Safari Notes

Very few adventurers, if any, are comparable to this great scholar, traveler and explorer. Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta , the Moroccan of Berber descent, traveled and explored: North Africa, West Africa, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe in the West, to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and on to China in the East. He was only twenty-one when he left Morocco to begin his incredible odyssey on 14th June 1325 ( 2nd Rajab 725 A.H ); and for nearly thirty years, he traveled about 75,000 miles ( 120,700 km. ), explored and wrote: he dictated his account of his adventurous journeys to Abu Inana Faris - the Ameer Al Mu'umineen who became Sultan of Morocco. The book: A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling or simply known as Al Rihla , is one of the greatest, and most absorbing and fascinating travel books of all time. More On Battuta: ummah.net , saudiaramcoworld.com , fordham.edu , ucalgary.ca , the153c...

People of the forest : that's what indigenous Malaysians and Indonesians call Orangutans; in the past, the natives couldn't kill them because they believed that the apes were indeed humans. Indeed, these apes are very much like us humans:  they not only have the ability to reason and think , but this large, gentle red ape is one of our closest relatives, sharing 97% of the same DNA as humans . All the other great apes: gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, come from Africa, except the Orangutan. Mankind, as cruel and careless as we are, we keep them as pets; and through poaching and the destruction of these apes habitats, we are driving them to extinction in the wild. More On Orangutans: Orangutan com , IUCN , Orangutan.org , Orangutan Facts , enchantedlearning.com , orangutan.flevoland.to ,  Image: orang-utans.com

This is as sad and as bad as it can get. Not only lions, but hyenas and leopards have been killed by poisoning in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda; by Basongora herdsmen. The Basongora were evicted from Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March last year. They were allowed to settle temporarily at the edge of the park until a more permanent solution was found. However, the Basongora started penetrating deeper into the park. They are now covering an estimated 300 square kilometre area. At the same time, herdsmen from other parts of the country and even from Tanzania took advantage of the situation, making the number of cattle swell from 10,000 to an estimated 40,000. “Over 80% of the hyenas have been killed and all leopards along the Nyamusagani river have been poisoned,” said Dr. Ludwig Siefert, a veterinarian and lecturer at Makerere University. “We have also lost at least 11 lions in the last 15 months.” Experts reckon that the lion population decreased ...

Nairobi, my most favorite city , has just become an even much better place to live in. It 'implements a successful public ban on smoking': Nairobi has become the third city in Kenya to implement a ban on smoking that has tobacco companies running for cover. The proscription went into effect last week in all public venues of the capital, and from all indications, restaurants, taverns, and tourist sites are observing the statute with minimum rancor. Earlier bans were imposed on the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa and the rift valley town of Nakuru. Nairobi fines are high by Kenyan standards, about 300 dollars, 20-thousand Kenyan shillings, or six months in prison, as mandated by Nairobi’s local governing City Council. VOA News Any more Kenyan urban centers to follow? And: why can't more, if not all, African cities and urban centers - ban smoking in public? Banning smoking in public is the simplest, positive, constructive thing Africa can easily do. Requiring very minimal re...

It was 1913 and great stretches of Africa were still unknown to the white man when Stewart Edward White, an American hunter, set out from Nairobi. Pushing south, he recorded: "We walked for miles over burnt out country... Then I saw the green trees of the river, walked two miles more and found myself in paradise." He had found Serengeti. In the years since White's excursion under "the high noble arc of the cloudless African sky," Serengeti has come to symbolize paradise to many of us. The Maasai, who had grazed their cattle on the vast grassy plains for millennia had always thought so. To them it was Siringitu - "the place where the land moves on forever." serengeti.org More reading: Tanzania Parks , glcom Image: Google

Born on December 6, 1981 in the West African Nation of Liberia, Kimmie Weeks spent most of his early childhood faced with war, poverty, and suffering. A civil war had started in Liberia in 1989 when Kimmie was barely 9 years old. The war brought him face to face with death and the suffering of children. He recalls observing the plight of other children who seemed to suffer more then he did. He recounts, "all through the war, I saw children suffer worse then I. I watched children die, cut down by bullets or disease that in other parts of the world would be considered no longer a threat. I saw children in my country spend long days on the streets of the capital under the blazing African sun trying to sell goods for their families to survive, while thousands of others carried guns, fighting and killing one another. I saw the growing number of young children barely in their teens who were becoming prostitutes. School for these any many others was a fantasy." In 1991, someone st...

