Whether you’ve been dreaming about a trip to Africa since you first learned about the continent or have developed a yen to travel there more recently, you probably have a long list of reasons why you’d like to visit.

One of the most popular reasons to visit Africa is to view its abundant wildlife on a safari vacation. Unlike many highly developed Western countries, much of the African continent remains open, where large animals roam freely and in such profusion that visitors can observe their majesty at close quarters.

Another reason Africa draws visitors is because of the landscapes: rugged mountains, sweeping plains, and the way rainstorms, rainbows, and sunsets set off these features.

Regardless of your initial reason for visiting Africa, you’ll probably come away from your trip deeply touched by something other than the continent’s inspiring landscapes or stunning animals. After journeying to Africa, you will almost certainly be profoundly affected by the people you meet there.

Africa’s People

Again and again, travelers to Africa exclaim about the generosity, kindness, and hospitality among the people they meet on their trips. Many people find that the energy of the people in Africa has a transformative effect on them, giving them fresh insight into their lives and their world.

Safari guides, tour leaders, merchants, and residents alike often strike visitors to Africa with their joy in serving others. In addition to the people who call Africa home, most travelers encounter natives of the rest of the world (including Europe, Australia, North America, and Asia) who also touch their lives in meaningful ways.

Lifelong Friendships

Experiencing something new has profound effects on the human psyche, and we tend to form unique bonds with those who share new experiences with us. That’s why so many travelers to Africa find that, 20 years after their first trip, they are still in contact with the people they met on that journey—and often are planning to meet up again in another African locale!

As you prepare for your next trip to Africa, leave some time for conversations with the people you meet along the way. More than anything else, these genuine encounters are what make travel meaningful and rewarding.

Have you ever met a lifelong friend while traveling? Tell us about it below!

Ever wonder what summer camp is like for African children? In many nations of southern Africa (including Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia), an organization called Children in the Wilderness provides camp experiences for African children that teach them the value of conserving their natural resources.

Through programs that focus on environmental protection and life skills, Children in the Wilderness educates African children about the important role that conservation plays in preserving the wild spaces in their countries. The goal of this organization is to develop future leaders who will promote the best interests of the land and wildlife around them.

Here’s a closer look at the Children in the Wilderness programs, each of which focuses on the environmental issues and challenges unique to its region.

Botswana

The first country to establish a Children in the Wilderness program, Botswana has hosted about 96 children each year since 2001, in camps located along the Okavango Delta. In addition to a six-day Environmental Stewardship Program that students attend in the wilderness, they can participate in Environmental Clubs at their schools, funded and organized by Children in the Wilderness.

Malawi

The 50 to 96 children who visit Malawi’s Myuu Camp each year stay on Lake Malawi. Because of their proximity to this water body, their lessons focus on water conservation efforts and methods for using the lake sustainably. Children here also learn to swim and get the opportunity to interview every staff member of the Malawi chapter of Children in the Wilderness. Graduates of Malawi’s program have established a tree nursery and fence protection and maintenance program nearby.

Namibia

Since is start in 2002, roughly 90 children have attended Namibia’s Children in the Wilderness programs each year. Many of the program’s graduates are now permanently employed with Wilderness Safaris, a guide group that offers Namibia safari tours.

South Africa

South African children can visit one of two wilderness camp locations, Pafuri Camp and Rocktail Beach Camp. With a total of 69 attendees each year, the South African chapter of Children in the Wilderness has expanded its reach with the Environmental Clubs it established in the Makuleke Community.

Zambia

Because poaching is a major concern in Kafue National Park and South Luangwa National Park, where Zambia’s wilderness programs are hosted, the curriculum here focuses on how to prevent that crime. In addition to the 90 children per year who get to visit the actual camp, Zambia’s chapter offers follow-up programs in the schools.

Zimbabwe

The 130 children who attend the program at Linkwasha Camp in Hwange National Park each year hail from villages around the park and from an AIDS orphanage located in the town of Dete. Instead of follow-up programs run in the schools, Zimbabwe’s programs run nutrition, literacy, and school facility upgrade programs, which leaders decided the Zimbabwean population needed more immediately than environmental follow-up.

Donate to Africa’s Conservation Efforts!

If you’d like to learn more about the work that Children in the Wilderness does for African children, or if you’d like to sponsor a child or make a donation, you can do so on the Children in the Wilderness website.

What conservation lessons do you think we need to start teaching?

