John Hunwick

Environmental problems are key challenges of the XXIst century. The terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments have declined in virtually all aspects. New developments in industry and manufacturing were root causes of environmental degradation over the past three decades. The rapid growth of population, urbanization and globalization are the driving force of the environmental problems. However, the challenge is extremely high not only for the well-developed regions, but in poor parts of the world as well. The challenges have to be dealt with at the micro environemt of the chicken ark keeping village, right through to the macro envronment of gross resource exploitation

Such environmental problems as land degradation, deforestation, declining of marine resources and water scarcity of deteriorating of water and air quality are on the priority list in Africa. Despite, Africa possesses wealthy natural resources many Africans live in poverty unable to benefit from the African wealth because of uneven distribution across the continent and partly because of African complicated history over the past 50 years after the decolonization.

Africa has a vast majority of poor states and regions, and poverty is a major reason and consequence of the environmental degradation. The present paper ascertains the small research on the environmental issues in Africa. In the work I will analyze one Africa region, demonstrating its problems in the environment. At the end I will point out the root cause of these problems and suggest possible ways out, if there are any.

In general a vast majority of countries in Africa depend more on their natural resource base for economic and social needs than any other region in the world. Thus, two-thirds of sub-Saharan Africa’s people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture and other natural resources for income. Sub-Saharan states of Africa are right the countries, where environmental problems are first on the agenda. The environmental problems have already waited a long time for their turn. Among them there are air and water pollution, inefficient use of natural resources, oil spills and so on. Environmental problems of sub-Saharan Africa also include air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of soil and soil fertility, and a dramatic decline in biodiversity throughout the region. nest paragraphs will face the problems in more details.
It is quite understandable that the environmental problems in Sub-Sahar region are crucial and severe. The most compelling problem in Sub-Saharan Africa is that it has one of the world’s fastest growing populations (approximately 2.2% a year). With the fast grow of the population the environmental challenge increase. By the year 2025 according to some estimation, the population of the African people will be over a billion. This means that the environmental challenges will definitely double or triple. Some literature indicate that Sub-African countries managed to perform more effective economic policies, which influenced the development in the region in general, but GDP growth has stagnated recently and it is obvious that with the stagnation of the economics will cause decrease in the solution of the ecological challenges.
Poverty also is the main factor that influences the development of the environmental issues. And it also exists in Sub-Sahar region, despite the region is not that poor in the comparison with other regions in Africa and in spite of the wealth natural resources. In general the problems in sub-Sahar and in Africa in common was addressed during the World Summit on sustainable Development (WSSD) which was help in South Africa in August 2002. Basically, the material of the summit points out main environmental problems and challenges. The key issues which dominate African environmental problems were addressed during the summit. They include:

1. Water pollution and sanitation. First of all water pollution is caused by oil transmission n ship ports, water resources poor management, lack of financial resources required for sustainable development and efficient utilization of resources, absence of effective regional and basin development plans and shared management, and under-estimation of the groundwater potential to supplement irrigation and drinking water supplies. Thus, Africa’s freshwater problems are acute and worsening. Freshwater shortage is the two greatest limits to development in Africa;

2. Energy. Energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa varies dramatically and dominates fuel consumption. According to reports the use of wood for fuel is predominant in both rural and urban locations and accounts for approximately 70% of total energy use. This cause another problem deforestation. In Sub-Sahara region Nigeria consistently leads to commercial energy consumption. Thus, according to data in 2001, Nigeria consumed 0.92 quadrillion Btu (quads), 32% of all energy consumed in the region. Although domestic demand for energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, consumption levels remain well below world averages. I would like to mention but few words about deforestation. Africa is home to one of the world’s largest rain forests.

It is obvious that rain forests are lungs of the Earth and their reduction cause air pollution. They protect and stabilize soils, recycle nutrients and regulate the quality and flow of water. Deforestation is one of the most pressing environmental problems not only in Africa but in other parts of the world and has negative implications for the local and global environment. Forests cover about 22 per cent of the region, but they are disappearing faster than anywhere else in the developing world. During the 1980s Africa lost 10.5 per cent of its forests. Thus, African forests are shrinking as a result of deforestation;

3. Deforestation causes another problem - threats to biodiversity. The richness of African biodiversity requires greater protection and a sustainable use that will ensure the income of those who depend on it. There is a need to maximize biodiversity landscape protection, to give priority to biodiversity areas close to areas of high population density, and to give balanced attention to such regions as the arid and semi-arid areas.

4. Oil pollution. Oil pollution is one of the issues that must be specified being a controversial subject of heated discussion among the representatives of the academia. In a number of countries such as Nigeria and Angola, fore example, oil is the principle source of benefits. However it is pretty clear that new technologies used in oil exploration are extremely harmful for the environment. Environmental problems are common and rise heated debates. On the one hand, it expands relations among states, diversify trade relations, bring benefits. But, on the other hand, the benefits from oil are not fairly distributed among the population. The revenues from oil mainly belong to some local government communities or certain groups of interest. But the commons of Sub-Sahara have to face the oil-related problems.

Increased food insecurity resulting from rapid population growth, degradation of agriculture and arable lands, and mismanagement of available water resources combined with poor economic policies to support food production. Land degradation is also a serious environmental problem. However, Africa owns vast areas of unexploited arable land which could be exploited in the future through the integrated management of land, water and human resources.

