A Fun Gadget For Kids - The Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum

As a father of two young youths, we are always seeking fun gadgets to play with. Our most favorite fun gadget ever is the Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum. This toy captures bugs through the use of a battery operated gun-style vacuum. The insects are sucked into a clear plastic capsule that is complete with a magnifying glass for viewing.

The Summer Of The Insect Adventure

In total honesty, we played with this fun gadget the entire summer. We caught every tiny insect that we could capture. The vacuum is powerful enough to suck most insects directly into the attached holding capsule, yet it isn?t strong enough to injure the insects. The holding capsule is complete with a magnifying glass and a flip bottom so that the insects can be easily viewed and released once the observation is complete.

A Complete World Of Fun Gadgets For Insect Observations

Backyard Safari has created supplemental fun gadget that work with the bug vacuum. The bug habitat is large enough to accommodate a number of insects. However you want to insure that you do not combine insects that consume one another or you will have an entirely different observation within moments.

If your child enjoys long walks while bug collecting, there are pocket size bug habitats that your child can attach to a backpack or belt loop. These tiny pocket watch shaped habitats provide the perfect environment for a short-term guest. There are two different designs, one design is intended for any type of bug and the other is designed specifically as an ant habitat.

The Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum is a fun gadget for any boy or girl. I must admit, as fun gadgets go, this also makes a great spider catcher inside the house as well and would be a hit with many moms.

Anmol Taneja is a Gadget enthusiast and critique. He has written several articles on various aspects of gadgets and the role they play in our day to day lives. Anmol is involved with several organizations involved in the evaluation and review of gadgets including http://gadgets.in thegadgetcast.com and gadgetenclave.in

Safari In South Africa

When it comes to travel in South Africa, there are many things for you to see and do. The first thing however that you should keep in mind is that South Africa is a nation in which you might run into a lot of problems. Like any African country, you should check with your own home country to make sure that there aren?t any tourist restrictions on South Africa or on you from South Africa. Once you have checked with your home country, and everything is set to go, there are several things that you should know before you continue to travel to South Africa.

First of all the most important place for you to see is the biggest city, Johannesburg. While it isn?t the capital, it is a place that is full of much cultural diversity and many beautiful and historical sites. You are going to want to spend most of your time there, because this is where you can truly learn about South Africa and talk to people who know the history surrounding this beautiful country.

In Johannesburg, which is nicknamed Egoli, you can visit the capital of the province. You can see the mine dumps, which stand from South Africa?s richest past, and also look at the modern Architecture. In Sandton, you can visit a business, commercial and residential district. This is known as the richest square mile in all of Africa, so it is the financial hub of South Africa. About 50 KM north of Johannesburg you can visit Pretoria, where you will find that City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, which began in December of 2002. This is of great interest because it is a newly formed group of townships, an experiment that you can witness taking place. Don?t forget to visit Dinokeng, which is north east of Joburg and Tshwane. This is a region that has natural, cultural and historical attractions that you can visit.

There are other things that you are going to want to take in while you are in South Africa. You should definitely take in some of the local festivals. South Africa has one of the largest numbers of cultural festivals per capita, cause of the fact that they are a nation hugely seeped in cultures and diversity. These festivals, however, are not very well known. The best thing to do, if you are interested in witnessing one of the festivals, is to contact a local person who would know when and where they are going to be going on.
Greg Chadwick owns and operates the South Africa Hotel Finder website. Please visit our website to find great deals on South Africa Hotels.

Nature - Enchanted Forest Tours & Safaris Kenya-Ultimate In Kenyan Nature Safaris

Kenyan nature and forest safaris

Kenya-Africa nature holds a spectrum of scenic attractions to test the appetite of any nature loving tourist. From the snow capped mountains in the tropics to the dunes to the North East of the Country.

Arabuko Sokoke Enchanted Kenyan Forest

The Natural tropical forests of Arabuko Sokoke is a must go for any nature tourist. The coastal forest has resident elephant regulations. Among the endemic species include the elephant shrew, and the little scoops owl. The community butterfly project is also a must see for visitors.