While much of the artwork produced in Africa today can be purchased and taken home as a commemoration of your travel, some of Africa’s art is much more fixed in its location. One prominent example is the rock art created by the San people, members of a tribe that lived in present-day South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.

In the Drakensberg region of South Africa, visitors can visit these fascinating rock paintings, some of which date back thousands of years.

The Spiritual Importance of San Rock Art

Because members of the San tribe created some of these paintings as recently as 200 years ago, anthropologists have a unique understanding of what the images signified for the San people—and how they connect to other cave paintings around the world.

San rock art often depicts beings that are half-human and half-animal. According to anthropologists, these pictures represent the spiritual journeys undertaken by the medicine men of San tribes. Similar to shamans in Native American cultures, these medicine men would plunge themselves into trances in order to commune with the spirit world on behalf of their tribes.

The depicted transformation into a partially animal state is thought to represent the intense psychic struggle these medicine men underwent on behalf of their tribes as they attempted to affect rains, animal migration patterns, and other important natural forces.

History Captured on Rocks

Another fascinating element of this South African rock art is its ability to capture the changes the San people experienced as white settlers first came to their homeland. While older depictions contain a single color and show large predatory animals in “enemy” roles, newer art includes multiple hues and, eventually, guns in place of big predators.

Image above taken from PBS.org.

Scholars believe these changes reflect the increasing complexity the San people faced when their culture encountered those of Europeans for the first time.

If you’re interested in the history of art, be sure to schedule time to visit some San rock art during your next trip to Africa!

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?

Below are 5 of the top things to see and do while visiting Rwanda:

Embark on a gorilla trekking safari in Parc des Volcans: Witness one of the world’s most powerful and awe-inspiring creatures in Rwanda’s acclaimed national park, Parc des Volcans, on a high-energy gorilla trekking safari. During this specialized safari experience, you’ll have the opportunity to hike up one of the six Virunga Volcanoes to come in contact with the giant mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The lush terrain provides an enchanting atmosphere for gorilla trekking, where visitors pass through bamboo forests and rainforests in search of this famous creature. While traveling up the slopes of Parc des Volcans, guests can witness a variety of other primate species, as well as an abundance of birds.

Where to stay: Sabyino Silverback Lodge

Visit Akagera National Park: Located on the border of Tanzania, Akagera National Park is covered with wildlife-clad swamps and lakes, and characterized by its sprawling savannah landscape and towering acacia trees. Visitors to the area can embark on exciting game drives to witness giraffe, zebra, impala, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, crocodile, fish eagle, shoebill stork, and giant herds of elephant and buffalo. Because of the region’s seclusion from other famous game viewing destinations, Akagera National Park offers guests a completely private and personalized experience that brings them deep into the wilderness of Rwanda.

Where to stay: Akagera Game Lodge

Gain unique cultural insight at the Iby’Iwacu cultural village: Discover the local traditions and culture of Rwandans in the cultural village of Iby’Iwacu. During your visit, you’ll meet and interact with local people and take part in some of their daily activities. Some of the things you might do while visiting include community walks, watching traditional dances performed by community members, learning about Rwanda’s musical instruments and performances, visiting local schools, and cooking traditional cuisine with the locals. You might also enjoy a visit with a local traditional healer to discover his various medicinal plants or perhaps you’d like to witness how locals prepare their traditional local banana beer. The list goes on and can be completely customized based on your interests and personal preferences.

Where to stay: Virunga Lodge

Primate and bird watching safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park: Speckled with Zen-inducing waterfalls, stunning wild orchids, and delicate butterflies, Nyungwe Forest National Park is an enchanting land that appears to have been plucked from a fairytale. Some of the primates that can be witnessed on a primate safari include grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, silver monkeys, and l’Hoest’s monkeys. In terms of bird species that can be witnessed in the park, Nyungwe Forest is a sanctuary for more than 300 species of bird, 27 of which are endemic to the region. Some of the birds visitors can see include the mountain sooty boubou, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Rwenzori Hill babbler, a variety of sunbird species, handsome francolin, and the red-collared mountain babbler—just to name a few.

Where to stay: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Discover the history and culture of Rwanda at the National Museum: One of the best ways to take in all of the history and culture of Rwanda is by visiting the National Museum of Rwanda. Located in Butare, the National Museum is home to unique artifacts and traditional tools, as well as monochrome photographs taken in pre-colonial years. The museum also houses some of the traditional art that is still produced in Rwanda today, which includes baskets, ceramics, woodcarvings, paintings, and more. Much of the museum reveals the history of Rwanda at the end of the 19th century when the first Europeans came to the area.

