Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for africa
The Land of Surfing Hippos
By Linda Tancs
Situated on the Equator, Gabon occupies part of the Atlantic coast of Africa. Needless to say, given its location, it’s hot year round. So it shouldn’t be surprising to think of hippos body surfing in the Atlantic. Or elephants, buffalos, gorillas and leopards meandering among savanna, beach, forest and mangroves. Yet that’s what they do in Loango National Park, hailed as “Africa’s Last Eden” and the “Land of Surfing Hippos.” Conservation is sacrosanct in this western African nation, where 13 national parks cover 10 percent of its land mass. Loango includes part of the Iguéla Lagoon, the only western African lagoon system that is protected within a national park.
Share this:
Variety is the Spice of Life
By Linda Tancs
Variety is the spice of life in Zanzibar–in more ways than one. On the one hand, it’s known as the spice island thanks to its export of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. On the other hand, it’s a cultural melting pot owing to the vast array of settlers that it’s seen over the centuries, like Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phonecians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguse, Omani Arabs, Dutch and British. Tourism is the spice of life for this island paradise in the Indian Ocean as well–from the golden sands of Mangapwani to the haunting reminders of the slave trade in historically prominent Stone Town.
Share this:
Birding in Mabamba
By Linda Tancs
Uganda’s Mabamba Bay is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA), one of the best marshy areas along the northern shores of Lake Victoria for bird watching. Besides Murchison Falls National Park, Mabamba is the only place where the elusive shoebill can be spotted. It’s also a haven for threatened species such as the blue swallow, pallid harrier, papyrus gonolek and white-winged warbler. Overall, more than 260 species have been recorded in these wetlands.
Share this:
Romans in Algeria
By Linda Tancs
Algeria’s numerous invaders contributed to its vast, fascinating culture, providing us with World Heritage sites rife with archeological treasures. For instance, there’s significant evidence of the country’s Roman past in a triumvirate of locales, like the city grid plan evident at Timgad, some of the best preserved Roman ruins in the world. And overlooking the Mediterranean and within easy reach of Algiers, the ruins at Tipaza (known in Roman times as Tipasa) are an extraordinary complex featuring private houses, baths and religious buildings. Completing the trio is Djemila and its stunning mosaics.
Share this:
Born Free
By Linda Tancs
In Africa’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the animals are born free. One of the largest conservation areas of its kind, the absence of man-made barriers allows game including lions, leopards, cheetahs, antelope, springbok and wildebeest to roam freely. Although wildlife can be spotted year-round, viewing is best before the end of the rainy season this month. The park is located between South Africa and Botswana in the southern Kalahari Desert.
Share this:
Where the Stars Are
By Linda Tancs
Light management is critical to preserving the beauty of the night sky. Just ask the folks at the International Dark-Sky Association, a non-profit organization fighting to preserve the night. They’ve certified five places in the world as an International Dark Sky Reserve–in other words, that’s where the stars are. The honorees are Mont Mégantic in Canada, Exmoor National Park in England, Aoraki Mackenzie in New Zealand, NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia and Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.
Share this:
The Bridge of God
By Linda Tancs
In southern Ethiopia the twin lakes of Abaya and Chamo are divided by a spit of land called the Bridge of God, seemingly named for its heavenly nature. On the Lake Chamo side, its animal inhabitants might seem equally divinely inspired–or otherworldly, depending on your perspective. For instance, the area sports the world’s largest population of giant crocodiles, measuring nearly 20 feet in length. A boat trip will take you safely through the so-called crocodile marketplace, where you’ll also see hippos and a magnificent array of birds (including rare species). The lake’s northern end lies in Nechisar National Park, east of Arba Minch.
Share this:
On the Table in Cape Town
By Linda Tancs
Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront boasts Table Mountain as its backdrop. You can ride a cable car to the top of this flat-topped mountain for panoramic views. Down its eastern slope you can visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, especially the large indoor greenhouse exhibit of plants from around the region and the outdoor exhibit of local flora. Equally compelling is the view of Table Mountain from Table Bay via the high speed catamaran ferry to Robben Island from the waterfront. That location is significant for its maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades of his life for daring to fight against apartheid. These characteristics alone merit Table Mountain’s designation as a New 7 Wonder of Nature, an appellation announced at the N7W headquarters in Zurich on 11 November 2011. Did you know that a N7W Cities competition is underway? Choose your seven cities for the finalist phase starting on 7 December.
Share this:
Safari by Numbers
By Linda Tancs
Generally, Africa may not seem like the ideal place for a family vacation. After all, children under the age of six are generally not allowed on game drives. More than likely, however, you wouldn’t consider a safari destination for children that young anyway (or would you!). You can always choose a lodge with family amenities, like Singita Ebony or Singita Boulders lodges. They offer activities for children including board games, DVDs, wildlife shows, cooking with chefs, a cosmic safari (astronomy), and nature quizzes. If the kids are older, why not consider something more adventurous, like the 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents at Toka Leya Camp in Zambia, where you can raft and bungee jump. Whatever you decide, the dry winter months (through August) offer the best game viewing.
Share this:
A Haven of Peace
By Linda Tancs
Amongst the hustle and bustle of cruise ships negotiating exotic ports of call in Tanzania, it’s easy to forget that its largest city, Dar es Salaam, means “haven of peace.” You’ll likely experience that in the city centre at the botanical gardens. Or perhaps during a stroll through the adjacent National Museum, home to antique tribal artefacts and World War One memorabilia. And what better time to go than January and February, the short dry season. Your haven is waiting.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 