Archive for December, 2009
Year-End Roundup & Predictions
Posted by jimheck in Corruption, Economy, Politics, Weather, Wildlife Management on December 31, 2009
2009 was a bad year for East Africa. 2010 will be a little bit better. Socially, culturally and politically, I think it’s been a GOOD YEAR for Kenya and a BAD YEAR for its neighbors. I’m positive on Kenya and critical of its neighbors even while supporting the western powers growing sanctions on Kenya for [...]
INVICTUS
If you’ve traveled anywhere in Africa, or love Africa for any reason, go see Invictus and renew your best beliefs about this amazing continent. One of the deep-seated criticisms born of racism is that however unfair an oppressed people have been treated, they are incapable of acting responsibly. The ingrained presumption is that revenge governs [...]
Garlic Mustard Terrorism
Posted by jimheck in Air Travel, Politics, Safety on December 29, 2009
The new regulations announced in the last few days in response to the attempted bombing of Northwest #253 are pitifully stupid and counter-productive. I see the developed world’s response to terrorism identical to the developed science response to invasive species. Whether it is kudzu, the Asian beetle, or the arch devil garlic mustard, absolutely astounding [...]
Horn of Alarm
The massive U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq to oust Al-Qaeda from the area is like a failed deer culling operation in the Skokie lagoon. It’s just pushing the vermin elsewhere. And that “elsewhere” is the Horn of Africa, mostly Somalia, but recent events including the attempted Northwest Airlines bombing two days ago, suggest Yemen [...]
Rhinowash
Posted by jimheck in Big Game, Charity, Poaching, Wildlife Management on December 26, 2009
This week’s arrival in Kenya of one of the most endangered animals left on earth was not the cute Christmas present the world media reported. In fact, the relocation of 4 of the remaining 8 northern white rhino in existence, into a country where poaching is becoming epidemic, may be one of the most stupid [...]
Democracy vs. Famine?
Yesterday, USAid’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS) warned of a famine that could engulf about half of Kenya next May. The sober report is not surprising given the three years of seriously reduced rainfall, the political turbulence of this period in Kenya, and Kenya’s growing population needs. What remains surprising is how the local [...]
Slower Tourism in Rwanda
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Tourism Trends on December 16, 2009
Travel is a leading indicator of the economy, and the evidence is mounting that the recovery will be slower than in the past. Rwanda is today’s example. Since the end of the Rwanda turbulence in 1994, so much money has flowed into Rwanda in all its sectors, that this little country has emerged as an [...]
Law of the Jungle!
Posted by jimheck in Corruption, Planning Travel on December 15, 2009
Tourist fees in the Serengeti and NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) have doubled, and in some instances, tripled, and it’s not clear whether this is law or graft. The law is printed on the official TANAPA fee schedule. Click here to download that schedule. The fees are basically $50 and in bold red letters at the [...]
Hyaena Attack
Posted by jimheck in Animal Attacks on December 14, 2009
We love animals to death. The reverse is also true. I have a multitude of reasons why we as conservationists and animal lovers must put at the top of our priorities a constant vigilance against anthropomorphizing. If we start to think of the marvelous diversity of life as being just like us, then we lose [...]
The Rain is “normal”
Nairobi’s Daily Nation newspaper claimed Thursday that the drought was continuing. That the ground was parched; that crops were destroyed; that famine was everywhere. This burns me up. Within a day, of course, media around the world picked up the story. I found it in the Zanesville, Ohio Times Register. My god is there no [...]
Weather Confusion: Rains aren’t Failing
KENYA RAINS CONFUSE ALL Today Nairobi’s main newspaper reported that widespread famine will continue, because the short rains failed. This just isn’t true. It is true that there remains widespread famine, and I reported earlier as to why that was the case: the entire system is so much more fragile than the last drought, the [...]
Weight Restrictions
From Denise@ Q. We are so excited about our family safari in December! But I’m concerned about the weight restriction for the small aircraft. Is this for real? A. Yes, and here are the details. Bottom line: if you carry too much, you could lose it. Alternative: charter your own plane, or buy multiple seats. [...]
Dave’s Winning Video
Posted by jimheck in Big Game, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire on December 8, 2009
I am sent hundreds of hours of video and thousands of photos every year, and I love watching them all. But this takes the prize! The prize winner is by one of the nicest guys I’ve ever guided on safari, Cleveland veterinarian, Dave Koncal. He is not a photographer or cinematographer by trade, but he [...]
War Against the UnWilded
Posted by jimheck in Safari Lodges, Safety, War on December 4, 2009
Up to a third of East Africa’s tourism work force is now out of a job. Until now, it didn’t take guns to send them packing. A number of high-end, professional robberies have been reported at camps in East Africa over the last month. As in downturns in the past, many disgruntled workers turn on [...]