Kakamega enchanted Kenyan equatorial forest

Kakamega forest is a remnant of equatorial forest running through to DR Congo. The forest canopy is so high and interlocked it creates a permanent dark under cover. Activities in many of Kenya,-Africa?s safari lands forests include; bird watching, forest walks, camping Biking etc.

The Great Rift Valley scenic safaris

The Great Rift Valley provides scenic beauty observed from the Eastern Escarpment. The Rift Valley floor is dotted with active volcanic activity in the form of geysers, hot springs and smoldering mountains, fresh water, lakes and crater lakes. L. Bogoria is an exciting destination where one boils eggs off the steam of hot springs; flamingoes are plentiful in these lakes including Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria. Preferred accommodation is exclusive camps and lodges.

Other Enchanted forest and nature destinations in Kenya

Kenya also has other enchanted forest and nature destinations spread over the country including the Taita hills and cloud forests, the Shimba Hills forest, the great Aberdare mountain forest, Mt. Kenya forest, Mt. Elgon forest among many others. The nature-lover tourist will simply be spoilt for choice in the many natural wilderness and forest areas in Kenya.

Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant with Landmark Safaris. He is degreed in tourism and hospitality management and author to many Kenya tour articles. For free more on nature and enchanted forest safaris visit them @ www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Some Interesting Safaris To Seek Wildlife

Thinking of wildlife safari? Africa has got it all. Nearly a hundred percent of its reserves and wildlife sanctuaries feature wildlife of some sort. However, the coverage of wildlife species and the varieties that you may see differ as the region changes.

We have created brief descriptions of the top five Tanzanians wildlife safaris that rank near the top of the list in all Africa. Please read on?

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The worse you can call Ngorongoro is amazing. That would be more than that, there is definitely not a word that can describe this conservation area.

Ngorongoro is the home of the largest caldera on earth. With walls reaching to 2200 meters high, this is fairly equal to Mount Kilimanjaro before the eruption. Thus the consideration for it being one of the world's natural wonders.

The caldera itself is not a plain heap of land that stood on its place and make people amazed. No. In fact, once the caldera settled, it began to create pools of water that attract some 30,000 wildlife species at any given time. More like a Garden of Eden, Ngorongoro harbors the largest congregation of games in the entire earth.

Tarangire National Park

Elephants?elephants?elephants?its obvious. When you want to see large herds of elephants with accompanying buffaloes, your best bet would be the Tarangire. The number of elephants concentrating here is almost 600 individuals during the peak season.

However, less tourists visit here since they are attracted to neighboring national parks such as the magnificent Serengeti and the mighty Ngorongoro. The dry season harbors the largest population of elephants along with other enormous animals and plain beasts, which benefit from the vast water resources of the Tarangire River. They disperse during winter though.

Lake Manyara National Park

Ask anything about Lake Manyara and collect them all in one heap, tree climbing lions will emerge as the top answer. It is true. Climbing lions that prefer sleeping the day up on the tree branches than lying comfortably in the grasslands as all other lions do.

While it gather its fame from the strangely dispositioned lions, it is also popular for its large congregation of lake birds such as the pelicans, Egyptian geese, storks, quelea, flamingos and cormorants.

You may also find the usual wildlife species here complemented by the rare animals such as the lord of the forest- Sykes monkey and the Olive baboon.
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com

All You Need To Know About African Safari Hunting

You probably have at least one activity that sends chills of excitement up your spine. It could be that you?re a big fan of sports, or that you really love the thrill of skydiving or bungee jumping. What about base jumping? That?s for real risk takers. Or there?s always race car driving at nearly triple the average speed limit. Regardless of what excites you, you probably love it for the sheer joy and thrill of doing something that gets your heart pumping and makes you feel alive. One activity you may not have thought of that certainly fits into the adrenaline rush category is African safari hunting. If you haven?t tried it and love adventure, this is the activity for you.

Do you know much about this amazing sporting activity or do you only know what you?ve seen on TV and movies? Most likely, if all you know is what you?ve seen in the TV and film media, you aren?t getting an accurate picture of what this fascinating sport is all about. It?s fun and you?ll see things you?ve never seen in the wild before. It?s not a cheap sport to engage in but, if you can save money for the thrill of doing it, it?s definitely worth the effort.