After the Summit was held sub-Saharan Africa many problems were clear. To summarize, the address of environmental issues first of all lie in environmental awareness. But what was done to address the challenges? First, many problems in this region received more attention than in past and The United States pledged $4.5 billion over the next three years to combat HIV/AIDS and improve access to safe water. Many projects were launched by international organizations and NGOs in order to promote forest conservation. European Union was also involved in the process of combating the issues and helped in brining water and sanitation services. These events were helpful but did not solve the whole spectrum of problems.

it is clear that external participation is not obviously enough in addressing complicated problems. It is understandable that local governments have to work hard on solutions. The environmental problems that were addressed in the paper are not unique and can be found in many regions of our planet, especially where poverty flourish. But not only poverty is the decisive factor in pollution. Russia, for example is the state which suffers from the water and air pollution caused by nuclear developments. The problem was not resolved completely as Russia does not want to cease the development of nuclear infrastructure, but it was addressed at least party.

It is important to notice that a vast majority of states face environmental issues and problems, they may vary from region to region, but in general almost every region on this planet where urbanization or globalization takes place is a subject to environmental problems. Moreover, environmental issues may vary from one region to another, but still may have an impact upon different sphere of economics or social spheres. To cap it all the environmental issues need regular monitoring, assessments and public reports of the state.

Water pollution is one of the examples of growing global awareness and efforts made to combat the issue. It must be noticed that the environmental impacts associated with oil exploration and development was the controversy surrounding the World Bank’s approval of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project in June 2000.

The summit, which was held on Sub-Sahara issues drew the attention of a number of developing states and the world hegemony the United States as well as regional or international organizations. The awareness of the problems made these entities to collaborate on the issue.

The increase of problems awareness influenced also the attention of local governments. But it is clear that some states of Africa because of their poverty undoubtedly need the interference of stronger states in the resolution of the problems. It was stated at the beginning of the paper that environmental problems are rather new and some of them are not more that 10 or 20 year old.

To some extent they were caused by globalization and urbanization. Thus, is they are caused by global inadequate levels of population grow and demands for more water and oil, then the burden of their resolution is also global. It is true that the increase in environmental awareness made people more persistent in the demands toward local governments. But the forceful demands are not enough, as significant regions in Africa are poor and suffer from poverty issue. This means that it is important to increase environmental awareness within the general public, but because of poverty it can not lead sometimes to strong and necessary changes.

Hence, the key challenge for Sub-African region is to reduce poverty. New approaches must be found and it is important to organize investment in climate studies. Establishing a positive investment climate in Africa is increasingly important to face the environmental problems in the regions, which are only involved in oil production.

Andrew Sandon
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/environmental-problems-in-africa-67595.html

Technorati Tags: climate changes, deforestation, natural resources

Water raises national fervor in Canada, and Canadians are reluctant to share their birthright with a United States that has mismanaged? Indeed, the prospect of losing control of its water under free-trade or other agreements is something Canadians seem to worry about constantly.

Water is having a significant impact on many people’s lives around the world. From droughts to quake lakes, floods to monsoons, people and animals are dealing with water in many ways.

Water reserves have become scarce in many African countries, such as Chad, due mainly to global climate change. As lakes shrink, the local population loses its means of survival, sowing the seeds for violence between communities.  This is a matter of survival for alrge numbers of people in sub-saharan africa where thei lack of water has led to the inability of populations to systain even the most basic agrculture.  Cattle, which need large quantities of water, often die.  Goats strip the remaining sparse vegetation and even keeping chickens is becoming dfficult across large areas. 

Water consumption is doubling every 20 years and yet at the same time, water sources are rapidly being polluted, depleted, diverted and exploited by corporate interests ranging from industrial agriculture and manufacturing to electricity production and mining.

The World Bank predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will suffer from lack of clean and safe drinking water.

Water molecules are naturally attracted and stick to each other because of this polarity, forming a hydrogen bond . This hydrogen bond is the reason behind many of water’s special properties, such as the fact that it’s denser in its liquid state than in its solid state (ice floats on water).

Water use doesn’t just include what you drink from the bottle or what you use to wash your clothes. It also includes the water used to grow the things we eat and wear. Water, of course, is essential to human health. Drinking enough water to replace whatever is lost through bodily functions is important. Water can be liquid, solid, or gas. It can evaporate into vapor or freeze into ice.

Water makes up more than half of your body weight and a person can’t survive for more than a few days without it. Your body has lots of important jobs and it needs water to do many of them. Water quality can be compromised by the presence of infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards. Water stress results from an imbalance between water use and water resources. The water stress indicator in this map measures the proportion of water withdrawal with respect to total renewable resources.

Clean water is vital to life and its supply is limited, so it must be utilized carefully to be sure it is protected for future generations. API and our members work to ensure the continued availability of high quality water. Clean water can be easy to take for granted. Flowing in and out of our homes and businesses through underground pipes, clean water for sanitation keeps our communities livable, our lifestyles possible, and our industries viable.

Technorati Tags: sub saharan africa, water shortages

Taking an African safari is an exciting holiday choice for many people however, given the nature of such an adventure, there is a required amount of due diligence to perform before you actually take off for the wilds of Africa.

