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  • 5 Ways to See Wildlife on an African Safari

    5 Ways to See Wildlife on an African Safari

    Traditionally, when one took an African safari, the only way to view wildlife was on a game drive. Today there are more options for game viewing, ensuring that there is a way for everyone to view wildlife on safari, so check out these options before you book your African safari with Go African Safaris.

    Game drive in vehicle

    This entails driving slowly through the park or reserve, in the vehicle of your choice, looking for game. Once you spot something, you can stop for some time observing the animals.

    Game Drive in Uganda

    The vehicles used for this type of activity are the 8 or 9 seater minivan with roof hatches that pop open (cheapest option) , a 4WD Landcruiser which has the roof panels opening up, and finally the 4WD Landcruiser/Landrover from which the sides of the body have been removed and replaced with either canvas or tarpaulin – which can be rolled down in case of rain (this type of vehicle is normally based in the parks or reserves).

    Game walk

    This is an activity which is best undertaken in the morning hours or the late afternoon hours, before it gets too hot, and normally lasts about 2 to 3 hours. The game walk, in addition to being more eco-friendly than the game drive, allows you to get closer to nature. Your guide will show you things that you cannot see from a vehicle, like animal tracks and droppings – and you will learn about traditional medicine as well.

    Zimbabwe Walking Safari

    Also viewing wildlife from this perspective is completely different from when you are in a vehicle. It’s usual to have an armed ranger accompanying you on the walk, together with your guide and/or naturalist. Game walks cannot be done in national parks or reserves, only in conservancies and sanctuaries.

    Balloon safari

    Hot Air Balloon

    Flying high over the plains gives you a bird’s eye view of the wildlife below and this is particularly interesting when there are big movements of game happening, like the wildebeest migration. Getting a closer look at game is difficult as you are high above them, but the feeling of soaring above the plains and watching the game below is fantastic.

    Canoe safari

    This is a unique way of viewing wildlife, gliding on the waters of the river, watching the hippos and elephants crossing the river and other wildlife coming down to drink. This activity is not so common in East Africa except in Lake Manyara, but is quite popular as you go further south to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

    Canoe Safari

    The possibility of seeing cats are quite slim – mostly you would see hippos and crocodiles with occasional glimpses of elephants. However the scenery is wonderful and it is a wonderful way to pass the time, drifting along in the canoe. However this is a potentially dangerous activity so do make sure you book with a reliable and professional operator.

    Horseback Safari

    Horse Riding in Botswana

    If you are an experienced rider, there is no better way to experience a safari than from the back of a horse – you get to ride up close to elephant, zebra and wildebeest. This is a specialised safari where the horses have to be trained to be near wildlife, and so it not on offer at all parks and reserves.

    Remember you don’t have settle for the traditional game drives on your safari, you can tailor make your safari and choose the type of wildlife viewing that appeals to you. 

  • Visit the Magnificent Turtle Island (Sellingan)

    Visit the Magnificent Turtle Island (Sellingan)

    Turtle Island is an amazing place to visit, and I would recommend that anyone who goes to Borneo should make a trip to Sellingan (or Turtle Island as it’s affectionately known) top priority! We were a little concerned about the accommodation after reading a few reviews… However even though the rooms are a little basic they are more than adequate, incredibly clean, with very comfortable beds and very effective ceiling fans.

    Turtle Island

    The whole of turtle island is very clean and I would recommend making the most of your stay there. The beach is very clean with beautiful water in which I would recommend snorkeling. If you don’t have your own equipment it can be rented there. It is possible to walk around the whole island on the beach which does not take very long but is a beautiful way to spend your time. However be aware of the tides because there are rocks and exposed coral on one end of the island where it could be easy to get caught when the tide comes in (and it is very rough and sharp terrain)… There is also only a life guard on part of the beach.

    The food there is simple and served as a buffet but very tasty. Drinks are not provided during your meals and in the evening when you wait for the turtles, but there is a good selection available from the gift shop which is attached to the restaurant at a reasonable price… and lovely and cold!

    The Turtles

    Be prepared for a long wait in the evening after the video presentation while you wait for the turtles to come ashore and for a ranger to call your guide. We waited around 4 hours but I have heard that it can be later (and it has happened that there are nights where they do not show up). Try to bring a magazine, book or mp3 player etc because there is nothing to do at the reception center while you wait.

    The wait was well worth it though to see a large female lay her clutch of eggs… and even just hurrying to the laying site was VERY exciting. You get a chance to see her from numerous angles and take some gorgeous photos (although videos are prohibited). After this you are shown what they do with the eggs, followed by the magical experience of seeing them get released. You do have to pay to take your camera (35 RM if I remember rightly) but it is worth it to savor the moment.