Some picture African safari hunting as bouncing around in the back of an old jeep driven by an African native, with everyone carrying high-powered rifles. This isn?t entirely the way it goes, but you get the idea. Safari goers can see everything from elephants and tigers to gazelles and rhinoceroses. These amazing animals aren?t often found in captivity and never found in, say, your own back yard. Some zoos may have them but it?s just not the same as seeing them in their native habitats.

African safari hunting isn?t much about killing animals these days. A lot of animals are protected, so you?re more likely to be carrying camera gear instead of a rifle, but the whole thing is still extremely exciting. Some safaris go out at night, in the pitch darkness, to catch nocturnal animals, like lions, going about their creature-like nightly habits. You can go in small groups in jeeps or in larger groups of like-minded safari buffs. Some safaris have packages where you can sleep in tent villages so you won?t need to go far to see those amazing animals you?ve been dying to get a close-up on. Your guides are usually well trained in spotting for animals and know the best watering holes and other places to track down the kinds of animals you?re looking for.

Instead of heading off to Africa to find a local guide in the middle of nowhere, just sit in front of your computer to get all you need to know about taking in an African safari. The Internet offers many websites where you can sign up for what could easily become the biggest adventure of your lifetime.

Read more from Joe Goertz at: myrecreation-magazine.com

Uganda safaris and tours: How good are the Hotels and lodges?

At the lodge The lodge has eight double rooms that allow for total comfort. Guests are also accommodated in large canvas tents with permanent thatched roofs. The tents have en-suite bathrooms with running water and private verandas with a breathtaking view. Sofas are piled with cushions, with ample lounging spaces. The lodge's resident chef offers a creative mix referred to as the 'Best food in Uganda'. Everything is homemade, from the fresh bread to the soups. The lodge employees are from the surrounding communities.

Semilik Safari Lodge offers guests interesting activities like chimpanzee trekking, guided walks and hiking, jungle walks fishing, bird-watching, spot lit night drives, game drives and visits to local communities. The lodge is working closely with the Indiana State University of the US in primate research projects. The cost for double rooms for foreign non-residents is US $296 and for East African Nationals US $218.

The mystery of Kabale Bunyonyi Safari Resort (BSR), located deep in the highlands of Kabale District, southwestern Uganda, is a secret yet to be discovered. Located on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this unique tranquil place has spacious, self-contained and spacious cottages right at the waterfront. Guests can tour the numerous islands on the lake by motorboat. 'Bunyonyi' means 'little birds' and, indeed, at BSR guests are woken up every morning by the chirping of numerous birds. Some of the areas across the lake are famous rare bird species. Lake Bunyonyi is about 900m deep and it winds around numerous hills, creating islands. It has signs of volcanicity and mystery still surrounds its formation. It is a bilharzias-free lake and therefore safe for swimming. The area is also mosquito-free.

BSR have a pad out in the water for guests to sunbathe ands swim in private. Form there or the balcony, one can occasionally view the elusive water birds, the otters, as well as the surrounding hills. Guides will take guests round and give them the historical and cultural backgrounds of some of the islands. Visitors can also meet the pygmy tribes. In the evenings, one can enjoy a barbeque dinner with a campfire by the lakeside.

Lake Bunyonyi is one of the places in Uganda where guests can get clayfish, BSR's specialty. The cuisine is mostly African but the chef is well versed in all continental dishes. Self-catering is also allowed at a minimal cost for small groups. Bunyonyi Safari Resort extends from the cottages to a small hilltop overlooking the lake. From this vantage point, the view of the Lake Bunyonyi, its surrounding islands against a backdrop of the volcanoes of Muhavura is splendid. The hall on this hilltop is furnished with a bar, a pool table, darts and other games. It is ideal for conferences and parties. The surrounding gardens are well manicured and beautiful.