I want to briefly highlight some areas of interest in this article which you will be able to expand on further by conducting more research

Botswana Safari

For sheer contrast in landscapes Botswana is the ideal candidate. From the dry arid lands of the Kalahari desert to the rich, life blooming Okavango Delta, Botswana offers many options. Because of it’s tremendous contrast, Botswana is a perfect choice for first time safari seekers. It has a deep history and and the choice of safaris range from mobile to fly ins. It’s also a welcoming country, with interesting domestic animals - the ubiquitous chickens (unusually they often use chicken arks because of snakes) and goats of course, but some more interesting animals in addition.

Kruger National Park

Undoubtedly Africa’s best known safari destination, Kruger has been officially in existence since 1926. Set in South Africa and formerly known as Sabie Park before being expanded and re-named more than 80 years ago, Kruger has been a safe haven for many animal species due to the threat of over hunting. Since being opened to visitors, Kruger has drawn visitors to it like a magnet however, there are certain codes of etiquette you’ll need to observe.

Kenya Safari

Kenya has been described as the “grand daddy” of African safari destinations because it is the birthplace of the traditional safari. Like Botswana, it offers plenty of diversity in both landscape and fauna. The Masai people are almost legendary around the world and the safari options are numerous. One of the favoured safari tours is the Gorilla tour. However, think of an animal in Africa and it’s likely to be in Kenya… elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs… all you’ll need is good working camera.

Tanzania Safari

Tanzania would just about be this author’s favorite safari destination. Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country and as a history student, it conjures up images of a rich, exciting and sometimes violent past. What it has to offer both in landscape and fauna is quite staggering… Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, wildlife and some amazing national parks. In fact, if it’s wildlife you’re interested in then Tanzania is pretty hard to beat.

These are just four areas on the African Safari trail well worth considering however, throw “into the mix” safari destinations in Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe plus consider short term safari options to major landmarks and areas and you begin to appreciate that vastness that is Africa.

Are there any dangers? Well sure, but tour operators are extremely over zealous about the safety of tourists that this almost doesn’t become a concern. Preparation for an African Safari is of the utmost importance and not only will you need to do homework on the intended area of visit but there is a little matter of “housekeeping” to perform as well. What to take? Clothing;light or heavy, personal care items, passports, money, sunblock treatments: your tour operator will be able to give you a shortlist to consider before leaving the country. The latter just about becomes the most important part of the trip because if you get it right, then your African safari experience becomes a whole lot more attractive.

Dean Caporella
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/favorite-african-safari-destinations-and-safari-preparation-59878.html

Technorati Tags: safari preparation, safaris impact on infrastructure and economics, sub saharan tourim

As South Africans turn their hearts towards Christ, communities are being changed, and major societal problems are diminishing.

Color blind
Racial tensions, for example, have been extreme in this country that was formerly run by an all white government. Though the black population now has equal rights under the post apartheid leadership, they are frequently treated as outcasts by the white minority. As black citizens move into communities, white residents generally move out.

However, one pastor has challenged his all white congregation to be different. He has begun several Bible studies where citizens of both races come together. As a result, his church is growing, and tensions are diminishing. Other trained leaders are also following his example in beginning bi racial studies.

Combating AIDS with purity
As is the case with most of the continent, AIDS has also been wreaking havoc throughout South Africa. According to Operation World, it is the primary cause of death in South Africa, with more than a thousand victims buried daily. This devastating trend is due, in large part, to lifestyles of promiscuity.

Yet through Bible studies, South Africans are learning that God intended something much different. One Bible study graduate says, My life is now completely changed. I started knowing how special I am before God. I even know that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It remains to be seen whether this message will spread in a continent where traditional values have always been male dominated and promiscuity is the norm.

Christian (and normally white) values and culture have been responsible for oppression in the past, as well as improvements in education. Combatting AIDS will take a major shift in attitudes.

South African safaris are home to wide spectrum of animal species including the celebrated group of five: the buffalo, rhino, lion, elephant and leopard.

They were not named so because they have gained great popularity but because they mainly offer the experience of witnessing the dance of life happening in sight of travelers. They are the hunters that give fright to their preys. Thus, excitement for their viewers.

Game viewing, as this activity is called, is typically done with walking safari. However, due to the increase in popularity of canoeing, horseback riding and camel safaris walking becomes only one of a tourist’ option. It is designed specifically for the hardy souls though and for the physically fit.

A standard walking safari is composed of 8 to 12 persons aged 12 to 60. This lasts for 3 days and 2 nights. With other modes of game viewing however, one should be in company of a guide.

The flagship of all South African safaris is the Kruger National Park creation of Paul Kruger, the president of Transvaal Republic in 1898. His advanced vision sparked the idea of creating wildlife sanctuaries and preservation areas to let nature continue growing at her own rate.

With the Kruger National Park, South Africa is truly unrivalled in its immense resources. The big five aside, South African harbors some of animal world’s most interesting games such as the wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, warthog, an array of antelope species and jackals, hippos, and zebras. Kruger Park is also home for some 500 species of birds and 140 species of mammals.

With its 20, 000 sq. km land area of unspoilt land, Kruger offers visitors not only its animal resources but also its wide spectrum of plant species. South Africa safaris are not only made famous by the Kruger National Park, they also placed their names in top African destination through the fame of The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park- one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas in the world.

It is not for the fainthearted though. This is the sight for the distinguished black-maned Kalahari lions along with other animal species like bat-eared foxes, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, and the likes. While on South African safaris, never forget to take some images of wildlife with you. Capture them in photos if you can. Animals such as those that thrive in nature pass only once. It would be wise if you can have a token of remembrance from them.

Although many places and creatures in Africa are the best in their own kinds, some still assert that Zimbabwe offers some of the bests.