    Staying in Sandakan Beforehand

    Pulling in to the Sabah Hotel was a lovely break from the rest of Sandakan… Being such a big tourist hub for wildlife holidays we did expect a lot more of Sandakan, however if you did want to take a walk in to the town from the hotel it is quite a long return trip (I would recommend walking to town but not in the dark and getting a taxi back).

    The hotel is absolutely gorgeous from the building itself and the rain forest grounds down to the swimming pool and rooms. However it was a shame that we were not able to enjoy their nature trail as it was shut (although we recognise that this was out of their control following a land slide)… Although it was still possible to see some really nice fauna around the pool and grounds.

    The restaurant served very nice food, especially in the buffet lunch we had on one day, and even though it was very quiet (we were the only people in there) the main bar was very comfortable with very strong cocktails!

  • 13 Tips for Taking Children on Safari

    13 Tips for Taking Children on Safari

    Taking an African safari with your children can be a very rewarding experience, creating some unforgettable family memories. It will also instill respect in your children at an early age for our beautiful planet and the wildlife that inhabit it, which is a very important factor for conservation efforts.

    However, kids do get bored very easily, and playing the waiting game to see game may lead to cries of, “I am bored”, or even tears and tantrums.

    Deciding on the age at which to take your kids on safari is an individual choice, and is very much dependent on your children and their interests. Children with a passion for wildlife, and who have good attention spans can go on safari much earlier than children with short attention spans or those who are not wildlife enthusiasts. Taking children of any age on a safari will have a higher rate of success if you prepare well.

    Here are 13 tips on taking your children on safari with you:

    1. When planning your itinerary, try to fly to various destinations within a country instead of drive.
    2. Look for accommodation that offers either family tents, which are large enough to accommodate the whole family, or which have separate tents for the children but are still under the same roof so you can keep an eye on them. A pool would be an added bonus.
    3. If you have the budget for it, opt for a private vehicle, as the last thing you need is to be on a game drive with a photography enthusiast who will test your child’s patience by trying to get the perfect shot. In fact, at some camps, it is mandatory to book a private vehicle if you are travelling with kids.
    4. Think long and hard about your child’s temperament before booking the safari – a temper tantrum in the wild can have consequences. Also some younger children can vocalise their excitement, which can upset the game and other visitors as well. Some lodges and camps do not allow smaller kids on game drives for this reason.
    5. Manage expectations – talk to them about patience and about how they may have to wait to see the game they are hoping to see. Turn this waiting and anticipation into a fun game. Also they will not stay alert for the full length of the game drive, so allow them to bring their digital devices, which will keep them quiet for periods of time and leave you less stressed.
    6. Limit the length of your game drives and think about cutting short your game drive when the kids are tired, as tired kids make terrible safari companions.
    7. Incorporate variety into your activities – mix up game drives with other activities such as walks, horse rides or cultural activities. Many camps and lodges now offer alternative activities for children, so take advantage of these. However, do check these carefully as some of the activities are just glorified babysitting.
    8. If the kids fall asleep in the vehicles while on a game drive, let them sleep and don’t wake them up, even if you spot big predators.
    9. Be prepared to help them pass the time when there’s not much happening. Use a checklist to tick off the animals and birds that you have already seen, as well as guidebooks. Paper and crayons can keep them occupied – you can use them to draw the animals you are looking at. Quiz your guide to see if there is anything he doesn’t know about animals. Try and identify the tracks you can see on the ground.
    10. If possible, get them their own cameras (disposable will do) as it will help them create their own memories and keep them engaged with what’s going on around them.
    11. Children can wander off, unaware of the dangers of being inside a national park or reserve, so keep them close to you, especially as small children can look like prey to wild animals.
    12. Advise your driver/guide that you are interested in the smaller animals as well, so as to keep the interest level up.
    13. Make sure the kids go to the toilet before the game drive.

    Following these tips will ensure you have a great bonding experience with your children on safari.

  • What to Expect on Safari in Rwanda

    What to Expect on Safari in Rwanda

    Our modern-day lifestyles can sometimes be a bit monotonous, and every once in a while it’s worth taking a step away from your day-to-day routine to embark on an adventure into the wilderness for some well deserved rest and relaxation. 

    With so many destinations to choose from, here is more information about why you should go on a safari holiday to Rwanda.

    Often rеfеrrеd to аѕ ‘The Land of a Thоuѕаnd Hillѕ’, Rwanda iѕ a landlocked country lосаtеd in East Afriса, bordered bу Burundi in the south, Ugаndа in the north, the Dеmосrаtiс Rерubliс оf Congo in the west and Tanzania in the east.

    Be ѕurе to саrrу your camera with you thrоughоut уоur triр because at every point of your journey you’ll encounter something worth photographing. A safari in Rwanda will аllоw you tо сарturе a widе rаngе of nаturаl wоndеrѕ, from wildlife, national parks, historical and cultural muѕеumѕ, wаtеrfаllѕ аnd lаkеѕ. Rwanda will captivate your senses.

