www.africatravelco.com
Some accommodation we use in Africa
Africa's Top Destinations
7 and a Half reasons why you should visit Africa
Check out this fantastic account by Jay Lindsay who travelled with us in January!
Africa and her Beer
Beer is served throughout the various countries on this breath taking continent we call our home. The beer is produced commercially as well as by the different indigenous tribes and is sold and served in various different places. Whether you want to enjoy a beer in one of the local taverns, or sip on an ice cold one at an upmarket bar, Africa can offer this.
Tantalize your taste buds with a different beer in each country:
South Africa: Here you can grab yourself a Castle Lager or a Black Label and enjoy.
Namibia: When in Namibia, do yourself a favour and go for the Windhoek Lager.
Botswana: Chibuka Shake Shake is a different kind of beer – It requires vigorous shaking before drinking and comes in a carton. It is made from a mixture of Sorghum and maize. You will need to acquire a taste for this beer.
Zambia: The best way to enjoy the view of the Zambezi, is to sit down with your feet up and an ice cold Mosi-oa-Tunya in your hand.
Zimbabwe: Zambezi beer is Zimbabwe’s national beer and it is definitely worth giving a taste if you find yourself in Zimbabwe.
Malawi: If you are looking for a strong lager then you need to not look any further – Go ahead and try an elephant Lager.
Tanzania: This country may not be too original with their beer names, but the taste of them sure makes up for it – Try a Safari, Kilimanjaro or Serengeti Lager.
Kenya: When in Kenya do as the Kenyans do – Drink a Tusker Lager. Must be the best beer I have ever drunk.
Uganda: This country can offer you a very nice Nile Special which will leave you begging for more.
Mozambique: 2M (pronounced dosh-em) and Manica are the two most popular beers in this beautiful country.
As all the above mentioned beers are also served in glass bottles, you could easily peel the label off, stick it in your journal and remember it and your beer drinking experience!
This can be used as a guide line for those beer drinking fanatics that would like to experience local beers.
Cooking on the fire - Africa Travel Co style
10 Reasons you should go to Mozambique
1 - Whale shark diving allows you the opportunity to leap into the ocean with your goggles and snorkel and swim alongside one of these massive creatures.
2 - Undeveloped Islands can be spotted in the distance and can be explored from top to bottom with the local guides.
3 - Fresh Seafood is available along the coastal towns around lunch time everyday once the fisherman decides it is time to sell what they caught.
4 - Pristine Beaches will take your breath away upon arrival, begged to be walked on and waves waiting to be surfed.
5 - Dhow Boats are the local boats that can be used to get from island to island or they are also used as fishing boats for the locals.
6 - Various Activities are on offer, such as snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, relaxing, quad biking and many more.
7 - Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of 6 islands around the town of Vilankulous. One can take a dhow out to one of the islands where you can spend some time snorkeling and catching the sun’s rays.
8 - Bustling and colourful markets can be found all over in Mozambique – Some very small, others very large. They have smaller markets which sell fish, fruit and vegetables, while some other sell clothes, cashew nuts and the famous tipo tinto rum.
9 - The vibrant mix of African, Portuguese and Arab cultures which gives the country a fascinating ambiance of the tropics and Mediterranean.
10 - If you feel you need a holiday, Mozambique is the destination to go – You will leave relaxed, tanned and ready for anything.
About Our Overland Safari's
Introducing the big 5 of Africa
When mentioning a safari to Africa, the first thing that pops into mind is the “Big 5”, and only after that do other thoughts tag along. Once we all packed and depart home for Africa, we settle down in our tents anxious for our safari, all we can think about is spotting the Big 5, oh and not forgetting the other smaller animals which are just as eye-catching and fascinating.
The Elephant
These colossal mammals spend most their day eating, giving them the nickname, “the Gardeners of the Savannah”, while flapping their ears to keep them as cool as can be. An elephants tusks grow throughout its lifetime, and just as us humans prefer either being left or right handed, an elephant prefers one tusk over another. With over 40 000 muscles in its trunk, it makes for a good snorkel when swimming.
The Rhino
It is believed that Rhino’s have been around for more than 50 million years, and yes, rhinos are indeed short-sighted, a little bad tempered, but magnificent to look at. Even with its bad temper, the rhino does have a very good friend – The Oxpeckers eat the ticks off a rhino’s hide and also warn of danger.
The Lion
For thousands of years these cats have been admired for their strength, beauty and hunting skills which have given them the label of the “King of beasts” by many. These grandiose animals love resting, so much so that they can rest for up to 20 hours of the day. Lions do not purr like house cats, neither do they enjoy swimming.
The Leopard
This shy solitary cat spends many hours up in the trees, using them as observation platforms and also for protection. These eye catching cats stalk and pounce their prey, usually dragging it up a tree, allowing them to keep the catch all for themselves. Leopards are generally excellent swimmers – Weird, but true.
The Buffalo
The Cape buffalo can be found in herds throughout the major game parks within Africa where surface water can be found. Flanks of ebony and horns of steel is what this fierce yet placid animal can be described as.
Now that we have covered the “big 5” of Africa, let’s move onto the “small 5” of Africa – Yes that’s right, Africa has a “small 5”. It’s just a fun idea, and not based on anything except the fact that their names correspond with those of the “big 5”.
THE SMALL 5
- The Elephant Shrew is a small rodent which is active during the day, runs extremely fast and loves feeding on small insects. It gets its name from the elongated snout that resembles an elephant trunk.
- The Rhino Beetle is one of the largest beetles and is often mistaken with the dung beetle. If you spot one, make sure to take a closer look at the horn-like structure to identify it.
- The Ant Lion is a very sneaky insect, as it burrows its way into the sand and then waits there for its prey to fall into the trap before ambushing it and munching away with its large set of sickle-like jaws.
- The Leopard Tortoise is the most common of the “small 5”, and most certainly the slowest. The leopard tortoise gets its name from its black and yellow spotted shell that resembles the leopard’s rosettes.
- The Buffalo Weaver Bird can be very deceiving; as elegant as it looks, it builds and stays in very untidy nests high up in the trees. They are a sociable and noisy flock of birds.
When doing your next game drive on your safari in Africa, make sure to keep a look out for the “big 5”, and when back in the camp grounds try and spot some of the “small 5”.
(Source: africatravelco.com)