Where to stay: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

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Guest interview with Dave Estment. **All images below were taken by and are owned by Dave Estment.

Recently we published an interview with Naomi Estment, author of Out of Air, about her upcoming novel and her mission to help the plight of the African penguin. Today, we interview her husband, Dave Estment. One of our favorite wildlife photographers and videographers, Dave is extremely talented in capturing the intricate beauty of wildlife.

In our interview, Dave shares wildlife photography tips, as well as advice on what photography equipment you should use while on an African safari. It is a real treat to get exceptional firsthand knowledge from such a noted photographer as Dave. So whether you’re a blossoming photographer or a professional photographer, you don’t want to miss this interview!

See below for the interview:

What types of safaris provide the most photogenic material? Specifically, do you find walking safaris yield the best photos?

You know what; wildlife is highly unpredictable. I find that being quiet and patient often result in special photographic opportunities.

It does not matter if you are walking in the bush or driving in a vehicle, you usually spot the animal or bird before you get the opportunity to take a shot. Then you need to ensure that everyone in the party becomes quiet and that you stop walking or driving. Most animals are reasonably used to the sound of vehicles, so generally do not spook quickly if you are not too close. Respect their space, and you will be amazed how close you can get if everyone is quiet and calm.

Firstly, ensure that your equipment is properly prepared and set up to take advantage of any photographic opportunities that may present themselves. The second thing is to get as close as you can without spooking the subject. At the same time, ensure that you position yourself in the best possible way in terms of light, composition, and perspective (above, level or below the subject). Thirdly, be patient and wait for the subject to behave or position itself for the best possible shot.

Do not forget that you may have non-photographers with you. If so, bear in mind that they do not want to wait all day for you to take photographs!

Your rangers and guides should be trained and ready to assist you to get the results you want.

For a traveller who wants to take high-quality photos on safari, in your opinion, what camera and lenses would you suggest he or she purchase?

There is no doubt that modern compact point-and-shoot cameras can take really nice pictures, but do not believe for a second that they can compete with higher-end or professional equipment. Shutter lag, sensor technology and size, lens quality, and functionality are just a couple of issues to take into account when selecting equipment for wildlife photography. Wildlife is a difficult genre to master, and giving yourself the best chance to do well at it is certainly enhanced by using the best gear your budget and degree of passion will allow.

Ask a pro for advice, not the salesman at your local store, as you could end up with what they want to sell, not what you actually need!

Whilst on the subject of gear, you may have a limit as to how much gear you can travel with, due to weight and space constraints. If this is the case, be practical and limit yourself to the following:

- Two or three lenses, one from about 18-80mm (wide angle), one from 80-400mm or 50-500mm (Telephoto), and possibly a macro lens. Buy the best quality you can afford, and try to have lenses with a maximum aperture of F4 or better, but F5.6 at worst, although this does come at a price premium.

- Two camera bodies, which will help a lot to prevent dust on the CCD because you do not have to switch lenses in dusty conditions. In addition, if one fails, you have a back up.

- A good speedlight or flash, which helps a huge amount for fill-in photography, and allows great night photography when combined with high ISO.

- A good tripod, or possibly a monopod with a medium sized ball-head attached to allow camera pivoting and reduce camera shake.

- Plenty of memory on three or four cards, to allow for card failures, which can be disastrous.

- Try to fit everything into a good quality backpack-type camera bag, to keep things compact and allow for any walking you may have to do to find your subjects.

- Very importantly, keep a good micro cloth and lens liquid handy to keep your lenses and equipment spotlessly clean, to ensure clear, sharp images of which you can be proud.

I use Nikon professional gear, but if you already have another brand such as Canon, that is not a problem as most brands make really good gear these days, and you are only limited by your budget to spending between $500 and $50,000!

Dave Estment

Outdoor Video and Photographic

Website: www.ovandp.co.za

Email: dave.e@mweb.co.za

Mobile: +27 82 882 7272

More of Dave’s wildlife work can also be viewed on his wife’s blog: Naomi’s Notes (2010 SA Best Photographic Blog Finalist)

Our interview with Dave isn’t over just yet! Stay tuned for PART II of this exclusive interview.

