Whether you’d like to bask in the luxury of a renowned hotel or surround yourself with the rustic charm of mobile or semi-mobile tent lodges, you can plan an ecotourism vacation to Africa that will live up to all your dreams.

In order to ensure that your trip meets your expectations and contributes to more ecologically sustainable practices in Africa, take the time to follow through on each of these pre-travel items.

#1: Choose a reputable sustainable tourism agency.

There are many of ecotourism companies that arrange trips to Africa. When choosing the one you work with, consider its trustworthiness (i.e. whether it actually promotes environmentally friendly practices) and its expertise in planning the type of vacation you want.

Specifically, look for…

• Knowledgeable staff members. The people you talk with should be able to offer you plentiful information about ecotourism activities and programs where you plan to travel, and should explain how these efforts affect the health of the environment. Ask specific questions to educate yourself and determine whether the company has done its homework.

• Sustainable tourism credentials. Certification from outside bodies that regulate ecotourism is a sign that a company has real chops in the sustainable travel industry. Hills of Africa (with which this blog is affiliated) is certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), a major regulator of ecotourism in Africa. Another positive sign is that a company works in conjunction with (or has established of its own accord) a conservation foundation.

• Evidence of travel partners. Experienced eco-travel companies generally have Africa-based partners that include safari guides, hotels and other accommodations, tour guides, and more. Get a list of travel partners from any company you consider working with, and research the partners on your own. This will give you an idea of whether a vacation planned by this company will meet your criteria for an excellent trip.

• Testimonials from satisfied clients. Testimonials provide some of the clearest evidence of a company’s success (or failure)! If you can’t find evidence of testimonials on a travel company’s website, ask about them.

#2: Learn about your options.

Planning your trip to Africa will involve three major planning categories: accommodations, activities, and dining (once you’ve taken care of transportation). Speak with your travel agent about your options for each of these, and research them on your own to get an idea of how you want to spend your time.

#3: Choose your accommodations.

If you’re on a budget, consider “treating” yourself to some luxury accommodations and balancing these with more rustic options in other locations. Your choices for where to stay will run the gamut, so be sure to do location-specific research before committing so you know what to expect from each place you stay!

You may also consider choosing your accommodations based on which you perceive to be the most “eco-friendly.” Most sustainable accommodations provide information about their specific efforts to conserve resources, and those efforts range from using solar panels to building only with renewable materials to offering tours only on foot or bike.

#4: Plan your activities!

As you research your activities, be sure to learn about the ecological impact each has. Some safaris, for example, donate part of every fee to conservation efforts. If you prefer to get off the beaten path, consider asking your travel guide about places you can volunteer your time and energy to help build sustainable structures or participate in service activities.

Start Planning Your Sustainable Trip to Africa!

If you can hardly contain your excitement for your next ecotourism adventure to Africa, feel free to contact our eco-travel agency for more information!

Image to the left taken from the !Khwa ttu website.

Does the thought of ancient tribes and cultures, anthropology, and history make your heart pound with excitement? If so, you will absolutely love an interactive tour with San tribe descendants at !Khwa ttu in South Africa.

Located an hour from the Cape Town city center is the fascinating !Khwa ttu—a unique San Education and Culture Centre. Not your average cultural center, !Khwa ttu will introduce you to the traditions, history, languages, hunting and survival skills, art, customs, and descendants of southern Africa’s first indigenous people.

This unforgettable experience is guided by a member of the San tribe who will provide you with a holistic view of the San culture, taking you back thousands of years ago to discuss the ancient customs of the San tribe and bringing you forward to the modern-day life of the San people.

Image to the right taken from the !Khwa ttu website.

Here is what you can expect on a guided !Khwa ttu tour:

Explore !Khwa ttu’s neighboring fauna and flora: To start off your tour, you will be taken through the rolling hills of !Khwa ttu via a tractor where your guide will discuss the various plant life and animal species that you  will witness during your drive. Some of the animals you’ll see on your minisafari include zebra, oryx, and springbok. One of the highlights of this portion of the tour is that your guide will discuss some of the ancient animal stories that were told via oral storytelling—a vital component of the San culture. The opportunity to hear one of the San tribesman share his ancestor’s stories on to you is one of the most honorable feelings in the world and something you will certainly cherish for the rest of your life.