    Entrenched in its history, Rwanda rеmеmbеrѕ the trаgеdу оf the gеnосidе thаt tооk place in 1994 аnd killеd over a milliоn реорlе. Today, however, Rwаndа is a соuntrу with friеndlу реорlе who grееt viѕitоrѕ with a ѕmilе оn their faces.

    One of the most popular safari activities  is gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. The park also offers you golden monkey tracking, a Dian Fossey tombs tour, and cultural tours, which can all be experienced on a three-day gorilla safari in Rwanda.

    Rwanda has one of the highest concentrations of primates, with about 13 species recorded. These are found in Nyungwe National Park and include chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, mangabeys, baboons, vervets, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and over 350 bird species. If this weren’t enough to lure you to the area, then activities such as primate tracking, birding, forest and canopy walks, and wilderness adventures are just a handful of the other popular tourist activities on offer.

    In the eastern part of Rwanda lies Akagera National Park, which is located about a three-hour drive from the capital city, Kigali. Akagera is famous for big game viewing, birding, and boat cruises on Lake Ihema. The Akagera National Park management team, African Parks, has recently successfully introduced lions to the area, and two females have since had cubs.

    There is a wide variety of professionally customized tour packages on Rwanda Gorilla Safaris’ website for you to choose what suits your interests.

  • Best Places to see Orangutans in Borneo

    Borneo has a number of iconic species, including the pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey and of course the incredible old man of the forest, or orangutan as you and I know them as.  During my trip to Borneo I was lucky enough to see all 3 of these in the wild, however the focus of this post is on the orangutan (although the other 2 are also covered in the final location).

    Seeing orangutans in Borneo isn’t all that hard due to the large number of rescue centers which have been established for them.  This sheer number is a real shame as it is testament to the problems which we as a species cause, driving them out of their habitat through building works, replacing their habitat with palm plantations or capturing them as pets.  However it is still possible to see them in the wild as well.  You wont get as close to a wild one and the chances of an unobstructed photo will be lower, however the whole experience is far more magical and will stay with you for a long time!

    The following locations are all based in Malaysian Borneo, and I will state after each one whether they are in Sabah or Sarawak as we visited both.

    Semenggoh Nature Reserve
    Sarawak

    During our trip to Borneo we went to Semenggoh and Sepilok, and I must say that even though Sepilok is by far the more well known and seems to have a lot more funding pumped in to it, Semenggoh is certainly on par with them. There are a number of other attractions such as an orchid garden and nature walk here but because we went to the second feed and had only arrived in Kuching a couple of hours before hand we did not have time for these.

    The viewing areas for the Orangutans are beautiful, especially if you get to go to the one slightly off the main track and more in the jungle. We saw one big male called Ritchie (see photo below) who was a great animal to see on our first day! We had a lot of time to photograph him (certainly at least 20 minutes or so).

    The staff here are very friendly and did a great job of explaining the rules and preferred conduct at the center. There is also a gift shop where you can buy better quality photos, post cards and books.

    Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
    Sabah

    Sepilok is a very clean place and they make every effort to keep it in this way, as well as keeping all the visitors and animals safe. You are not allowed to bring food and drink in to the center and there are lockers available for keeping such items and bags (if you go on a tour it is easier to leave your belongings on the coach).

    When you first arrive there is an introductory video about Orangutans and the work of the center which is very interesting. However it is after this that you get to see what you came there for.

    You walk along a board walk in to the rain forest to a feeding area where there is a lot of place for numerous visitors to all be able to take amazing photos. You get to be very close to them, and we had 3 females make their way along a rope just above the board walk.

    I felt that you are able to get more than close enough to these amazing animals, and it is great to see them returned to a wild state. 2 of the females we saw had babies which shows the great work which goes on there. It would be great to be able to see the section where they work with the babies but it is understandable that this is not possible… So don’t go there expecting to see babies in wheel-barrows or forest schools like you see on tv…  Seeing that is reserved for tv presenters!

    There are numerous other animals to see along the board walk as well such as Long Tailed Macaques and Giant Squirrels.  However with all this wildlife to be seen, make sure you bring plenty of batteries and sd cards for your camera.  I sadly ran out about half way through my tour, having left my spare batteries on the coach.  It is still an amazing experience, but I do love to have a camera handy!

    Kinabatangan River
    Sabah

    We spent 3 days on the Kinabatangan river with overnight stays at one of the lodges, and the river cruises are one of the best ways to see the natural wonders of Sabah.

    We traveled up river on the first day using a twin engine speed boat with a canopy (which was handy because of the sudden heavy downpour we had about half way up the river), which is the same boat which took us back to Sandakan at the end of our trip… If your tour operator gives you the option of going back by boat or road, please don’t miss this opportunity… On our trip home a few people chose to go by road, and we ended up seeing 3 wild Orangutans on the journey with one being very close to the river posing for some of the best photos I took the whole trip!

