In the third installment of our Unique and Bizarre Accommodations on the African continent, we’ll take a look at two venues that have storied histories—literally. The first, Hatari Lodge, is the renovated home of a German actor who starred in the 1960 movie Hatari!, a film that was shot near the present-day resort.

The second, Shu’mata Camp, is inspired by and designed based on Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Snows of Kilimanjaro.

Hatari Lodge: Hollywood aficionados will appreciate this resort’s legendary history. Located on the outskirts of Arusha National Park and in the home of a star from Hollywood’s Golden Age, this is the place to be for travelers looking for a taste of old Hollywood romance on a traditional African safari.

When you step out onto the property, you’ll feel immediately transformed by the awe-inspiring views of Tanzania that have the ambience of an epic Hollywood setting.

Image above taken from hatarilodge.com

Shu’mata Camp: If you wish you could have gone on an African safari in the 1920s while still enjoying the comforts of modern plumbing and electricity, Shu’mata Camp is the answer to your prayers. It’s no wonder, then, that its name is the Masai word meaning “Heaven,” or “Above the Clouds.”

Perched at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shu’mata Camp consists of a line of private tent rooms designed in the classic Hemingway style. Each tent includes a dressing table, panoramic gauze windows, a Hemingway-style hanging cupboard, and an en-suite bathroom, and can sleep between one and three travelers. Surrounding the sleeping areas are sweeping views of Masai land, where various wildlife can be seen and heard, depending on the season.

Image above taken from shumatacamp.com

The dining tent of Shu’mata Camp, too, celebrates safari life in the early 20^th Century. Each of its three rooms is devoted to a different historical phase of the African safari: Vintage, Safari Baroque, and Arabian Nights.

Travel Your Dreams

If you could visit one African story or one period in African history, what would it be?

On an African safari tour, many travelers find themselves drawn to primates. That’s partly because humans are considered primates and animals in this order often remind us (in funny, poignant, and surprising ways) of ourselves.

So what should you look for during your next trip to Africa? Keep your eyes peeled for these six primates, which compose most of the major primate groups (there are 51 species total!).

Gorilla: Found in tropical and subtropical African forests, gorillas are the largest non-extinct primate species. Gorillas are social animals, and tend to live in troops, which generally consist of one adult male (also called a “silverback”) and multiple females and young gorillas. Some troops include more than one male. Most closely related to chimpanzees and humans, gorillas are vegetarians and communicate through grunts, barks, and deeply resonant burps.

Chimpanzee: The two types of chimpanzees, the common chimpanzee and the bonobo, are the closest living relatives to humans. Like humans, chimps live in large social groups (“communities”) composed of several males and females. Within these groups, a hierarchy of power develops, with one alpha male atop the order and many lesser power ranks below him. The alpha male is not always the biggest or strongest, but instead forges strategic alliances with others who help him maintain his power. Sound familiar?

Black-and-White Colobus: This type of monkey lives in dense African forests, where it has adapted to occupy places that other primates cannot. Colobuses play an important role in spreading seeds throughout their habitats (through their digestive tracts and the act of eating), but are currently threatened by bushmeat hunting. While bushmeat hunting (that is, the hunting of wild game, or animals that live in the “bush”) threatens a number of wild species, many Africans living at the subsistence level rely on such food to live.

Vervet Monkey: Native to southeastern African countries (including Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa), the vervet monkey is small and plain in color (mostly black, white, and gray). One of the vervet’s most fascinating attributes is its warning calls—vervets warn of predators with predator-specific vocalizations. In some situations, mother vervets have been observed chastising their young for giving the wrong warning call!

Baboons: Social animals, baboons live in troops that can range from five to 250 members. A variety of mating and friendship behaviors might take place, but among one of the most interesting is that some male baboons will grab babies during fights to protect themselves.

Galago: Also known as a “bush baby,” this small primate species is nocturnal and known for its unusually strong jumping abilities. While galagos tend to live in groups, these groups usually consist of only males or females. A single male often mates with all the females in an area, and males who have not established territory for themselves might live in “bachelor” groups.