Ever thought of traveling in style? How about this way, in a hybrid 'Toyota', when going home from work; or when just having a good time site seeing? And this way, silently, slowly and without any noise or toxic fumes from the exhaust pipe, when going to hospital - that is: if you are not in need of immediate medical attention!? Whichever way you choose, both are excellent additions to ' The Green Revolution' and both can easily join the 'Top Green Cars' competition. Certainly they will win the 'environmental friendliness' and 'fuel-efficiency' category in the Greenercars ratings!

Gray wolves (scientific name: Canis lupus ) are gray as the name implies. But, they can also be black, white or red. They live in packs in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In Africa, they once lived in Egypt. There are five subspecies of gray wolves in North America; whose coat colors can range from pure white to brown, gray, cinnamon or black. Today, worldwide, gray wolves are an endangered species. Summary:   Wolves are - mammals, carnivorous and are the largest members of the dog family and are the largest wild canid. Their average life span is 6 to 8 years (14 to 15 years in captivity). And they can weigh any thing from 40lbs. to 177lbs.  (18kg. to 80kg.). Their heights can be between 26 to 32 inches (660cm. to 813cm) and their lengths can be - that of males from nose to tip of tail, 5ft. to 6.5ft. (152cm. to 198cm.) and females from nose to tip of tail, from 4.5ft. to 6ft. (137cm. to 183cm.. Males are usually larger than females. Gray wolves trave...

National Geographic's mission is: Inspiring People to Care About the Planet. " Since 1888, we've traveled the Earth, sharing its amazing stories with each new generation. The Society's Mission Programs support critical expeditions and scientific fieldwork; encourage geography education for students; promote natural and cultural conservation; and inspire audiences through new media, vibrant exhibitions, and live events. Witness the mission in action, and get involved today! " ~ The National Geographic Image From: Google Images

Charles Taylor's capture was a celebration; and now his being on trial and having to answer for the horrors and destruction he brought to Liberia - is comforting. But Liberia itself has a long way to go; a very long way to go, for it to heal and be able to stand properly as a nation. Can it and will it be able to? Liberia, fragile Liberia, can and hopefully will stand up economically and be able to get its institutions, communities and families normally working and moving forward. But it is the other healing that will take time and which will need much patience and self sacrifice from all Liberians; and much wisdom from Liberian leaders and elders. Other Africans and the 'International' community, should help and assist whenever and wherever possible and whenever needed; for, failure to that and letting Liberia slide to instability again - is too painful to think of, let alone letting it happen. The alternative to Liberia not being stable is as horrifying as what Liberia...

“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.” “From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.” “The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish” “If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed [and] if we are not willing [to change], we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.” “I am not a scientist. I am, rather, an impresario of scientists.” More on Cousteau: Cousteu Society , CNN , weburbia Image from: Google Images

Distribution :This species of river dolphin lives only in the Indus River which flows through the provinces of Punjab and Sind in Pakistan (Asia). They are mainly found in a 100 mile stretch of water which lies between two manmade river dams. These were built in the 1930's for farmers to water their crops, and for hydro-electric power generation, but they have separated the dolphins that live in the river, and have stopped them moving freely. Population Size :Sadly there could be less than 1000 Indus dolphins remaining in their natural habitat. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the Indus river dolphin as one of five species of cetaceans that are known or suspected to be threatened with extinction. Threats :Boat traffic, dam building, hunting, habitat loss, human disturbance, chemical pollution, rntanglement in fishing nets. Fascinating Facts : The Indus river dolphin sometimes carries its young on its back, above the surface of the water. Although the species prefers deep w...

The Monarch Butterfly. It is the King of the insect world. It is poisonous and are indeed very beautiful. Most incredible and amazing of all about these butterflies, is that: they migrate, traveling great distances flying 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers across Canada and the USA where they breed and to Mexico during winter for the warmth there. And then again fly back to their breeding grounds. It is this stupendous migration cycle that makes these butterflies so extraordinary and awesome. More reading: enchantedlearning.com , monarch-butterfly , Insecta Inspecta , Monarch Watch , gpnc.org Image from: Learner

There are a few simple things that we can do to make our World cleaner. Two of which are: using Solar energy and Fluorescent lamps ; both of which, initially might be expensive but, are much cheaper in the long run. And environmentally, much cleaner. Solar power, will most likely in future - be the number one energy supplier in the World. In Africa where, in most places, the sun shines, twelve hours a day and all year round - Solar power is even more suitable. Though it has run in to problems in Senegal due to the large scale project undertaken there, Africa and Africans should focus more on Solar energy. It's cleaner, much safer to both health and the environment than kerosene and other forms of energy; and conserves much needed foreign exchange. Most people do not use fluorescent lamps and bulbs as they are more expensive than incandescent lights; or, they seem so. But, fluorescent lamps last much longer and use less energy than the incandescents. For about five years now,...

