Mandela Day
Mandela Day 2016
In honor of Mandela day, it’s the time of the year that we remember how important it is to give to give back. The principle of Mandela day is taking just 67 minutes of your time to give back in whatever way you can.
The story of Nelson Mandela’s struggle has been long documented and been an inspiration to so many people all over the world. He spent 67 years working to make the world a better place, by devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good.
As someone who grew up in South Africa during apartheid, Mandela day is something that is very close to my heart, as I know first hand the difference that lending a helping hand can make in the lives of the people of Africa. At African Travel we are very proud supporters of The Amy Foundation who aims to empower and uplift the youth of the communities around Cape Town, through providing after-school programs in dance, drama, sports, music and cooking. African Travel is also the co-founder and strong supporter of TreadRight a non-profit organization dedicated to ensure the communities and environments we visit remain vibrant for generations to come.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a wonderful Mandela day and working together we can continue to spread his message of hope and kindness. If you would like to learn more about Nelson Mandela’s journey, why not make your next Safari “In The Footsteps Of Mandela”. This provocative journey of inspiration through the vibrant and culturally diverse "Rainbow Nation." The fascinating history of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa is brought to life through a collection of soulful encounters with the people and places he touched in his efforts to end apartheid. Round out your South African sojourn with a safari revealing the country’s natural beauty and wildlife."
Five Facts About The Zebras
Five Facts About The Zebras
The stripes on a zebra are like the human fingerprint. No two are the same. So too, are journeys to Africa. For 40 years, African Travel, Inc. has taken the time to get to know each traveler and craft their unforgettable moments across Africa. So when we say #WeKnowAfrica we know the right Africa for you. Zebras are part of one of the most awe-inspiring moments you can witness on safari, which is the great migration across the plains of the Serengeti.
Here are five of our favorite facts about this beautiful animal:
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The Zebra can run up to 65km/h. They combine this speed with amazing stamina and zig-zag motions to evade their predators.
- Zebras are very social animals, and will only sleep when they are close to neighbors in order to easily warn each other if predators are nearby. They also prefer to graze together, and can often be seen grooming each other.
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Although the zebra may appear to not be camouflaged very well, when they are in a herd the zebra’s distinct stripes merge into a big mass, making it hard for predators to single them out individually.
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All zebra are close to their mother, however, the males also form very strong bonds with their fathers.
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Zebras communicate with each other through various nonverbal expressions including sniffing, but also through their ears and tail through positioning. They can turn their ears in almost any direction and they harness this to communicate their mood, for example, the ears stand erect when they are calm and friendly.
To learn more about this fascinating creature talk to our safari specialists about crafting a tour to witness them across the great migration, or ask about our World’s Greatest Show & Safari - Serengeti.
10 Facts About The Big Five
10 Facts About The Big Five
Africa is without a doubt the destination of choice for travelers looking to experience the world’s best game-viewing. Out of all the images and feedback we receive the “Big Five” is always mentioned. One of the most frequent questions asked is, "what are the Big Five?” The “Big Five” consists of the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and African buffalo.
We have compiled a list of 10 facts about the “Big Five” so that you can show off your African wildlife knowledge on your next safari!
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African elephants communicate with each other from 5 miles away and at a frequency that humans cannot hear.
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African elephants are the world's largest land animals. The biggest can be up to 7.5m long, 3.3m high at the shoulder, and 6 tons in weight.
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African lions are the most social of all the big cats and live together in prides. A pride consists of about 15 lions.
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Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. Despite this, the males eat first.
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Rhinos are very inventive and make their own sunblock. Rhinos which will soak in mud for up to three hours at a time, rely on mud to protect their skin from biting pests and the blistering sun.
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The closest living rhino “relatives” are tapirs, horses and zebras. They are part of a group of mammals called odd-toed ungulates.
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The leopard is a very strong climber and pound for pound, the strongest climber of the large cats.
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Leopard cubs are born blind and completely rely on their mothers. Their eyes begin to open after about ten or more days and for the first few months, their eyes are bright blue.
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The African buffalo is one of the most abundant of Africa’s large herbivores. It will also not live in an area with less than 10 inches of rain water.
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Unfortunately all of these wonderful animals are all victims of population decline due to a mixture of environmental issues along with poaching and trophy killing. For example, In 1975 there were an estimated 250,000 lions in Africa, yet today the continent-wide population stands at 25-30,000.
At African Travel, Inc. we are passionate about the conservation of this beautiful continent along with protecting the landscapes and animals for years to come. Find out how you can give back on your next safari by adding a volunteer tour to your trip.