BSR is offering special full board rates this season of US $40 per person per day. Visitors should look out for BSR's new introductory package of US $110 per person for a two-night weekend that includes accommodation, meals and transport to and from Kampala, and lake tours. The minimum number of this tour is 12 people sharing in doubles. This tour can be combined with gorilla trekking in Bwindi or a visit to Lake Mburo National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park at an added cost.

Hotel industry comes of age The Uganda hospitality industry has evolved rapidly into a dynamic institution that places the interest of the client above all else. A visit to Uganda may be marked by stops in the following regions represented by a number of towns: Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, Entebbe, and towns within the refreshing tour circuit of western, north-western and north-eastern Uganda. In all these regions and towns, the hotels meet international standards and offer value for money.

Kampala, Entebbe and Mukono Central Uganda boasts the country's top hotels, with Kampala having hosted major international and regional conferences. Kampala has a variety of hotels that cater for different categories of tourists.

Colline Hotel Colline Hotel is an old establishment in Mukono about 15 kilometres east of Kampala. The three-star hotel boasts a town-countryside tropical setting. It is an hour's drive from Entebbe International Airport through Kampala along Jinja road. The hotel has more than 100 self-contained rooms, with 24-hour room service, DStv and direct telephone communication. It caters for transit tourists heading to and from Kampala.

Mukono's unique setting in an area with bird life is reinforced by its high service standards. Colline offers guests unhindered access to all facilities such as the steam bath and health club. With a large garden, swimming pool and well-equipped health centre, Colline Hotel is another home away from home.

The hotel has two restaurants, Maxims and Kob, serving continental, international, oriental and local cuisine. It has three bars fully stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The hotel has a launders residents' linen. Cultural troupes perform there regularly, keeping the guests fully entertained.

Hotel Africana Hotel Africana overlooks the beautiful Uganda Golf Club's par 72 Kitante course. The hotel is 40 minute drive from Entebbe and a mere three-minute drive to the city centre. It has 115 rooms compromising five suites, 23 deluxe rooms and 87 twin-bedrooms. The rooms are elaborately furnished to meet client needs. They are individually air-conditioned, have private baths and showers, telephones, multi-channel TV, radio and fridges. For children under three years, accommodation is free of charge while those between three and 12 pay half the rate of a single room. There are also rooms with connecting doors for families, and there is a large swimming pool.

Hotel Africana has a well-designed purpose-built, air-conditioned conference and banquet rooms, complete with modern audio-visual facilities, to cater for any function. Due to its location, the hotel offers a suitable venue for workshops of 10 to 250 people and outdoor functions of up to 1,000 people. The conference rooms are equipped with a high-speed wireless Internet connection.

Holiday Express Hotel Located in the heart of Kampala at the junction of Luwum and Dastur Streets, Holiday Express Hotel allows business tourists to access vital services such as foreign exchange, downtown shopping and transport in and out of Kampala. The facilities are designed to meet regional and international standards. All the 42 rooms are soundproofed to allow maximum comfort. This eliminates the CBD-related cacophony. The hotel has a special rate for East African nationals. All the rooms are fitted with TV with more than 10 channels and a spacious study area. Holiday Express has hosted business tourists from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo.

Hotel Equatoria Hotel Equatoria is part of the Imperial Group of Hotels chain - Grand Imperial, Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Imperial Resort Beach and Hotel Equatorial. It is located in Kampala's central business district, about 40 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport. Its strategic location provides an ideal environment for conferences, meetings, workshops, parties, recreation and rest. Hotel Equatoria has features that supplement its quality of service. Recently the hotel added 30 more shops to meet the shopping needs of the guests. Hotel Equatoria has one of the biggest shopping malls in the country and 89 air-conditioned rooms, 24 of which are executive class, with satellite television and in-house movies. Security is guaranteed as an electronic key card system is used. The executive rooms have a sitting area complete with speed special satellite Internet connections, mini-bars and direct dialing telephone services.