Few places on Earth are as spectacular and extraordinary as the Okavango in Botswana: 6,000-square-mile maze of lagoons, channels, and islands. The River Okavango, unlike most major rivers in the world, does not empty its waters in the sea; but in the sands of the hot Kalahari desert, into an oasis for all life forms in that dry of deserts. When it does that, each year, the many life forms in the desert are quenched and enlivened. More on the Okavango: Greatest Places , ecoafrica , Okavango-Delta , go2africa , SA Places Image from: Google

The African ostrich is the World's largest bird and live in herds. They can not fly, but are fast and can run up-to 70 kilometers per hour. Beware of their kicks, they can kill a lion or even a human being.   More on the Ostrich: National Geographic , NDSU , Nature.ca , Enchanted Learning , Kruger Park , Suite101 , Enchanted Learning , Wild Watch

To me, the Greatest warriors in Africa are the Masais . It's said that: 'respect is won and not/never demanded'. As a tribe, as a people - of all the African tribes, the Masais have won my uttermost admiration and respect. To many, they may seem backwards. To many, they may seem as a people who have 'clinged' to the past and hence 'remained' behind. To many, they may seem too arrogant and proud. But that is what makes the Masais distinct and unique. Distinct and unique in a very positive way. That's what has won the Masais; respect, admiration and attention, worldwide. My personal experience with Masais, is what has made me respect and admire them as highly as I do. Wherever I find or see them, they always have this distinct, dignified, composure; always detached and full of pride - at times, arrogant and stubborn. The more traditional and conservative the Masai is, the more so. The few Masais I have had the honor and luck of befriending - have been frie...

A history of a global conservation organization. In just over 4 decades, WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund) has become one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations.With almost 5 million supporters distributed throughout 5 continents, WWF has offices in over 90 countries and can safely claim to have played a major role in the evolution of the international conservation movement.Since 1985, WWF has invested over US$1 billion in more than 12,000 projects . All these projects and activities play a part in the campaign to stop the accelerating degradation of Earth's natural environment, and to help its human inhabitants live in greater harmony with nature. This section explains how the organization grew from being a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts into a global network, supported by people from all walks of life, who, like WWF, care about the welfare of our planet. WWF

About 100 years ago, the Arabian oryx were abundant and common in all of the Arabian Peninsular. But poaching and human encroachment has almost decimated this graceful and beautiful animal. The few that remain, are either in sanctuaries or reintroduced into protected wildlife reserves or maybe, in the remotest of deserts and mountains. More: IUCN , UNESCO , Arab.net , The Arabian Oryx Project , Facts , Arkive , Omanet Image: cjodell's

Any one who has seen hippos knows how huge they are, the Pygmy is a much smaller replica of that. Found only in Africa, specifically - Western,  the Pygmy Hippopotamus, is nocturnal and herbivorous; unlike the larger, common hippo which is gregarious, the pygmy is very rare, shy and solitary. And endangered. More on Pygmy Hippopotamus: IUCN , Facts , National Zoological Park , ultimateungulate.com , Wonderclub

Thy live and thrive in some of the most difficult and desolate of places. They do survive in both extreme cold and hot places. They can survive for days without water. They have humps and are cud-chewers. They have three eye lids. Meat and milk from them are most healthy. They are CAMELS . More on Camels: FOHN.Net , Adaptation in Camels , National Geographic , Marisa Montes , BBC For more: on camel urine go here , here and here . And for more on camel milk go here , here , here , here and here .

Bamboos grow everywhere, except Europe and Antarctica. This plant, which can survive in the most difficult of conditions, has many uses. No other plant, is as useful, in many ways, as the bamboo. It is used in hundreds of ways. It can be used as food; for building and even used by Arabs, the Chinese and Indians as medicine. At one time, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere wanted to use the hollow trees for piping water to Tanzanians. More on bamboos: Bamboo Information , e-how , Growing and Maintaining Bamboo , Google Answers , hemp-guide , Chinese Bamboo Tree , Bamboo As Food and Medicine , Bamboo as medicine Image: Google

Since time immemorial, ginger is a most valued medicinal plant used by Arabs, Indians the Chinese and other Asians. It is also used as spice for cooking and in tea and coffee. Try taking cool ginger juice; it is medicinal and very refreshing. More On Ginger: uni-graz.at , theepicentre , whfoods.com , wikipedia , Health & Yoga , NutraSanus , Vitaminstuff , ImmuneSupport , It's Your Health Image: Google

