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AFRICA

Okavango Delta

Okavango delta floods cause a variety of wildlife to flock to the region. The headwaters that flow to the Okavango Delta begin in the western highlands of Angola. From there they make their way through Namibia before they are deposited in Botswana. Game follow the path throughout the year, reaching their destination when water levels are at their highest.

Botswana, which also holds the Chobe National Park, supports many of the animals that people travel to Africa to see. Lions, along with other great cats, buffalo, and rhinoceros are abundant. However, the Okavango Delta receives visitors that do not frequent other portions of the country. Crocodile, red lechwe, cranes, and wild dogs come to the floods in large numbers each year.

Safaris to the Okavango Delta

There are two major seasons of tourism in the Okavango Delta. Each brings a different type of traveler to the region. May to October is the best time to view wildlife. This is the period in which one can see the most species in a single area. It is also an opportunity to view the new young that are making their first trip to the delta. November to April marks the vegetation season. This coincides with the best time for birding, as birds return to the region when the plants begin to flower.

Trips to the Okavango Delta are not like trips across the U.S. To fully appreciate the land, one must be willing to spend some time there. Most safaris last at least a week, and several stretch past two weeks. For those who can afford it, personalized tours of Africa can last well over a month.

Tour Of Egypt

A tour of Egypt leads travelers through some of the most awe-inspiring land in the world. The remains from Ancient Egypt are legendary. They have inspired myths, legends, and even horror stories. The pyramids, the Sphinx, and the mummies of Tut and Ramses have lured archeologists, historians, and thieves to the country.

It is impossible to experience everything on a single tour of Egypt. However, if vacationers can narrow down their choices, they can still visit some incredible sites. Many people basically take a Cleopatra tour of Egypt, following in the Queen's footsteps. Others just want to see the Great Pyramid. Still, others are more interested in the modern world. They can take a tour of Egypt that hits the major cities, and more importantly, the major markets.

Taking a River Tour of Egypt

The Nile offers an excellent passageway through the country. A tour of Egypt that takes place on the largest river in the world is completely different from any other trip one can book. The ships that these tours take place on are the standard-bearers for luxury water craft. They bring every modern convenience to those who want to see the ancient world.

A cruise along the Nile still gives people a chance to see much of the country. Stops are made that highlight the history and culture of the nation. These trips are as much about relaxation as they are about seeing the country. For those who really want to dig deep into the past, a river tour of Egypt is probably not the right choice.

Visas and Travel to Africa
Entry to most African countries requires a visa. In some cases (depending on your nationality) getting a visa is a simple matter of filling out a form at the airport, or border post, and paying a fee (often in US Dollars). Most African countries, who want to encourage tourism, make getting a visa as simple as possible. Whether you need a visa or not will depend on your nationality.
Visa regulations change all the time because they're basically used as a political tool (as well as an easy way for poorer countries to get some foreign currency in their government coffers). For example, if your home country makes it difficult for say a Zambian to get a tourist visa, the Zambian government may retaliate and make it difficult for you to get a visa -- or charge you a huge amount in US Dollars to get one. In fact just today, Zambia has changed its visa rules and upped the price of a tourist visa without any advance notice.

This tit for tat game makes it imperative that you check with the embassy of the country you are planning to visit to see what the most current visa regulations are. You should do this several months before departure because it can take a while to get a visa. You will need a valid passport to get a visa.

REPORTS

February (2008) is a busy month in Africa with lots of major festivals and events taking place. The final rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations will be played out in Ghana's football (soccer stadiums). If you're more artistically inclined, Mali plays host to a fascinating cultural festival on the banks of the Niger River. Further south in Zanzibar, a music festival celebrating Swahili culture gets underway in the second week of February.

The 26th Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is Africa's biggest sporting event and it's held every two years. 16 national teams have made it through the qualifying rounds of this football (soccer) tournament and will represent their countries in various stadiums around Ghana from January 21 - February 10 (2008). Fans will be out in force wearing their national colors and participating countries will come to a standstill as their matches are played.
Teams to watch include the current highest ranking African team, Nigeria's Super Eagles. They'll be looking to beat Cameroon's Indomitable Lions or perhaps Senegal's Lions of Teranga. My personal favorites have to be Benin's Squirrels and Zambia's Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets). Yes, even if you have absolutely no interest in African football, you can still enjoy the team names and the colorful spectacle of the crowds in the stands.

