Vervet Monkey

The Vervet monkey is one of the Primates in East Africa has a black face with a white fringe of hair, while the overall body colour is mostly grizzled-grey. The males of all species have a pale blue scrotum and a red penis. The vervet monkey is diurnal and social, living in groups of up to 72. There is a clear order of dominance among individuals within the group.

It uses different sounds to warn of different types of predators. It has distinct calls to warn of the sighting of a leopard, a snake, or an eagle. These sounds are considered a proto-language by many ethologists. The young appear to have an innate tendency to make these alarm calls, and adult monkeys seem to give positive reinforcement when the young make the right call, by repeating the alarm. Mothers have been reported to punish the young who give the wrong call.

The vervet monkey eats a wide range of fruits, figs, leaves, seeds and flowers. It also eats birds’ eggs and young chicks, and insects (grasshoppers and termites). In human inhabited environments, it will eat bread and various crops; especially maize.

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Kidnapped Americans Kidnapped in Egypt have been Released

Two American women kidnapped by gunmen in Sinai Peninsula on Friday have been released, Egyptian Minister of Tourism said on Friday. The Americans, aged 60 and 65, were traveling from St. Catherine's Monastery to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh when tribal gunmen kidnapped them and their Egyptian tour guide. The three were released unharmed a few hours after their capture by the gunmen. Spokesman for the US Department of State Mark Toner expressed appreciation of the US administration for Egypt's efforts to release the two American tourists.

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SUPER ROMANTIC PLACES TO SPEND YOUR VALENTINES DAY IN AFRICA

Valentines Day is around the corner, Mainland Africa and the Indian Ocean tropical islands nestling offshore offer some of the World's most intimate and romantic destinations.

1.       Romantic Private Islands in the Seychelles: The Seychelles Islands (in the Indian Ocean) have long been one of the world's most romantic destinations. Prince William and Kate spent their honeymoon there recently. In 2007 William took Kate on a trip to Desroches Island, which is absolute paradise for couples looking for a romantic beach vacation.  Situated about 150 miles (240km) from the Seychelles capital Mahe (a 35 minute flight), the private island of Desroches boasts several miles of sparkling white beaches and fantastic coral reefs. The Desroches Island Retreat is the only accommodation on the island. 20 luxury villas are nestled under shady coconut palms. Tracks all over the island lead to secluded beaches. You can dive, ride a bike, enjoy the spa and swimming pool and then dine under moonlight

2.       The Victoria Falls are of the world`s most spectacular waterfalls: one of the seven wonders of the natural world, is famous as a classically romantic spot. The largest curtain of falling water on Earth! If you`re looking for a quiet and romantic getaway, a few action and sun-filled days then the Victoria Falls is the ideal place to include in your holiday itinerary. As David Livingstone said,   "On sights as beautiful as this, Angels in their flight must have gazed" Nearby, is one of the dreamiest ever places to stay, Tongabezi Lodge, where you can savor a sumptuous candlelit dinner on a private sampan floating in the beautiful Zambezi River. Your waiter will ferry the courses to you via canoe. On the shimmery water, under a moonlit sky, after a satisfying spread, it’ll be a cinch to get your hold-out to take the plunge (not into the river).

3.       An African Safari is one of the most intimate experiences for a romantic vacation and hideaway. Enjoy breathtaking golden sunsets over Africa, romantic African evenings and sumptuous food, while staying in some of the most idyllic camps and lodges in Africa. A luxury safari is also an incredibly romantic affair. Tented camps that cater to romantic couples include hot baths, butler service, gourmet dining and of course several daily game drives, so you can see the stunning African wildlife.

4.       Cape Town: Indeed a city with a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities. Cape Town has become an extremely popular romantic getaway destination with many couples choosing to have a honeymoon here or tie the knot with the beautiful Cape as their backdrop.

5.       Bazaruto Archipelago and Quirimbas Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways: The Bazaruto Archipelago islands offer true tropical paradise escapes, with white sandy beaches and tall tropical palm trees offering a tranquil setting for pure relaxation.

6.        The Quirimbas is an exclusive island paradise, still unknown and pristine: The area has never been developed and remains an unexplored tourist paradise.