    We took every opportunity available for a river safari including some in the morning (as the fog lifts on the river its a gorgeous experience), and some in the evening. Both times give you opportunities to see different types of animals so doing at least 1 of each is worth your time.

    The river safaris are done on much smaller single engine boats with no canopy, which makes for much better viewing of the animals… and as luck would have it, we didn’t need to worry about how this would affect our trip in the rain as it stayed nice and dry the whole time… Saying this just in case we did always ensure we had a poncho or rain coat with us. Also remember that there is no canopy and especially on your way back from the morning trips you will be open to the sun so make sure you bring a hat, sunglasses (to combat the glare of the sun from the river when not looking for wildlife) and put on plenty of sun block!

    Whilst this post is about seeing orangutans, we actually saw a massive amount of wildlife including:

    • Rhinoceros Hornbills
    • Pied Hornbills
    • Bat Eating Eagle (which put on an amazing show for us)
    • Crested Goshawk
    • Kingfishers
    • Storm Storks (such a treat for this rare animal)
    • Bitterns
    • Herons
    • Bats
    • Provost Squirrel
    • Proboscis Monkeys
    • Long Tailed Macaques
    • Orangutans
    • Asiatic Elephants
    • Asian Water Monitors
    • Crocodiles
    • Mangrove Snakes
  • Experience Iceland: Culture, Conduct & Customs

    Experience Iceland: Culture, Conduct & Customs

    Iceland is without a doubt one of the most beautiful countries in the world, where a trip out of the city can feel like your car turned in to a rocket transporting you to another world.  The geology of Iceland has shaped it in to something I have never seen anywhere else, and can’t wait to return.  More importantly the global peace index in 2015 and 2016 rated this as the safest country (based on a 22 point system covering crime, internal conflict, involvement in outside conflicts, terrorism and much more – check the wikpedia page for more details) in the world!

    Some things to point out:

    Crime

    Crime in Iceland, especially violent crime is very rare.  As an example in 2013 it was the first time ever that armed police had to kill some one – the murder rate in that year was a single individual…  That is even though for the 300,000 or so inhabitants of the island, there are 90,000 or so guns!  When in Iceland the lack of crime is clear and you can walk around, even at night and feel perfectly safe.  Obviously as with anywhere there are counts of burglary and pick-pocketing etc but keep your wits about you, and this is (as mentioned above) the safest place to spend your time.

    Dress

    The Icelanders are quite a liberal bunch and it is important mainly just to dress appropriate for the weather.  Obviously you can’t just walk around Reykjavik naked – this would still be illegal, just like in most places, however nudity in Iceland is something you can get away with in the right context.  For example you’re out in the country side and see a lake or hot pool, it is fine to going skinny dipping – lets face it, there’s a good chance that you’ll be the only one there anyway!  On the other hand when you go swimming and the pool has a sex divided changing room it is mandatory to shower before going in to the pool, and this has to be done naked – this includes the blue lagoon!

    Drinking

    Alcohol is a strange one in Iceland and I won’t go in to too much of the history here as many sites dedicate whole pages to this weird relationship the Icelandic people have with booze!  However the short of it is that whilst there was a public vote on prohibition in 1908 the law didn’t go in to effect until 1915, but was then again partially lifted in 1921 to once again allow wine (to please the Spanish who apparently didn’t have anything else to trade for Icelandic cod).  In 1935 a further part of the ban was lifted to allow the sale of spirits…  However beer over 2.25% was still banned, right up until 1898!

    These days however you can buy spirits, wines and beer at the majority of restaurants and bars, however supermarkets still only stock beers under 2.25%…  If you want to buy stronger booze you need to visit a Vínbúðin (wine shop) which is state run, and often run at very strange hours.

    The drinking age in Iceland is 20 and drink driving restrictions are very tight at just 0.05% blood alcohol level…  So basically, if you’re driving, don’t drink at all!

    Drugs

    As with the vast majority of places, drugs are prohibited in Iceland, and can incur high fines and possibly even prison time (even just in small quantities for your own use).  As seen above drinking is allowed in Iceland, so if you need to alter your mind to have a good time, its bets to stick to alcohol whilst avoiding drugs.

    Money

    The official currency is the Icelandic Krona however you don’t need to worry too much about bringing a load of cash or even carrying too much on you when travelling.  There are plenty of cash machines in Iceland, and the vast majority of places do take credit and debit cards (even hotels seem to take debit cards for room deposits which is nice as I generally don’t travel with a credit card).

    Public signs of affection

    The Icelanders are quite liberal, having an open mind about relationships (even being very tolerant of and allowing safe travel for same sex couples) so there is no problem with showing signs of affection for one another in public.  However as with every where have some respect, no one wants to see 2 people sucking on each others faces!

