Those of us who have visited the “Mara” understand why it is ranked so high among the world’s outdoor destinations. The rolling savanna provides the perfect habitat for large numbers of grazing and browsing animals, ranging from robust black rhinos to delicate Thomson’s gazelles. From June through October, it is the home of the largest migration of large mammals in the world. Around 2 million wildebeest and zebra flock to these rich grasslands as they follow their annual migratory routes in search of nutritious food.

But our favorite time to visit the Mara is from late December through March. While the migration may have moved on, there is an amazingly diverse population of wildlife that remains. As the dry season advances, the animals congregate around the dwindling sources of water and offer us unparalleled opportunities to witness the activities and interactions of the various species.

And there are fewer other travelers during this season. We often feel that the Maasai Mara is our private wildlife reserve during these months.

If you’d like more information about the Maasai Mara and the best places to explore, please contact us here.

Yesterday, on April 25, 2010, a replica of the HMS Beagle sailed into the Cape Town port as it wrapped up its historic recreation of one of the most influential ocean voyages ever recorded. This voyage has been the focus of a documentary series on Darwin’s life and his scientific observations and theories, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of his birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of OnThe Origin of Species.

During his stay in Cape Town, Darwin visited Sir John Herschel, the director of the new Royal Observatory at Cape Town.  Their conversations included a variety of subjects, including volcanoes, the movement of continents, the origin of mankind and how new species came into being.

As an interesting historical aside, Darwin is buried next to Herschel in Westminster Abbey.

If you are visiting any of the southern African safari destinations, we recommend you consider a visit to Cape Town. It is the perfect place to relax after your initial international flights or to wind down at the end of your private wildlife viewing safari.

My interest in African animals was reinforced by Zoo Parade, a television show hosted by Marlin Perkins, who was then director of the Franklin Park Zoo in Chicago. Later, Perkins went on to create Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, the forerunner of today’s amazing animal programs on TV.

Another strong influence was the “True Life Adventure” series of movies, produced by Walt Disney. I’m pretty sure I saw them all at the Saturday afternoon movies but, of course, the one that stands out in my memory is “The African Lion,” which was released in 1955.

However, it was studying British East Africa in fifth grade geography class that solidified my dreams of Africa. (If you remember geography class, you just might be a baby boomer! – with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy)

Shortly after the East African geography lessons, an illness confined me to bed for a month. I asked my mother to bring me books about Africa from the public library. I read Theodore Roosevelt’s African Game Trails, along with books by Carl Akeley, Martin & Osa Johnson, J.A. Hunter and many others. After envisioning the wilds of Africa through these first-person accounts, my passion for Africa was firmly planted.

I also became fascinated by the photographs of African wildlife I saw, especially in the books written by Martin and Osa Johnson.  Of course, National Geographic is the source I remember most vividly, with full color photos of colorfully dressed women in markets and men outfitted in red cloth and adorned with ostrich feathers. And Life Magazine often featured articles about Africa, as well.

To me, they were all treasured images and photos from the magazines adorned the wall of my room. Looking back, I find I have developed an appreciation for the skill and determination of those early photographers.  In today’s world of digital photography, we don’t have to deal with keeping film protected from the elements and lugging canisters of film and gallons of developing chemicals into the African bush.

Because of a project we are working on, I’m again reading the Johnson’s African books. While they come from another time, I find them still fascinating and timely, especially in their concerns about the future of Africa’s wildlife.

In Part 2, we will explore my journey from being  a childhood collector of African wildlife books and images to finally stepping foot on “The Dark Continent.”

Before you leave for an extended vacation, especially one to an international destination, we recommend you consult your physician and a professional travel clinic. Make the doctor’s appointment no less than eight weeks before your departure. You may need some prescriptions, inoculations (some of which need to be taken well before your departure), and perhaps some special advice that relates to your own health. If you haven’t had a physical examination recently, you should get one. Discuss your itinerary and describe your planned activities with your doctor if you have any questions about your fitness.

Be sure to bring enough of the prescription medicines that you are currently taking to last throughout your safari. When you pack, make certain that you have them with you in your carry-on luggage, not in the luggage you’ll check through. And don’t take just enough in your carry-on luggage for the flight, assuming that you will retrieve the rest when you get to your final destination. Occasionally, checked luggage is delayed, and you could find yourself without medication. Carry a written copy of the prescriptions for any such medication you need, including its generic/chemical name.

If you have any special condition or allergy that might possibly require attention overseas, have your physician write a letter describing the nature of the condition and the treatment – send a copy to us and carry the letter with you. If you should happen to need medical care away from home, your temporary physician will be able to treat you more efficiently and effectively.

It’s a good idea to see your dentist a few weeks before departure. A broken or lost filling can be very aggravating while traveling. You might also consider taking along one of the commercially available dental emergency kits. Such kits allow you to replace lost fillings, cement crowns or caps, and alleviate toothaches. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a recommendation.

These simple suggestions have proven to be very effective at making sure our travelers remain healthy throughout their safari and when they arrive home. We provide more detailed recommendations in the personalized Safari Guide we prepare for each traveler.

If you have any question or concerns about health precautions, please contact us here

Since the great majority of our travelers fly to East Africa via Amsterdam or London, we are pleased to advise our travelers that this travel disruption is a covered event under many of Travel Guard’s policies. It is one more reason we have offered Travel Guard travel insurance to our clients for many years.

I have personal experience with the impact of volcano eruptions on our travels. In 1999, we were also designing customized itineraries to The Galapagos Islands. I had been selected to design a private tour for 42 members of the Board and other friends of the Wildlife Conservation Society, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Bronx Zoo.

In order to reach The Galapagos, everyone must fly into Quito or Guayaquil in Ecuador. We had chosen to start in Quito, so our travelers could enjoy a day exploring this remarkable city and learning about its fascinating history.

