German sweethearts hatch plan to elope to Africa

by Scott Carmichael on

Amongst all the depressing stories in the world, this one brought a big smile to my face. It’s the story of 2 German kids, Mika and Anna-Lena, aged 7 and 6.

The two are very much in love, and decided to skip all the expensive and time consuming work involved with a big wedding and just elope to Africa.

On the first day of 2009, the kids left with Anna-Lena’s little sister, Anna-Bell and walked to the tram station.

Once they arrived at Hanover central train station, their plans were foiled by police who were probably a little suspicious of 3 young kids waiting for a train to the airport.

Once the police officer managed to convince the lovers that air travel requires a passport, real money and a plane ticket, they were given a tour of the police headquarters while they waited for their parents to come pick them up.

I’m hoping these lovers keep their plans intact, and manage to take that romantic trip when they reach a more responsible age.

(Via: Straits Times)

UN: Urban Growth Set to Explode in Africa

by Josh Lew on

In 1950, there were only two cities in Africa with more than one million inhabitants. They were both in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria). In the 2008 version of continent, there are more than 40 urban centers with populations over 1 million. A report by the UN Human Settlements Programme projects that the number of Africans living in cities will double by 2030 to more than 700 million.

The image of an urban Africa is not one that usually comes to mind. Much of the continent’s tourism is still based on wildlife and the natural beauty of rural areas. It’s too early to tell if the landscape will totally change in the coming years.

Large cities are not growing rapidly, but mid-sized cities of between 500,000 and 1 million people are the ones that the UN report focuses on. These upstarts are growing at a rate that will see them soon rival or even eclipse the populations of current African mega-cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi.

[More on the UN Human Settlements Programme report]

Face to Face with West Africa’s Wildlife

by Josh Lew on

The Penjari Biosphere is a wildlife preserve in a remote corner of the West African nation of Benin. Like many such wildlife areas, it struggles with poachers and environmental problems, but tourism, in the form of photo safaris like the one in the video, is an important source of income for the area.

Even the most jaded tourist, wary of tourist traps and non-authentic experiences, would find a safari like the one in the video exciting. The fact that getting up-close and personal with wild animals is an attractive proposition is nothing new to the African tourism industry, but fully capitalizing on the tourist potential while protecting the wildlife for future tourism is the challenge. But, there are now economic reasons for creating a sustainable tourist model. The more interest in wildlife tourism grows, the more demand there will be for sustainability.

This video was taken in early morning, when the Penjari’s animals all head for the nearest watering hole. Check out the menacing elephant about a minute-and-a-half in.
Video courtesy of Boing Boing

Bollywood Reaches the Ends of the Earth

by Josh Lew on

Is Indian musical cinema challenging Hollywood’s world-wide pop culture dominance? Perhaps not in most places, but the 4-hour, song-and-dance-filled melodramas have fans in some pretty unexpected parts of the world.

Shashank Bengali, the East Africa correspondent for McClatchy, has come across a growing number of young Ethiopians who have embraced Bollywood films and musical numbers even though they are also exposed to a barrage of American hip hop music and action films.

There has always been a small market in Africa for Bollywood movies. Indian immigrants in South Africa and Kenya are a ready audience for these cinematic imports. However, a recent trend shows that the movies have been embraced by non-Indian audiences throughout the continent. Bollywood had a large following in Somalia until its films were outlawed by the militant Islamic leadership.

While the popularity of Indian cinema in Africa might not be a signal of the end of Hollywood, it does show that there are other cultural forces out there besides the ones created by Spielberg and Bruckheimer. It is also welcome news for closet Bollywood fans in the US, who can now travel to Africa without having to hide their secret vice.

Big in Africa: The best game parks in East Africa

by Matthew Firestone on

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

For a good number of tourists in Africa, the Kenyan capital of Nairobi is their first port of call. While this rough and ready city isn’t the gentlest introduction to the continent, it’s a good jumping off point for some of the best game parks in East Africa.

(For tips on what to do in Nairobi other than getting mugged, click here to stay safe!)

Kenya, Tanzania and to a lesser extent Uganda are home to a stunning range of national parks and game reserves that pretty much epitomize the safari experience. Whether you go all out on tented lodges, khaki safari gear and gin & tonics, or rough it with pitch tents, backpacker rags and cold beers, don’t miss out on East Africa’s game parks.

Need some help deciding where to go? Today’s posting should help you get started.

Masai Mara, Kenya: Probably one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences on the planet, Masai Mara is in top form in July and August during the annual wildebeest migration. If you’ve ever seen footage on the nature channels of helpless herd animals crossing crocodile infested waterways, then you’re already familiar with the drama and excitement of the Mara.

The Serengeti, Tanzania: From December to April, the wildebeest action swings south across the border to Tanzania, home to the timeless plains of the Serengeti (think Lion King!). One of the most storied national parks in Africa, the Serengeti is home to high concentrations of lions and hyenas, which grow fat and happy on all the wildebeest running about.

Lake Nakuru, Kenya: From a distance, this shimmering lake appears pink against the horizon, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re being tricked by a mirage. On the contrary, the lake supports some of the largest concentrations of flamingoes in the world, as well as a healthy and stable population of white and black rhinos.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: This enormous crater that can clearly be scoped out on Google Maps is a veritable Lost World of wildlife. After you descend the steep walls and get out onto the grassy plains, you’ll be surrounded by dense concentrations of wildlife that spend their entire lives inside this remote crater.

Murchison Falls, Uganda: Although this storied game park was ravaged by poachers during the early years of Uganda’s troubled independence, Murchison Falls is once again back on the safari map. Along the shores of the Albert Nile River, you can scope out elephant herds that are again flourishing in their tropical surrounds.

While these are just a few of East Africa’s more famous game parks, don’t overlook the lesser-known parks where you can safari sans tourist hordes. A few spots to consider are Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park among others.

So, bring your binoculars, wear plenty of sunscreen and best of luck in spotting the Big 5!

** Next week Big in Japan will back as it’s almost time for me to get back home (^_^) **