Warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) are among my favorite animals to spot on safari. I dare you not to smile when you see a warthog trot, with tail straight up in the air accentuating its little muscular behind. I'm not sure why safari companies don't feature them as a main attraction, perhaps they're not quite pretty or rare enough. As with many things in life, the more you know about them, the more fascinating they get. Here are some facts about the warthog...

10 Warthog Facts

• Warthogs are named for large wart-like protrusions on their foreheads (some with white hair growing out them)
• Warthogs are commonly found throughout sub-Saharan Africa
• Warthogs can jump
• Warthogs generally live up to 15 years
• Warthogs sleep in burrows (which they often borrow from aardvarks) and always enter them in reverse
• Lions really like to eat warthogs
• Female warthogs and their young live in family groups called soundings
• Warthogs have poor eyesight
• Warthogs graze on short grass by kneeling down on their little padded, hairy knees
• Male warthogs can weigh up to 250 lbs

Sources and More:
AWF on the Warthog
University of Michigan on the Warthog
Wildwatch.com on the Warthog

_{Warthog at Kruger National Park - © Getty Images/Anthony Bannister}

If you're planning a trip to Africa during the World Cup next summer you may find yourself suddenly alone in the streets of Accra or banging on the doors of a closed shop in the middle of the day in Abuja. The 6 African nations that are playing in South Africa's 2010 Soccer World Cup will bring their respective countries to a total standstill during their matches. And as the tournament goes on, if any African team makes it to the second round, prepare yourself for much jubilation from Marrakech on down to Harare. The fact that this is the first time the World Cup has ever been held in Africa, makes it even more of an occasion. So get out your vuvuzelas, cheer on the African teams with me and enjoy the show. I've got the lowdown on:

• Algeria -- The Desert Foxes
• Ghana -- The Black Stars
• Cameroon -- The Indomitable Lions
• South Africa -- Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
• Ivory Coast -- The Elephants
• Nigeria -- The Super Eagles

_{South African Fans Blowing Vuvuzelas -- Getty Images}

The Majorelle Gardens offer a little slice of tranquility from the hubbub of the busy streets of Marrakech. Owned by Yves Saint Laurent (his ashes have been strewn in the garden now) and Pierre Bergé, the Majorelle Gardens were created by French painter Jacques Majorelle who settled in Morocco after the First World War.

With over 300 species of spectacular plants, many planted in vibrantly colored pots, the Majorelle Gardens are a botanical work of art. A brilliantly painted studio of Majorelle's is now a quaint little Islamic Art Museum with pieces coming from the owners' personal collection... read more.

_{Image of the Islamic Art Museum, Majorelle Gardens, Marrakech, Morocco -- © Anouk Zijlma}

Every year, musicians from all over the world gather with Touareg tribesman to enjoy one of the most unique festivals in the world. The Festival au Desert will enjoy its 10th anniversary in January 2010, on a small patch of the Sahara, in place called Essakane in Mali. The 3 day music festival will be held from 7 - 9 January in 2010.

The Touareg nomads traditionally gather once a year to exchange news, do a little trading as well as share songs and poems. In the past 10 years, musicians from other parts of Mali as well as Europe, and even as far as Canada, have been invited for the festival. In 2008, you could watch Inuit perform alongside a reggae band from the Ivory Coast and blues musicians from Mali. This is truly a "world music" event. While some commercialization is creeping in, Essakane is 2 hours from Timbuktu and very remote. It will be a while before you can really call it "a sell out".

The festival is an adventurous "bring your own tent" affair with little, to no electricity, so leave the curling iron at home. But several tour agencies who specialize in festival tours and/or Mali make it easier to get to and enjoy. At least, they provide the tents and transportation so you don't have to lug your camping equipment half way round the world. Nor will you have to borrow a camel to get there. You can save some of your energy to party for 3 nights instead.

Festival au Desert Tours:

Palace Tours based in Philadelphia offer numerous Festival tours from one week to two weeks.

Venus Adventures specializing in women only travel offer a 17 day Mali itinerary including the Festival

Wild Frontiers based in UK has an 18 day tour that includes the Festival

Saga Tours based in Mali offer a 2 week festival/Mali itinerary

Festival au Desert Reviews and Videos

NY Times feature on the Festival au Desert in 2008

The Guardian's review of the Festival au Desert

BBC Slideshow of the 2007 Festival au Desert

_{Touareg, Mali -- © Getty Images/Peter Adams}