Embark on an educational nature walk: If you ever get lost in the woods, I assure you, this highly informative nature walk will come in handy! During this walk, you’ll discover how the San tribe has survived for thousands of years using traditional hunting, gathering, and tracking methods. You’ll witness bird snare demonstrations, and discover how to store water in ostrich eggs. Your guide will also introduce you to medicinal uses for indigenous plant species.

Tour through a model of a traditional San village: From bow and arrow demonstrations to ornate jewelry displays, there is excitement around every corner in the San village replica. But it’s not all demonstrations—you’ll be able to take part in using traditional digging sticks, shoot a fire-tip arrow, and start a controlled fire using only the earth’s elements.

By the end of this portion of the tour, you’ll not only be educated in San culture, but you’ll also have the survival skills of Bear Grylls (host of Discovery channel’s Man vs. Wild)!

Image to the left taken from the !Khwa ttu website.

And to top the whole tour off, your guide will describe ancient trance dance rituals, healing rituals, and the egalitarian society in which the San tribesmen lived in.

Refresh your body and senses at the Boma and restaurant: After your exciting tour, enjoy views of Table Mountain as you sip a beverage at the Boma, or delight in some delectable food at the !Khwa ttu restaurant—either way, you’ll feel rejuvenated for your next adventure!

The restaurant at !Khwa ttu is located in a restored old farmhouse that serves world-class breakfast and lunch, using only the freshest local ingredients.

Although their menu is seasonal, here are just a few items you might find being served:

• Orange and goat cheese salad
• Pan fried prawn and garlic butter
• Traditional bobotie (a must-try local dish!)
• Chicken fillet on polenta and lemon cream sauce
• Springbok Carpaccio and paw-paw

Find charming souvenirs and artwork at The Arts and Crafts Shop: Every item sold at The Arts and Crafts shop is produced by the San people who live all across southern Africa, making each item completely unique and authentic. The profits made at The Arts and Crafts Shop goes directly back to the San artists to help them facilitate economic stability in their local communities. The San people can use !Khwa ttu’s shop as an avenue to sell their creations and make money for their family and communities.

Some of the most spectacular works of art sold in the shop include ostrich eggshell jewelry (handmade in the traditional manner), bags, bracelets, paintings, carved wooden statues, and more.

It is also important to note that !Khwa ttu is Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certified, which means that they apply fair trade principles to all of their business practices, such as producing fair wages, satisfactory working conditions, ethical business practices, and respect for human rights and the environment.

For more information on Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certified tour providers, contact us today.

From endangered wildlife to poverty-stricken communities, and uneducated children to unsatisfactory medical facilities, there is no doubt that many of the people and wildlife living in southern and eastern Africa are in desperate need of financial, emotional, and physical support.

So if you are passionate about helping the people and wildlife of Africa in every way you can, then here are some fun ways to spread awareness for and raise money for some of the leading non-profit organizations in southern and eastern Africa:

Host a Movie Night: If you live in a community that has a club house or small outdoor field, speak to the managers of these areas to see if you can host a movie night where you show a documentary or a film related to Africa. One of the best Africa movies is Gorillas in the Mist, a movie that chronicles the life of Dian Fossey.

Documentary films are also great to feature and one of our all time favorites is National Geographic’s Africa’s Lost Eden: Gorongosa. This film does a phenomenal job at depicting the fascinating history of the area and the restorative efforts that are going on today to help bring Gorongosa back to its once glorious conditions.

Hold a Garage Sale: Looking to get rid of some furniture, old bicycles, kitchen accessories, and home décor items that you no longer use? Hold a garage sale where all profits you earn go toward your favorite non-profit in Africa. When you advertise your garage sale, be sure to mention that all money you receive during the garage sale will be donated to your selected organization. This might encourage more people to attend your garage sale and purchase from you. It also might discourage individuals from trying to negotiate lower prices on your items.

Exercise your crafting and creativity skills: Do you love to paint, sew, or take photographs in your spare time? Why not sell these items and donate all profits to your favorite African non-profit organization? It’s a win-win for everyone—you have fun crafting, the consumer enjoys your work of art, and the people and / or wildlife of Africa benefit from your creations.

