The third dispatch from East Africa is as epic as ever. For those of you who work with us in Africa, you know that our team is very deliberate in how we design safaris that stray from the conventional “rinse and repeat” itineraries. Well, this dispatch puts an exclamation point on this.
Let me start with a moment during the flight from Ol Pejeta to the Masai Mara that really stuck with me. Our amazing group was seated just behind a pair of women who were traveling independently, not part of our group. As we helped them figure out where to get off the plane, we learned that they were visiting seven more camps, averaging two nights at each. While some travelers may enjoy this type of itinerary, it’s not for everyone. I found myself wondering what it would be like to visit so many camps with a similar experience at every stop. I shuttered at the thought. A truly successful safari is built on three key components: landscape, culture, and of course wildlife. Prioritizing these elements thoughtfully is the foundation for an exceptional experience.
After an amazing stint at Ol Pejeta, we headed to the Masai Mara, specifically the Naboisho Conservancy, which boasts some of the best resident game this time of year. With my 600mm lens (my new toy as an ambitious photographer), I captured epic images of leopards, lions, and so much more, all guided by the expert tracking of Kisemei, our Maasai guide who is part of the community benefiting from the Big Five conservancy model. After three unforgettable nights there, with giraffes, zebras, and lions often just outside our camp, we thought, “What could possibly top this?” The answer? Heading into the heart of the migration in the central and southern Serengeti, where millions of wildebeest have gathered for calving season as they prepare for their northward journey over the next 7 to 9 months.
We spent hours on my favorite hidden road in the southern Serengeti, with only the sounds of a million wildebeest, thousands of zebras, impalas, and even witnessing a live birth! The day was topped off with an incredible leopard sighting, though the real highlight was staying at a newly rebuilt, women-run camp in Tanzania, one of the very few in Africa. From the camp manager to our guide Leivian, every aspect of the camp was run by women, and it was nothing short of amazing. The fact that I knew the camp manager from her previous role made this experience even more special.
As we mentioned before, of course, we also had a few incredible game drives. The group that arrived in East Africa as one version of themselves left as completely transformed individuals. That’s what a safari is all about. That’s #bigfivin.
Enjoy the video and part III of our East Africa dispatch!
If you are the type that wants to go on a trip to spend lazy days lounging around, then Zambia might not be for you. However, if you are an adventurous traveler who is in search of excitement, then definitely consider planning a trip! Zambia has been called a diamond in the rough; all it needs is for an intrepid traveler to carve it out and shine it up. When planning a trip to Zambia, it is very important to know where the best sights are. Here are three options of great places you should visit while in Zambia.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a very popular tourist destination in Zambia. There might be crowds of other travelers, but it is worth wading through them to see the spectacular views of the thundering mile wide falls. The spray from the falls can be seen from miles away and the roar of 546 million cubic meters of falling water per minute will stick in your mind for years to come.
South Luangwa National Park
The South Luangwa National Park is known as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The concept of the walking safari was born here and it is a great way to observe some of the 60 different animal species and 400 bird species that roam the park. See antelope, hippopotami, baboons, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, elephant, storks, red chested cuckoos, and more. Nature lovers will love a visit to the South Luangwa National Park.
Lake Kariba
With so many beautiful natural wonders in Zambia, it might sound odd to visit a manmade destination. However, Lake Kariba is definitely worth a visit. This is the largest artificial lake in the world and hosts a thriving ecosystem. There are numerous fish species, birds and larger animals that call Lake Kariba home. Its possible to spot Nile crocodiles, hippos and sometimes even elephants. Fishing is a major attraction here, so be sure to look into taking a fishing safari.
There is almost an endless list of amazing things to see and do in Zambia. However, Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park, and Lake Kariba are among the most exciting. Be sure to include them in your to-do list when visiting Zambia.
When planning a world vacation, many travelers stick to the beaten path. Italy, France, Japan, Mexico…all beautiful, all worthy of visits, all magnificent and unique. But if you long for a destination whose path is less trodden by the masses, Uganda and Rwanda may be ideal for your next journey. While their pasts are mired in conflict, these nations are surging forward with renewed hope, and with a little help from Mother Nature.
1. Uganda is an epicurean dream
While other factors may have drawn you to Uganda, the food is certainly an unexpected – and delicious – perk of any visit. Source Café, on Main Street in Jinja, for instance, was founded with the goal of “Providing a space for locals and foreigners to connect over a meal.” And over coffee. A model of ethical business, Source Café is your source for delightful, light cuisine and equally delightful Ugandan culture and company. Other choices include the best Chinese in Uganda, at Fang Fang, and international cuisine at the Black Lantern. Try the spare ribs!