Grand Imperial Hotel The Grand Imperial Hotel is one of the first hotels in Uganda built in the colonial era. It is the only hotel that has been used by every governor of the colonial era. The 103 rooms, including suites, reflect the urban elegance and easy southern charm of the city. The hotel, part of the Imperial Group of Hotels, is centrally located in Kampala, and is just a 30 minute drive from Entebbe International Airport. All the rooms have high-speed Internet connection, electronic safes and mini-bars and direct dialing telephone services. The hotel has a swimming pool, saunas and Jacuzzi, massage rooms, steam and spa baths, a shopping mall and a large secure car park. It also offers free personalized airport service, forex bureau and doctors on call 24 hours.

Imperial Resort Beach Hotel The five-star Imperial Resort Beach Hotel is situated in Entebbe on 27 acres of landscaped gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is only a seven-minute drive from Entebbe International Airport, and a 30 minute drive to Kampala. The hotel is the finest convention centre in Uganda and a global landmark, offering technologically advanced conference facilities overlooking the lake.

With 191 rooms on six floors, extensive conference and banquet facilities and restaurants and bars, it is an ideal venue for meetings. A modern amphitheatre, 1 km private beach stretch along Lake Victoria, swimming pool and health club are just some of the delights.

Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel The Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel has hosted a number of key conferences, including a summit of African leaders and former American President, Bill Clinton. It has modern well-equipped conference facilities, high-speed internet connection in all rooms, electronic safes and mini-bars, direct dialing telephone service, swimming pool, saunas and Jacuzzi, large secure car parking, free personalized airport service and a doctor on a 24-hour call. Speke Resort & Country Lodge Speke Resort and Country Lodge is a luxurious resort on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, 12km from Kampala. This resort is spread over 50 acres of pristine land. It hosts leisure travelers, business and executive groups, weddings and other special travellers, business and executive groups, weddings and other special events. It is the epitome of an ultimate resort in the Great Lakes region. The emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, with the d?cor incorporating ethnic design elements from various African communities.

The resort extends for over 400 metres along the shores of Lake Victoria. Landscaped gardens with indigenous plants and trees attract colourful birds and butterflies. Wide and well-lit pathways link the cottages, apartments and public areas. It includes 10 self-contained cottages, 20 serviced studio rooms, 11 one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments with the latest amenities such as telephones, internet access and satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool, a restaurant, grocery, bar and an equestrian centre with 29 thoroughbred horses. There is a jetty where guests can hire speedboats

Mweya Safari Lodge Mweya safari lodge is located on a peninsula in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It offers sumptuous meals and luxurious accommodation and there are amazing views from every room, an abundance of game and birds. Easily accessible by air and road, Mweya Safari Lodge is the perfect place to start a refreshing experienced of Uganda.

Paraa Safari Lodge Built in the early 1950s, Paraa offers visitors the dramatic Murchison Falls and a large variety of bird and animal species. Winston Churchill walked the 85 kilometres from Masindi to view the falls. Paraa is sandwiched by Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert in north-western Uganda and Murchison National Park. During Uganda's political turmoil, the lodge collapsed but today the story is different. Guests can access it from Kampala by road or air

24 hours in Kampala I had decided to venture into the unknown - Uganda. With only a sketchy knowledge of the history of the country, I had covered most of Kenya and my visits to Tanzania were becoming monotonous. Coming all the way from Mombasa, the thought of flying to Nairobi then to Entebbe offered a mixed package. On the one hand, I would arrive fast and embark on my working holiday, but on the other, I would miss invaluable experiences that my grandchildren would love to hear.

I settled for the long journey by road from Mombasa. The Mombasa to Nairobi trip was uneventful and by morning, I was on my way to the Malaba border. Through the Kenyan towns of Nakuru, Eldoret and others, which I knew like the palm of my hand, we reached the border and disembarked, passport in hand. I eyed the surroundings curiously. We completed immigration formalities and set off from Malaba through Tororo to Kampala. The Owen Falls Dam provided a spectacular view of the source of the Nile. And Kampala beckoned.

