Anouk's Africa Travel Blog

Robben Island lies just off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa. Tourist brochures occasionally market it as the "Alcatraz" of Cape Town. It's true, convicts had been held on Robben Island for more than 400 years. But the reason most people visit the island (now a museum) is because over 3000 political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, were incarcerated there between 1961 and 1991. Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela and others began to frame the current South African constitution. The island symbolizes the eventual triumph of good over evil, of democracy over Apartheid. Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is not exactly "Alcatraz".

I recently toured Robben Island and was shown around by an ex-political prisoner who served more than a decade in the maximum security prison. He had played a roll in the anti-Apartheid student demonstrations that rocked Soweto during the mid-1970's. Everyone who purchases a tour of Robben Island is guided by an ex-political prisoner (for at least part of the tour). This means you can ask questions and gain insight into prison life from someone who was actually there. I can't think of anywhere else in the world that you are able to have this kind of experience.

Find out more about Touring Robben Island...

_{Image of Nelson Mandela's Cell -- © Anouk Zijlma}

I just got back from a very lovely week in South Africa which consisted of 4 nights in Cape Town and 2 nights in Timbavati Game Reserve -- all for just $1999. This price covered all my flights (international and domestic), accommodations, several meals, safari drives and a half-day tour in Cape Town (I chose to go to Robben Island). And this was luxury package to boot. The Royal Legend Safari Lodge I stayed at had a bathroom that was larger than a former apartment I had in New York.

On principle I pay for my own travel, and believe me, this means I look for a deal like the rest of you. Several people I met had managed to add a few days on, or changed their tours, all without a single hassle. And because it's South Africa, you really don't need a host of vaccinations, nor do you have to worry about getting sick since even the tap water is safe to drink. Cape Town is an extremely modern city and with a favorable exchange rate you can enjoy gourmet meals with fabulous wines for under $40.

If the idea of traveling to Africa frightens you a little, or if it always seems to be too expensive, this is the package you should opt for. It gives a great little taste of South Africa and will leave you wanting more. You can book the $1999 deal through South Africa Airways Vacations for September (2008) as well as the first 2 weeks of December (2008). It would just be silly not to.

Hunting safaris are big business in many of Africa's top safari destinations, but you won't see it advertised in the average glossy safari brochures. You can hunt for almost any African mammal if you pay enough. That includes cheetah, rhino, leopard, buffalo, lion, elephant, and kudu. Many of these are endangered species.

It will set you back about $20,000 to shoot a Bull elephant with a rifle in Namibia -- less if you don't want to bring home the trophy (the stuffed head). Namibia, Botswana and South Africa are popular hunting destinations and most of the big trophy hunting is done under strict laws governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and local governments.

Hunting safaris generate a significant amount of controversy. Some people are set against them on principle and some enjoy hunting and don't see anything wrong with it. Others may see it as a necessary evil since it does bring in a significant amount of cash that is sometimes used to further conservation efforts. Allowing some trophy hunting on community owned land is one way local people can raise money to better their lives, like the Ngome community in South Africa. But it's difficult to measure exactly where the profits go and how they are used.

One of the best Africa travel sites, the Africa Guide, doesn't even list hunting safaris as a vacation option on principle. I choose to list some links because I think it's important for people to see that it's out there. What do you think?

_{Image © David Hutchinson}

The best time for an African safari is when the animals are easy to find and in dense numbers. Deciding when to go on safari depends on what country you would like to visit and when you are able to plan your trip. Luckily the seasons differ a little between East Africa and Southern Africa. In April/May, East Africa heads into its rainy season, making it more difficult to spot wildlife, while Southern Africa welcomes a dry spell.

If you're looking to go on an animal specific safari like a Gorilla safari, or if you're an avid birder, the best times to go may not coincide with the main safari season.

Find out more about when to go on safari ....

_{Image © David Hutchinson}

Every tourist I met while traveling in Morocco, and particularly those who had just been in Marrakech, raved about their few days in Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast. That's because Essaouira is just a great place to relax. It has a nice medina (old walled part of town) which is cleaner, less crowded and less noisy than in Marrakech or Fes. It's a perfect place to shop and bargain for tourist trinkets, carpets, lamps and pottery. Essaouira's medina is also small enough that you won't get lost, so a guide isn't necessary.

