Which Way

Africa is one of the most exotic and interesting continents. Thanks to the fact that the continent is still wild in most its parts and thanks to the fact that it is home to a huge population of animals, Africa has always been a very important attraction for tourists from around the world. A trip to Africa in order to live a safari experience is one of those things that you have to do at least once in your lifetime. All you have to do is to book a vacation and to enjoy the experience of your lifetime. You can be sure that you will come back with memories to tell your children and grandchildren about, as Africa is definitely the continent that can help you feel you are alive.

Do you know what will you see if you travel to Africa? Well, you will surely see the cats, which are the animals that mostly impress the tourists. Africa has become the home of no less than three species of big cats: the cheetah, the leopards and the lions. Out of these three animals, the cheetahs are the smallest, as well as the most difficult to photograph. If you are passionate about photography and want to catch all three species of African cats, then it is recommended to choose a special safari. There are plenty of agencies that organize photography safaris in Africa for those who are passionate about photography. These safaris include night trips, as the night is the most likely period when the cheetahs can be photographed. The lions are the easiest to photographs, as they are generally not afraid when they see people and cars. You will even have the chance to get very close to the lions, so live the moment to the fullest.

The large mammals such as the elephants, the hippos and the rhinos represent another huge attraction of the African savanna; last but not least, the antelopes, the giraffes and all the other herbivores are extremely impressive when they get together for the Big Migration. The animal migration is a sight that will take your breath away; you will get the chance of seeing no less than 1 million animals together, starting their journey for food and water. It is absolutely amazing and one of the Africa phenomena that will surely impress you. This is why Africa is so beautiful and the reason why you should visit it at least once!

In recent times the world has seen great movements in terms of technological advancements. With the birth of the internet, mother earth has been projected into a new stratosphere where technological capabilities opened a whole new possibility. Several new concepts such as high speed broadband, smart phones, smart television and mobile tablets have come to fruition. However, as we are well aware, there has always been a lag between certain countries and continents in terms of development rates and often Africa is one of the most under developed continents in term of technological advancement. Where the majority of European countries will have high speed ‘4g’ internet as standard by 2015 many African people do not even know what the internet is or will probably never experience using the internet in their lifetimes. This is such a sobering example to think that there can be such a diverse spectrum of living conditions throughout the world in places which are only a few thousand mile apart. Although there is a continued effort to try and improve the dissimilarity between continents it is very hard to try and direct money through the correct channels in order to make sure it has the right impact. There have been many charitable efforts to try to increase the awareness and usage of such technology within the continent but often this has had little or no impact.

However, in more recent times there has been an upturn on the number of technology users in Africa. Although the absolute number remains low in comparison to other continents, Africa shows the highest percentage increase over the last year. This is a positive sign for those who are trying to increase the technological advancement rate within Africa.

There have been many schemes out in place to try and assist the technological grow within the African continent. Charity efforts such as http://africa-charity-project.org/ have campaigned to help improve the poverty in Africa through the means of the internet and technology. Concepts like these help to give villages in Africa a functioning, self-sustaining eco-system which will provide money to a village and allow become financially independent.

Further, mobile phone recycling schemes give recycling companies the chance to pass on fully functioning mobile phones at a fraction of the usual cost. Mobile phone recycling has many benefits which are not always apparent to each of us. When a user buys a new phone they often throw their old phone into the bin which causes the phone to end up in a landfill site causing pollution. However, the phone can be recycled through a phone recycling websites such as http://www.comparemobilephonerecycling.co.uk and provide cash to the consumer which can be used to help pay for the new phone. Once the phone is recycled this stops it from becoming a pollutant and the phone recycling company can then sell the phone on at a fraction of its usual cost to less developed countries helping both the phone recycling company to be sustainable and also helping the less developed countries to become more technologically advanced in the process.