7.       Mauritius Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways: It`s name conjures up all that is romantic; an island of beautiful beaches fringed with palm and casuarina trees, protected by a coral reef forming lagoons of crystal clear water. The Lagoons, surrounded by beaches of silvery sand, a holiday maker`s dream, have nowadays some of the best hotels in the world on their shore.

8.       Lake Bunyonyi, Paradise in Uganda: One of the scenic wonders of Uganda, like a picture from Lord of the Rings. It is amazing what an volcanic explosion can create, Lake Bunyonyi was birthed by a volcanic explosion.  Today it is one of the deepest lakes in Africa, from 44 meters to 900 meters in depth. The name in the local language is "the place of little birds" and there are many that you will find here, the beauty that these volcanic explosions created many years ago is breathtaking.  Surrounded by mountains in what is called “the Switzerland of Africa”, or "the little Switzerland."  Terraced hills where people till the soil and grow food.  The climate is perfect, the temperature of the lake a pleasant 25 degrees, perfect for swimming and bilharzia free.

How to Say “I Love You” Throughout Africa

Next time you’re travelling to Africa with a loved one and want to tell them how you feel, use one of these terms – depending on the country you’re in. This is how to say “I love you” in the different parts of Africa.

Botswana

 Setswana: Ke a go rata

Kenya

 Swahili: Nakupenda

Madagascar

 Malagasy: tiako ianao

 French: Je t’aime

Malawi

 Chichewa: Ndimakukonda

Mozambique

 Portuguese: Eu amo-te

Namibia

 Damara/Nama: INam tsi ta ge a (from Female to Male)/ INam si ta ge a (From Male to Female)

 Herero: Mbeku suvera

 Oshivambo: Ondiku hole

 Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou

 German: Ich liebe dich

Rwanda

 French: Je t’aime

South Africa

 Zulu: Mena tanda wena

 Xhosa: ndiyakuthanda

 Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou

Swaziland

 Swati: Ngiyakutsandza

Tanzania

 Swahili: Nakupenda

Uganda

 Swahili: Nakupenda

 Luganda: Nkwagala

 English: I love you

Zambia

 Nyanja: Ndikufuna

 Bemba: ni nkutemwa

Zimbabwe

 Shona: Ndinokuda

 Ndebele: Ngiyakuthanda

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A Valentines Day into the Wild Safari

There will always be things that lovers have in common; they will always have something they both love doing, whether a hobby, music, work, traveling, and etc. But none could be greater than having an adventurous relationship. And if we mean adventure, it’s the African Safari.

Aside from the usual dinner and candlelight date, what else could be more exiting and soul lifting than an adventure in the wild together? The city neon lights, cars, busy people, parties can be annoying many times. How about a trip to the wild and touch the toughness of Mother Nature? The African safari is a popular destination for all. The lions, zebras, and other wild animals can be as free as grass grows. The city does not offer such leap back to simplicity. Think about booking a trip to Africa, either with your loved one; or with your children this Valentines day.

The adventure both lovers can experience in an exhilarating glimpse of the dessert grown by living plants and the experience brought by such stimulating ecosystem. An invitation to the wild is such an unforgettable experience for the season. This also serves as an intimate time together since most groups come in partners along with their safari gear. African safari destinations do not end without hospitable hotel accommodations. Some tourist might also meet animals near populated cities. Of course, photo shooting should not be missed. The children will definitely love to rename those animals when they got home or paste it on their scrap books.

Just like other tourists destinations, Africa offers a variety of wine tasting and luxurious train rides in the Western Cape. Lovers on the way will definitely feel the whole word in one country when visiting Africa because of the diversity of its culture ranging from European, African, and Asian influences gathered together.

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Africa's "Little Five"

Most travelers who have been on safari can name the "Big Five", but can you list their diminutive counterparts, the "Little Five"? Five species from the bird and insect world, with names the same as the ‘Big 5’ are known as the ‘Little Five. However the "Little Five" is just a fun idea not based on anything beyond the fact that there are five little animals found in Africa, with names corresponding to the "Big Five". The Little Five are: Rhinoceros Beetle, Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, and the Ant Lion. So when you are having your holiday in Africa, be sure to ask your safari guide to include the birds and insects, flora and fauna too. You will be amazed at how fascinating a small creature like a dung beetle can be!