When you’re planning your African safari vacation, be sure to schedule time to observe these amazing, highly developed animals in their natural habitats!

What’s your favorite African primate?

Most people planning a trip to Africa know that many of the large predators on the continent include lions and venomous snakes—but Africa is also home to many deadly creatures that are much smaller (NOTE: these creatures do not pose any serious threat to travelers. This post is intended to simply introduce you to some of these creatures that you will likely not come in contact with while traveling to Africa). Here’s a look at some of the most dangerous tiny creatures that call Africa home.

Six-Eyed Sand Spider: Found in sandy places (including deserts) in southern Africa, this eight-legged creature hides in the sand and strikes when an animal gets too close to its home. The bad news is that its venom can kill a rabbit in a matter of hours, but the good news is that no confirmed human bites have ever been reported. This deadly spider is also mercifully shy.

Image above taken from GoAfrica.about.com.

Deathstalker Scorpion: Located throughout northern African countries, this brightly colored arachnid has the most highly toxic venom of any of its species. While healthy adults are not likely to die from a deathstalker’s sting, the elderly, very young, and those with medical conditions might be at risk. Luckily, a number of European pharmaceutical companies manufacture anti-venoms specifically for deathstalker bites.

Image above taken from PetBugs.com.

Mantella Poison Frogs: Concentrated largely in Madagascar, Mantella frogs have brightly colored skin that alerts other animals and humans to their toxic qualities. While a Mantella frog’s skin contains significant levels of toxins, humans are at little risk because their bright hues make these frogs easily avoidable.

Image above taken from mantella.amphibiancare.com

Blowfish: Known by many names (including pufferfish, toad fish, and sugar toads, among others), this spiky swimmer can be deadly to humans—but only when eaten. Though blowfish are found in some African water bodies, they are not generally served as food in this part of the world. (The Japanese, on the other hand, consider blowfish a delicacy and chefs in Japan train to learn how to prepare it so that it’s safe).

Image above taken from FactZoo.com

Tarantula Hawk Wasp: Technically, this wasp is only deadly to tarantula spiders, but its behavior is too fascinating not to include in this list. Female hawk wasps prey on tarantulas; after stinging them, a wasp drags the paralyzed spider to her nest, where she lays an egg in the spider’s body. The egg matures and hatches in the tarantula, which remains alive the entire time! After consuming the spider’s body for nourishment, the baby hawk wasp emerges. Word to the wise: even though hawk wasps aren’t deadly to humans, their stings are considered among the most painful in the world.

Image above taken from SDRP.org

Staying Safe on an African Vacation

It’s important to remember that deadly animal species live on every inhabited continent—not just in Africa! Part of traveling safely and healthily is learning about the risks you might face on the road—and preparing to keep yourself well.

Loved this post? Check out one of our previous blog posts on Africa’s Most Dangerous Animals Revealed.

To me, the perfect trip is one that is filled with life-changing cultural experiences, allows me to meet locals and international travelers, unfolds at a moderate pace (not too fast and not too slow), allows some level of flexibility, and ignites something within me that I never knew was there before.

If you agree with me about the elements of a perfect trip, then here are some tips to ensure that your future trip to Africa is all that you imagined and more:

Don’t Be Shy: In order to truly immerse yourself into the local culture, it sometimes takes stepping outside of your comfort zone. Start conversations with merchants, restaurant personnel, safari guides, and accommodation staff members. I promise you that by the end of your trip you will think that Africans are some of the most genuine and hospitable individuals you have ever met. In fact, many of our clients return home with a new appreciation for African cultures, new friends and relationships, and a warm feeling in their hearts, thanks to the locals of Africa.

Think New: You wouldn’t visit Paris to go shopping at the GAP, right? No, probably not. You’d want to visit local boutiques, art galleries, and shops that can’t be found in your homeland. This should be your same mindset when visiting Africa. The best way to absorb the various cultures and spark self growth is by trying new things, tasting new dishes, and exploring new places. The mystery of new experiences adds a thrilling element to your trip—and who knows, you might just learn something new about yourself (e.g. that you like tripe or smileys)!