"The parable of those who take protectors other than God is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew." (029.041 ) The Noble Quran  One of the most amazing creatures on Earth, is undoubtedly the Spider. It is also one of the most ancient living animal. And they are every where. Some, hate these four legged arthropods; still, most people can't help but be fascinated by them. Wherever you live, you're always close to a spider. More On Spiders: UWGB , Wikipedia , Habitat News , UIWEB , Insect Identification Image: Google

Desert Fox (Fennec Fox) Recognizable by their very large ears which are very useful in helpful radiating body heat and helping them keep cool; and in locating prey and avoiding danger - the fennec fox is the smallest of foxes and the dog family. It is a native of the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa (Morocco to Egypt, Niger, Sudan etc.), the Sinai Desert and even some parts of the Arabian Peninsular. Adults weigh about four pounds (about two kilograms) and are nocturnal. Very attractive. One of the smartest animals on Earth.  Extremely intelligent, patient and calculating. And they have extraordinary hearing capabilities. The desert fox survives in one of the harshest places in the world; they are adapted for that. The ears, the long thick hair, the hairy feet - all these help the fox survive well in the extreme temperatures of the desert, which can be very hot during the day and extremely cold at night. They live in underground dens; usually in communi...

Nutritious, easy and cheap to produce. In some parts it is called 'the wonder crop'. It is soya beans. The beans also serve as a high-protein livestock feed and, when grown in rotation with maize and cotton, improve soil fertility. For years now, Uganda has been producing the beans; but t Kenya, it is rarely grown. Due to the rising demand in the beans, production is set to rise. More on Soya: soya.be , Best Vegan Guide , The Dynamic Nature , vegsoc , birdseye.co , Soya Tech , Image: Google

Honey Bees . More have been written about these wonderful, extraordinary creatures than has been written on any other insects. Of creatures, they are the most beneficial to mankind. About a third of all the food that we humans eat, is the result of their pollination. Without them, humans might most likely cease to exist. So tiny and yet so decisive for our existence here on Earth. No wonder all sacred scriptures mention Bees. "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you. Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect . The Noble Quran ~ [16:68-69] Read: Islamic Perspective On The Bees , National Geographic , Ezine Articles , Benefits of Honeybees , Honeybees , Facts   Image: Robert Silverwo...

Anyone who has been to Uganda, will never miss seeing this magnificent, graceful creature. It is found too, in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. The kob and the crested crane are national animals and they on the government emblem and Uganda's flag. Years ago, the kob could be found in western Kenya and northern Tanzania, but now can be found no more. In Uganda too, the antelope is not as common as it was years ago; today, Murchison Falls National Park, is the easiest place to find and see it. More on the Kob: AWF , wild-about-you Image: bimpyak's

Polar bears are a potentially threatened species living in the circumpolar north. They are animals which know no boundaries. They pad across the ice from Russia to Alaska, from Canada to Greenland and onto Norway's Svalbard archipelago. No adequate census exists on which to base a worldwide population estimate, but biologists use a working figure of 20,000 to 25,000 bears with about sixty percent of those living in Canada . Read more... More on Polar Bears: IUCN , WWF , National Geographic , Discovery , NWF , Defenders

Found all across Africa, it is the continent's most magnificent tree. The tree, that seems to appear as if upside down. It is the African Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata). Due to its very remarkable structure, it survives in the most arid of places. The baobab can grow to a maximum height of about 23 metres (75 feet); its barrel-shaped trunk can be as thick as more than 5 metres (16 feet) in diameter. It can live for thousands of years: a baobab tree in Egypt, is reportedly 6,000 years old, which makes it older than the Giza Pyramids. More: Ezine Articles, Suite101 , Botswana Tourism , Facts , Baobab Solutions , National Geographic ,

Bonobo chimpanzee, gracile ape, lesser chimpanzee, or pygmy chimpanzee; chimpanzeé nain or chimpanzeé pygmée (French); chimpancé pigmeo (Spanish); bonobo or dvärgschimpans (Swedish) . Along with chimpanzees, Bonobos are humankind's closest relatives. Their habitat is only ONE country:  the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are the last great ape species to be discovered, and, due to their being critically endangered, especially due to poaching, they could be the first primates to go extinct. Apart from being poached, can there be any thing else as merciless and cruel being done on these very harmless animals? Keeping them as pets is . More on Bonobos: Science Blog , Bio-Davidson , Conservation , iearn , Animal Info , WWF , Wisc.edu , National Geographic