There are plenty of cozy Riad's (traditional houses converted to boutique hotels) and some excellent seafood restaurants. Essaouira is a working port and part of the joy of visiting is watching the fishermen bring in the catch of the day. The ramparts that protect the town from the sea are quite beautiful and make for a perfect sunset stroll. It's not surprising that more and more French expatriates are calling this place home.

Read more about Essaouira...

It looks just like St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but it's actually even bigger, and it is situated somewhere in Africa. This Basilica is in the home town of a former president, basically in the middle of nowhere in the African bush, stained glass windows and all. Many of Africa's leaders in the 1970's and 1980's were prone to using their countries' meager resources to build some outrageous buildings that were not exactly suited to the climate, but very much suited their egos. This one is estimated to have cost over $300 million to build. Where is it?

And the answer is...

_{© Sierra Hutchinson}

African Festivals and Events in May include a fragrant Rose festival in Morocco and a hunting feast in Ghana. A film festival in Uganda will keep the video halls packed in Kampala. If you missed Mardi Gras in New Orleans, there's the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras in Knysna, along the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa. All the events are kicked off with International Labor Day on the 1st of May, which is a national holiday in most African countries.

More details about dates, times and places of May festivals in Africa

_{Image of the souq in Kelaa-des-Mgouna (Morocco) where the Rose Festival is held. © Tore Kjeilen of Lexicorient}

For some people, even the idea of catching malaria is enough to put them off a trip to Africa. So spread the good news and let your friends and family know that you can enjoy an excellent Big Five safari without having to wear eau-de-DEET.

South Africa boasts several malaria-free regions with some truly outstanding game parks. Most of these have benifited from huge wildlife relocation programs that started in the early 1990's. The idea was to turn farmland into wildlife reserves and it has succeeded beyond anyone's hopes. Not only can you now see the Big Five in these areas, but wild dogs, kudu and many more of Africa's rarer mammals.

Find out all about malaria-free safaris in South Africa ...

_{Madikwe Safari Lodge -- © CC Africa}

Pictured here are some of the remains of a great civilization that existed between the 11th and 15th centuries. A unique feature is the apparent lack of mortar holding the stones together. The country they are situated in, is named after these ruins. Where is this?

And the answer is ...... Click Here

_{Image © Getty Images / Neil Beer}

It's quite peaceful in Kenya right now, but the recent violence in the aftermath of Kenya's elections has really hurt the tourist industry. Many tourists changed their safari plans and decided to go to Tanzania instead. While the violence really didn't affect Kenya's tourist areas, the official Travel Warnings and news bulletins scared most people away from risking a vacation in Kenya. This left some of the more experienced travelers to enjoy Kenya's best parks all on their own.

Safari operators are now starting to offer some good deals to encourage visitors to re-consider Kenya. Game Watchers Safaris for example are offering a 6 night / 7 day Porini Wilderness Experience for US$1850 per person and an 8 night / 9 day Birds and Big Game safari for US$2299 per person. Prices include all domestic flights, meals, accommodations, park fees and Maasai guided walks.

ToKenya.com is offering all kinds of bargains as well as discounted flights. Safaris that coincide with the Great Annual Migration are normally filled up by this time of year, but there's still space available now.

The Times newspaper in England has a list of some of the best discounted deals on safaris and beach holidays available to tourists leaving from England. Some of the lodge discounts can obviously be used by all tourists (not just those in the UK).

Alternatively, Frommers suggests getting on a flight to Kenya and then bargaining for a last minute safari spot upon arrival. Here's a list of tourism operators in Kenya you can contact.

What's the weather like this time of year in Kenya? A little wet in May, but June is dry, sunny and perfect for a safari. By July, the Masai Mara will begin to fill up with millions of wildebeest, zebra and other antelope.

_{Cheetah on safari in Kenya -- ©David Hutchinson}