Egypt's HOT Weather
The weather in Egypt basically goes from mild to hot, to really hot, and then (around July and August) ridiculously hot. Planning a trip to the land of the Pharaoh's does require checking out the old annual temperature chart before you melt inside one of those fascinating Luxor tombs and ruin your holiday. With average (!) temperatures hitting 105 Fahrenheit (41 Celsius) in July and August in Aswan (where most of the Nile cruises end up) you'll probably want to opt for that air-conditioned cabin and hotel room.
The good news is that the heat is relatively dry (except in Cairo during the peak summer months) and of course, Egypt is a wonderful place to visit in the winter. Swimming is possible all year round in the Red Sea and with very little rainfall anywhere in the country at any time -- there's no need for an umbrella - ella -ella.

Kenya - BE WARRY
The past 30days in Kenya have been marred by post-election violence. NINE hundred people are dead and more than 200,000 people have been displaced. There's an uneasy peace right now as opposition members are deciding on whether to hold rallies or not. The areas affected are mostly Kisumu and Eldoret, which are relatively far away from the major tourist hotspots. But there have been reports of the major airports in Nairobi and Mombasa closing for some periods and there's been a significant upsurge in violence in Nairobi and parts of Mombasa as well.
The UK Foreign Office and the US State Department have advised citizens not to travel to Kenya. Yet some tour operators are still saying it's safe since the transfers from the main airports to lodges and hotels have been unaffected for the most part, and popular game parks like the Masai Mara, are far away from cities. Naturally, tour operators have a financial stake in saying "all is well". And in fact Kenya has been on the US State Department's travel warning list for years, since the Embassy Bombings in 1998 and further bombings in Mombasa in 2002. This hasn't stopped a lot of people from visiting the country (just like people are still visiting New York after the WTC bombings).

So, if you've booked your dream safari and are wondering whether to cancel or not, who should you believe? I think it depends on the individual. A holiday is not worth dying for nor is it going to be much fun if you're afraid. I would suggest you wait a few weeks before embarking on your holiday to Kenya, unless you have good information that tells you that you're truly safe, from sources other than your tour operator.I will advise you wait a bit...the sun will always be there.

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Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

Sabi Sabi game reserve lodges are unlike any others in the region. They are, in and of themselves, a representation of the diverse cultural influences that exist in South Africa. The Bush, Selati, and Earth lodges are all designed based on a specific time in the country's history. Respectively, they draw their inspiration form traditional life in the bush, colonial South Africa, and the new modern Africa that is beginning to emerge.

The lodges of the Sabi Sabi game reserve provide luxury to those who stay there. However, they also give visitors a bit of insight into the region. Unlike many lodges, these three can become an integral part of one's African vacation.

Wildlife Viewing on the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

One thing that makes the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve an extremely popular destination is that it has something special to offer throughout the year. During the winter, animals drink from water holes throughout the area. Those willing to brave a bit of the cold will have the opportunity to see both adult and newborn animals interacting with each other in a different way than in summer.

Summer, however, is also a wonderful time to view wildlife on the Sabi Sabi game reserve. If the heat becomes too much, one can simply return to the lodge to cool down. After the sun sets, one can step into the South African summer night, and sit beneath a sky that displays more stars than most city-dwellers have seen in their entire lives.

Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game reserve is a name that was officially given to a piece of land in the eastern section of the Okavango Delta in 1965. This land, however, was prime hunting ground for the Bushman over 10,000 years ago. While wildlife is not as abundant in the area as it was back then, the Moremi Game Reserve still supports lion, buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, and a variety of other species. In fact, the land is home to almost 1/3 of the world's wild dog population.

Its location in the Okavango, makes the Moremi Game Reserve a prime watering location for a number of animals. When the region floods, wildlife from all over southern Africa makes it way there. The land is also made up of lush woodlands and forests, which support an entirely different type of animal than the plains or desert regions of the continent.

Planning Moremi Game Reserve Safaris

There are so many locations in Africa that one can safari in, that the decision to visit a specific place is often a difficult one to make. Like much of the area, Moremi Game Reserve features a beautiful landscape and great animal viewing opportunities. The floods will give visitors a chance to see plants and birds that do not exist elsewhere in the region, though.

