African Safari

I've come across some really wonderful blogs this year and wanted to share my favorites as 2009 draws to a close.

1. AfriGadget - a blog about "Solving everyday problems with African solutions". Read about individuals using their creative imaginations and a dash of technical know-how to make things work. From solar-paneled vests worn by cyclists that can then charge cell phones, to second hand car batteries wired to run radios.

2. Wildlife Direct - a non-profit that hosts a collection of blogs that brings supporters and conservationists together. It enables anyone anywhere to participate, while providing real time transparency and accountability. The blogs are also invaluable for anyone interested in working in the field of conservation.

3. Border Jumpers - Bernard Pollack and Danielle Nierenberg started their blog and travels in October, 2009. It's not just a travel blog, although their tips on vegetarian survival and transport options in East Africa are invaluable. The couple interviews farmers, medical workers, community organizers, labor activists and many more as they go.

4. Listen to Africa - An ambitious project led by two adventurous spirits, Huw and Bex. Their chosen form of transport is a bicycle and their plan is to spend two years in Africa covering around 24,000 km. They've been traveling since March 2009, recording the sounds of nature, music, voices and other noises of interest.

5. Somewhere in Africa - Musings and news about Africa written by Shashank Bengali, who covered sub-Saharan Africa from 2005 to 2009. He's now based in Washington, D.C., as a national correspondent.

My 5 Favorite Africa Blogs in 2009 originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 14:24:32.

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Since Christmas is very widely observed in Africa, I thought it would be fun to find some video footage of celebrations in various parts of the continent. Some is a bit shaky, but it's all fun.

• 12 Days of Christmas Nigerian style - "On the first day of Christmas my motha gave to me fufu with egusi"...
• A choir in a small church in rural Tanzania celebrating Christmas
• Londolozi Lodge in South Africa sent this video of Santa wandering around the bush, rifle and bag in hand. This is a popular one among safari operators.
• "Christmas" by a Kenyan musician Kimangu, a somewhat raucous Christmas song.
• Spontaneous Christmas song and dance in Botswana
• A short clip of a Zambian Santa, running through the streets with people staring in disbelief. And a great Santa in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
• Ethiopian Christmas Song, Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

The BBC invited African readers to send in their stories of how they celebrate Christmas which is well worth a browse.

Season's Greetings to all!

More about: Christmas in Africa

Christmas Celebrations in Africa originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 13:38:52.

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The US vs England is the hottest first round ticket in the 2010 World Cup, that's taking place in South Africa next summer. Destination Southern Africa is one of just three officially designated FIFA tour operators in the US. They just sent me a heads up about a great package deal on offer for just $3695.00 per person. The perfect Christmas gift could be yours.

The England vs US World Cup package includes: international airfare from New York to Johannesburg; 3 star hotel for 5 nights; daily breakfast; transport and match ticket to the US - England game. The package is good for travel from June 8th to June 15th. Upgrades to a 4 or 5 star hotel are possible as well. This offer is on a first come/first serve basis and will end on January 15th 2010. Contact Destination Southern Africa directly for more information.

The US vs England World Cup game will be held on 12 June, 2010 in Rustenburg, about a 2 hour drive from Johannesburg. The Bafokeng community built and financed the stadium they will play in. The Bafokeng are one of the wealthiest tribes in Africa, their land happens to be right on top of world's richest platinum mines. So you know what souvenir to bring back to whoever bought you this package.

More About: World Cup Tours from the US l 2010 World Cup l 2010 World Cup Stadiums

_{Getty Images}

Great Deal on Tickets/Tour for US vs England World Cup Match originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 12:20:20.

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Bernard Pollack and Danielle Nierenberg are traveling through Africa and blogging as they go. It's not just a travel blog, although their tips on vegetarian survival and transport options in East Africa are invaluable. The couple interviews farmers, medical workers, community organizers, labor activists and many more as they go.

Their blogs (updated daily) offer a wonderful insight into rural life, city life, farming issues and food security; of paramount importance in this region with drought threatening yet more lives. They've spoken to students in Uganda working on school farming projects; met with workers and unionists at the Solidarity Center in Kenya working in the tea, coffee and flower industries; and visited slave caves in Zanzibar. They also profile a local beer, the local currency, and a toilet in every country they visit.

Bernard and Danielle started their journey in October (2009) in Ethiopia. They've since traveled through Tanzania and Uganda, using a variety of trains, buses and planes, and have now reached Uganda with the promise to never again fly Precision Air. Their plan is to travel to every country in Africa, armed with a laptop and a handy cam. But they're enjoying Uganda so much, they may call it home. Stay tuned for more updates and check out their blog - Border Jumpers.

_{Image of boy in Kibera Slum (Nairobi) as food prices rose greatly this summer in Kenya due to drought -- Getty Images/Spencer Platt}

Blog of the Week - Border Jumpers originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 10:47:31.

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September 2006…

New Year's Eve is just around the corner. Bars and nightclubs throughout Africa will be getting ready for the annual onslaught of merry folk. Even if you're visiting countries that don't follow the Gregorian calendar, you'll still find a party or two to enjoy. That's because every country in Africa has a public holiday on January 1st, reason enough to celebrate. The little Ethiopian girl pictured here celebrated her New Year on September 11th (it's now 2002 in Ethiopia).

The wildest New Year parties are undoubtedly held in South Africa with its abundant sunshine, beaches, bonfires and nightclubs -- you can't go wrong. Jo'burg residents had this strange custom of throwing their old fridges out of apartment windows, but luckily that has stopped. It didn't seem to make a lot of sense; you have to work quite hard to afford a fridge in South Africa.

Find out more about New Year's Eve in Africa ...

_{Image of Ethiopian girl celebrating New Year, 2002 -- © Getty Images/Tim Boyle}

New Year's Eve in Africa originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 10:07:25.

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Gorilla trekking is an alternative or compliment to a traditional African safari. Watch our video of the Gorillas in Rwanda. Safari by Opulent Africa…

Hello! We are still learning how to use our video handycam at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp, South Africa. Here are safari snippets filmed recently in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park. Enjoy images of a safari in South Africa…

The wind is legendary in Cape Town especially during the summer months (November - February). The south-easterly wind that roars in during this time of year is called the "Cape Doctor". This past weekend the "Cape Doctor" didn't just sweep away the pestilence and pollution hanging over the city, it also damaged houses, boats, and uprooted trees. Gusts reached over 100 mph (165kmph).

Cape Town is a city where trees grow at the weirdest angles (see photo) and people regularly hold on to lampposts to avoid being blown across the street. When Table Mountain has its table cloth of cloud, you know it's going to be a windy day (a regular feature). You won't be surprised to know that surfing is extremely popular in Cape Town, and kiteboarding (or kite surfing) is really taking off. South Africa's first wind farm was switched on a few years ago and, surprise surprise, the Darling Wind Farm lies just outside of Cape Town.

Cape Town Will Blow You Away originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 11:31:59.

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South Africa Clip 2 Safari Game Park Pilanesberg 2008…

ThingstodoDC.com receives special cultural greeting upon arrival at the Serena Safari Lodge in Tanzania….

5 nights on safari in the Kruger National Park in South Africa followed by 4 nights in Cape Town with a day trip to Stellenbosch….

An awesome clip of safari.flv in South Africa….