Pick and Choose: Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many individuals. For these travelers, they often think that jam packing their itinerary with stuff they’ve always wanted to do is the best course of action. We have had many travelers come to us looking for a filled-to-the-brim itinerary, and often times, when they return home, they say that they wish they opted for more downtime in their itinerary.

When you’re moving fast, going from activity to activity and place to place, sometimes you miss the most beautiful and finite elements. Taking in your surroundings, enjoying the leisureliness of sundowners on your private veranda, and watching Africa slowly unfold around is you much more moving and enriching than a fast-paced itinerary. Not only can a packed itinerary cause stress, but it also results in zero flexibility with your schedule.

Therefore, when you are in the process of planning your trip, be sure to do your research and ask the advice of fellow travelers and your safari vacation agent.

Capture Moments: Some of the best ways to capture memories of your trip is by writing in a journal each night—describing what you saw and did during the day and your observations—taking photographs of the landscapes, wildlife, and people, and buying souvenirs that resonate with a specific experience you had.

How do you absorb the most culture from your travels?

When packing for your trip to Africa, it is extremely important to note that there are strict weight luggage restrictions enforced on light aircraft transfers between countries. This is to ensure the safety of aircraft passengers. Please read through this document thoroughly to ensure that your luggage is compatible with aircraft luggage restrictions.

These restrictions are enforced for the following reasons:

• Light aircrafts are designed with a maximum body weight and luggage weight allowance.
• Most airfields are over 3,000 feet above sea level and are located in the tropics, and therefore the permissible aircraft carrying capacity is reduced.
• The aircrafts have physical space restrictions.

Depending on where in Africa you will be traveling to and from, the luggage weight restrictions will vary. However, there are some luggage restrictions that apply to ALL light aircraft transfers in Africa, which include:

• On ALL light aircrafts, only soft bags will be accepted—no hard suitcases, as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft. Duffel bags without wheels are preferred. This includes camera equipment and hand luggage. There may be a fee per bag.

• The maximum dimensions of the soft bags are as follows: 25 cm / 9.8 inches wide x 30 cm / 11.8 inches high and 62 cm long / 24.4 inches long (the size of the door of the 206 pod).  Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on the light aircraft are only 25 cm 9.8 inches high, so the pilots must be able to manipulate the bag into the compartment.  Luggage with wheels also adds to your total weight.  So the rule of thumb for your luggage is: soft, non-rigid bags with no wheels, following the dimensions above.

• Passengers weighing 100kg / 220lbs or more must advise us in advance so an extra seat for the additional weight can be tallied into the package cost for safety purposes.  Please remember that these restrictions are to ensure the safety of our guests.

Below is an image that depicts the proper bag size:

These luggage restrictions may sound very limiting, but bear in mind the following:

• Most safari camps / lodges and hotels provide basic toilet amenities
• Laundry can be done on a daily basis (and many camps provide this service free of charge but hotels do charge a nominal fee)
• Mainly casual clothing is required

In addition to the restrictions above, there are also SPECIFIC luggage WEIGHT restrictions that apply in each country and region of Africa. All of these regulations are strictly enforced. See below for each country’s guidelines and restrictions:

Zimbabwe: The two primary charter flights that fly Zimbabwe are Wilderness Air and Solenta. Both companies have their own weight restrictions. Please see below for details on each:

• Wilderness Air: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg / 44 lbs per person.

• Solenta: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 15 kg / 33 lbs per person.

Malawi: Luggage, including camera equipment and hang luggage, is restricted to 15 kg / 33 lbs per person.

Zambia: The two primary charter flights that fly Zambia are Proflight and Wilderness Air. Both companies have their own weight restrictions. Please see below for details on each: 

• Wilderness Air: Each passenger is allowed one bag weighing up to 20 kg / 44 lbs.