We can see here the continuing efforts that are being made in order to try and close the technological gap between Africa and the rest of the world. The two aforementioned schemes are just examples of the many schemes which exist out there trying to improve the technological infrastructure of Africa. All together these schemes are slowly starting to make a small difference which will hopefully, in the near future, start to pay big dividends by changing the way civilians have to live in many parts of Africa. Only time will tell how positive the effect is and how quick the growth can be, but hopefully the more schemes that aim to improve and advance technology will help to propel the continent to new heights.

Botswana is landlocked and is situated in the centre of southern Africa. Botswana occupies an area about the same size as France or a little smaller than Texas.

Travel with Nomad/ Whichway on an overland adventure in Botswana – and you will find yourself exploring the fascinating deserts, wetlands, savannahs, the Okavango delta and wildlife-packed game reserves of one of the wildest regions in Africa. Botswana ‘s wonderful national parks and reserves are home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including elephant, cheetah, hunting dog, leopard, hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus and zebra. Botswana is backed by a stable & democratic government – ensuring that overland adventure travel in Botswana is safe and secure.

Botswana Travel Facts

Area: 600,370 sq km (231,800 sq mi)
Population: 1.6 million
Capital city: Gaborone
People: Batswana 60%, Bakalanga, Basarwa, Bakgalagadi
Languages: English, Setswana
Currency: Pula
Visas: No visa is required for visits of up to 90 days for citizens of most Commonwealth countries, most European countries, Israel, Japan, South Africa & the USA.
Time: GMT/UTC plus two hours
Health: Health risks: malaria.

Botswana Climate

Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn but experiences extremes in temperature. When you travel to Botswana you should be prepared for all types of weather. Days in Botswana are normally clear, warm and sunny, but nights range from cool to bitterly cold. In the Kalahari, sub-freezing nighttime temperatures are normal in June and July; where there’s enough humidity, frosts are common. Botswana is primarily a dry country, but a summer rainy season lasts roughly from November to March. From late May to August, rain is rare anywhere in the country.

Botswana Travel Tips

• April – August is a great and popular time to travel to Botswana, as the winter ensures that wildlife never wanders far from water sources.
• You’ll be pleased you have the services of your Nomad/ Whichway overland guide when travelling to Botswana in the summer months, as prolonged rains may render sandy roads inaccessible, and animals disperse when water is abundant.
• In Botswana basketry is a popular craft amongst the locals. The designs are exquisite and make excellent presents.
• For a different type of Botswana overland travel experience, why not try wildlife spotting on horseback or try bush walking. For a more tranquil adventure experience in the Okavango, try your hand at fishing.
• Botswana offers full banking services in most major towns, and there’s no trouble exchanging traveler’s cheques. Most major centres and shops accept MasterCard and Visa. American Express and Diners Club are not normally accepted.

For further information on Botswana you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana

Become a South African Overland Adventure traveller and you will appreciate just how diverse and how big South Africa is.

When it comes to land mammals, South Africa hogs the superlatives: it’s got the biggest (African elephant), the smallest (the pygmy shrew), the tallest (the giraffe) and the fastest (the cheetah). South African birding is among the best in the world, you can see a ground hornbill, lilac-breasted roller and fork-tailed drongo all on one Kruger game drive.

The South African flora ranges from the Cape fynbos and the thick indigenous forests of the Garden Route, to the jagged Drakensberg mountain range and the savannah grasslands of the north.

South African overland travellers can enjoy hiking trails and mountain biking trails – it’s even possible to cycle through some of the wildlife parks! South Africa also has some of the best, least-crowded surfing in the world, all the way up the coastline.