2. Kigali, Rwanda has a great arts scene
Kigali is the cultural heart of this country. Nestled amongst mountain peaks and valleys, the Rwandan capital presents a bustling cityscape. Prominent to any visitor are the many memorials commemorating the genocide that scourged Rwanda’s past. While paying homage to history, Kigali also builds its future with a thriving art and culture scene. There are theaters, museums, and an incredible diversity of talent.
Music is especially important to Kigali. Each year, it hosts Kigali Up, a fabulous festival that celebrates and promotes Rwandan artists and fosters collaboration with international artists and technicians. Festival-goers can enjoy traditional music, reggae, funk, blues, hip-hop, and other genres in fun, outdoor settings.
3. Uganda and Rwanda are thriving ecotourism destinations
Nature has provided these two African nations with glorious scenery and an abundance of wildlife. With a guide, visitors can watch magnificent, and massive, mountain gorillas from meters away or witness a family of chimpanzees at play. Beautiful national parks dot the landscape, as do herds of zebra and buffalo. Keep your eyes open as safari landscapes and lush rainforests allow a wide range of natural beauties to thrive.
Discover the beauty, both natural and manmade, that Uganda and Rwanda have to offer. You may be surprised at just how stunning these destinations are and how indelible their mark on your memory.
The world’s creatures are all treasures to be valued and protected. From the astonishing 100-foot Blue Whale to the tiny bee hummingbird, which can fit on your thumb, Mother Nature has created a menagerie of stunning, elegant, fierce, massive, petite, and gentle animals – but she also threw us some curveballs. Look at the star-nose mole, the proboscis monkey, the loveable platypus, or the absolutely terrifying aye-aye of Madagascar. Just as Africa boasts an incredible wealth of the fierce and fabulous, it has an abundance of freaky and funky.
Here are some of Africa’s most unusual, but no less magnificent, residents:
Pangolin – Pangolins have no teeth or claws with which to protect themselves, so they depend on their scales. When curled up, they resemble pinecones – but they’re much tougher! Their strong scales keep them safe from big cats and other predators. Pangolin meat is popular, and its scales, when ground, are ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. Both factors have endangered these little tanks.
Okapi – “Odd” doesn’t mean these animals are not gorgeous! It looks like a cross between a horse and a zebra; but the line of the neck is reminiscent of a giraffe (but by no means on the same scale!). Its velvety fur helps keep them protected from the rain – a must for these rain forest dwellers. The Ugandan native snacks on grass, leaves, buds, and the occasional fruit.
Bat-Eared Fox – This canine species resembles a jackal and features enormous ears. The better to hear its prey; the bat-eared fox prefers termites but will settle for other insects in a pinch. A single fox can eat 1.5 million termites a year! These small animals are family oriented and typically mate for life; males help raise the young while mom goes hunting.
Shoebill – Odd, sure. Big – oh yes! The shoebill, a type of stork, stands about five feet tall with a wingspan that can be double that. It is a fierce hunter who likes to feed on fish, small birds, turtles, and even baby crocs. The shoebill’s bill is rounded and nubby, contrasting with the long, narrow beaks of other storks.
Elephant Shrew – A mouse. With a beak? While it does resemble a shrew, and some think it resembles an elephant with that snout, it is in fact neither. The elephant shrew is an insect-eating mammal, known for being shrewd. They are very difficult to catch and observe given their great caution and camouflaging techniques. They prefer to be left to patrol their carefully-constructed pathways in the undergrowth for insects.
These animals are all great examples of the tremendous diversity of life in Africa. Odd, strange, weird…and wonderful.
Africa is the perfect place to watch a beautiful sunrise over a land that seems to be unchanged for thousands of years. If being in the middle of the wildness that the African outdoors offers is appealing to you, then you will definitely want to visit Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact collapsed volcano or caldera. Due to the amount of life that surrounds the caldera, it is referred to Africa’s Eden. While visiting is welcome, the only people who are allowed to live on these lands are an indigenous tribe, the Masai. If you wish to spend some time in the land of the Masai, you will want to look into one of the fantastic lodges nearby. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge provides very cozy accommodations located very close to all of the excitement.
If you are interested in an African safari, the Ngorongoro Crater is where you want to be. The area around the crater is some of the richest feeding grounds in all of Africa. There is a very diverse mass of animals that thrive here. You will likely see elephants, lions, black rhinoceros, cape buffalo and leopards triumphantly roaming the landscape. No matter what time of year that you visit, it’s extremely likely to see one of these majestic animals.
There is so much to do and see that you will want to plan your itinerary beforehand. There truly are no bad decisions, as everything that the Ngoronoro Crater has to offer is absolutely astonishing.