Aloë. For thousands of years, it has been used as medicine for treating various ailments, from burns to constipation. It is not only used in many beauty products; it can be drunk too. It is among the world's top herbal selling products. There are hundreds of species of Aloe, the  most common, most used and most popular is the Aloe vera. The genus is a native to Africa and is common in southern Africa and Madagascar. Many people too, grow aloes in their gardens and in pots, in their homes. More on Aloe: Peoples Pharmacy , University of Maryland , How To Grow , Mayo Clinic , Drink , Facts , All4NaturaHealth , Quick Facts Image: Keetsa

Very few animals are as adorable and pleasing to watch as dolphins. " Dolphins have a universal appeal, symbolizing freedom, joy, grace and serenity , uplifting the spirits of many people all around the world ." There are 30 or so different species of dolphins. Did you know that the Orca is classified as a dolphin? The dolphin's greatest predator and danger, as with most life forms on Earth, has been and is Man. About: Dolphin-World , Dolphins , Facts , The Dolphin Place , General Info , Defenders Image: National Geographic

Lemurs are small primates known as "prosimians," meaning pre-primates and they are believed to be the oldest ancestors of primates. They are found only in Madagascar and some are in the neighboring Comoros. The exact number of lemur species is not clear; it is reportedly over seventy. All lemurs are endangered - please help support their survival ! More on Lemurs: Wild Madagascar , WWF , IUCN , Facts , Defenders , National Geographic , Discovery , Science in Africa , the Wild Ones , New species

Except for South Africa, Western Africa - especially in Morocco, very few people in Africa use Asparagus Spears as food. In North West Africa, the plants can be found in the wild. Very nutritional and the leading supplier in folic acid, asparagus is best when fresh and not canned. It can be eaten raw or steamed or spiced or roasted. Soup from it is superb. More on Asparagus: Invista , Asparagus Online , Asparagus.org , Live Strong , Fat Secret , Nutrition-and-you , Asparagus Facts Image: HowStuffWorks

Extremely graceful and a beauty to watch. Probably the most careless mother with its young. And tall. Very tall. That is the giraffe. Read more.........  Giraffes.com , Giraffes.org , AWF , National Geographic , Buzzle , Terra Naturals , WildAnimalsOnline Image: Google Images

Sea turtles (Cheloniidae / Dermochelyidae families) are one of the Earth's most ancient creatures; of the seven species that still live, some have been around for over 100 million years. Though well protected, 6 out of these 7 species are endangered; 3, critically. Help in saving sea turtles by adopting one here: Wildlife Adoption Center . Further reading: seaturtles.org , seaworld , IUCN , Defenders , Conserve Turtles , National Geographic , FWS-gov , WWF

" The elephant is a friend to man More than the dog, it's constant. And now indeed our turn has come to be the Friend of the elephant. " From the song, Friends of the Elephant, composed by Paul Hippeau, for the Society of the Friends of the Elephant at their 1906 banquet. " The elephant's a gentleman ." Rudyard Kipling in Oonts " The elephant, not only the largest but the most intelligent of animals, provides us with an excellent example. It is faithful and tenderly loving to the female of its choice, mating only every third year and then for no more than five days, and so secretly as never to be seen, until, on the sixth day, it appears and goes at once to wash its whole body in the river, unwilling to return to the herd until thus purified. Such good and modest habits are an example to husband and wife. " St. Francis De Sales, 1567–1622, French churchman, devotional writer. Introduction to the Devout Life, pt. 3, ch. 39, 1609 "There is ...

Name : Drgon Blood Tree or Socotra Dragon Tree. Scientific Name : Dracaena Cinnabari. Habitat : Horn of Africa and mainly the Soqotra Archipelago. Status: Endangered As it is only found in one of the remotest and least visited places on earth: the Socotra Archipelago and the Horn of Africa, most people will never ever see this fascinating tree. It gets its name from a red resin that the tree produces, that is used for dyeing and as medicine. More info: Worldplants , Botanical , IUCN , Arkive , BBC , Wikipedia , Encyclopaedia Image: Google

Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. Live Earth will reach this worldwide audience through an unprecedented global media architecture covering all media platforms - TV, radio, Internet and wireless channels. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign led by the Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Group and other international organizations to drive individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve global warming. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is the Chair of the Alliance and Partner of Live Earth. For more, visit: LIVE EARTH THE CONCERTS FOR A CLIMATE IN CRISIS