A few weeks before departure, a volcano named Pichincha (Quechua for “Child”) erupted, sending clouds of ash over Quito. The volcano was sporadic in its eruptions, resulting in a cycle of closing and opening of Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

Our response was to secure backup room and restaurant reservations in Guayaquil and mobilize a second “greeting” team in case our travelers were unable to land in Quito.

As I waited for the flight to arrive in Quito that evening, we were advised that the airport was closed and that the flight was being diverted to Guayaquil. While disappointed they would not explore Quito, our travelers took it all in stride as our backup team met them upon arrival and took them to their hotel. They explored Guayaquil the next day and toasted our Guayaquil team’s  planning and preparation at their celebratory dinner.

After confirming all his safari travelers and guides were safe, our partner in Kenya, Steve Turner, and his Origins Safaris team quickly took off in a chartered aircraft in order to evacuate those who had been staying at the affected camps. Meanwhile, the rest of Steve’s staff focused on finding appropriate accommodations in Nairobi and reorganized safari itineraries, as needed.

Last year, the government of Kenya established the Kenyan Crisis Response Team (KCRT). In Steve’s words, “Real thanks must go to the newly formed KCRT (Kenyan Crisis Response Team) for an incredibly well organized evacuation of all effected persons. Kenya is the only country in East Africa with a permanent secretariat for “Crisis Response” and they really proved how valuable they are in this instance, getting half a dozen rescue helicopters on the spot within 30 minutes was truly impressive.”

Here is more of Steve’s assessment: “All camps & lodges on the river itself EXCEPT SaSaab have been forced to close with immediate effect. Detailed assessments are underway as to the various redevelopment issues, and no doubt details of re-opening will emerge from various camp management in due course.

Otherwise game viewing in the park been spectacular. The main bridges across the river will probably be repaired pretty rapidly as it appears their damage was more “access road related” than anything more serious.”

Affected camps and lodges include: Intrepids, Serena, Samburu Lodge, Ashnil, Larsen’s and Elephant Bedroom.

We join Steve in praising the swift and professional efforts of the Kenyan Crisis Response Team.

For those of you who have traveled with us at Safari Professionals, Steve’s quick and effective actions should come as no surprise. We are, again, reminded how blessed we are that Origins Safaris is our exclusive safari partner in Kenya.

Quoting the Audubon Society’s website, “The Important Bird Areas Program (IBA) is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds and other biodiversity.” Their website goes on – “By working to identify and implement conservation strategies at Important Bird Areas, we hope to minimize the effects that habitat loss and degradation have on birds and other biodiversity. ”

While Lake Nakuru is world-famous for its population of lesser and greater flamingos, around 450 bird species have been cataloged around the lake, including endangered species such as the Madagascar pond heron, the gray-crested helmet-shrike and the martial eagle.

This designation will help focus additional attention and resources on the importance of understanding and preserving the Lake Nakuru ecosystems.

For more information on the Important Bird Area program, please visit the Audubon Society’s website here.

The New Times of Rwanda has just reported that the census of mountain gorillas in the Virungas will start in March. The last census was conducted in 2003 and estimated 380 mountain gorillas were livings in the Virungas.

The article from The New Times follows:

Census of Mountain Gorillas Begins Next Month
Irene V. Nambi
10 February 2010
Kigali — As an effort to strengthen conservation of the mountain gorillas, Rwanda will join neighbouring countries and partners to make an accurate count of the total gorilla population in the Virunga Volcanoes.
According to a statement from the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), Rwanda will collaborate with Uganda’s Wildlife and National Park Authorities as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to conduct the census slated to begin March 1 and end in April.
The count will also help determine the genetic variability and health status of the gorilla population as well as measure the effects of the recent history of conflict in the region on such a small population of critically endangered animals.
“Though the area is now relatively calm, recent conflicts in the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park in the DRC has left the gorillas there vulnerable,” the statement adds.
According to Eugene Rutagarama, the director of IGCP, which is also a partner in the exercise, the census will enable partner-states to assess the impact of conservation efforts carried out by all gorilla conservation stakeholders.
“We are hoping that the census will confirm a continuous increase of the mountain gorilla population and guide us on how we can further contribute to the growth of this still endangered population,” Rutagarama is quoted as saying.
The exercise is supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (a coalition of AWF, WWF and FFI), the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
Virunga Volcanoes is one of only two habitats where mountain gorillas live, whose total numbers are currently estimated at 680 individuals.
The last Virunga Volcanoes census that was done in 2003 resulted in an estimate of 380 individuals, with the remaining individuals living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda.
Copyright © 2010 The New Times.

In addition, the plugs would also be different and it was recommended that I purchase a kit, which would include the converter and a number of plug adapters. Not knowing which plugs I would find, I packed the entire hefty kit. After arriving in Kenya, I found that only two of the adapters would be needed. I believe traveling light simplifies my travels and now I was carrying a few items that would not be needed.

A universal plug adapter makes it easy to use almost any electrical item you may bring on your safari

Fortunately, today’s technology allows us to pack less to accomplish the same goals. Almost every electrical item you may wish to carry with you on safari is now made with dual voltage capability – eliminating the need for the heavy converter. Before you depart on your safari, please check your device to confirm that is has the dual voltage capability.

Today it is easy to find a “universal power adapter” – one that contains all the various plug adapters in one, lightweight tool. In addition to simplifying our safari, this universal adapter prevents us from losing one of the adapters that used to come in the kits. Because they are quite small, they are easily misplaced or left behind as we travel.

With travel continuing to increase in popularity around the world, we can continue to look for creative products to make our safari life more comfortable and more convenient.

If we can help you with any questions about electrical devices you may wish to take with you on your safari, please give me a call at 800-779-2146.