Participate in a Sponsored Athletic Event: Do you frequently participate in marathons, running events, regattas, or other competitive competitions? Ask individuals who you know, as well as local businesses, if they would be willing to sponsor you. All your proceeds could then go to your selected African organization. And if you happen to win and acquire a cash prize, donate that prize to your selected organization.

Interested in learning about our sustainable safari itineraries? Click here.

The delicate aquatic world is affected each and every day by changes in temperatures, chemical spills, human activity, and overfishing. Below are just a few organizations that are working hard to preserve the coastal waters of Africa and the species that call it home:

Sea Research Foundation: One of South Africa’s most interesting species is the African penguin. Unfortunately, with a 42% decrease in populations, the African penguin has been added to the endangered species list. In an effort to save the plight of the African penguin, Sea Research Foundation was establish and is dedicated to educating people, training specialists, studying wildlife, rescuing stranded animals, and researching and studying the vast oceans of the world.

The Sea Research Foundation tirelessly studies changes in ocean temperatures, chemicals, and human activity, and creates campaigns to help conserve the fragile species of the oceans. Today, Sea Research Foundation is working diligently on a research project that analyzes the decrease in African penguin populations and works to devise a long-term solution to help preserve the populations of this fascinating species.

Whale Research and Marine Conservation Project: One of our favorite things about African Impact’s Whale Research and Marine Conservation project is that it enables travelers to volunteer in marine research and monitoring activities. Travelers interested in volunteering can join a team of South African biologists as they monitor, study, and assess the coastal waters of South Africa.

Focused primarily on whale research, the Whale Research and Marine Conservation project embarks on several daily trips into the coastal waters to observe mother Southern Right whales with their calves. During these trips, volunteers assist biologists as they collect data about whale behavior and appearance, and photograph whale movements.

The Island Conservation Society: Organized in an effort to conserve the fragile biodiversity of the Seychelles Islands, The Island Conservation Society (ICS) strives to preserve the delicate and untouched beauty of the islands, as well as the endemic species that live there. Because the Seychelles Islands are small, compared to other conservation areas, ICS is able to properly control negative foreign influences on the land and wildlife, and manage the region’s vegetation and wildlife.

In addition to managing the preservation of the islands’ biodiversity, ICS also works to educate individuals, both locally and worldwide, on the importance of island conservation. ICS’s conservation projects include the Fonds Francais Pour L’environnement Mondiale (FFEM) and the Turtle Monitoring & Conservation project.

The FFEM was established to eliminate all foreign predator species that were introduced to the area, rehabilitate natural habitats, and monitor and reintroduce endangered species to the area.

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Below are some of the best low-impact Africa tour providers:

Uthando South Africa: With over 30 different Philanthropic Cultural Tours—accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism—Uthando South Africa is a leader in responsible travel and touring. Whenever a traveler tours one of the Uthando community projects, Uthando makes a per person donation to that particular project. Each of Uthando’s tours is customized to the traveler’s preferences; therefore, if you wish to visit projects that only deal with underprivileged children, you may do so.

Uthando’s philanthropic cultural tours provide all participants with a rare and unique insight into the social, political, health, housing, education, and economic atmosphere of local South African communities. Some of Uthando’s most celebrated projects include Abalimi Bezekhaya—an urban agriculture program that provides education and resources for sustainable food production among the poverty-stricken individuals in Cape Town; Hout Bay Music Project—a project that works to provide impoverished children with musical skills and bring light to their lives; and the Volcano Arts Project—a program involving locals and children into community theater.

Below is a video of Uthando’s Hout Bay Music Project:

AWOL Tours: Providing visitors with a responsible and low-impact way to travel through South Africa’s most historic and culturally abundant spots, AWOL Tours is one of our favorite South African tour providers. Most notable are AWOL’s Cape Town bicycle tours, such as their Cape Town City Cycle Tours and Cape Peninsula Cycle Tours. During these tours, you’ll have the opportunity to soak in all of the wonderful details and elements of Cape Town, and learn about the various areas and historical sites from an experienced AWOL guide. All profits made by AWOL are generated back into the local economy to spur sustainable growth.