One thing that does make the Moremi Game Reserve different from other destinations is its close proximity to the small village of Khwai. This is a place where tourists can find limited supplies. More importantly, it is a place where they can experience local culture.

Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge is located in Botswana amidst the beautiful lands of the Chobe National Park. The area is supported by both the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. These flowing waters attract large concentrations of wildlife, and make the Chobe Game Lodge one of the best departure points for setting out on a safari.

The lodge, itself, serves as an extremely comfortable home away from home for those who visit the reserve. Modern amenities are available, but the appearance and style of the Chobe Game Lodge leans more to the colonial. It is from lodges such as these that hunters used to regale any one who would listen with tales of how they stared down the great lion's mouth, or how they were able to track a single cheetah for days on end before taking the beast down with a single shot. While conservation efforts have altered the discourse in the Chobe Game Lodge, it still holds that sense of adventure. When people stay there, they know they are going to see something special.

Wildlife Safaris from the Chobe Game Lodge

Trips out into the wild usually depart each day. These trips can run close to $3000.00 per person. Once out on the grounds of Chobe National Park, it is possible to see sites that most only witness on television. Lions will hunt antelope and leopards will patiently wait to pounce on their prey all in view of the human spectators. Many times, animals will simply sun themselves, or stop by a watering hole for a drink.

It has been said that time functions differently on safari. People return from a weeklong stay at the Chobe Game Lodge and feel as though they have spent a month there. Wildlife tours and other trips to Africa give people a chance to truly focus on what is in front of them. There is nowhere to run off to. All people have to do is wait and watch as Nature unfolds before them.

Nile River Cruise

Nile river cruise ships are some of the most lavish vessels in the world. The degree of comfort that guests experience onboard is rarely duplicated. Private suites with private balconies provide the perfect spots from which to view the passing sites of Egypt.

There are also the most modern of conveniences on these floating hotels. Each room has air conditioning, a mini bar, and a TV. One can dance in the ship's ballroom or if he fancies a haircut he can stroll down to the salon. There is entertainment onboard, and the opportunity to mingle with the other guests who have decided to take a leisurely Nile river cruise.

Site Seeing on a Nile River Cruise

While many do enjoy peacefully sitting on the ship and catching glimpses of sites from afar, each Nile river cruise gives those on the tour a chance to see some of the most spectacular Egyptian artifacts in person. After alighting, the tour moves from the ship into a city or an archeological find.

A Nile river cruise has given many the chance to see the tomb of Ramses II, the city of Cairo, or the ancient temples of Abu Simbel. Tours are conducted by experts, so at any time, whether on land or water, a visitor can get a better understanding of what they are seeing. Many people do not want to visit Egypt because of the heat, or the sand, or the bugs. A Nile river cruise gives these people the opportunity to see an important part of world history in pure comfort.

Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert trips cover a large portion of southern Africa. Well over half of Botswana is covered by the Kalahari Desert, as are portions of Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. The region, while extremely arid in places, is not a true desert. Due to the amount of rainfall in certain spots, it is classified as a fossil desert. This rainfall allows a variety of wildlife to survive in the area.

The red brown sands of the Kalahari Desert support lions, hyenas, meerkats, and several species of antelope. A diverse collection of reptiles and birds also thrives in the area. These animals can be viewed on a number of game reserves, including the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which is the second largest protected area in the world. Some extremely rare species dwell within the borders of the park. Enthusiasts from around the world come to view weaver birds, a species that builds communal nests that can stretch up to two meters in diameter.

The Bushman Tribes of the Kalahari Desert

There is a collection of distinct nomadic tribes that spend part of their time in the Kalahari Desert. They do not share a common name, but are collectively called Bushman by most outsiders. It is believed that their people were the first human beings to inhabit southern Africa, and in turn, some of the first human beings to walk the earth.

The past several years have been difficult for the Bushman. Botswana removed them from their borders and placed them in encampments. The country cited the fact that it was too difficult to supply the tribes with water, and that the tribes' presence interfered with conservation efforts. Certain safaris and tours of the Kalahari Desert allow people to learn about the history, culture, and day-to-day existence of the Bushman. It is unclear if this opportunity will still exist in the future.

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