A continent of great contrasts most renowned for the wildness of nature and animals. Africa is filled with excitement and danger yet the people despite the widespread poverty are outgoing, friendly and helpful.

The great continent which according to Darwinists and Geneticists alike say is the birthplace of humanity. Perhaps the place where an unusual fish emerged from the ocean to evolve over millions of years into the variety of species we know today.

In the not so distant past, Africa provided the slave labor for the plantations and capital works in the Americas as well as vast amounts of gold and silver to drive the European and American economies. Today much of Africa is wounded as the colonists left much of the continent to be controlled by despots and warlords who have caused the immeasurable suffering to the population that we see in our daily news and movie screens and Despite the general acceptance of modern labor laws, slavery is still common in many African countries.

The total population of Africa is in excess of one billion and growing by about 24 million per year and the continent is divided into about 60 individual countries. This means that for the visitor there is a lot to see from Morocco and Egypt in the north with its Arab/French flavor to South Africa with its mix of indigenous tribes and the Dutch/English flavor. The far north is dry and dominated by the Sahara Desert and traveling south one encounters a wide range of geographic features and landscapes and of course wild life.

One of the greatest attraction are the animals, the great herds of wilderbeast (Gnu) and zebra, the slender giraffe as well as lions, cheetahs, rhinos and hippos and thanks to conservationists you can take tours and still see these increasingly rare animals in their native habitat.

Off Road
When leaving the main highways it is strongly recommended that you fully understand where you are going, what you may encounter and you are well equipped to carry out repairs survive meetings with dangerous animals and have enough water and fuel to return safely. Do it yourself animal safaris cause many tourist deaths, so unless you want to be another vanished (or possibly eaten) tourist statistic do yourself a favor and take a guide or join a tour.

Health and Safety
Much of Africa is impoverished giving rise to crimes of poverty. Most cities have high crime rates and although tourists are seldom involved it is wise to take sensible precautions to ensure that you do not become a victim. As is the case in any large city, do not walk around wearing expensive jewelery or carry any valuables beyond your days needs. For private excursions, it is best to get local knowledge and go with a local tour guide who you can hire from you travel operator or hotel. HIV Aids is a continent wide epidemic never have unprotected sex - ever - and note that circumcised men are less likely of contacting or passing on hiv.

In summary
So to stay safe:
In cities avoid high risk areas and anywhere at night women should never walk alone.
In the bush never leave your camp site or rural hotel at night or you may become the main dish in some wild carnivores banquet.
Boil or treat drink water
Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, tetse flies, other insect pests and animals.

Great Destinations
Trek to the Mountains of The Moon - climbing Mt.Margherita in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda.
Trek the Bandiagara Escarpment - in the Dogon country of Mali.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - in north-eastern Tanzania.
Visit the great sand dunes of Namibia
Camel treks into the Sahara Desert Morocco
Meercats in Botswana
The wildlife-rich Okavango Delta.