Be stunned by the waters of the Victoria Falls, be amazed by the rolling hills, experience the circle of life with the enormous elephants and buffalo and never forget, go back in time with the rock arts that were created even before civilizations sprouted.

Although Zimbabwe safaris are only some of the seemingly endless offerings of Africa, wonders of nature can still be found in here that may not be found anywhere else. In this article, we have collected some of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that cover Zimbabwe safaris.

Chimanimani National Park, situated at the eastern region of Zimbabwe, this park is the only one that allows hikers and trailers to travel without guides. It is a botanist’s paradise since it boasts hundreds of plant species.

Chizarira National Park, famous for its panoramic views, Chizarira is not for the faint hearted. It has difficult access that very remote. Nonetheless, it offers its guests amazing sites of natural wonders.

Gonarezhou National Park, at one point in time the elephants dwelled in here thus the name Gonarezhou which literally meant as “abode of elephants”. But people are now trying to recover its past but the elephants never forget. They tend to become nasty to visitors.

Hwange National Park, being the premier game viewing area of Zimbabwe, Hwange is the largest national park. It never gets crowded though. The driest months are the peak season for the visits. This is when game viewing is most excellent since animals congregate within water holes. This park also harbors the largest and most diverse animal species in the region, some 400 birds species and the combination of plain animals and the predators.

Lake Kariba, a man-made water reserve, Lake Kariba now serves as the haven for water adventure lovers. It features water skiing, fishing and sailing. Swimming is not allowed since it is also the haven for crocodiles and other reptiles.

Matopos National Park, this is where history seemed to centralized. Packed with many cave men drawings that depict the existence of life in the soil of Zimbabwe even before it was discovered. It also harbors thick population of wild animals including the rare black rhino.

Matusadona National Park, featuring wild mountains and flat plains, Matusadona is truly a land of rising and falling altitudes. It is also known for nursing large herds of both fish eagles and buffalo.

South Africa is more than a place you merely see, its a country to experience with all five senses.

It’s an emotional encounter that makes one want to return and so I have now on my 5th visit to this land of beauty and freedom. It is a land of contrasts where traditional African ways are blended with those of modern Europe.

Here we are more a traveler than a tourist as we set out on safari in a small convoy of vw campervans, changing hotels each night. We follow the Garden Route, the premier tour route preferred by locals. Included in our group of 45 were a fighter pilot, 2 physicians, 2 psychoanalysts (who came in handy for me), mother/daughter, father/son, the uncle of Julia Roberts and one of my good friend whose passport stamps trump mine, Frank.

As we passed endless shantytowns of tin shacks, we understood why the unemployment rate was at 39%. This is the wealthiest nation in Africa, but its resources are stretched due to the influx of 50,000 refugees each year from neighboring nations.

We learn that when a man erects a hut on your front lawn, after 72 hours you must allow him to remain or find him a new place to settle. In a population 30% white and 70% of color, reverse discrimination occurs for jobs. There are 11 official languages in South Africa. Most speak Afrikaans, a language derived from the Bushmen and Dutch.

There is an indescribable warmth and friendliness in the people here. “Ubuntu” is their word for welcome. They have no word for stranger in their native tongue.

Day 2 - Cape Town rules with incredible natural wonders and trendiness. A cross between San Francisco and Rio, I could certainly reside here. We do a full day Peninsula tour including Camps Bay, Fish Hook, Simons Town, Hout Bay and more. Along the spectacular coast we saw whales breeching.

The highlights included a cruise to Seal Island, a hike among thousands of penguins and funicular up to Cape of Good Hope where the Atlantic and Indian oceans merge. There were many great Kodak moments. At night all scattered to the famous V&A Waterfront with its plethora of pubs and cafes.

Day 3 - We head to laid back Hermanus for a whale of a good time. The annual whale festival is on led by the world’s only “Whale Crier” who blows his horn at each sighting. Whales gather here every September to mate. The clear bays are nurseries for mother and calves.

There are about 5000 Southern Right Whales named centuries ago as they were the right whales to hunt. They have no teeth and swallow up to 400lbs of fish per day.

My supplier said we should see thousands gathered here in protected bays, but locals told me they were shy today and only a few surfaced. Nevertheless it was a great free day of festivities. The whole town goes whale-gaga and we loved mingling with the friendly locals.

Springtime is in bloom now with a kaleidoscope of geraniums, lavender, canola, starburst and colorful protea. My wedding bouquet was calla lilies. Here they grow like weeds. We spent the night in the charming tiny town of Arniston. Our hotel sat ocean’s edge surrounded by mountains that were dotted with lighthouses.

Day 4 - We depart through majestic mountains and Mossel Bay. Our destination was Oudtshoorn, “Feather capital of the world.” Since 1864 this is the world’s foremost supplier of all things ostrich; hide, meat and feathers. We visit a huge farm to witness mating and hatching. Some got to ride the oddball creatures.

Next stop was a wildlife center for an opportunity to get extremely close to various native animals. We had our photos petting leopards, lion cubs and a pigmy hippo named Humphrey. This was home to “Duma,” the famous cheetah from the movie of the same name.

Rare white tigers are bred here. There are only 300 left on earth. Many in our group partook in the worlds only “caged croc dive” where they were lowered by cage into the warm water and surrounded by chomping jaws. These Nile crocs are huge. One bite and could break your spine and shatter all your ribs. This place provided many thrilling encounters.