• Proflight: Lusaka-Ndola and Lusaka-Livingstone allows each passenger one piece of luggage weighing up to 23 kg / 50 lbs. All other small aircraft operated routes will allow each passenger to bring one piece of luggage, weighing no more than 15 kg / 33 lbs. Each passenger is allowed 1 carry on item (such as a laptop or purse), weighing up to 5 kg / 11 lbs. Single bags weighing over 32 kg / 70 lbs. will not be flown and must be shipped separately. Additional bags in excess of the allowance mentioned above will cost an additional fee and will be accepted only on a standby basis, based on available space on the aircraft.

Botswana: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg / 44 lbs per person.

South Africa: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted on Regional Air Services charter flights to 20 kg / 44 lbs per person.

Namibia (including the Skeleton Coast Fly-In safari but excluding the Best of Namibia Wing Safaris and Namibia Explorations): Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg / 44 lbs per person. For Best of Namibia Wing Safaris and Namibia Explorations the luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 12 kg / 26 lbs per person.

Kenya: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted on Regional Air Services charter flights to 15 kg / 33 lbs per person.

Tanzania: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted on Regional Air Services charter flights to 15 kg / 33 lbs per person.

Mozambique: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg / 44 lbs per person.

Uganda and Rwanda: Luggage requirements vary greatly between fly-in carriers in Central Africa. It is important that you check with your airline carrier as to any luggage size and weight restrictions. Small aircraft transfers within Uganda and Rwanda may have strict luggage weight and size allowances.

For Excess Baggage:

If you wish to bring additional luggage with you that exceeds the allotted weight restrictions for one person, you may choose to purchase another seat.

Additional Packing Tips & Notes:

As no formal clothes are needed throughout most of Africa, we recommend that you limit your luggage to the basics.  More formal attire is usually required only when staying in the more prestigious city hotel establishments or on any of the luxury trains. On a game safari, casual clothing is the order of the day. We will include a suggested packing list in your final documents.

If you will be traveling to multiple destinations, please defer to the lightest weight restrictions for your checked luggage.  Should you need to make arrangements to store or ship excess luggage, we are glad help with making those arrangements.  Please note, there may be additional charges for storing or shipping luggage.

**NOTE: Always check with a Hills of Africa representative prior to departing for your trip to make certain that you have packed within weight restrictions for your booked flights.

Kenya

• Embark on an interactive bush walk with the Samburu & Maasai people.
• Witness a nearly endless amount of flamingos on Lake Nakuru.
• Travel through the breathtaking Chyulu Hills and Amboseli on horseback.
• Venture through the ancient ruins of the long-lost city of Gedi.
• Help rehabilitate orphaned elephants at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.
• Soar above the Masai Mara plains via hot air balloon.
• Visit the Sarara Singing Wells to witness Samburu warriors singing.
• Take a unique safari through Lewa Wildlife Conservancy via camelback.
• Witness the rare white rhino in Laikipia on a rhino trekking safari.
• Photograph Mount Kilimanjaro from the majestic Amboseli National Park.

Tanzania

• Witness the natural phenomenon of The Great Migration in the Serengeti.
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro & embrace your adventurous side.
• Travel through the Mahale Mountains on a chimp trekking safari.
• Visit Zanzibar’s Jozani Forest to witness the elusive red colobus monkey.
• Tour Zanzibar’s charming Stone Town & visit a vanilla plantation.
• Find pure bliss on Mnemba Island’s untouched white beaches.
• Savor freshly caught seafood & local Tanzanian culinary delights.
• Explore the two-million-year-old, wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater.
• Discover the ultimate souvenir, the tanzanite—a spectacular blue gem.
• Melt in aromatic bliss on a coffee plantation tour.

Namibia

• Delight in Namibia’s local beer from Namibian Breweries Limited.
• Cruise around Walvis Bay as you observe playful fur seals & dolphins.
• Float the wildlife-abundant Caprivi Strip in a traditional mokoro (canoe).
• Observe Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants and rhinos.
• Photograph the shipwreck-covered beaches of the Skeleton Coast.
• Explore a Himba village and learn about their climate-adapted lifestyles.
• Uncover fascinating history in the ghost town of Kolmanskop.
• Embark on a hot air balloon over sprawling red dunes in Sossusvlei.
• Turn up the adrenaline on a quad biking excursion in the Namib Desert.
• Discover an exceptional display of wildlife in Etosha National Park.

