MashaTravel

by Hank Snow

There are things we do; well some of us do, when living in a foreign country that we would never consider doing at home. Having landed in Uganda in the midst of a boom year for grasshoppers my wife and I have been working on the title for our Ugandan cookbook. We have thought of calling it Matoke Madness and filling it with recipes such as Greasy Grasshoppers Greet the Pallet with Garlicky Crunch. In the States the same plague of grasshoppers we are witnessing here would cause farmers to say that it is a bad year, but here it is a

image source http://edibug.wordpress.com

good year for grasshoppers in that there are more than usual. November in central Uganda is apparently always grasshopper season and a time that children and adults delight in. The fact that they are a delicacy around here makes a certain amount of historical sense. Apparently, unlike the Mormons of Utah who were saved from a plague of locust by seagulls sent by God, Ugandans have had to count on themselves. Thus, when a plague of grasshoppers arrive there are two choices, allow them to eat the crops and starve yourself, or eat them and the crops and thank God for the extra protein.
There are two children who live next door to us, a boy about age seven and a girl around age five. These two were the first people we saw gathering grasshoppers and until we went to the weekly market we thought they were just playing. It turns out that children all over are collecting grasshoppers, but they are not they primary harvesters. In certain places, soccer fields seem to be especially coveted, entrepreneurs have set up big outdoor lights to attract the hoppers at night. The unsuspecting insects pile up around the lights and make for easy harvesting. They are then carted off to markets. Here in Entebbe at the Tuesday market there are huge piles of them. Many people buy them whole and in bulk and take them home to cook, but they are also sold legs and wings off and hot from the skillet for those who want to snack as they do their weekly shopping. We have been told that if grasshopper season goes by, and you haven’t eaten any, it is very bad year if you are Ugandan. When cooked they turn a translucent yellow color. In some ways they are similar in character and appearance to shrimp, but the ones we ate at the market were a bit too oily for our taste; however, with spice and more time to get used to local customs, we may look forward to next years harvest with the anticipation a child has for birthday cake.
Hank Snow writes with humor on travel, lifestyle, and many other topics. His articles can be found at http://www.apexfood.com/articles/index.html and many other fine websites.


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by Enestle Zimba

Simple… This magnificent country boasts of the greatest concentrations of wildlife, stunning scenery, pristine wilderness …and now it’s the southern African Adventure Centre. Above all discover Africa’s friendliest people.
The friendly people with their warm African welcome have made Zambia the haven of peace in Africa.
No war has taken place here. It’s 73 ethic groups live in harmony, an example of unity in diversity. This is the epitome of the country’s harmony and stability.
The pristine wilderness, the profusion of wildlife including the great birding, fishing and water spots now lure visitors to Zambia.
And that’s not all. The fascination of the country’s natural heritage such as awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, the wet lands and water bodies of world repute such as the Lakes Kariba, Tanganyika, and Bangweulu.
Then there are the endemic lechwe antelopes filling the plains of Basunga and Bangweulu plains. The annual wildebeest migration of the Liuwa plains which rivals the Serengeti’s in East Africa.
Zambia Africa is also a birders paradise! No less than 741 bird species have been recorded here.
Zambia lies in the very heart of southern Africa. And Livingstone town has become the Adventure Centre of Southern Africa. Here you’ll find a variety of hi-action packed adventure activities such as;
The thrill of world-class white-water rafting over twenty-three rapids, Adrenaline chocked bungi jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, a 111m drop, Abseiling the gorges cut by Zambezi below the falls, Canoeing safaris down the Zambezi River, Surfing the river and as well as river boarding, Excellent tiger and Nile perch fishing, and watching breathtaking African sunsets, stargazing!
And that's not all:
Limitless expanse of Lakes Kariba and Tanganyika Snorkelling and scuba diving in an inland lake, a world challenge, House boating on Zambezi Skiing and paddling Birding in bird sanctuaries!
...and of course, the wildlife in the 19 national parks strategically located throughout the country and covering 30 percent of the country’s 752,614 square kilometres!
The African safari in Zambia Africa has captured the market of the international tourists including the upper class traveller of the world.
The concept of the traditional villages and the theme designed hotels and lodges are adventurous, unique and colourful because of the phenomenal culture of the local people’s hospitality and the beautiful landscape. The architecture is strongly African but with exotic flavour.
You’ll discover why Zambia also known as “the real Africa” is Africa's best-kept tourism secret!
Do you want to discover the fascinating Africa’s best-kept secret? Would you like to savour it and make it yours?
Then visit Zambia Africa Safari.
Enestle Zimba is a practising geologist for over twenty years. He promotes Zambia tourism and safari part time. He’s a great believer of conservation.
http://zambiasafari.blogspot.com http://www.zambia-the-african-safari.com


