The majority of the countries in Africa are inhabited by peoples of African origin. Some ethnic groups have been affected by the migration of Arab peoples into northern Africa. There are also Europeans whose families moved to Africa during the colonial period and have stayed on.

In some parts of Africa, you will also find people of Asian origin, for example from the Indian subcontinent.Despite these microcosms, the peoples of Africa are often described in terms of their ethnic background or their languages.

There are several thousand ethnic groups in Africa, ranging in physical stature from the short Pygmies to the tall Maasai, each with its own cultural traditions. Each ethnic group has its own distinct language, traditions, arts and crafts, history, way of life and religion. At the same time, over the centuries the different groups have also influenced one another and contributed to and enriched one another’s culture.

Africa can be divided into five regions: North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. Each of these represents a cultural and geographic region which is different from the others in many ways. Some of the more widely known ethnic groups in Africa are: Arabs, Ashanti, Bantu, Berbers, Bushmen, Dinka, Fulani, Ganda, Hamites, Hausa, Hottentot, Kikuyu, Luba, Lunda, Malinke, Moors, Nuer, Pygmies, Semites, Swahili, Tuareg, Xhosa, and Yoruba.

Although the majority of the people in Africa lead a rural life, the continent is urbanizing at a fast pace. Over a third of the population now lives in cities. Those who live and work in the major metropolitan areas live in ways similar to most people in the industrialized world. Those who live and work in many of the smaller towns dress in western style and do the kind of work – in the manufacturing industry or the services – that people in many urbanized parts of the world do.

 However, they may not always have all the advantages of those who live in the larger more modern cities. In contrast, there are a number of different ethnic groups living in rural Africa whose lifestyles have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. They have a rich cultural heritage that they have passed down from generation to generation with very little influence from the outside world.
 
Simply, Africa is actually a continent made up of a wide variety of worlds. Its people live in diverse conditions that represent present extreme contrasts as well as a middle ground. There is extreme poverty and vast wealth; there are people who suffer from droughts and famine and people who have plentiful food; there are vast, magnificent nature reserves with an abundance of wildlife and there are highly urbanized parts with major cities with high-rise buildings and modern amenities.

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Africa is of course well known for its prodigious diamond production. What is not necessarily as well known is that Australia is a source of the rare and infinitely more valuable pink diamonds. Destinations Africa Pink Diamond Safaris would constitute similarly unique Africa tours

As you tour Africa, your itinerary can even include a diamond workshop visit – watch rough diamonds as they are transformed into creations of fire and light by a team of skilled craftsmen or watch your own jewellery design being created before your very eyes.

So when juxtaposed with a location like Africa Tours take on a whole different image!

But of course you can tour Africa without focusing on something other than diamonds and normally the raison d’etre to tour Africa is to get up close and personal with the wildlife. Indeed 3D wildlife viewing can quickly become a passion and one becomes addicted to safari life. But don’t despair as this passion can be combined with more traditional passions such as golf (though I must admit that is one passion I will never come to appreciate!) or even adventure sports such as white-water rafting. Africa tours are ideal for couples or families with diverging interests thus the golfing widow or widower can be fully occupied and entertained while the partner pursues that little white ball across the African savannahs. Perhaps you could follow in the footsteps of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen or Gary Player as you try to improve your handicap on international standard courses in locations as diverse as the African bush, on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean or in the beautiful setting of Cape Town.

Then again you could always tour Africa through a combination of guided and self-drive components. Cape Town and the picturesque garden route really lend themselves to a lazy meander with plenty to see and do, good roads, very polite drivers (at least by Australian standards!) Another place that lends itself to self-drive (though the distances are vast and can compare well with the Nullabor!) is Namibia but it is essential that you arrange your trip through reputable agents (such as the Destinations Africa associates) to ensure that your vehicle is a reliable 4WD that will not leave you stranded in some remote spot – like that Japanese couple we passed peering sheepishly out of the window of their entrenched Toyota Camry as the Sossusvlei sand drifted to wedge it further in! Of course they should have paid attention to the warning sign at the end of the tarred road stating that only 4WD vehicles should go beyond that point!

So if you would like to tour Africa or even participate in more organised Africa Tours, the first thing you should do is have a look at the Destinations Africa website http://www.destinationsafrica.com.au/ or give us a call on 02 4984 9747

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Where to go.

First and foremost you should consider where you want to go on safari. Every location offers a different experience, so it’s worth researching the wildlife, climate, safari style and accommodation available in each destination.

African safaris.

Africa is the most popular destination for safaris and is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery and wildlife. Safari goers can witness the ‘Big Five’ in their natural environment, as well as hundreds of other rare and exotic species, including cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes and hippopotamuses. Although tourism remains a threat to the continent’s ecosystems, Africa retains its allure and mystery, and is one of the few remaining places in the world where travellers can witness exotic animals in their natural habitat.

Of course, not all African safaris are the same. Some locations, such as South Africa, lend themselves best to first-time safari visitors, while more seasoned safari enthusiasts may seek more challenging experiences and rarer species elsewhere. Accommodation and services can also vary wildly, with countries such as Botswana being renowned for their luxury lodges, which are sold at premium prices. Package deals and self-drive safaris can offer much more affordable options, so it’s important to consider what kind of experience you are looking for.

Top destination.

Tanzania.

Tanzania gets only 20% of the number of safari tourists that visit neighbouring Kenya, allowing it to offer a much more natural safari experience. Amazingly, Tanzania is home to three of Africa’s top five natural wonders; Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, which combine to provide a stunning backdrop for safari travel. Lake Tanganyika offers a further attraction and its wildlife-rich waters constitute over a third of all fresh water on the planet.

Alternative safari destinations For those seeking something a little different from the classic African savannah safari, there are a number of exciting alternatives:

Mountain gorilla safari in Uganda – trek through dense jungle to witness imposing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Chitwan National Park safari in Nepal – explore the Ganges river plain where one quarter of the world’s endangered Asian rhinos live, alongside tigers, otters, crocodiles and a myriad of birdlife.
Polar bear safari in Canada – traverse frozen tundra landscapes to spot polar bears, arctic foxes and snowy owls

When to go.

Deciding when you go on safari is another important consideration. Many locations offer seasonal highlights that can make your safari truly unforgettable. In Tanzania, for instance, the ‘Great Migration’ takes place on the Serengeti between December and January, when swarming herds provide a sensational wildlife spectacle. Another highlight is the calving season in February, when safari goers have the opportunity to watch excitable lion cubs stalking their prey.

You should also research seasonal and climactic variations in your chosen safari location. In Africa the best time for a safari is during the dry season, when animals congregate around water holes, improving your chances of a successful safari. The lack of vegetation also makes the animals easier to spot. In East Africa the dry season takes place in January-March and July-October, while in the south of the continent it occurs in May-October.

Before you go.

The most important thing to do before you go on safari is to research your chosen destination and find out exactly what you’ll need to enjoy your wildlife adventure. In terms of clothing, you should bring outfits that let you blend into nature as much as possible; greens, browns and khakis are best. Depending on the climate you may also need to buy waterproof or lightweight clothes, to cope with both unsettled and hot weather. Other essentials would include a camera, binoculars and insect repellent, but your packing list will depend heavily on your chosen safari location.

More info http://www.i-volunteerabroad.co.uk/destinations/tanzania/tanzania-wildlife-safari/

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