Our final stop was the famous UNESCO Cango Caves, Arica’s largest show cave. I nearly opted out of going as I’m not a cave woman. It was however, incredibly impressive as we walked chamber to chamber in massive dry caverns which are a mere 800,000 years old.

Day 5 - We arrive to lovely Plettenberg Bay. First tour is Monkeyland, the world’ first free roaming mutli-specie primate sanctuary. Here it’ all about rescue of previously abused monkeys, baboons, apes and lemurs of Madagascar. They tried to steal our belongings at our outdoor lunch.

Later we visited the Elephant sanctuary for a hands on interactive educational tour. I didn’ know African elephants could be tamed like Asian or Indian. We learned that no other creature is as understanding as the elephant which can learn, remember, meditate and conceive such things man can hardly perform.

We enjoyed a Trunk-In-Hand tour where we walked, fed and examined by touch its ears, tail, tongue and tear ducts. That was sweet. The trainers were Zulu-men. I departed giving them a thumbs up. With big grins they thanked me. I didn’ know this gesture in Zulu signified they were highly fertile.

We spent 2 nights at Whalesong Lodge overlooking the ocean and a favorite of all. Here a surprise wedding reception was arranged for us with cakes, local wines and more from our US supplier. After Frank made a heartfelt toast, we all sang “Going to the airplane and we’re gonna get married.” Dinners were on our own. Everything is so affordable here that we often ordered 4 courses.

Day 6 - We’ve traveled to Knysna, oyster capital of the world. There we boarded a ferry and sailed to Featherbed Nature Reserve. 4×4 Jeeps then took us to the summit of the Western Heads for breathtaking views of the sea.

From there we did a downhill hike through forest to the crashing waves on the coast. (It’s the most dangerous bay on earth for boats which sail these waters and thus are unable to even get insurance.)

A fresh seafood buffet greets us at the Food Forest set under a canopy of milkwood trees. In departing this little piece of paradise, I noticed the pier is black covered in mussels. Rare seahorses are bred here. These remarkable creatures mate for life and it’s the male that gives birth.

In the afternoon we joined Ocean Safari’s in search of whales, dolphins and sharks. For me, this was the highlight of the trip. It was so unique how they launched our boats like rockets into the Atlantic.

These research boats allowed us legally to get extremely close to whales. Our boat came upon two 50 ton whales mating. One was the size of Moby Dick that gracefully arced as the other slapped its flipper with a cascade of water. It was like seeing 2 motorcoaches rolling in the water. Another boat spotted 2 pods of 20 whales playing together.

This eco-adventure was a powerful experience that left us in stunned silence until our departure. Fighting the surf on our return to shore was like storming the beaches of Normandy (sans bullets) and very thrilling.

Day 7-9 - We set out for our longest drive of 4 hours to our game reserve. The scenery was unblemished under the African sun with rolling hills, indigenous forests, golden beaches and sand dunes that spilled into the sea.

We arrived to luxurious Kariega, a private reserve with an abundance of game that was a world apart. Set in 14,000 lush acres bordered by the Bushmans rivers, it was stunning. We passed the electric gates to see herds of gazelle, water buck, antelope and wildebeest. The landscape was a giant lawn for the omnivore wildlife to satisfy their appetites.

Five game drives were provided and at the sunset photo stops wine and beverages were added. Our ranger guides were excellent and these were the most comfortable safari jeeps made. Conservation here is paramount. In nature nothing is guaranteed.

I’ve known friends to spend thousands of dollars on African safaris and with rain they saw little of anything. The benefit of a private reserve is guaranteed sightings.

This was just a taste of what Africa holds but here we obtained the best photography ever within mere feet of lions, elephants, rhino and countless more animals. The Cape buffalo is the most dangerous animal on earth due to its unpredictability. It’s the only animal a Masai warrior will run from.

Several here had been semi-domesticated and suddenly approached our jeeps. One client reached out to pet it as if it were the barnyard cow. It remained calm but rage could occur within seconds. For free time we enjoyed a river cruise among hippos and hiked on marked trails. No where else have I been able to walk among wild eland and zebra in the bush like I did here!

Our farewell “Boma dinner” of traditional cuisine was set under the stars of the Southern Cross. The local staff sang and danced by a bonfire. It was a perfect end to our journey well done.

Susan Davis
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/south-africa-surf-and-safari-whales-and-garderns-109372.html

Technorati Tags: south africa

According to parrot experts, the Senegal parrot one of the best-known members of the entire Poicephalus family for having compact and cuddly physical traits and a very playful attitude. Frequently seen in pet shops around the United States and Europe, Senegal parrots originated from the north central part of Africa.

Unlike other parrot species, parrots posses an entirely different nature which are extremely playful, gentle and sweet in temperament that is perfect for its charming personality, cleverness, clear speech, and manageable behavior. They are also quieter but are good talkers if taught and trained properly. Since they possess much tamer nature, are known to be less demanding especially if they are given daily attention and interaction.

SENEGAL PARROT 101

Senegal parrots are the most commonly kept Poicephalus birds there are. Identified for being a green bird with a gray head, Senegal parrots are famous for sporting different colored under parts, either its belly or vest with a bright yellow iris.