    Sex

    The age of consent in Iceland is 15, and whilst it is not technically illegal for prostitutes to charge for sex (although they cannot work in groups, as this would constitute a brothel, which is illegal), it is illegal for someone to pay for the service.  At the same time as when paying for sex was outlawed, strip shows were also banned.

    There are no laws prohibiting same sex relationships.

    Smoking

    Smoking in Iceland is banned in restaurants, cafes, bars and night clubs and you need to be at least 16 years old to buy or smoke tobacco products.

    Tipping

    In Iceland tipping is no compulsory but it’s a custom which is known and obviously appreciated over there.  Whilst you don’t have to tip, in such situations it is often good to use around 10% as a general rule of thumb for things such as table service and taxi rides.  For tour guides or other forms of transport (such as helicopter flights and boat tours etc), if you want to tip it’s best just going with what you feel comfortable with.

  • The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda

    The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda

    Although most travelers to Uganda have ranked tracking  chimpanzees as the most interesting wildlife encounter in the whole world, the chimpanzee habituation experience is the best encounter.  Though less known to most travelers to Uganda, the full day habituation gives you more time to interact with the chimps.

    There are approximately 4950 chimpanzees in Uganda with about 1500 of these found in Kibale forest national park. This national park is one of the most of Uganda’s parks attracting a good number of tourists all year round. Kibale is a tropical rain forest and harbors 12 other different primate species alongside the chimpanzees. A Uganda safari to the park provides travelers with great and memorable experiences including chimpanzee watching, nature walks, tree identification, bird watching and more.

    Chimpanzee Habituation:

    Related to chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation is yet another experience in Kibale National park participated in by travelers. A chimpanzee habituation permits is sold at US$250, which is quite higher than the chimpanzee tracking permit, but the experience is quite awesome.

    Chimpanzee habituation entails a traveler to be with the chimpanzees for the whole day. This gives them an opportunity to learn more about chimpanzees, their behaviors, feeding habits and how chimpanzees participate in different activities within their respective groups.

    Chimpanzee habituation is best done during the month of March, April and November when there is limited number of travelers visiting the national park for chimpanzee trekking.

    To all travelers planning to participate in this activity, it is recommended to book a chimpanzee habituation permit in advance foe easy allocation of the chimpanzee group. It is different from chimpanzee trekking where a traveler can get a chimpanzee trekking permit even at day of arrival.

    Chimpanzee habituation experience is a long daytime and this requires one to carry packed food and some drinks for refreshments. Raincoats, jackets long trousers and long sleeved shirts are recommended.  This is because of the unpredictable weather conditions in he forest in that it can rain at any time of the day.

    In the past years, the number of people participating in chimpanzee habituation experience was limited to only six. However, presently, a group of twelve individuals is allowed to interact wit a chimpanzee family for the whole day. This is a great opportunity to travelers interested in chimpanzee habituation in that the number of permits has been now increased.

    While spending time with he chimpanzees and following them up, travelers have great opportunities to encounter other animals in the national park such as the different monkey species, butterflies, birds among others, all which adds to the final experience.

    Although travelers are allowed to spend much time with the chimpanzee during the proves, there are reminded to keep a distance o seven meters from the animals, this is because chimpanzees are the closest relatives to human beings sharing 99.9% of human genes. This makes them so susceptible to human disease and this distance is encouraged to ensure safety of these rare animals.

    Concerning g the years, children below 15 years are not allowed to participate in the habituation process. It is similar to gorilla habituation that is also done in Uganda. Travelers in the chimpanzee habituation process follow trails in the forest in search of the chimpanzees depending on where they spent the previous night.

    All travelers must go for a short briefing about the do’s and don’ts in the process and then follow a guide for the safety of bot the chimpanzees and the travelers. Guides carry some weapons just to scare the wild animals away but they do not shoot.

    In conclusion therefore, chimpanzee habituation is the best experience that every traveler should not miss out, all travelers to Kibale national park should there fore include chimpanzee habituation is there package for the greater and memorable experience.  Every travel interested in visiting Kibale forest national park can book with a Ugandan tour operator for a great and memorable experience.

    Highlights bout Kibale national park:

    • It is a main destination for chimpanzee trekking and habituation.
    • It has many other primates along side chimpanzee
    • Birding takes place there
    • Nature walks
    • And many tourism activities take place there.

     

  • Experience Wild Game Drives in Uganda

    Experience Wild Game Drives in Uganda

    Games in Uganda are conducted in savannah grassland – such areas include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park among other regions.

    In the savannah region, game drives are conducted on vehicles and the most cases, the vehicles are pop up roofed for clear viewing of animals, birds, drainage features, and topography among others. Tourists on game drives are advised to come with Cameras to take amazing photos for future reference.