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by Katy Leakey

Maasai children wake up early on the 25th of December and excitedly urge their parents to hurry as they make tea and cook breakfast so they can open the presents. They have been preparing for this holiday for months by making presents for each other; beaded jewelry, belts, bags, calabashes, toys and body adornment for the children. After the present opening, clans gather for the feast of roasted meat, potatoes and potent honey beer.

The Maasai are a pastoral group of people that live in the magnificent Great Rift Valley of Kenya and Tanzania. A tall, proud, and graceful people adorned in colorful clothing and ornaments, the Maasai still keep their traditions intact - herding cattle and living off the land as modernization changes the world around them. They are known to be a culture with close community and family ties and who love to celebrate all occasions in a big way; so they naturally adopted Christmas into their culture as yet another wonderful celebration and embraced it with relish.

In the months approaching Christmas, the Maasai are busy making presents, planning events, cleaning their finest of everything, scrubbing the houses, repairing the grounds, getting out the jewelry and shopping for new kikoys, the European version of a shuka- Maasai fabric, to wear. The air is full of excitement. Bees love the blooming acacia trees, and produce the most flavorful of all the honeys in the world. This honey is then used to produce honey beer- a common holiday beverage at Maasai celebrations.

The Maasai fill the season with several harambees, a Kenyan party reminiscent of an American wedding or baby shower where gifts and money are given. The harambee was originally introduced by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, as a way to raise money to build schools. Over time, the harambee has expanded into a Kenyan tradition to raise money and gifts for weddings, hospital expenses, school fees, and other occasions. The Maasai adopted the county's custom and use it liberally.

When you wake up Christmas morning, think for just a moment about the Maasai half a world away. Cuddling exhausted children, patting stomachs full of meat, drowsy with libation, and admiring their lovely presents with family all around.

About the Author: Katy Leakey and her husband Philip live among the Maasai in the Kenyan bush. In 2001, the couple founded The Leakey Collection to provide employment opportunities for her neighbors after a terrible drought ravaged the land. This company utilizes the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women. To read more about Katy's experiences with the Maasai- visit her Kenya Journal at http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/ If you would like to view some of the beautiful work of the Maasai women, please visit http://www.leakeylife.com/

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by Graham McKenzie

Some people might believe that the ultimate African experience is the safari, but you have not experienced Africa without visiting the powerhouse of the continent, South Africa.South Africa is the ideal family destination.It is a country rich in diversity and natural beauty.South Africa has some of the best tourist attractions in the world.Take your family to the many excellent beaches.

Information about South Africa: South Africa is said to be the powerhouse of the African continent. South Africa is rich in cultural heritage and history. The natural beauty of the country, the scenic visual feast, the mouthwatering restaurants, great sandy beaches, wonderful climate and the warm and friendly people always drive a family to have a visit to South Africa. Some of the places of interest in South Africa are the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town and the heart throbbing beaches in Durban, a coastal city. You should not miss the hustle and bustle of the 'City of Gold.' Your visit will not be a complete one if you miss these.

Some Details on South Africa: An immense and impressive country with a coastline that borders two great oceans and a vast interior of rich farmland, game-rich plains, rugged mountains, cosmopolitan cities, traditional villages, a unique architectural heritage and Africa's most diverse and stylish tourism industry. Along with friendly people, what else would a family traveling to South Africa have to ask for?