Senegal parrots can be divided into three sub-species that can easily be characterized by the color of their bellies as well as by their following names that include Poicephalus senegalus senegalus hailing from Southern Mauritania, southern Mali to Guinea and from the Island of Los, these are known as the nominate race and has a yellow belly; Poicephalus senegalus versteri originates from the Ivory Coast and Ghana east to western Nigeria and has red belly; and Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus coming from Eastern and North- eastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon into south-western Chad and has an orange belly.

These parrots live in moist woodlands and on the edges of the grasslands. They primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and grains particularly the seed of locust beans and newly formed buds of a various trees.

A Senegal parrot’s diet should consist of a good quality seed mixture of nuts, seeds, lean meat, biscuits, fruits, and vegetables-either raw or cooked. Vitamin and mineral supplements are also given to meet the nutritional need of the parrot.

Hand reared Senegal parrots are the most suitable pets because they are small enough to handle and can be placed in a medium sized parrot cage. These should be kept in cages or aviaries where they can eat and sleep. Preferably, Senegal parrots should be housed in relatively small cages manufactured for “small birds” and should be provided with lots of toys, T-stands and swings.

Senegal parrots are not as great talkers like the African Grey parrots but have the ability to learn a vocabulary depending on the owner’s patience to teach.

The following is an excerpt from the book Untapped
by John Ghazvinian
Published by Harcourt, Inc.; April 2007;$25.00US; 978-0-15-101138-4
Copyright © 2007 John Ghazvinian

Since 1990 alone, the petroleum industry has invested more than $20 billion in exploration and production activity in Africa . A further $50 billion will be spent between now and the end of the decade, the largest investment in the continent’s history — and around one-third of it will come from the United States . Three of the world’s largest oil companies — the British-Dutch consortium Shell, France’s Total, and America’s Chevron — are spending 15 percent, 30 percent, and 35 percent respectively of their global exploration and production budgets in Africa. Chevron alone is in the process of rolling out $20 billion in African projects over a five-year period.

The overwhelming majority of this new drilling activity has taken place in the so-called “deep water” and the “ultradeep” of the Gulf of Guinea , the roughly 90-degree bend along the west coast of Africa that can best be visualized as the continent’s “armpit.” Its littoral zone passes through the territorial waters of a dozen countries, from Ivory Coast in the northwest down to Angola in the south, and a good deal of its geology shares the characteristics that have made Nigeria a prolific producer for decades. Indeed, a number of unexpectedly productive fields have been discovered in the Gulf over the past decade. But although the Gulf of Guinea has lately been sub-Saharan Africa ’s most exciting region for the oil industry, it is hardly the only “prospective” part of the continent (to borrow the industry term). The parched semideserts of southern Chad and southern Sudan have recently added hundreds of thousands of barrels a day to global markets, and a growing chorus of voices is now touting the East African margin as the industry’s “next big thing.”

But be it east or west, jungle or desert, it is a safe bet that where the drillers go, the politicians, strategists, and lobbyists are not far behind. Washington in particular has taken a keen interest in Africa ’s growing significance as an oil-producing region since the headline discoveries of the late 1990s. In December 2000 the National Intelligence Council, an internal CIA think tank, published a report in which it declared unambiguously that sub-Saharan Africa “will play an increasing role in global energy markets,” and predicted that the region would provide 25 percent of North American oil imports by 2015, up from the 15 percent or so at the time. (This would put Africa well ahead of Saudi Arabia as a source of oil for the United States .) In May 2001 a controversial and fairly secretive energy task force put together by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney declared in its report: ” West Africa is expected to be one of the fastest-growing sources of oil and gas for the American market.”

In the following months, a group of congressmen, lobbyists, and defense strategists came together under the umbrella of the African Oil Policy Initiative Group, and began preaching the message that the Gulf of Guinea was the new Persian Gulf, and that it should become a strategic priority for the United States, even to the point of requiring an expanded military presence. A series of well-placed articles in the American media followed, some breathlessly announcing the inauguration of a new Middle East off the shores of Africa . Before long, the influential Center for Strategic and International Studies had chimed in with a couple of reports, its most recent, in July 2005, claiming that “an exceptional mix of U.S. interests is at play in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea .”

During these years, a number of prominent lawmakers in Washington began getting excited about the possibility of shifting some of America ’s oil dependence from the Middle East to Africa . One former senior official charged with African affairs recalls Kansas Senator Sam Brownback rushing up to him one afternoon in October 2002, positively glowing with excitement. “What do you think about bases in Africa ?” Brownback asked. “Wouldn’t that be great?”

——————————————————————————–

But does Africa measure up to the hype? After all, the entire continent is believed to contain, at best, 10 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves, making it a minnow swimming in an ocean of seasoned sharks. Africa is unlikely ever to “replace” the Middle East or any other major oil-producing region. So why the song and dance? Why all the goose bumps? Why do so many influential people in Washington let themselves get so carried away when they talk about African oil?

The answer has very little to do with geology. Africa ’s significance as an oil “play,” to borrow the industry lingo, lies beyond the number of barrels that may or may not be buried under its cretaceous rock. Instead, what makes the African oil boom interesting to energy security strategists in both Washington and Europe (and, increasingly, Beijing ) is a series of serendipitous and unrelated factors that, together, tell a story of unfolding opportunity.

To begin with, one of the more attractive attributes of Africa ’s oil boom is the quality of the oil itself. The variety of crude found in the Gulf of Guinea is known in industry parlance as “light” and “sweet,” meaning it is viscous and low in sulfur, and therefore easier and cheaper to refine than, say, Middle Eastern crude, which tends to be lacking in lower hydrocarbons and is therefore very “sticky.” This is particularly appealing to American and European refineries, which have to contend with strict environmental regulations that make it difficult to refine heavier and sourer varieties of crude without running up costs that make the entire proposition worthless.