By 6:30pm, the bus arrived in Kampala. Dusk was swiftly giving way to night and I had not made any accommodation arrangements. I tried to recollect the names of some of the hotels and approached an all too willing taxi driver (here they are called 'special hires'). I addressed him in English and mentioned the names of the various hotels that came to mind, three to be precise, but he immediately ruled out two as being upcountry! So, he took me to the one in town. It was a three-star hotel. I was caught in the horns of a dilemma. I didn't wish to appear as someone with no clue of what I wanted, yet I had this ominous feeling that the cost would subject my pockets to unwarranted, self-inflicted shock therapy. I decided to bite the bullet and approach the receptionist, who appeared rather busy with some clients. I waited. The wait seemed rather long; I know places in my home city (Mombasa) where the moment you step in you are literally lavished with service.

I boldly confronted the receptionist and politely asked her to attend to me. Turning the look of being offended by my perceived interruption, she promptly read out the room rates. The figures sounded rather odd; USh 100,000 etc. I settled for the cheapest, which was USh 100,000. Someone told me the Kenyan Shilling was quite strong regionally so I need not worry, just spend and be happy. I fished out a wad of notes and counted USh 100,000 for that night. I was shown the self-contained room with a sitting area, a TV with numerous channels, among a host of other things. I settled in the room, took a shower, started counting the money while reconverting the currency mentally to Kenya Shillings, and realized that i had spent a whopping KSh 8,000 even before dinner!

It was Friday and I began my nocturnal tour at about 8:45pm. The city was teeming with not just vehicles, but human traffic too. I got a 'special hire' to the 'happening places' as the seemingly enlightened driver called them. He quickly noticed two things: that I was new in Uganda and that I was from Kenya!

Robert Muhoho

Robert is a tour consultant in Kenya and has planned business and vacation safaris for over 10,000 tourists in the East African region. He is a tour operation- major and involved in National tourism policy development in Kenya.

For more information please visit: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner/ http://www.eastafricasafari.blogspot.com

Discover The Canadian Paddling Safari On the Grand River... One Hour West of Toronto

Canoe, kayak or raft trip the Grand River to experience sightings of Canadian wildlife within an hour drive of Toronto. Seeing the returned presence of species once gone from the valley has become the highlight of an evening paddle on the Grand River.

The Carolinian Forest along the shores of the Grand River has the largest diversity of plants and wildlife in Canada. The best way to see wildlife is with a quiet evening drift on the river. Having a guide knowledgeable of where to look increases the opportunity of observing animals and birds. Once trained on where to look and how to distinguish shapes, amazes everyone.

Creatures absent twenty years ago are being sighted... even the locals are in disbelief. The bald eagle is back, the fishing ospreys are nesting and the extinct turkeys abound. There are snarling possums, random sleek otters and an abundance of beaver. Fish populations have changed with the migration of steelhead trout and increase in smallmouth bass. As the varieties of species in the food chain expand, there is an increase response from the predators above.

There is also the regular wildlife to view. In the sky soar the huge turkey vultures, the echoing geese and chattering kingfishers. The whitetail deer populations are abundant in the valley and often visible along the river in the evening and early spring. On moonlight paddles there are coyotes howling, horned owls hooting and large blue herons croaking. There are mink fishing, raccoons washing clams and a choir of frogs and toads to hear.

Traveling in the middle of the river allows minimum disturbance to observe wildlife. Rafts are an excellent vehicle for families and non-water people to safely travel in. There is presently one company offering guided evening paddles on a regular schedule in the Grand River valley. It is called the Grand River Rafting Company and is based in the Paris/ Brantford area. They offer guided evening services with canoes, kayaks and rafts. There are even platform raft drifts with deckchairs for those wishing to sit and observe. The trips are 2 to 3 hours in length and are designed to fit the busy travelers' time frame.

For visitors from Europe, Asia and around the world, the nearness of this wilderness to Toronto is an excellent opportunity to experience a piece of Canadian outdoors. The Grand River is one hour from the Toronto Airport and 10 minutes off the 403 Highway. There are hotels, B&B's and campsites for individuals and couples, just fifteen minutes away from the river. There is also a family/group Bed & Breakfast called River Ridge which can accommodate up to 12 visiting people. There are nearby restaurants, fast food and grocery stores to satisfy the appetite of anyone.

The Grand River is nature's safari route through the wilderness of Southern Ontario. A guided paddle through this Carolinian forest is worth the visit. It is just a short distance from Toronto with a maximum Canadian wildlife experience for all.