    Savannah regions are characterized by:

    Trees:

    • Deciduous – lose their leaves to reduce transpiration because of the winter drought.
    • Xerophytic – drought resistant.
    • Sclerophyllous – Leaves are small, waxy and thorn like.
    • Roots are long and extended to reach deep underground.
    • Tend to grow to 6-12m in height and contain “Y” shaped branches.
    • Trunks are gnarled, and bark is thick to retain moisture.

    Example; The baobob tree has a trunk of up to 10m in diameter. Its root like branches holds only a minimum number of tiny leaves in order to restrict transpiration. Some are estimated to be thousands of years old. Their trunks are resistant to the local fires.

    Shrubs/Grasses;

    Grasses grow in tufts and tend to have inward curving blades and silvery spikes.

    After the onset of the summer rains, they grow very quickly to over 3m in height. Elephant grass grows to 5m.

    They become yellow by sun drying.

    By early winter, the straw like grass has died down, leaving seeds dormant on the surface until next year’s rains.

    In terms of biotic activity, over 40 different species of large herbivore graze on the grasslands, including wildebeest, zebra and antelope. It is also home to several carnivores – predatory, like lions/leopards/cheetah or scavengers, e.g. hyenas. Termites and microbes are the major saprophytes. Fire is the main determinant of the savannah biome.

    As more trees are removed for fuel, and over grazing reduced the productivity of grasslands, the heavy rains gullies and the wind blows away the surface soil. Where the savannah is not farmed, there are usually more trees, suggesting that grass may not be the natural climactic climax vegetation.

    The abundant grass feeds a variety of wildlife and on the other hand sustains their presence hence wonderful game drives for example Semuliki National Park – Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Smaller forest and larger savannah elephants are regularly seen, along with buffalo, waterbuck, crocodile, warthog and Uganda kob. With luck, you may even see pygmy hippopotami, leopards and elusive bushbabies. In the park, Morning, afternoon and night game drives are conducted – night games exposes visitors to nocturnal like leopard, bush Babies, white- tailed- Magoon among others.

    For night game drives, it is advisable to do it with a ranger and the safari guide should be able to provide great light to enable tourists view night moving creatures.

    Within Queen Elizabeth National Park – drive through Kasenyi, the North Kazinga Plains and the Ishasha Sector offer virtually guaranteed buffalo, antelope and elephant sightings, along with warthogs and baboons. Being the second largest National Park in Uganda, it is not surprising to find groups of animals and birds. From Kampala to the park, it’s approximately 6 -7 hours drive.

    In Murchison Falls National Park – drive around Buligi game tracks on the northern bank with a trained ranger guide is a fantastic way to see and photograph the wide range of animals in the Nile Valley. Visitors will marvel at herds of buffaloes, dozens of elephants, warthogs and towering giraffes, along with bushbucks, reedbuck, duikers, kobs, oribi and the unusual-looking hartebeest. The Murchison Falls is situated in northern Uganda, 4 hours drive from Kampala.

    The remote Kidepo valley National park is one of the most unique destinations in Uganda. – Amazing animals are found in Narus Valley during early mornings and late afternoon – 6am and 4pm are optimum times to set off on game drives. Expect to encounter lions, elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, Kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and mong others.

    Of all Uganda’s parks, Lake Mburo National Park is the most accessible from Kampala- the drive through the park exposes tourists to a variety of animals and birds. Being the smallest park in Uganda, it is easily covered and viewing Zebras, Kobs, Antelopes, and Waterbucks among others. Lake Mburo National Park is covered by Acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. The newly introduced 15 giraffes in Lake Mburo National Park are expected to pull more tourists to visit the park. It should be noted that giraffes where transferred from Murchison Falls National Park.

    For comparative study, clients are advised to visit all the five parks because some creatures which are absent in one park, can be found in another. Would you like to take a safari in Uganda and enjoy game viewing? There are lots of safari offers available from various tour operators in Uganda.

  • Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park

    Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park

    One of the most beautiful national parks in the entire United States is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. If you have a trip in the works to this spectacular national park and you’re traveling quite a distance to get there, you’ll most likely be in need of some quality lodging. Here are a few things to consider as well as some lodging options that will make planning your trip a bit easier.

    Visiting the Park in the Off-Season has its Perks

    Are you working with a vacation or travel budget? Then you should know that most hotels, motels and lodges charge top dollar during the peak season that runs from April through September. If you want to save money on your lodging and on your entire trip for that matter, plan your Utah visit so that you are there during the off-season from October through May.

    The prices for lodging and food are lower during this time of the year, plus there will not be huge crowds to contend with. Since Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Mother Nature’s finest locations, it’s more enjoyable to take in all the splendor when you don’t have to deal with crowds of noisy tourists. Another good reason to visit Utah during the off-season is that the daytime temperatures are not sizzling hot as they are during the summer months. You’ll be much more comfortable when exploring the beauty of the park when the temperature outside isn’t soaring into the high 90s or above.