There is more number of beaches in South Africa. Beaches have always been a wonderful place for having fun and frolic. So you can enjoy participating in exciting water sports, swimming, and surfing or just relaxing with a sunbath.

Health: A good climate, clean water and excellent hygiene make South Africa a safe family destination. Adults will not need any inoculations when traveling in South Africa, unless you are traveling from a yellow fever zone.Hepatitis B inoculations are generally recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants.

The medical facilities in the cities and larger towns are excellent, so guests can expect the best of service should anything happen to you or your family while in South Africa. However, the rural areas of South Africa offer only basic health needs and do not offer a wide range of medical care but the first class services of the city are just a phone call away.

Some people of south africa beings to the natural habits of the future trend and many of the adults children's has been sent to completed the series of injections as infants. so many of the people has suffered in the string shot of the confident.south africa people are involved in the secure things in the method of happen in wide range.this is the basic thing that happen in the medical period.

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by Jamie Hanson

The 580,367km2, Kenya is one of the most incredible tourism spots in Africa. When tourism is at peak, over 1.8 million foreign tourists visit yearly. These tourists are the country's greatest earner of foreign exchange. Though, Kenya has numerous tourists' attractions to offer, but there are a few hot destinations which are worth visiting and unique from all others.

Hosting to one of the seventh wonder of the world, the 1530km2 Maasai Mara National reserve from July and even November hosts the world prominent wildebeest's migration spectacle. As this place is quite noisy, where you will get amazed to see the Mara River infested with large number of crocodiles, visitors from across the world pitch their camps nearby the crossing limit in hope for days get a view of these crocodiles.

The Maasai Mara has got all the "Big Five" animals that is, the elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and even the rhino. They are best viewed at the Mara River and Esoit Oloololo escarpment. Tour operators also provide hot air balloon tours for tourists to enjoy the natural patches of the grassy open plains, from birds eye view.

Lake Bogoria in Rift Valley is renowned for its hot springs and geysers that spew out magnificent fountains of waters at 37 degrees temperature. The saline spring waters are assumed to be restorative for the skin. The lake doesn't have high tourism traffic making it a perfect getaway picnic area. Hippos and even gazelles constitute part of the wild there and 135 bird species that comprise millions of migratory lower flamingos that prey on the algae of the 10m deep lake.

Nearby the Indian Ocean waters, Mombasa is regarded for its soft sandy seashores, aqua green waters and even good sunshine. Its consistently warm weather all year means, it can be visited at any time. For explorers, Mombasa is home to Lamu, the historic town, the Gedi ruins and even Fort Jesus. These places show Mombasa's unique medieval track record.

Along with distinctive and attractive fishes, the undersea Indian Ocean reef feels like a paradise. Dhow vacations are presented to guests wishing to experience the feeling of historic maritime ocean journeys.

the Nairobi National Park, which has an area of 117 km and 2 m is just 7 km from the City Centre, and this park is popular for bordering the city. Among the "Big Five" wildlife, its mainly the elephant that is not found in this Savannah environment. It's the ideal destination for visitors on stop over. It is where the David Sheldrick trust sanctuary which nurtures little orphaned rhinos and even elephants. You will be amazed to see 400 distinct bird species and 80 species of mammals here. The park is good for family tours, bush dinners, picnics, team building routines and even wedding ceremonies.

The Nairobi National Museum is laden with eclectic ancient artifacts that visually depict Kenya's history. It is home to the botanical gardens where special plant species are grown. This may include those with medical properties and even ornamental plants and even herbs that are harvested. But its main draw is the Nairobi Snake park home to poisonous vipers like cobras and mambas, and merciless constrictors like African Rock python indigenous to Kenya. Coral fishes American alligators and even crocodiles are sheltered in the museum's fish tanks.




Mara Gates is a travel company based in Kenya offering bookings for Safaris in Kenya and other top destinations in Africa. Visit the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve with Mara Gates and enjoy hassle free bookings.