Garth Pottruff's Grand River Rafting Company not only does rafting, but exclusive guided canoe and kayak trips on the Grand River in Paris, Ontario. He offers evening paddles and moonlight for the opportunity to view wildlife.He has watched the Grand River make a comeback from an almost dead river to a thriving wildlife community. For trip info click: http://www.grandriverrafting.ca

Safari Adventure in Botswana - Leopard Sighting

On one of several African safaris, this one in the Okavango Delta, our guide frequently pointing to the high points of interest mentioned it was getting late as he beaconed at the slowly sinking sun. I remember as our group was marveling at a pride of lions, brothers as we were told by the guide, spectacular lions with black manes doing what they do best, resting on the floor of the savannah. Blending in with the high grass, barely visible except for the occasional black manes one would see as they turned over, yawned and then fell back on their side continuing their R&R. Suddenly a call came over the guides radio. A leopard sighting! The guide asked if we wanted to go, it was late in the evening, the sun was beginning to set. The guide explained that it was a ways off and the leopard, as elusive as it was, may have moved from the spot by the time we got there. Unanimously, we all agreed to take that chance.

On one of several African safaris, this one in the Okavango Delta, our guide frequently pointing to the high points of interest mentioned it was getting late as he beaconed at the slowly sinking sun. I remember as our group was marveling at a pride of lions, brothers as we were told by the guide, spectacular lions with black manes doing what they do best, resting on the floor of the savannah. Blending in with the high grass, barely visible except for the occasional black manes one would see as they turned over, yawned and then fell back on their side continuing their R&R. Suddenly a call came over the guides radio. A leopard sighting! The guide asked if we wanted to go, it was late in the evening, the sun was beginning to set. The guide explained that it was a ways off and the leopard, as elusive as it was, may have moved from the spot by the time we got there. Unanimously, we all agreed to take that chance.

We began to tear across the savannah, only able to drive on the existing trails. Drivers are not allowed to make their own trails not in this neck of the woods! As we bounced from side to side in our open Land Rover, getting closer to the leopard every moment, the sun sank further and further. And then..no, not the leopard, but we saw four lionesses taking down a zebra. The zebra was barely alive, with one lioness on the throat, one on the rear end, one underneath and another resting close by. Finally, with the zebra succumbed, they begin to enjoy the fruits of their labor!

We begged the driver to stop and he said, what about the leopard. We told him to wait until after we take pictures of the sighting. Cameras clicking away, we spent way too much time there, but worth every minute, as the sunset became more beautiful with each passing moment. And then off we went, rushing to see the leopard!

Still with some daylight remaining, we arrived to see the most spectacular, stunning and regal leopard perched atop a huge rock, barely visible when his head was down. As he lifted his head out of the same color of grasses surrounding him, oh my god, what a sight! Gently he moved his head from side to side, surveying any potential threat or danger and gently laid his head back down as if to saycan you please let me get some rest here? As if posing for our hundreds of pictures, the leopard casually and slowly got up to move, from the heat of the sunlight to the shade of a nearby tree, as the sun was slowly going down in the distance. And as the sun set, and we could only see the eyes of the leopard, we realized it was pitch black in the Okavango Delta.

How do we get back? How do we see? Can we find the roads? Were not in the city; there are no streetlights, no signs, and no headlights! Like most guides, ours knew exactly where to go and how to get there. But first he asked us, who knew the way back everyone pointed in a different direction, so we chose his. Tearing back across the savannah, the only things visible were the many eyes of animals in the bushes or out in the open. The guide pointed to the eyes, and would say, theres a hyena over there, theres a lion over there, but really the only eyes we wanted to see were the eyes of the Chief Camps guides as they greeted us back at camp. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!

Kay L. Trotman, a Travel Agent specializing in African Safaris and Group Tours and Cruises, lives in Southern California. She is an avid amateur photographer and shoots pictures of her safari adventures and her beautiful flower garden. Travel information can be found at www.KayTravel.com. Many of her pictures can be purchased as custom photos or cards at www.KaysCreativeCards.com