ConservAfrica: With a holistic vision to provide conservation benefits to local African organizations, game reserves, travelers, and wildlife, ConservAfrica established Wildlife Conservation Safaris. These safaris differ greatly from more traditional safaris because participants experience hands-on participation in adventurous wildlife protection initiatives. Whether catching and releasing lions, tagging elephants, or tracking white and black rhino movements, there is never a dull moment during a Wildlife Conservation Safari. All of the profits for these safaris go toward ConservAfrica’s wildlife conservation initiatives in southern Africa.

**Image above courtesy of James Harding of ConservAfrica.

Conservancy Safaris: As a community-owned safari outfitter—one of the few in Africa—Conservancy Safaris is operated by knowledgeable and experienced locals and safari professionals. When you participate in Conservancy Safaris, you not only experience a completely authentic and highly rewarding safari, but you also discover new and exciting elements of the local cultures. Because Conservancy Safaris offers excursions in Namibia, the local Himba and Herero people are employed, reaping the rewards of sustainable tourism.

Campfire Safaris: One of our favorite responsible tour providers, Campfire Safaris, offers travelers the opportunity to discover pure adventure and develop valuable life skills while giving back to the land and people of Africa. From field guiding to horse trail guiding, and marine conservation training to land conservation training, Campfire Safaris in South Africa offers volunteer opportunities, internships, and guide certification courses to fit various personal interests.

Click here to learn more about responsible and low-impact tourism.

See below for a list of some of our favorite low-impact Africa organizations, trusts, and foundations:

Camfed: With a vision to educate every young girl in Zimbabwe to ensure a prosperous future for all, Camfed establish itself in 1993 to raise funds for sending young Zimbabwean girls to high school. Today, less than half of the children in Zimbabwe do not attend high school, primarily due to the parents’ lack of funds. Many times, young girls must drop out of high school, which dramatically increases their chances of contracting HIV, becoming pregnant, or marrying very young.

Since their beginnings, Camfed has provided educational programs to over 700,000 children and has helped 16,000 young girls get the support they needed to become successful, self-sustaining individuals. Camfed works to raise funds to provide individual girls with four-year scholarships. Each year the scholarship costs $300 and includes school fees, transportation fees, room and board fees, uniforms, school supplies, toiletries, and empowerment programs.

Learn more about Camfed.

The Carr Foundation in Gorongosa: As one of Africa’s most beloved and celebrated national parks, Gorongosa was a haven for jetsetters and celebrities in the 1960s. As the 1980s approached, political and social turmoil spread throughout the region, sparking one of the most devastating civil wars in the history of the world. Gorongosa was left in shambles and wildlife either left the area or was killed in the middle of Gorongosa’s unrest.

The Carr Foundation, established by philanthropist and former businessman Greg Carr, is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring Gorongosa’s wildlife, economy, and communities. The primary focus of the foundation is to create a self-sustaining Mozambique, providing employment to locals, building educational and health care facilities, and reintroducing wildlife back into Gorongosa.

Learn more about The Carr Foundation.

Ol Malo Trust: As one of the world’s most unique cultures, the Samburu people of Kenya are celebrated for their ancient customs and traditions that they still practice today. To prevent modern influences from diluting the rich and legendary culture of the Samburu and to ensure that the Samburu can lead independent lives, the Ol Malo Trust was created.

The Ol Malo Trust provides the Samburu people with personal and professional education to increase employment, health awareness, and quality of living, while assisting the people to uphold their valued traditions and customs.

Learn more about Ol Malo Trust.

The Abalimi Bezekhaya nonprofit project: With a 40% unemployment rate, the many communities of South Africa struggle with poverty. Many of the families in these communities suffer from disease and starvation.

Abalimi Bezekhaya, which translates to “the planters of the home,” is dedicated to educating the local communities about sustainable gardening practices and microfarming, to facilitate employment opportunities and local commerce. When the community can develop self-sustaining gardening and farming practices and work together to build a stable economy, South Africa can see more unity and upliftment. With economic stability, the people of South Africa can pull themselves from poverty and live more fulfilled and enriched lives.

Learn more about Abalimi Bezekhaya.

Friends of Hwange: Founded in 2005 after a devastating drought killed immeasurable amounts of animals, Friends of Hwange works to raise funds to build and maintain 10 sustainable water holes around Hwange National Park. This ensures that the dire effects of droughts will never again wipe out populations of Hwange’s delicate wildlife. Each of the waterholes utilizes wind and solar power to run properly.

In addition to building and operating waterholes for Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Friends of Hwange also strives to generate revenue through tourism. Through tourism, Hwange is working hard to stimulate the local economy by providing locals with jobs and fair wages.

Learn more about Friends of Hwange.

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**Image above taken by Chris Pearson, COPYRIGHT

“I must congratulate you for an amazing experience and running a very good operation. You act professionally in every way and this is a credit to you and I look forward to working with you again”—Dr. Ian Player (World renowned Conservationist) discussing his experience with ConservAfrica

In an effort to provide conservation organizations, game reserves, travelers, and Africa’s wildlife with the broad benefits of conservation initiatives, ConservAfrica created Wildlife Conservation Safaris. The product is designed to enable small groups of travelers to experience a completely unique safari that takes them deep within game reserves to participate in exciting wildlife protection initiatives. Some of these initiatives focus specifically on lion, while others focus on elephants, or black and white rhino.

When guests choose to embark on one of these specialized safaris, they’ll have the opportunity to witness and participate in exciting catch and release scenarios, and get up close with some of Africa’s most riveting creatures. All of the funds for guest participation go toward conserving the delicate wildlife of southern Africa. Therefore, you know that your active participation and financial contributions are all going toward the well-being of Africa’s fascinating species.

And the best part is that you can experience a sustainable safari without comprising on luxury. When you participate in a ConservAfrica safari, you stay in the finest accommodations, equipped with lavish amenities and superior services.

During your tailor-made safari with ConservAfrica, you can choose to assist conservation specialists on fitting tracking collars on elephants—which are used to track their movements throughout the year—helping to curb inbreeding amongst lion populations in the Madikwe Game Reserve, or tracking black and white rhino movements. But no matter how you want to spend your time with ConservAfrica, you are sure to experience the adventure of a lifetime that takes you through wildlife-clad regions in search of your conservation target.

**Image above courtesy of James Harding of ConservAfrica.

**Image above courtesy of James Harding of ConservAfrica.

**Image above taken by Chris Pearson, COPYRIGHT

**Image above taken by Chris Pearson, COPYRIGHT

For elephant conservation projects, guests receive hands-on experience as they help the ConservAfrica team administer antibiotics, fit and adjust tracking devices, and keep a look out for additional herd members who might be eager to protect their temporarily-captured family member.

One of ConservAfrica’s most unique initiatives is their black and white rhino projects. With a death rate of nearly 170 rhinos in the beginning of 2011 due to poachers, ConservAfrica is working hard to reduce the unlawful killing of rhinos in southern Africa. Guests who embark on a black and white rhino tracking mission can help the ConservAfrica team implant tiny transponder identity tags in the horns and sometimes the bodies of the rhinos. This enables law enforcement agencies to identify the exact location that a rhino was poached and thereby assists in the investigation and prosecution of these unscrupulous individuals.

ConservAfrica also participates in lion conservation projects:

**Image above courtesy of James Harding of ConservAfrica.

**Image above taken by Chris Pearson, COPYRIGHT

**Image above taken by Chris Pearson, COPYRIGHT

The wonderful thing about ConservAfrica’s Wildlife Conservation Safaris is that they can operate safaris in a variety of southern Africa game reserves throughout the year. This means that travelers have great flexibility when choosing where and when they’d like to go on a ConservAfrica safari.

Don’t believe us that ConservAfrica offers a completely unique and unforgettable safari? Just ask Ms. Holly Kaplan from Miami, Florida. She praises ConservAfrica saying, “Absolutely the most exciting and fabulous experience.”

If you’re interested in learning more about ConservAfrica, click here to visit their Facebook page.

In an effort to add a splash of green to Cape Town, the Uthando organization has recently launched its Greenpop project, which works to plant both indigenous and fruit trees around the Cape Town community. There are currently many areas throughout Cape Town that completely lack greenery—something that Greenpop is determined to change.