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by Claribel Rizas

Egypt is perhaps one of the most famous regions of Africa, an area of mysterious, beautiful deserts, fascinating history and stunning attractions. However, there is more to this land than mummies and pharaohs: here is a guide to how to get the most out of a holiday to Egypt.

Egypt has several international airports with Cairo being the biggest and most central. It is also possible to travel there by boat from Jordan or Saudi Arabia; many luxury cruises also offer a visit to Egypt as part of their package. Once in Egypt, if you're looking to explore the country as a whole the best bet is probably to rent a car; buses and trains aren't particularly reliable; and petrol is extremely cheap in Egypt.

As one would expect from such a popular holiday destination, accommodation wise Egypt has something to suit every budget. There are budget hotels and hostels scattered through the country though it is well-worth researching these beforehand, some of them can be a bit dodgy. If you're looking for a luxurious stay in a central location then you can't do much better than the Grand Hyatt, it has fourteen restaurants, fantastic view of the ancient Nile and premium quality rooms.

When it comes to local cuisine, don't be put off by Egypt's reputation for relatively poor food hygiene. Restaurants like Cairo's Felfela chain are a great place to sample delight like Ful Medames (a dish composed of cooked fava beans). The seafood in Egypt is also particularly good, fish markets are a great place to sample some of the more exotic types available.

Of course, the main reason most people visit Egypt is for its history. Alexandria makes a great one stop shop for those looking to immerse themselves in Egyptian history; it has both the awe-inspiring Lighthouse of Alexandria and the famous Montazah Royal Gardens to tempt tourists. Traditional choices like the Pyramids, the Egyptian museum, the Nile itself and the Valley of the Kings also all live up to the hype.

However, Egypt isn't just about looking at old ruins; there are more active options available as well. The country's seaside location means there is a lot of scuba diving and snorkelling available, some of it through incredibly fertile and interesting waters. A cruise along the Nile and a trip to the desert are also worth doing, though you are advised to undertake either of these activities with an experienced guide.

When it comes to nightlife its well worth remembering that Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, meaning in the less touristy areas there will be few bars or clubs serving alcohol. Public drunkenness is also looked upon very negatively wherever you are. If you are looking for a real taste of Egyptian nightlife then the 'Baladi Bars' are worth a look, though these are often only for men.

Egypt is a country which marries the best of the old with the new. You may think you know about it from pictures and reading, but it truly has to be visited to be believed.

Claribel Rizas is a freelance travel writer with 10 years experience of worldwide travel. They recommend Monarch for Egypt holidays.

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by Penduka Safaris

When you decide to take a Botswana Holiday, you will be travelling to Africa. Africa is the world’s second largest continent both in size and population. It ranks just after Asia in population. It occupies 11.7 million square miles. Africa occupies approximately six percent of the earth’s surface and it occupies approximately twenty percent of the total land area. In other words, Africa is a big place. It would make a wonderful trip, and going on a Botswana Holiday would allow you to see a large area of Southern Africa.

Since the Kalahari Desert occupies about 70 percent of Botswana taking a Botswana Holiday would let you see a most amazing place on earth.

Botswana has within its boundaries the Okavango Delta which is the world’s largest inland delta. Within the boundaries it has the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve which have the world’s largest concentration of game plus the largest population of elephants in the world. Chobe National Park is the first national park in Africa. Within the Chobe National Park is the Serondela or the Chobe Riverfront is one of Botswana’s major water spots where buffalo, elephants and giraffes among other wild animals come to.

Botswana comprises wildlife habitat, grasslands and savannas. A savanna is a grassland ecosystem without a closed canopy of trees or other vegetation. Within Botswana is the Linyanti Marsh with lagoons and flood plains. You can see lions, leopards and antelopes to name a few of the animals to look for.

Throughout Africa both East Africa and Southern Africa there are many safari camps where you can stay at. These are scattered all over the country. Some of them are privately owned; some of them are on government owned or leased lands.

