spot to view all types of unique wildlife, including many reptile species.

  • The Etosha National Park has a two night camping safari expedition, where you will be able to view numerous types of game on a drive through the Park. The highlight of the safari is a drive at night to a well-lit waterhole where you will be able to view all the various game coming to drink.
  • A great safari trip is one taken early in the morning when the sun is beginning to rise. After going through Sesriem, which is the entrance into the dunes, the tour takes you through the dunes by foot, for 5 km until you reach Sossusvlei. Here the view is breath-taking with the bright yellow of the rising sun lighting up the white sands of the dunes. There are also gemsbok and ostrich to see in this environment.

South Africa

South Africa is not without its own share of wildlife and Nature Reserves, with overland tours and safaris tours easily available in all of the nine provinces.

  • In the Western Cape there are 77 Game Reserves that allow the tourist to view anything from the large cats to bird life and plant life. These include amongst others Bird Island Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Deer Park, Karoo National Park, Swartberg Nature Reserve, Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve.
  • In the Northern Cape there are 21 Nature Reserves which houses all types of wildlife and offers many safari tours. Some of the Reserves are Augrabies Falls National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Witsand Nature Reserve.
  • In the Eastern Cape there are 60 Nature Reserves all with their own safari tours. Each tour also offers breath taking scenery. These include Addo Elephant Park, Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, East London Coast Nature Reserve, and Seal Point Nature Reserve.
  • In KwaZulu Natal there are 107 Nature Reserves offering a very wide range of wildlife, bird life and beautiful scenery. Some examples are the, Enseleni Nature Reserve, High Moore Nature Reserve, Monks Cowl Nature Reserve, Umlalazi Nature Reserve.
  • In the Free Sate there are 17 Nature Reserves which includes the Golden Gate Nature Reserve.
  • In Limpopo there are 65 Nature Reserves, the bush veld environment is ideal for many wildlife species. One of the most famous reserves found here is the Kruger National Park.
  • In Mpumalanga there are 26 Nature Reserves of which, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is very popular.
  • The North West Province has 20 Nature Reserves. The Mafikeng Game Reserve is one that offers safari tours.
  • In Gauteng there are 33 Game Reserves of which the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve offers tourists a safari experience.

 

 

 

 

By Melanie Padoa On January 27, 2018  0 Comment
Read More