    Do You wish to Stay Inside the Park or Elsewhere?

    You should know that there are numerous hotels and motels around Bryce Canyon National Park. Regardless of your budget, requirements or wishes, you are sure to find a hotel or motel that suits your needs well. If you want to truly experience the national park up close and personal, you could stay at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon which by the way is the only lodging within the park. Staying at this rustic, architectural treasure that opened in 1925 would make your trip to Utah unforgettable. When you stay at The Lodge you will have direct access to amazing views, wonderful hiking trails and the peace and quite of nature. The Lodge inside the park has over 100 rooms as well as several cabins to offer guests a truly rustic & unique experience.

    Find Suitable Accommodations Online if The Lodge isn’t For You

    These days, the savvy traveler uses the internet to find lodging. There are a great many hotel booking websites to look at which list all the hotels, motels and lodges in Utah. Pay particular attention to reviews written by past guests as these short descriptions can provide with with a lot of “insider” info about the various accommodations that you can’t find on official hotel and motel websites. The largest hotel booking sites allow you to book your rooms directly from their sites and even sort the various hotels and motels according to your desired criteria such as price, amenities, etc.

  • Are “Unaccredited” Zoos Worth Visiting?

    Are “Unaccredited” Zoos Worth Visiting?

    In this age we know that animals all have very different and specific needs if they are kept in captivity, and many people question whether or not we actually still need zoos and aquariums…  The short answer to this, from my point of view is that there are many zoos around the world which carry out incredible work for conservation and education.  I firmly believe that seeing an animal in real life will develop a closer bond with the general public – and thus be more likely to lead to change – than seeing a documentary on TV.  If you need some examples of the great work which is done by zoos, what better than showcasing some species which beat extinction thanks to work done with them in captivity (mostly by zoos but also by private keepers of these species):

    Beating Extinction With Zoos

    Przewalski’s Horse (Equus ferus przewalksii)

    In my opinion this is the most beautiful of all the wild horses, and can be seen in many zoos around the world if you don’t believe me!  They hail from China and Mongolia where they went extinct in the wild in the 1960’s, however thanks to zoo work they can now once again be seen running in the wilds of both of these countries.

    Mountain Chicken Frog (Leptodactylus fallax)

    As with a number of amphibians, this species is facing an uncertain future due to the chytrid fungus which is lethal and spreads like wild fire.  Thanks to work by zoos, including places such as ZSL London and Durrell Zoo on Jersey, huge levels of work have gone in to not only securing a future population of this frog, but also in to researching a cure for this fungus.

    The American Red Wolf (Canis rufus)

    Only 14 individuals remained in the wild by 1980, however thanks to zoo breeding by American zoos and re-introduction by 1987 these numbers were back up to 100.

    Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

    As few as 40 or so wild Amur leopards remain, however zoos around the world hold 5 times this many with over 200 individuals spread around the globe, making a strong and healthy safety net population.  Once there is a way to effectively stop the risks raised by hunters, these animals can once again be used to repopulate the wilds of Russia with this majestic cat.

    Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

    This is a very strange looking species of salamander seemingly caught in a never ending juvenile state.  They live only in Lake Xochimilco in Mexico (a small lake on the outskirts of the hugely populated Mexico City) where studies found 6,000 individuals in 1998, 1,000 in 2003, 100 in 2008 and not a single animal in 2013 per square Km.

     

    This species is classified by the IUCN red list as critically endangered, possibly extinct in the wild however thanks to captive breeding of this species there are still thousands outside the Lake Xochimilco area – in fact you can even find them in many pet shops.

    Californian Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

    A hue, majestic bird which was once common in California, faced extinction in the 1980’s, however with the help of San Diego Zoo (employing some great hand rearing techniques using a condor puppet), their numbers have increased ten-fold in the wild.

    What Does Accreditation Mean?

    Whilst the projects above are all well and good, a case between the UK and USA has come to international attention which focuses on the difference between accredited and unaccredited zoos, and claims that unaccredited zoos are (due purely based on not being affiliated with a zoos association) of a low standard and that their conservation is non existent or of little value.

    This particular case concerns a research center in the USA wishing to move a group of their retired chimpanzees to a fully licensed zoo in the UK.  However an animal rights activist group called the USA opposed the move, with one of their biggest claims being that the zoo is not a suitable home for these chimpanzees as they are not accredited…  Accredited by whom you may ask?