Uganda

• Witness hundreds of bird species on a hike through Murchison Falls.
• Observe the big-eyed bush babies of Lake Mburo National Park.
• Track the elusive tree climbing lions of Ishasha.
• Venture through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on a gorilla safari.
• Photograph the red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, & baboon.
• Tour Kaweri Coffee Plantation for a taste of authentic Uganda coffee.
• Hike through volcanic craters in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Witness over 70 large mammal species in Murchison Falls.
• Observe the rare shoe billed stork in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Enjoy a sundowner as you relax above the lush hilltops of Uganda.

Rwanda

• Spot the silverback gorilla in Parc National des Volcans.
• Observe baboons, colobus, & red-tailed monkeys.
• Witness hundreds of bird species in the Albertine Rift.
• Visit the Iby’lwacu cultural village in Musanze.
• Climb the Virunga Mountains on a guided nature walk.
• Pass through bamboo and rainforests in search of indigenous primates.
• Travel through Akagera National Park’s wildlife-clad swamps & lakes.
• Gain unique cultural insight at the Iby’Iwacu cultural village.
• Join locals as they prepare their traditional banana beer.
• Enjoy primate & bird watching safaris in Nyungwe Forest.

For a complete guide to southern and eastern Africa, including accommodation descriptions and FAQs, click here.

Whether you thrive on adventure, crave cultural stimulation, find pure bliss on remote beaches, or consider yourself a romantic at heart, southern and eastern Africa are celebrated for their massive diversity and ability to cater to various travel styles. So, if you are considering a trip to Africa, but are unsure of what you’d like to do and see, refer to this guide for a quick insight into what each region is celebrated for:

South Africa

Cape Winelands

Shark Diving

• Embark on a horseback wine tasting tour in Cape Winelands.
• Watch for whales at False Bay as you delight in fresh seafood.
• Swim with the renowned African penguins at Boulder Beach.
• Explore Cape Town’s bustling art & culinary scenes.
• Discover the Xhosa people’s unique customs on a cultural tour.
• Face a predator on a great white shark diving tour.
• Explore Table Mountain as you ascend the slopes in a rotating cable car.
• Taste the aphrodisiacs of South Africa, including fresh oysters.
• Travel through the aromatic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
• Test your cooking skills in a Cape Malay cooking class.
• Spot the Big Five on an adventurous game drive in Kruger.

Botswana

Okavango Delta

• Snuggle with the meerkats of the Okavango Delta.
• Fly above the Okavango Delta on an adventurous airborne safari.
• Embark on a sunset Chobe River cruise, sundowner cocktail in hand.
• Experience a day in the life of the Sans Bushmen on a bush walk.
• Stargaze next to a crackling fire as you reminisce about the day.
• Relax at the prehistoric beaches of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
• Explore the renowned Linyanti Wildlife Reserve on a walking safari.
• Discover vibrant, indigenous birds on a birding safari.
• Meet the colorful elephants of the Kalahari Desert.
• Spot hippos & crocs on a traditional mokoro safari down the Chobe

Zimbabwe

Canoe safari

• Explore Hwange National Park on a private guided safari adventure.
• Canoe the mighty Zambezi River as you spot residential wildlife.
• Soar over one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls.
• Delight in 5-star cuisine beneath a star-studded sky.
• Embark on a trekking expedition to track the elusive white rhino.
• Discover the history of Victoria Falls on a Monde Village tour.
• Explore Lake Kariba on game drives, fishing safaris, and canoe safaris.
• Partake in the journey of lifetime through the heart of the Mana Pools.
• Capture the soul of Africa on a specialized photography safari.
• Observe hundreds of species of birds—many of which are endemic to Zimbabwe.

