Archive for August, 2010
Are all Poachers the Same?
When times get bad, men get bad. But is the Kenyan government’s seizure last week of 150 elephant tusks the work of “bad men?” Yes, for sure, if you believe that every law promulgated by man should be obeyed. The 317 pieces of raw elephant ivory (weighing 2 tonnes) and the five rhino horn were [...]
Translating the Party in Kenyan
Several of you asked for a translation of the beautiful music, Daima Kenya, posted Friday. Others, including NPR, might profit from a translation of a little bit more. Kenya’s weekend parties were glorious, beyond glorious. And I’ve provided a translation of its unofficial national anthem, Daima Kenya, below. Swahili translations are very difficult. It’s much [...]
They Call it Promulgation Day
I call it the biggest, loudest, most spectacular party ever held in Africa! All of yesterday and all of today people didn’t go to work in Kenya: they played. There were soccer matches and bingo games all over the country, Nairobi’s discos wound round the clock, and impromptu marches in the street by mad bands [...]
South African Cartoons
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Politics, South Africa on August 26, 2010
After a stellar performance during the World Cup, the turning fortunes of Jacob Zuma make many of us wonder if the South African presidency will be forever filled by wackos. South Africa pulled off the World Cup like any grown up country; in fact, better. Infrastructure nightmares, mass strikes, insidious crime waves – didn’t happen. [...]
Best Time in Kenya
Q. When is the best month(s) to go to Kenya for a safari? Would the short rains in Nov. hinder your viewing and getting around in a vehicle? A: Roberta – I feel the best months for Kenya are those which allow you to see the great migration in the Maasai Mara. That is normally [...]
Mue or Zoo to the Rescue?
Posted by jimheck in Aberdare, Big Game, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Research on August 24, 2010
Two beautiful African animals face extinction because wildlife officials and scientists can’t agree on how to reintroduce zoo-bred individuals. And interestingly, it’s now become something of a contest (battle?) between the American zoo-world, and the American museum-world. According to the IUCN, the mountain bongo and Rothschild giraffe face extinction in the wild if immediate efforts [...]
Kenya’s Biggest Party Ever!
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics on August 23, 2010
The joy, exuberance and incredible hope spawned by last week’s election victories in Kenya is absolutely amazing! Get ready for the biggest party ever in Kenya! The last few years have brought social and political transformations around the world but you would be hard pressed to find a more radical one than in Kenya. Those [...]
Ele on the Runway!
Posted by jimheck in Tourism Trends on August 20, 2010
There’s an elephant on the Jomo Kenyatta runway, and everybody thinks it’s a peacock! Cool it. Wait for the real figures, will ya? Yesterday’s blogosphere was alive with premature (I prefer, preternatural) celebration. The Kenya Tourist Board said preliminary figures show it headed to the “best year ever” in tourism. Say, again. Half of Keekorok [...]
Global Warming Hits Safaris
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Weather on August 17, 2010
A year ago we were waiting anxiously for the droughts across Africa to subside. Today the place is flooded. Extreme climate is nothing new to Africa. But I’m ready to call it a reflection of global warming. And I think it should govern all plans for future safari travel. I’m writing this as Pakistan is [...]
South Africa Suggestions
From Amy Hartman: Hi Jim- I really enjoy the blog and following your travels. You know me, always planning a year in advance, so we have plenty of time to talk about this. The dates have been set by school schedules and FF tickets. We fly into Cape Town, arriving on the morning of July [...]
Serengeti Highways & Monopolies
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Great Migration, Politics, Serengeti on August 16, 2010
Your voice against the Serengeti highway has attracted the attention of the most powerful in Tanzania. Unfortunately, he’s digging in his heels. During an end of July live television speech to the country President Jakaya Kikwete said that “under no circumstances” will the government be deterred from building the road. Kikwete doesn’t shy from the [...]
Another Safari Ends
After a gala farewell dinner preceded by raucous limericks about the trip, the group began the journey home. Sarah Taylor summarized the trip during dinner, and I was impressed! From the surprise backstage visit to the Entebbe Zoo, through chimps and lions and gorillas, we covered much of Uganda and a bit of Rwanda. Of [...]
So Who’s Smarter?
Posted by jimheck in Mountain Gorilla, OnSafari, Rwanda on August 13, 2010
Sixty-four people with broken legs and open wounds gather at Kinigi headquarters everyday to see 8 mountain gorilla families. We were no different. I love Parcs de volcans. I love the guides, the organization, the scenery, and most of all I love the artifice we guides bring to the daily planning session with the chief [...]
Long Trek into Rwanda
A new road was supposed to be completed from Bwindi into Rwanda by now, and so a year ago that’s how we planned the trip. Oops. When the new road is completed, it will be hardly a 4-hour journey from Bwindi to Parcs de volcans in Rwanda. In fact, it will be easier for people [...]