The Little Five in Africa:

 1. The Leopard tortoise has markings on its carapace (shell) that resemble a leopard's blotching. With a lifespan of approximately 100 years, it is the largest tortoise species in South Africa and 4th largest in the world. It is also the only tortoise that can swim.

 2. The Ant-Lion, commonly called a "doodlebug", is the predatory larval stage of an insect that resembles a dragonfly. The larvae, which can live for 3 years, excavate pits in loose, sandy soil. Ants walking across the "trap" slide down the slippery slope, and while trying to escape, are bombarded by sand flicked upwards from the bottom of the incline by the awaiting ant-lion. The cunning predator uses its powerful jaws to drag its prey under the soil.

 3. The Rhino-beetle is part of the Scarab family and is so named for the rhino-like horn on its snout. This beetle is one of the great recyclers of the bushveld, and is proportionally one of the world's strongest creatures. It is able to carry 850 times its own weight!

 4. Red-billed buffalo weavers are small birds with black feathers and distinctive red bills. They are a little bigger than house sparrows. The species builds distinctive communal nests with multiple chambers. In South Africa these nests generally face north or northeast, making them good navigation tools on cloudy days

 5. Elephant shrews are not true shrews - they are more closely related to aardvarks. These tiny, diurnal, mainly insectivorous mammals, so named because of their long, mobile, trunk-like noses, are very active but are seldom seen. Both males and females are extremely territorial and when two of them come into contact, snarling and vicious fighting can take place.

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Travel to Places in Africa Where women ride boda bodas

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The moment you enter the French-speaking country, Burkina Faso, you will notice that the country is dominated by peasant farmers who basically use donkeys as their key means of transport. While taking a drive from Ouagadougou Airport which takes 10 minutes to the city centre, there were a number of children and women begging on the streets while both women and men are busy engaged in the boda boda business.

The country is agricultural with livestock farmers’ raring white cattle, sheep and goats and in the south and southwest part of the country, others grow sorghum, pearl millet, ground nuts, rice and cotton which is the major cash crop. Farmers are already growing genetically modified cotton that is exported to China. This has elevated many farmers from peasantry farming to commercial farmers. A good number of them own more than 10 acres of land only for cotton growing.

Just like the culture in all West African countries, the dress code is kitenge and almost all the boutique shops trade in these types of clothes. However, what is astounding is that women are aggressively involved in boda boda business which is the commercial trend in the city centre. While using the donkeys as means of transport is unheard of here, this is the major transport means for the rural Burkinabe. This is seen on the outskirts of the city where all categories of people including men, women and children are seen ferrying their agricultural products and firewood to nearby trading centres using donkeys.

A popular sight in the villages is people grazing a number of donkeys, as almost every homestead owns at least a set of donkeys.

Burkinabe’s, since fuel vending is done on streets and homes.

Burkinabe meals are simple but tasty and nutritious. A typical dish consists of rice, millet, yams, sorghum, or maize (referred to as to) served with a sauce made from okra, various greens like spinach, tomatoes, or peanuts. The sauces may contain fish or meat and French bread is available in larger towns and villages.

One of the nomadic tribes, the Fulani have a very impressive life with families making temporary houses out of grass mat during dry season, but in rainy season, they change the mode by constructing houses using plastic straw mats. The Fulani call this kind of house “suudu cekke” which literally means house of grass mat. The house is constructed from six grass mats that are held together and tied against wood poles. When it is time to move, the house is easily disassembled and loaded onto donkeys or camels for transport. This type of grass mat and house is specific to the Jelgooji Fulani, whose roots trace back to the Jelgooji region of eastern Burkina Faso. For the ordinary Burkinabe, enclosing their homestead using unburnt bricks is a fashion, as this is seen with all homesteads constructed along the highway. Ouagadougou is a relatively small city that comprises only one main street but it is famously known for hosting film festivals.

The Country

Burkina Faso has one of the lowest GDP per capita figures in the world amounting $1,200 with agriculture representing 32 per cent of its gross domestic product and occupies 80 per cent of the working population