Zambia

Walking Safari

Game Drive Safari

• Embark on an enriching historical tour of Victoria Falls.
• Board an evening Zambezi river cruise to watch the African sunset.
• Witness wildlife up close on a walking safari in Luangwa National Park.
• Step back in time, on a Livingstone city tour.
• Experience the exhilaration of white water rafting on the Zambezi.
• Witness the elusive pangolin and aardvark in Kafue National Park.
• Embark on a horseback safari on the exclusive Sindabezi Island.
• Tower over the treetops on a elephant-back safari.
• Explore your wild side—bungee jump off Victoria Falls.
• Walk with the king of all wild game—the lion.

Mozambique

The beaches of Mozambique

Horseback riding

• Uncover Africa’s “Lost Eden” in Gorongosa National Park.
• Kayak through the enchanting mangroves of Ibo Island.
• Enjoy a charming beach picnic with fresh seafood on Benguerra Island.
• Witness colorful sea life while scuba diving at Two Mile Reef.
• Island hop on a sunset Dhow cruise through the Bazaruto Archipelago.
• Search for the elusive dugong—sea mammals once mistaken for mermaids.
• Delight in Mozambique’s world-famous, fresh prawns on a beach picnic.
• Test your surfing abilities on the waves at Tofinho.
• Enjoy sensational bush walks in Niassa National Reserve.
• Scuba dive through ancient shipwrecks.

Stay tuned for Part II of this guide, publishing this Friday! Also, we invite you to contact one of our safari specialists if you have any questions or want to start crafting your next trip to Africa.

Every culture has its own folklore and myths that have been passed on from generation to generation. Because Africa is comprised of hundreds upon hundreds of different cultures, it is consequently celebrated for thousands of mythical stories and folklore.

Many of Africa’s legends and myths encompass common themes, including life after death, world creation and origin, animals, and even the geography of the land. They also often deal with multiple Gods and spirits.

There are also many legends and beliefs that evolve around life after death and the spirits of the ancestors. The San tribesmen, for example, believe that their ancestors who have died turn into stars. Other myths state that ancestral spirits are with humans each day and that ceremonies must be performed to show respect to these relatives.

Below, we’ve outlined just a few stories and myths that have been passed down through the ages in Africa:

Table Mountain Myths: Situated at the tip of Africa is one of the African continent’s most magnificent attractions—Table Mountain. Aside from the spectacular beauty and sheer size of this extraordinary natural formation, Table Mountain has been the focus of several ancient African myths and legends.

Captain Van Hunks and the Devil: Dutch legend has it that the 18^th-century sea captain, Jan Van Hunks, retired to live on Table Mountain with his wife. To seek seclusion, Van Hunks would travel to the top of Table Mountain’s Devil’s Peak where he would rest and smoke his pipe. One day, Van Hunks was met by a stranger who asked the captain to participate in a smoking contest. Since Van Hunks never denied a good match, he agreed to enter the smoking contest with the stranger. After a great deal of tobacco was smoked, the stranger gave up. To Van Hunks’ surprise, the stranger turned out to be the devil, who was not pleased at losing. He vanished along with Van Hunks that night, with the thick cloud of pipe smoke still looming in the air.

Today, visitors to Table Mountain will see a table-cloth-like cloud that covers the top of the mountain. Legend says that this is the devil and Van Hunks continuing their smoking match.

The Battle of Qamata and the Sea Dragons: According to the ancient legend of the Xhosa people, Qamata was the creator of the world. As he was creating the earth, he wanted to form dry land. The dragons beneath the sea were furious with Qamata in his quest to create dry land and began an epic battle. Qamata’s mother, earth Goddess, Djobela, helped Qamata by creating four powerful giants that would protect the earth from the dragons. The giants were defeated by the dragons but wished Djobela to turn them into mountains so that they could continue to protect the land. According to traditional Xhosa beliefs, one of these four giants was turned into Table Mountain.

Animal-Related Myths: Animals serve a large role in the myths and legends of Africa. Many are personified in stories, embodying characteristics such as jealousy, trickery, and greed.

Many West African myths contain animal trickster characters—two of the most popular being a spider and a hare. The spider, Anansi, was portrayed as an animal that could trick even the most fearsome of creatures.

Other myths spotlight animals in a more positive role, such as the San tribesmen’s belief that the praying mantis is responsible for creating words and fire.

Gain a deeper insight into a trip to Africa by visiting our YouTube page.

When we asked our recent client, Rebecca Reynolds of Rebecca Reynolds Consulting, what impact Africa had on her, she responded “the people were so warm and hospitable; the country (South Africa) so beautiful and so rich in culture and history, and the animals of the bushveld, so intoxicating. My heart is open and full at the same time!”

In addition to visiting Africa for a vacation, Rebecca also attended the Aspen Institute’s Globalization Seminar, which took place in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Rebecca was kind enough to allow us to feature her recent newsletter excerpts about her trip to Africa on our blog. See below for her experiences in Africa:

Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens offered this stunningly festive glimpse of nature. Blossoms the luscious color of cranberry remind us at RRC of holiday feasts, and their plentitude is symbolic of the bounty we are grateful for. We wish you all the contentment and joy of a wonderful holiday season, and new visions of purpose for the New Year!

Lessons from Safari

Spending time in the bushveld of South Africa’s Mpumalanga province affords not only incredible wildlife viewing, but also some quiet lessons. First, the word safari is Swahili for “long journey,” bringing new meaning to what a safari portends. Next, the hours spent on game drives watching animals in the midst of their daily lives – taking a drink, preening, knocking down trees, nursing, rolling a matrimonial dung ball, or slithering across the road – bear witness to how great are the gifts each of us is given.

Every animal, no matter how small, has its ability, its camouflage, and its distinct role in the order of things. And they are, surprisingly, adept communicators: the impala snorts at the leopard, telling it that it’s been seen. The leopard grunts back, “Ok, relax, I’m not hunting you.” Simple, straightforward messages are key to getting along.

And finally, despite the enormous power of these animals to harm, there’s an understanding that allows humans such privileged access. The bush: an uncommon place for leadership learning.

Cape of Good Hope for 2012

Standing at the bottom of the African continent (okay, actually Cape Agulhas is the most southerly point) is a place conducive to historical reflection.

The first European to name the rocky point was Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who called it Cape of Storms in 1488. But later, John II of Portugal changed it to Good Hope. Dias must’ve encountered the vicious weather that prompted the namesake. And perhaps, the name also aptly described his mood since his crew forced him to turn back before he could proclaim the spice route for Portugal.

For King John, on the other hand, Dias’ adventure proved that the King’s tremendous investment in exploration would, in fact, pay off – he had plenty of good hope for a future maritime voyage to India. The cape’s name, then, is a case of perspective – and the optimist’s won the day.

As we stand at the end of 2011, gazing out to the open seas of 2012, let us appropriate the name for the coming New Year. 2012: the Year of Good Hope. Let’s raise a glass to it!

Leading from the Boma

Aspen Institute’s Globalization Seminar took place in Stellenbosch, just outside of Cape Town, assembling 60 world leaders in dialogue. Three groups of 20 convened in a boma, an open air, thatch-roofed structure indigenous to Africa, that allowed the breeze to ruffle paper and billow minds. The topic was leadership in the age of globalization, which was addressed through a series of readings from Seneca to Conrad, Thomas Friedman to Desmond Tutu.

What the immersive conversation showed was that, although the challenges are great in this time when the world is truly becoming one, there are far more similarities among us than might be expected. Economic prosperity, environmental justice, cultural expression, resource sustainability, and social well-being are priorities no matter who is talking. The question is, how will we create a new model of global governance through which these shared priorities may be realized equally for all?

Interested in learning more about Rebecca and Rebecca Reynolds Consulting? Click here to visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook.

You’ve seen them as a child in picture books, in zoos, on Discovery Channel, and in National Geographic magazine. You’ve put Africa on your bucket list just so you could see them in person and feel the pure exhilaration of an authentic safari. They are The Big Five and are one of the biggest reasons why many travelers visit Africa.

The Big Five are made up of some of Africa’s largest creatures (many of which are known as the world’s most fearsome predators) and include the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. And here’s a fun little fact for you: there is also such a thing as The Little Five, which include the elephant shrew, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, and antlion. These creatures are very small, of course.

So how did The Big Five get their name? The origins of this title come from big game hunters who would categorize these animals as the most dangerous and difficult to kill. They would boast about their victories over these huge creatures, which all possess similar attributes, including large bodies and teeth, strength, and speed. Today, these animals are known by the safari industry as The Big Five.

Because these animals are completely wild in the African bushveld, unlike a zoo, you cannot schedule sightings of these animals on safari and there is no way to guarantee a sighting. However, choosing the appropriate destinations and time to travel play a huge role in your game-viewing experiences. Various weather conditions (including the seasonal rains), migration patterns, and fluctuating food sources can affect where animals are more likely to be seen.

Below are just a few fun facts about each of The Big Five:

Lion

• A male lion’s mane typically begins to grow about a year and half after being born and can range from a light brown color to a dark chestnut color.
• Prides are comprised of various lion families and will hunt in packs. In fact, lions are the only cat species that hunt in a community effort.
• The lionesses are the ones in charge of attacking prey—not the male lions.
• Lionesses usually give birth to 3 cubs in one litter and female lions in the same pride usually give birth around the same time.
• Ever wonder why lions roar? They roar to attract their mates.
• Cubs are often the last ones to enjoy the fruits of a kill, which is why starvation is the number one cause of death for young lions.

Leopard

• The elusive leopard is often seen finding relaxation in the trees. In fact, they love lying on the branches so much that they will bring their fresh kill up the tree with them. This also helps to prevent scavengers from trying to get in on the kill.
• Just by the position of a leopard’s tail, antelope and another prey will know if a leopard is in hunting mode or not. When a leopard is not hunting for food, it can walk through a whole herd of antelope without startling them. The antelope know that the leopard is not hunting them because the leopard will flip its tail up and show its white bottom.
• A leopard will show its presence to others by coughing. This shows the intruding leopard that it has entered on the other’s territory.
• Leopards have been known to eat fish and small crustaceans and are particularly good swimmers.
• Black leopards often seem to be one solid color and are referred to as black panthers.

Elephant

• The elephant has approximately 100,000 muscles, just in its trunk! Their trunk is a highly diverse body part and can pick up large items, inhale and project water, feel for items on the ground, and detect temperature variations.
• Musth is the name for the time when male elephants go through an increase in reproductive hormones. This, in turn, causes their aggression and sexual activity to skyrocket.
• There are two species of elephant—the Asian elephant and the African elephant, with the Asian elephant being the smallest of the two.
• Elephants’ ears are an important cooling mechanism during those hot African days. Their ears emit heat in order to cool their bodies. Another way elephants keep cool is splashing through the water. They suck water up their trunks and spray it over their bodies to remain cool.

Rhino

• Rhinos love their space. In fact, they have been known to create territories as large as 3 square miles.
• The rhino’s strongest sense is its sense of smell. This is why on walking safaris, your professional safari guide will take into account the direction of the wind to ensure that your scent won’t travel to the rhino.
• Rhinoceros are a group of five species of odd-toed ungulates in the family rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia.
• The rhinoceros family is characterized by its large size (one of the largest remaining mega fauna alive today), and all species are able to reach one ton or more in weight, have a thick protective skin (1.5–5 cm thick) formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure, have relatively small brains for mammals this size (400–600g), and have a large horn.

Cape Buffalo

• Approximately 900,000 Cape buffalo live in sub-Saharan and South Africa, making it one of the most populated animal species in Africa.
• The Cape buffalo live in herds of hundreds and do not mark their territories.
• With very few natural threats to the Cape buffalo, humans are the largest predator to these creatures.

What is your favorite Big Five animal?

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