What inspires travelers to choose a trip to Africa above any other exotic destination in the entire world? Although it is different for everyone, many individuals would say that one of their lifelong dreams has been to experience an African safari. These adventurers-at-heart might say that from the time they were 10 years-old they’ve imagined blazing through the bush and sprawling plains of Africa with the wind in their hair and the wildlife by their side. But what many travelers don’t realize, prior to their first visit to Africa, is that there is something much greater at work within this glorious continent.

There is something mysterious about Africa that ignites something within. Many would consider the catalyst behind this powerful feeling of bliss to be the pure energy emitted by all living things in Africa.

Everything from the smell of the first rains to the melting sunsets, the bright colors of the sky to the empowering sounds, and the magnetic wildlife to the intricate eco-systems, all have an indescribable energy that lives and thrives. Africa is a place where you leave with a new outlook on life and on yourself. But, what many travelers to Africa consider to be the beating heart within this palpable energy are the people of this fascinating continent.

The People

The people you come in contact with while in Africa will most likely be the most genuine and hospitable individuals you will ever meet. Their smiles, gentleness, sense of welcoming, laughter, kindness, and joy in providing you with happiness on your trip are so powerful that you cannot help but feel transformed by their energy.

Many first time travelers to Africa are blown away by the gentleness and attentiveness expressed by the natives, including staff members and safari guides. In fact, most individuals say that their needs and desires have never been addressed as promptly, thoroughly, and joyously, as they were in Africa.

The Relationships that Form

Every individual you meet in Africa, whether a local, safari guide, staff member, or other traveler, offers another opportunity to build a lasting relationship that lives with you throughout the rest of your life.

As you converse with your private safari guides, who are often with you for days on end, you build a unique relationship with those individuals.

Coming into contact with other travelers is also a highly enriching experience as each individual or group is often from a different part of the world than you. This enhances your cultural experience as you are not only interacting with and learning about African cultures, but you are also speaking with people from Europe, China, Australia, the United States, Canada, and more. Africa’s ability to attract a variety of different people and cultures is what makes it one of the most enriching melting pots of the world.

The Memories

Interacting with the people you meet in Africa will quite possibly be some of the most inspirational memories that remain with you for the rest of your life. Every experience you have in the bush with your guide, family members, and new-found friends is something each and every one of you can connect with 20 years down the road and share with new generations, family members, and friends.

An African safari experience encompasses much more than a scheduled morning and night game drive through the African bush. The true experience lies in your connection with nature, the people, and the land. Many times, African safari providers, camps, and lodges are merely focused on a scheduled touring session where participants can view animals and take pictures at a specific time of the day. But these safari goers rarely experience the authenticity and complexity of the region and its varying eco-systems on these rigidly scheduled safari tours.

There is more to a safari excursion than what you see right in front of you, and no one understands this concept more than Lukula Selous. Located in The Selous Game Reserve of Tanzania, Lukula Selous is comprised of a full team of expert staff and guides who believe in bringing the spirit of Africa and its radiant wildernesses to life for each and every guest.

Through their rich knowledge of the land, people, and animals, and traditional tracking abilities Lukula Selous highly-experienced and certified guides have the unique ability to immerse every guest into their natural surroundings. Specifically, guides introduce their safari participants to traditional tracking techniques and the various wildlife found throughout Tanzania during their year-round safari expeditions.

Below is a description of each season and what to expect when visiting during that specific time of year:

The High Season:

Some of the best months to experience a walking safari and vehicle safari in Tanzania are between mid-June and mid-November when the seasonal rains have vanished and animals move to the nearby rivers for nutrients. Thanks to the lack of vegetation and water supply, hippos, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, and impala are frequently spotted by the river banks, making tracking a bit easier during your walking safari.

As one of the most popular and adventurous forms of safari tours, a guided walking safari is full of exciting discoveries, and requires some detective work on your end. You ll learn how to use traditional tracking methods to find large game such as elephant and buffalo, and have access to grass hides, which allow for safe animal viewing and wonderful photography opportunities.

As the beginning of November approaches, plants blossom and migrant birds approach, creating a delightful mix of colors and extraordinary visual pleasures.

The Short Rains And The Long Rains:

Both characterized by adventurous activities, the short and long rains bear some of the most beautiful flora, and are some of the best times to track animal movement.

The short rains, which occur between mid-November and late January, bear an extraordinary display of wildflowers and lush flora. As the rains come, the rivers fill and drive hippos to the outer reaches of the tributaries. When January arrives, buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra move in large herds toward the hills, while impala remain in the plains with the elusive wild dog waiting to strike.
When the long rains come between the beginning of May to mid-June floodplains begin to dry and large and small game begin traveling to the main rivers as their main source for food supply and water.