South African Travel Facts

Area: 1,221,037 sq km
Population: 43.1 million
Capitals: Pretoria (administrative); Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative)
People: 77% black, 10% white (60% of whites are of Afrikaner descent, most of the rest are of British descent), 8% mixed race, 2.5% of Indian or Asian descent
Languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, Ndebele
Visas: South African entry permits are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and most Western European countries, as well as Japan and the USA. If you aren’t entitled to an entry permit, you’ll need to get a free visa before you arrive.
Time: GMT/UTC plus two hours
Currency: Rand
Health risks: Malaria is mainly confined to the eastern half of South Africa, especially on the lowveld (coastal plain). Bilharzia is also found mainly in the east but outbreaks do occur in other places, so you should always check with your overland adventure guide before drinking water or swimming in it.

South African Climate 

Its position just south of the Tropic of Capricorn ensures that its topography and the surrounding oceans moderates the South African climate. Basically, the further east you travel, the more handy your rain-gear becomes, but there are also damp pockets in the south-west, particularly around Cape Town. The coast north from the Cape becomes progressively drier and hotter, culminating in the desert region just south of Namibia.

South African Travel Tips 

• Keep a few exchange receipts as you’ll need them to reconvert your rands when you leave South African ports and airports.
• The South African R200 note looks a lot like the South African R20 note, so take care when you travel.
• Spring is the best time for wildflowers in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.
• Keep an eye out for lurking crocodiles in South African streams and rampaging hippos in the northern coastal regions.

Kenya is situated on Africa’s east coast and straddles the Equator – which means warm weather and some striking landscapes. Kenya is most famous for her ‘Out of Africa’ beauty as well as Arabian influenced towns and islands.

The Kenyan scenery is probably most scenic and spectacular in the Great Rift Valley and central highlands. Travel overland and you’ll see the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent – the Kenyan flora and fauna defies easy description. Lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino are all easy to find in at least two of the major Kenyan National Parks.

Kenya is not only all about wildlife and game reserves, because down on the coastline lies Diani Beach – a hub of tropical activity, beautiful people and clear blue waters. Make sure you pay the Kenya Beaches a visit!

Kenyan Travel Facts

Area: 583,000 sq km
Population: 30,339,770
Capital city: Nairobi
People: 22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 16% other
Languages: English, Swahili, indigenous
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Visas: All Kenyan visitors require a visa except citizens of some Commonwealth countries and citizens of selected countries such as Denmark, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Sweden.
Time: GMT/UTC plus three hours
Health: Health risks: Malaria (except in Nairobi and high-altitude areas), cholera, hepatitis, meningitis, typhoid, HIV, Rift Valley fever and yellow fever.

Kenyan Climate

Travel on a Kenyan overland adventure and the first thing you will learn is that the Kenyan climate is always confusing and unpredictable!
Generally the pattern is that January and February are hot and dry, while from March to May it is hot and wet – this is known as the ‘Kenyan Long Rains’. From June until October the weather is warm and dry then come the ‘Kenyan Short Rains’.

Kenyan Travel Tips

• Beer drinkers are well supplied as Kenyans love their beer and there is a thriving local brewing industry.
• Kenyan traditional cuisine is a must; look out for beans and meat sauce, or nyama choma (barbecued goat meat.) Delicious!
• No Kenyan overland adventure is complete without some mountain hiking. Mount Kenya seems to be the place, but less trampled hiking areas include Mount Elgon on the Ugandan border, and even the Ngong Hills near Nairobi.
• Fishing-enthusiasts take note! Game-fishing opportunities off the Kenyan coast around Malindi are among the best in the world!
• Go hot-air ballooning over the Masai Mara and enjoy superb and silent aerial overviews.
• Travel to the Kenyan coastal towns such as Malindi and the Lamu Archipelago for plenty of adventure, diving, windsurfing and bronzing.
• Banks will change money, but their commission can be high. The place to carry your money is in a pouch against your skin. Anything more obvious will only make a thief’s job easier.
• Warning – Nairobi isn’t referred to as ‘Nairobbery’ for nothing – be careful!
• It’s very useful to have a working knowledge of Swahili – why not pick up a phrase book before you travel on your Kenyan overland adventure.

For more information on Kenya and Kenyan travel go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya