Blogs from Africa - page 3060

After an amazing experience in the Okavango Delta, we made our way into the Caprivi Strip. Originally, Namibia had no access to the Zambezi River, which was a major trade route. When the British still had control of Botswana, they were able to negotiate for a plot of land near the river, which today is called the Caprivi Strip. The Caprivi Strip is a long strip of land surrounded by water (from the Kavango River to the Zambezi River) and ends at the four corners of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. That night, we stayed at Martin's Drift, which was in Katima Mulilo on the Zambezi River. The next afternoon, we were picked up in a larger safari 4x4 and headed off into Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is located in Botswana, had much different terrain ... read more

It's my second-to-last night here in the Blue Mango, so I'm starting to get reflective on my trip so far. I've been so many places, met so many incredible people, and seen some pretty amazing things on my journey. At times I have been hopeless, lonely, and angry. Others, I've been contented, amazed, and humbled. Overall, the past two months have been an incredible experience that I would not trade for the world. I have learned that reaching out to others always pays off. I've learned to be critical of even the most put-together, well-meaning organizations. I've learned to be patient with myself, and how to be patient with others when it seems there is nothing in common between you. I've learned loads about all sorts of cultures - Masai, Chagga, Buganda, even Irish. I've learned ... read more

Today, I saw the pyramids. And yes, the Great Pyramid is very large. I opted for a tour organized by the hotel. Just me, the tour guide and the driver. First, they took me to Islamic Cairo to visit a mosque. It's a beautiful mosque, and very different in design from the Turkish mosques. We also climbed a minaret to get a view of the city. Down below was the city of the dead, a cemetary. And looking out I could see perhaps a couple of kilometers in every direction. There is a lot of pollution and heat here to really obsure the view. Cairo is a huge sprawling city, but it's impossible to see from one end to the other. It's very monochromatic, you really see only one colour as you look: a sandy brown, ... read more

All ready and packed...and a little bit nervous. My flight leaves at 9:30pm tonight and i will land at 8 or 9am tomorrow morning in Windhoek. I have to stay in a place called the Cardboard Box for a night....which sounds dubious although the website looks quite nice!! Apparently there is another girl going with the same company on my flight tonight and we will stay together in this Cardboard Box place before being moved onto the sanctuary on friday. Im not sure what kind of internet access il get out there, but hopefully it wont be to sporadic and il be able to keep in touch with all of you!! Lots of love, Hannah xxxxxxxxxx... read more

Having a great time here so far in Tanzania, we are just back from an overnight bush camp in the Serengeti. You literally just pitch your tent up in a designated area but there is no fence to keep anything out so you really are in amongst everything. There was one pit toilet to use but as this had definitely seen better days the preferred option was to use the great outdoors instead - even knowing what was out there, which proves just how bad it was! We were one of three lucky (!) tents that had lions sleeping outside throughout the night. We were on the edge of the camp & the safari guides (who were safely locked up in a caged area, they said this was because they had to stay along with the ... read more