Some of the greatest safari expeditions to enjoy during these months are extended walking safaris and canoeing safaris. The walking safaris provide a bit more excitement and adventure for visitors as tracking becomes a bit more challenging.

Patrolling And Monitoring Season:

Aimed toward the more adventurous, this season occurring between the beginning of February and continuing through the end of April offers Lukula Selous guests the rare opportunity to join Lukula guides in the field to perform censuses and to patrol. During these patrolling sessions, the team is dropped off at a start point via aircraft and then picked up a few days later at a predetermined destination. Food and supplies are provided for all members of the patrolling session.

No Matter The Season . . .

As small guided groups travel through the beautiful reaches of The Selous Game Reserve, new discoveries and adventures constantly arise. Lukula Selous guides don t focus on a rigid schedule, as the wilderness can often be unpredictable. Rather, their excursions are flexible and geared toward finding the prime spots that yield an abundance of wildlife. Therefore, you never know where the day might take you, but you re sure to discover new and exciting things each day.

An African safari vacation is something you will remember for the rest of your life. But wouldn’t it be nice to have tangible memories of everything you experienced while on your African safari vacation?

Here are a few unique projects you can do to help preserve all of your African safari memories—no matter how small they may seem at the time:

Lunch at La Colombe Restaurant

1. The written word: Prior to your African safari vacation, you’ll already have your perfectly planned safari itinerary prepared, outlining each day’s activities and destinations. Before leaving for Africa, purchase a journal and breakdown your itinerary into categories. You could break them down into countries you will be visiting, lodges or camps you’ll be staying in, or types of destinations you’re headed to—whether it’s urban or rural, historical or cultural, or on the coast. There’s no right or wrong way to create your journal. It’s yours.

Then, create detailed sections within each category. For example, if you’re going to Cape Winelands for three days, designate three separate sections of your journal for each day you spend in Cape Winelands. Within each section, create your very own subcategories such as Where I had breakfast, Most exciting adventure of the day, Most beautiful thing I saw today, Favorite wine I tasted today, Favorite food I tasted today, etc. The possibilities are endless!

This allows you to leisurely capture every moment of your day without having to struggle through all the day’s events, trying to get them down into words. This also ensures you don’t forget to write down some of the greatest parts of the day.

2. The perfect coffee table book: Scrap booking is a wonderful way to capture your adventures into a fun-filled read after returning home from your African safari vacation. While you are in Africa, collect tourist pamphlets and hotel cards, save your itineraries, and keep two or three money bills to put into your scrap book. Any authentic keepsakes you can find that would fit into a scrap book are perfect.

When you return home, purchase stickers related to your adventures, construction paper to use as the background of your scrap book pages, write small notes or funny quotes you remember from your trip and paste them next to photos you took, use different shaped scissors to cut your photo edges with, and paste photos throughout the book. Burn the edges of paper that you write mini notes on or burn the edges of construction paper to give your scrap book a worn look. Have fun!

Once you are finished with your scrap book, you can place it on your living room coffee table and present it to guests. This form of memory preservation is not only fun to create, but it’s also an engaging work of art.

3. Preservation of individual moments in time: Although photographing is an obvious form of memory preservation, there are a variety of unique ways to organize your photos and share them with others. You could create an album for each country you visited, make animal and bird albums, or create a slideshow that you can put onto a CD and send to family and friends. Remember to write up notes associated with each photograph and paste them into the album.

4. Split seconds of excitement: In order to simultaneously capture the sounds and sights of Africa, you’ll need to invest in a mini video camera. A Flip video is a small, handheld video camera with excellent picture and sound, that enables you to take it anywhere and everywhere during your African safari vacation. Its sleek build makes it easily accessible for those split second captures of a lion killing a zebra, or a hyena stalking its prey.

And when you go back to edit your video, you can select single images to make into photos.

5. Artistic interpretations: This may not be appealing to some, which is completely understandable, but drawing allows you to express the emotions you feel at that particular moment. Drawings don’t have to be the work of artistic masterminds such as Monet or Michelangelo, they are your own personal feelings toward what you are experiencing or seeing that day. Perhaps a drawing means more to you than a photographic image, because they are your own interpretation of what you see and feel. If you are going to be drawing on your trip, don’t forget to pack all of your artistic materials. Don’t get crazy though. Some pencils and paper will do just fine. Maybe even some soft pastels.