    When people speak of accreditation they mean an outside authority (not government body) such as a zoo or aquarium association has developed a set of standards, and require zoos to adhere to these standards in order to become a paid for member of that association.  The zoo associations which I am currently aware of are:

    • ACOPAZOA (Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • ALPZA (Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • AMACZOOA (Caribbean Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
    • AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums)
    • ANPZ (French Association of Zoos)
    • ARAZPA (Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria)
    • AZA (American Zoo Association)
    • AZCARM (Mexican Zoo and Aquaria Association)
    • BIAZA (British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
    • CZA (Central Zoo Authority of India)
    • DAZA (Danish Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquaria)
    • EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
    • FUNPZA (Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoological Parks and Aquaria)
    • IZA (Israeli Zoo Association)
    • JAZA (Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
    • MAZPA (Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria)
    • NVD (Dutch Zoo Federation)
    • OZO (Austrian Zoo Association)
    • PAAZAB (African Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • PKBSI (Indonesian Zoological Parks Association)
    • RDPOZiA (Board of Directors of Polish Zoological Gardens and Aquaria)
    • SAZA (Swedish Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria)
    • SAZARC (South Asian Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation)
    • SEAZA (South East Asian Zoo Association)
    • SNDPZ (National Syndicate of French Zoo Directors)
    • SZB (Society of Brazilian Zoos)
    • UCSZ (Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens)
    • UIZA (Italian Union of Zoos and Aquaria)
    • VDZ (German Federation of Zoo Directors)
    • WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
    • ZOOSchweiz (Swiss Association of Scientific Zoos)

    One thing which is worth noting is that being unaccredited is VERY different to being unlicensed.  Just because a zoo is not part of a zoo association, as long as it is operating as a legal zoological institution it will still be licenced under their local or government authority.  Whilst I cannot speak for most other countries, I do know that the licencing procedure and standards in the UK are set very high and don’t differ very much from the entry requirements of BIAZA.  This is a very important distinction to be aware of and keep in mind.

    Does Accreditation Really Matter?

    The claim being made by animal rights activists (see above) is that a zoo should be accredited by the American Zoo Association (AZA) or the equivalent in which ever country and region a zoo operates in and that if they are not – the standards within that zoo are not enforceable or enclosures and staff knowledge etc will be of a lower standard than in an accredited zoo.  However there are many reasons from management styles through to age or past disagreements through to current disagreements about policies between zoos and associations which may have made a zoo decide not to become accredited.  It certainly can be seen as a seal of quality or approval, however not having this seal of quality doesn’t automatically make it a sign of poor quality.

    As an example I will pull up the case above concerning the chimpanzee move to the UK.  This UK zoo was a member of BIAZA and as such accredited, however for their own reasons decided that they wanted to terminate that membership.  As such they are now unaccredited, however the park has continued to grow and improve since that time – TripAdvisor and their FaceBook page are testament to this.  Their standards are very high and the new housing which they have built for the chimpanzees can be seen below:

    I think you would be hard pressed if you were to be completely honest with yourself, to say that this is a poor quality or substandard enclosure.  To put this in to context, below are a number of shots from various chimpanzee enclosures which house this species at zoos which are accredited by their local, regional and in some cases the global zoo association:

    Whilst the final set of enclosures aren’t necessarily bad, can you honestly say that these are all of a significantly higher standard (if at all) than those at the unaccredited British zoo, and if I had not told you which one was at the unaccredited zoo and you had to guess – would you have guessed correct?  Most importantly however you probably wonder what the outcome was with the legal case.  Well there was nothing which the US courts could determine about the zoo which made them unable to look after chimpanzees or unsuitable for the move…  And yes – those chimpanzees are now living out the rest of their lives in a stunning new enclosure!

    Accredited Zoos Share Controversy

    There are many accredited zoos which face their fair share of controversy…  With the bad publicity which SeaWorld has received over past years since the premier of Black Fish (publicity which in many cases I don’t necessarily agree with – but that’s a blog entry for another day altogether) many people may be surprised to hear that their parks are all accredited or that Copenhagen Zoo, the park which euthanized Marius, a surplus male giraffe and carried out a public autopsy in 2014 (something which sparked world wide outrage) is also accredited with multiple associations.

    Zoo associations may be seen as a kind of “old boys club” and as such pretty much all of the worlds largest and oldest zoos are members of these associations – which means that most of the worlds best zoos are accredited.  However amongst zoos which are not accredited you have parks such as Wingham Wildlife Park, Hamerton Zoo and the Rare Species Conservation Center…  All of these British zoos do great work for conservation and have some of the most varied and specialist collections and / or species in European zoos.  As mentioned previously there are plenty of reasons why zoos may have left or never joined an association, however one instance where it is worth thinking twice about visiting a zoo may be on occasions where they have either tried to apply for membership but were refused or were kicked out of the association for some reason.

    Don’t get me wrong…  This doesn’t mean that even all unaccredited zoos are good or always as good as all accredited zoos!  There are plenty of zoos which are unaccredited and in some cases shouldn’t even be licensed, and this is certainly something which you would be less likely to encounter amongst accredited zoos.  I think what you need to take away from this is that you need to look at any zoo upon their individual merits, not on whether an organization which you often just need to pay to be a member of, has put their stamp of approval on them…  It is always worth making up your own minds about many things in life – zoos are one of them!