Aside from the trees’ aesthetic beauty, the Greenpop team believes that adding shrubbery to the urban areas of Cape Town will facilitate community upliftment and urban and school rejuvenation. They also hope that the project will facilitate environmental awareness and education, as well as create jobs for individuals in the community. When locals come together in these community projects and are paid fair wages, they can feel a sense of unity and visualize their efforts in building a better community for all. They can feel a part of the transformation of the community that they live in, which, in turn, sparks personal fulfillment.

Image above provided by James Fernie, Executive Director for Uthando South Africa

Currently, there are three main Greenpop projects, which include Tree Planting, School Rejuvenation, and Community Tree Nurseries. Below is an outline of each of these projects to give you a better idea of the tremendous initiatives put forth by the Uthando organization:

Tree Planting: The Greenpop team travels all over Cape Town, planting trees in local school yards, community squares, orphanages, and other commonly-visited areas throughout the city. Locals and children can get involved in the planting, which helps them to learn from the Greenpop team the importance of environmental care and how to maintain a thriving environment through unity.

And thanks to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and SANBI’s educational programs, no tree will go unattended. Through these programs, individuals can learn how to take care of and nurture trees, in order to ensure that all initiatives put forth by Greenpop continue to thrive and spread.

Below is a short video that provides an insider’s look at the Greenpop initiative:

Community Nurseries: In the hopes of empowering locals to start up small businesses and facilitate employment, Greenpop created a mico-finance tree nursery project. Basically, Greenpop creates tree nurseries, and a community group or a community member owns and runs the nursery. Greenpop then offers these individuals training workshops where they learn to tend to the trees and properly care for them. Once the trees have reached an appropriate stage of development, Greenpop and other nearby groups and businesses then purchase the trees grown by these nurseries.

Image above provided by James Fernie, Executive Director for Uthando South Africa

School Rejuvenation: This is one of my favorite Greenpop projects! In a nutshell, Greenpop works to raise funds to provide schools with much-needed face lifts. Whether it’s for creating a school vegetable garden, installing rain collecting water tanks, performing property maintenance, or planting trees, the funds raised by Greenpop go to helping local schools create a great learning and social environment for students. I personally love the idea of creating a school organic vegetable garden where all of the students can come together and lend a hand in tending to the vegetables and learn about environmental care.

What are your thoughts on the efforts put forth by Uthando’s Greenpop project? And, if you haven’t already done so, please visit Uthando’s website to learn more about their initiatives.

Imagine a place where thousands of animals roam freely without the constraints of fences or boundaries—a place where stunning, unexplored land stretches as far as the eye can see. This place exists at the southern tip of Mozambique’s Great Rift Valley. This place is Gorongosa National Park.

But Gorongosa’s past wasn’t always filled with indescribable beauty. Rather, the area experienced one of the ugliest civil wars in history that turned its reputation from a celebrity retreat to devastated ruins. And now, it’s coming back full circle to claim its spot as one of the world’s most acclaimed destinations.

Below is a brief timeline that explains Gorongosa’s history and its path toward a brighter future:

1960s: A Bustling Hot Spot

Gorongosa was in its heyday in the 1960s, attracting dozens of celebrities and internationally-known personalities to its stunning landscape. Jetsetters and wealthy individuals would come to Gorongosa for some relaxation and exceptional game viewing opportunities. As one of the most wildlife-rich regions in all of Africa, Gorongosa received much acclaim for its plentiful wildlife.

During the 60s, Gorongosa was celebrated for its . . .

• Wildebeest population of 6,400.
• Hippo population of 3,500.
• Zebra population of 3,300.
• Somewhat plentiful black and whit rhino population.

Click image of video below to view historical Gorongosa:

1980s: The Fall

As the 80s approached, Gorongosa began to see political and social unrest. A civil war broke out, lasting more than 15 years. As the war continued through the years, Gorongosa’s once thriving land, wildlife, and people were devastated by the haunting effects. In total, over a million people and animals were killed during these brutal years, making this civil war one of the worst in history.

After the war diminished, Gorongosa was left in ruins, and to witness an animal in the wild was a rare sighting. If the wildlife that lived there wasn’t killed off, they were in hiding.

2000s: A Rebirth

Enter Greg Carr. As a former corporate CEO, Carr decided he wanted to start a new chapter in his life in the early 2000s, one that would allow him to give back to communities in need. Gorongosa struck his eye and he realized that this land had the potential to be brought back to its once magnificent and unspoiled condition.

Collaborating closely with the Mozambique government, Greg Carr established The Carr Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring Gorongosa’s wildlife, economy, and communities. In January, 2008, The Carr Foundation signed a 20-year contract that set in motion a $40 million mission that would introduce wildlife back into the region and spark growth in the local economy.

The primary focus of this 20-year contract is to create a self-sustaining Mozambique. In other words, the vision of the Foundation is to restore Mozambique to its original condition, while providing employment to locals, building educational and health care facilities, and reintroducing wildlife back into Gorongosa.

Because Gorongosa does not contain any fences around its perimeter, animals may roam freely in and out of this national park. And while the war was in full swing, hundreds of animals retreated to other locations in search of sanctuary. Today, the animals’ fears are beginning to diminish and they are slowly starting to trickle back into the park. With a little help from South Africa, The Carr Foundation was able to relocate buffalo, wildebeest, elephant, and hippos from Kruger National Park to Gorongosa. Now, Gorongosa has a strong wildlife base for breeding.

Carr believes that once the wildlife and communities have been restored in Mozambique, tourism will increase and travelers will pour into the area once again to witness a restored legendary land.

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According to TripAdvisor’s 2011 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards, Cape Town, South Africa, is number one of the world’s top 10 destinations to visit. What’s so wonderful about this honorary award is that the awards were decided by millions of travelers from all around the world.

In an article on prnewswire.co.uk, Emma O’Boyle, a spokesperson for TripAdvisor, says “Cape Town is clearly the destination to beat . . . With beautiful scenery, great wine and gorgeous weather, it’s easy to see why Cape Town, which also played host to last year’s World Cup, has topped this year’s list.”

Other countries that ranked in the world’s top 10 destinations included Sydney, Australia; Machu Picchu, Peru; Paris, France; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; New York City, USA; Rome, Italy; London, UK; Barcelona, Spain; and Hong Kong.

In light of this award, I’ve highlighted 10 of the top activities to take part in while visiting Cape Town, South Africa:

1. Embark on the Mother City Tour. This tour will take you through many of Cape Town’s most historically significant villages, as well as the famous Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Simon’s Town, and Kalk Bay.

2. Visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Here, adorably plump Africa penguins waddle around their natural habitat as they enjoy the serenity of the beach. When you visit Boulders, you’ll have the opportunity to witness thousands of penguins up-close and personal, and, if you’re feeling frisky, take a dip with the penguins!

3. Enjoy delectable South Africa wines at the famous Constantia Valley and Cape Point Vineyards. Both locations offer superb wine tastings where you’ll be able to sample the region’s premier white wines.

4. Find tranquility in the breathtaking Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Here, you’ll find nearly 528 hectares of cultivated gardens, bursting with delicate and pungent flowers. Some of the flowers you’ll see include blooming proteas, ericas, berry heath, and much more.

5. Board a boat tour to Hout Bay to witness the residential Cape fur seals. No matter your age, witnessing this furry colony of seals will immediately warm your heart.

6. Shop and dine at V & A Waterfront. As one of the most cultural-rich places to see in Cape Town, this working harbor features five-star restaurants, historical monuments, and world-famous shopping hubs.

7. Discover traditional South Africa cuisine on a Cape Malay cooking tour.

Relish in fresh seafood at Beluga Restaurant. Serving up some of the best seafood and sushi in town, Beluga Restaurant is a must-visit hot spot for seafood lovers.

8. Venture to Robben Island for an unforgettable tour filled with culture and riveting history. Beginning in the 1600s, this island’s primary purpose has been to imprison political figures and criminals. One of the island’s most well-known prisoner was Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first president.

9. Immerse yourself into the local community projects on an Uthando Philanthropic Tour. Uthando’s cultural tours take you deep inside the local cultures of South Africa to discover a new way of life and gain a unique insight into areas of Africa outside of the bush and savannah plains.

10. Whale watch from False Bay. As you enjoy delectable seafood at one of False Bay’s seaside restaurants, keep an eye out for whales, which offer some of the most spectacular photography opportunities.

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