Then there is the geographic accident of Africa ’s being almost entirely surrounded by water, which significantly cuts transport-related costs and risks. The Gulf of Guinea , in particular, is well positioned to allow speedy transport to the major trading ports of Europe and North America . Existing sea-lanes can be used for quick, cheap delivery, so there is no need to worry about the Suez Canal , for instance, or to build expensive pipelines through unpredictable countries. This may seem a minor point, until you look at Central Asia, where the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, stretching from Azerbaijan through Georgia and into Turkey , and intended to deliver Caspian crude into the Mediterranean, had to navigate a minefield of Middle East politics, antiglobalization protests, and red tape before it could be opened. African oil faces none of those issues. It is simply loaded onto a tanker at the point of production and begins its smooth, unmolested journey on the high seas, arriving just days later in Shreveport , Southampton, or Le Havre .

A third advantage, from the perspective of the oil companies, is that Africa offers a tremendously favorable contractual environment. Unlike in, say, Saudi Arabia, where the state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco has a monopoly on the exploration, production, and distribution of the country’s crude oil, most sub-Saharan African countries operate on the basis of so-called production-sharing agreements, or PSAs. In these arrangements, a foreign oil company is awarded a license to look for petroleum on the condition that it assume the up-front costs of exploration and production. If oil is discovered in that block, the oil company will share the revenues with the host government, but only after its initial costs have been recouped. PSAs are generally offered to impoverished countries that would never be able to amass either the technical expertise or the billions in capital investment required to drill for oil themselves. For the oil company, a relatively small up-front investment can quickly turn into untold billions in profits.

Yet another strategic benefit, particularly from the perspective of American politicians, is that, until recently, with the exception of Nigeria , none of the oil-producing countries of sub-Saharan Africa had belonged to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Thus they have not been subject to the strict limits on output OPEC imposes on its members in an attempt to keep the price of oil artificially high. The more non-OPEC oil that comes onto the global market, the more difficult it becomes for OPEC countries to sell their crude at high prices, and the lower the overall price of oil. Put more simply, if new reserves are discovered in Venezuela , they have very little effect on the price of oil because Venezuela ’s OPEC commitments will not allow it to increase its output very much. But if new reserves are discovered in Gabon , it means more cheap oil for everybody.

But probably the most attractive of all the attributes of Africa’s oil boom, for Western governments and oil companies alike, is that virtually all the big discoveries of recent years have been made offshore, in deepwater reserves that are often many miles from populated land. This means that even if a civil war or violent insurrection breaks out onshore (always a concern in Africa ), the oil companies can continue to pump out oil with little likelihood of sabotage, banditry, or nationalist fervor getting in the way. Given the hundreds of thousands of barrels of Nigerian crude that are lost every year as a result of fighting, community protests, and organized crime, this is something the industry gets rather excited about.

Finally, there is the sheer speed of growth in African oil production, and the fact that Africa is one of the world’s last underexplored regions. In a world used to hearing that there are no more big oil discoveries out there, and few truly untapped reserves to look forward to, the ferocious pace and scale of Africa ’s oil boom has proved a bracing tonic. One-third of the world’s new oil discoveries since the year 2000 have taken place in Africa . Of the 8 billion barrels of new oil reserves discovered in 2001, 7 billion were found there. In the years between 2005 and 2010, 20 percent of the world’s new production capacity is expected to come from Africa . And there is now an almost contagious feeling in the oil industry that no one really knows just how much oil might be there, since no one’s ever really bothered to check.

All these factors add up to a convincing value proposition: African oil is cheaper, safer, and more accessible than its competitors, and there seems to be more of it every day. And, though Africa may not be able to compete with the Persian Gulf at the level of proven reserves, it has just enough up its sleeve to make it a potential “swing” region — an oil province that can kick in just enough production to keep markets calm when supplies elsewhere in the world are unpredictable. Diversification of the oil supply has been a goal — even an obsession — in the United States since the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s. Successive U.S. administrations have understood that if the world is overly reliant on two or three hot spots for its energy security, there is a greater risk of supply disruptions and price volatility. And for obvious reasons, the effort to distribute America ’s energy-security portfolio across multiple nodes has taken on a new urgency since September 11, 2001. In his State of the Union address in January 2006, President Bush said he wanted to reduce America ’s dependence on Middle East crude by 75 percent by 2025.

Copyright © 2007 John Ghazvinian

John Ghazvinian

Gambia is a sliver in the side of Africa, one of its tiniest countries, but its attractions are just as bright as any in the region. Its capital city, Banjul, is a uniquely African experience, with a street side culture that chases away the holiday daze of glitzier cities.

A green tourist taxi from Banjul International Airport to any Atlantic coast resort costs about a third more than yellow taxis in either direction. There isnt any public transport to the airport, but minibuses (often an old vw campervan) between Brikama and Serekunda can drop you at the turn off 3km from the airport. From Fajara, you usually have to walk to the junction of Garba Jahumpa Rd and Kairaba Ave to pick up a shared taxi coming from Bakau.