If you are a photographer or simply a nature lover, Southern Africa has a lot to offer. It is a safe tourist destination with a lot of holiday destination choices. If you are looking for vegetation or birds then you may consider travelling to Botswana during November to April which is the rainy season and has the greatest population of birds and vegetation that can be seen. If you are looking for wild animals then you might consider visiting Botswana from May to October which is the dry season. This is when the vegetation is drying out and wild game is concentrated along the flooded areas.

One way of travel within the Chobe National Park is on the Chobe River and travelling on a river boat excursion which travel on the main waterways or a cruise on the Okavango Delta. If you want to explore the smaller waterways you would most likely take a tour in a dug out canoe or mokoro.

A visit to Nxai Pan in Botswana is the only place in Botswana where you could view both the impala and the springbok. It is an area of diverse landscape and great beauty. You would return home with visual pictures that you will never forget plus any photos you also take.


Established back in the 1960s, Penduka Safaris is the oldest mobile safari company in Southern Africa and after 50 years in business the company remains a leader in the mobile safari sector. Penduka is run by a family involved in wildlife since the 19th century. Today Penduka it is still run by the original owners. For details visit http://www.pendukasafaris.com

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by Rob Atherton

Luxor is set in Upper Egypt at the banks of the Nile and is the departure point for most Nile cruise ships. Tourists get there by direct flights coming from Britain or alternatively via Cairo. If you prefer, you can use daily trains which go overnight from Cairo 400 miles to the north and onwards to Aswan.

Despite the fact that this is a leaving place for cruise ships, holidaymakers who decide to stay at one of the places to stay in Luxor will have loads to observe thanks to the range of historical destinations in the area. The Nile runs through the centre of Luxor and the respective sides of the river are often called the East Bank and West Bank.

The East Bank is the place where almost all of the hotels are located and the primary focal points from the cultural point of view include the Temples of Karnak and Luxor which are to the north and south of the city, in the region of two miles away from each other. Likewise, found on the East Bank are the Luxor Museum and Museum of Mummification. The Temple of Luxor is likewise well worth seeing at nighttime with its atmospheric lighting and fewer travellers and tourists, it boasts a completely different experience.

The West Bank is regarded as being the entry to the Valley of the Kings that may be most renowned for being the spot that the Tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Another significant site is the Valley of the Queens which has the Tomb of Nefertari amidst its secrets.

In addition there are enough other locations of appeal but a highly encouraged activity is an early hot-air balloon trip over the ruins of the West Bank providing holidaymakers and visitors a different point of view on the superb historic riches on offer when they go to Luxor. If you adore ancient Egypt, Luxor is the location to visit.

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The popular city of Luxor is the perfect location for anyone interested in the history of Ancient Egypt.

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by Rob Atherton

Cairo is a very appealing place not just as the Nile is located here, it's also extremely popular for its shops. Nonetheless, there are some other reasons why visitors pick Cairo to go on holiday. The city is most well-known for having the oldest preserved empire structures including the Three Pyramids or the Sphinx. Its famous due to its historic attributes and especially the Pyramids. There are a huge number of visitors that pay a visit Cairo every week.

In order to relax there are lots of places to eat and they typically provide evening entertainment, its quite wonderful seeing people dance their own cultural movements.

In order to take it easy there are lots of restaurants and they typically provide evening entertainment, its rather fun watching people dance their traditional movements. There are a vast array of shops, hotels and even spa treatments which means if you are among the people who would like to treat themselves then there are no shortage of options.

Plenty of people enjoy the sunshine which means as soon as they arrive in Egypt they can't wait to use swimming pools. A number of hotels in Cairo now have salt water in their pools as opposed to chlorine and quite a few holidaymakers believe that's a fantastic idea.

Egypt is a Muslim country and beginning at 6 o'clock every morning people start to pray for the first of five times every day. There is a Mohamed Ali Mosque that is the symbol of Cairo. It's called that because there was a man known as Mohamed Ali (1769 - 1849) who was born in Cavalia, Greece and was of Albanian origin. He had been a soldier in the army that had been sent to Egypt to liberate them from Napoleon's occupation. Hence in the end he helped to free the nation and today people pray for him.

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Cairo is home to approximately 20 million people as well as some of the most stunning treasures of ancient Egypt.

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