The Gambia was also known, until 1994, as Africas longest running democracy. A small group of army lieutenants staged a coup that year, and the ensuing uncertainty following the uprising led to a decline in tourism, adding further stress to an already fragile economy. With the elections of 2001 and 2006, The Gambia has regained its status as a democracy, but it is a tenuous title as poverty continues to rise, freedom of the press is occasionally threatened and basic infrastructure including road conditions and electricity slides backward rather than forward.

Fajara is the oldest of a string of Atlantic coast resorts that includes Kololi, Kotu and Bakau. Along this six mile strip of beach is a line of about twenty hotels. Back from the beach are more hotels, with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, souvenir stalls and all the other paraphernalia of tourism.

This area of coastline is quite dramatic with red rock cliffs interspersed with small beaches. Care should be taken if swimming in this area.

It is important to always carry some form of ID, either your passport or a photocopy, on long journeys, as there are several checkpoints along the way, and the officials can be difficult if they want to be.

There are very, very few independent travellers in Gambia, like virtually none. This maybe due to very bad roads and almost no public transport.

The coolest period is from December to mid February, however, rainfall is a more significant factor than temperature in the climate here. Generally, the wet season lasts from June to October, and the dry season from November to May. The most uncomfortable time is the period of highest humidity, usually just before the wet season begins in June. However, in recent years the weather in the region has become harder to predict. Generally, rainfall levels have declined due to a combination of local deforestation and global warming. Wet seasons seem to start later and end sooner, although sometimes there are unexpected rainfalls during the normally dry.

Attritions includes the Botanical Gardens which were established during colonial times and are looking a little dilapidated now. However, its still a peaceful shady place. KololiBijilo Forest Park is a small wildlife reserve on the coast.
BakauKachikaly Crocodile Pool is a sacred site for locals, some of whom come here to pray, as the crocodiles.

When you travel to the Gambia a lot of people will ask you the same questions like Where are you from. When you answer these questions theres a little conversation and then a guy will usually walk with you. Its very hard to get rid of these guys. He presumes you need a guide even if you dont. Nevertheless he will demand money for his guiding. He may threatened to get this. The only thing to prevent this happening is to make clear, not only that you dont need a guide, but also that you dont pay anything.

Douglas Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-gambia-longest-running-democracy-124663.html

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway started operating on the 4th October 1929.

The Cableway has become as much of a landmark in Cape Town as Table Mountain itself, and has carried almost 15 million passengers to the top. Some of its better-known visitors include Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Margaret Thatcher and Jackie Chan, to name just a few.

Work on a complete upgrade began in January 1997, and the new Cableway was officially opened on the 4th October 1997 - the anniversary of the original launch almost 70 years previously.

Table Mountain provides a magnificent backdrop to Cape Town, and is famous for the tablecloth of clouds that pours down its slopes when the south-easter blows. This is a mountain of many moods and offers walkers and hikers a range of routes at various hiking levels. If you want the view without the effort, catch the state-of-the-art revolving cable car to the top, and have lunch or dinner in the table-top restaurant.

Rotating Cable Car:

Unlike their predecessors, the new cable cars (or Rotairs), transport you to the top in under 10 minutes. Each car has a carrying capacity of 65 people and a revolving floor giving a 360-degree view of the city and mountain as you glide to the top. The cars also offer excellent aerodynamics in high wind enabling a more reliable service.

On the top of Table Mountain, designated walkways lead you all over the tabletop to experience extraordinary views past Robben Island, to the very edge of the world as it curves into the Atlantic Ocean. Then look south along the rocky mountain ridges leading to Cape Point. The curio shop allows you to take home momentos bearing the insignia of Table Mountain - South Africa’s premier tourist attraction. Visitors can also enjoy a hot or cold buffet meal in the self-service restaurant.

Biodiverstiy Hot Spot:

Table Mountain is a biodiversity hot spot with many endemic species. Some of the most conspicuous fynbos plant species on the mountain are proteas, including South Africa’s national emblem the King Protea.

One unusual animal you can expect to encounter on the mountain is the Dassie or Rock Hyrax. About 50cm in length, it resembles a guinea pig, but is actually the closest living relative to the elephant!! The Table Mountain dassies are very sociable and have lost their natural fear of humans, but don’t touch or feed them as they bite.

Table Mountain National Park:

Take a hike, a ride, a walk, a stroll. Fly your kite, catch a wave, dive, snooze or picnic. You’ll see the surfers with their vintage VW campers, horse riders on the beaches in the morning, and lovers strolling at sunset.

If you are a nature addict and need a fix then the stunning sunsets, exquisite flora and fauna, vast white beaches and waves crashing endlessly against sheer cliffs, should satisfy your cravings.

All these elements combine to form the essence of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). Established in 1998, TMNP stars in the City of Cape Town and extends along the Table Mountain chain from Signal Hill in the north, to Cape Point in the south. The park incorporates 24,000 hectares and an additional 1,000 square kilometres of marine and coastal reserve.

Part of the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage site, TMNP is the heart of the unique Fynbos plant kingdom - the only plant kingdom on earth contained in one country. It is also the smallest yet richest kingdom in the world, with an area smaller than the City of London boasting no less than 2,285 plant species, many of which are endemic to the park. Because TMN is a park within a city, the conservation land is fragmented by urban development and private land. Few people realise that it is in fact one single Park, offering a diversity of attractions.

Within the SANParks stable, the TMNP is unique in that it is largely an open access park, offering locals and visitors free entry at the majority of its access points. In certain sections of the park, entrance fees are charged, which get channelled straight back into conservation initiatives and environmental education.