Wild Life Encounters in Africa

 

Cheetah in Namibia ©Solange Hando

Did you know? Namibia was the first country to include conservation in its Constitution and in this big but sparsely populated country, wild life always has the right of way.

There are 200 mammal species on land and you will see them all over the country but top attraction is the Ethiopia National Park in the north where I came across this beautiful cheetah in the nearby AfriCat Foundation reserve.

                                                                     Elephants in Botswana ©Solange Hando

This is in the Chobe National Park by the namesake river, a wonderful place to see the wild life, especially in the dry season. 

Lions, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and more, it's amazing but my favourites were the elephants, such as this mother and babe who just swam across the river to spend the night on Sedudu island, the safest place for the young.

                                                             Gelada Baboons in Ethiopia ©Solange Hando

What's special about them? They're only found in the Ethiopian Highlands with the largest population in the Simien Mountains.

Notice the young one on the left clinging to his mum and to the right the father, displaying the red patch on his chest. The larger the patch, the more attractive he will be to the other sex.

                                                               Penguins in South Africa ©Solange Hando

This is Boulder Beach, not far from Cape Town and part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Area. Stay on the trail, keep quiet and enjoy the display as they wobble across the white sand and you might even spot a baby's head popping out of a nest. 

Others venture up on the granite rocks, sharing the space with cormorants drying their wings in the hot African sun.

                                                                         Rhino in Zambia ©Solange Hando

How close is that on a walking safari? Pretty close as we trekked in single file, two of us with six armed guards to keep away poachers, not rhinos... Not far from the Victoria Falls, so if you go there, check it out.

Black rhinos are a true success story in Zambia though you do find white ones too. Both similar colour but the difference between black and white simply refers to the length of the horns and shape of the lips.

                                                                     Lemur in Madagascar ©Solange Hando

What an island this is, so rich in flora and fauna, best known of course, the incredible lemurs living undisturbed in their natural habitats.

There are over 100 species of lemurs -and probably more yet to be discovered-, though my favourites were the playful ring-tailed, the black and white indri, the largest we know, and this lovely silky sifaka and babe, often called the dancing lemur, hopping along with the grace of a ballerina.

                                                                Sunset with the Wild Life, Namibia ©Solange Hando

 

Travel Photos? So much to Remember

India ©Solange Hando

This is Khardung La in Ladakh, which claims to be the highest road pass in the world. Set on an old trade route, it is the gateway to the Nubra Valley but closed in winter.

You need a special permit to drive up the steep meandering road with precipitous drops, especially dramatic on single lane sections. Not much traffic up there but the odd overloaded bus or local authorities who always have the right of way. 

Namibia ©Solange Hando

South of Namibia's capital, Windhoek, that was an easy stop but truly exciting as you step out on the southernmost latitude where you can see the sun directly overhead. It wasn't quite the summer solstice just yet but knowing that the Capricorn stretches 36788 kms around the earth was impressive.

Eswatini ©Solange Hando

This is in Eswatini, the former Swaziland, one of Africa's smallest countries, bordered by Mozambique and South Africa. This was the final day of the annual Reeds Festival where after renewing the royal enclosure, women from across the country perform for the king.

'They all dance for the king,' said my friend, 'then by the end of the day he will choose his next wife.'

'Would you like to join?'

                                                               Canada ©Solange Hando

This is the amazing Athabasca glacier spreading out from the Columbia, the largest icefield in the Rockies. You can drive up there from Jasper or Lake Louise then enjoy a dizzying skywalk above the gorge, followed by a ride on the giant Ice Explorer. Then you can walk a few steps on the glacier, listening to rumbling avalanches and creaking crevasses as snowy peaks tower above you, at over 3000 metres.

                                                                     Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Set in the Indian Ocean, this is a French Island between Madagascar and Mauritius, just 63 by 45 kms but one of the most active hotspots on earth.

This was my first trip in a microlight, circling and dipping around craters, ravines and the mighty Furnace Peak which erupts several times a year.  I was terrified but I loved it. Awesome...

                                                                       Madagascar ©Solange Hando

Four hours from Antananarivo, the capital, this is Lemur Island, on the edge of the Andasibe National Park. It's a refuge for wounded or endangered lemurs, including the ring-tailed above who decided to perch on my head. Approach the grasslands in a canoe and they venture right to the edge, exploring any stranger with their soft padded feet. 

                                                                     Himalayas ©Solange Hando

I love the Himalayas and this is taken on the fabulous flight from Kathmandu to Paro in Bhutan, the closest international airport to the kingdom's capital, Thimphu.

See the pyramid summit of Everest, 8849 metres, at the back, rising above the Nuptse wall to the left and the Lothse Peak to the right.

If you ever fly this route, make sure you get a seat on the left-hand site on the way to Paro.

 

Southern Africa my Favourite Spots

 

South Africa Drakensberg ©Solange Hando

The Zulus call it 'Barrier of Spears' and this is the highest mountain range in the country. A place for stunning views, rare species and spectacular sunsets.

Drive all the way up to the Sani pass if you dare, 2784 metres, enjoy a meal in the pub and if time allows, spend the night in a traditional rondavel or pop over the border into Lesotho.

                                                               Namib Desert ©Solange Hando

This is the 'sea of sand' spreading all along the coast of Namibia, across the borders and inland for up to 120 km. They say it is the oldest desert in the world and claims some of the highest dunes.

This is an amazing place with dried up oases and skeleton trees but at times some unexpected greenery benefitting from moisture from the nearby Atlantic. Look out for wild life, including the oryx gazelle, Namibia's national animal.

                                                            Victoria Falls in Zambia ©Solange Hando

Plunging down to 108 metres, the Victoria Falls spread 17 km across Zambia and Zimbabwe- the quieter side-, protected by Unesco and national parks on both sides.

On the Zambian side, you can walk along the 'knife's edge' bridge but only the brave should bathe in the Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island. 

                                                     Chobe National Park in Botswana ©Solange Hando

Easily accessed from neighbouring Zambia, this is a great wilderness of wetlands and riverine forest meandering along the blue Chobe river.

It's a haven for wild life on land and water, elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocs, buffaloes and more, and 460 species of birds. One of the best safaris in Africa.

                                                       Madagascar Land of Lemurs ©Solange Hando

Off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, this is a big island but two national parks are relatively close to Antananarivo, the capital, most popular Andasibe, a four hour drive or so.

Andasibe's easy trails give you to chance to see a range of lemurs in the wild, including the indri, the largest- and the beautiful 'dancing lemur', as seen on the picture. 

                                                                  Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Just east of Madagascar, Reunion is a volcanic hotspot, all ravines, gorges and peaks, very green except for the Furnace Peak which erupts every few months.

But in this far away French department, there's plenty to do and see from forlorn villages and mountain treks to tropical beaches and seaside resorts with few crowds.

                                                                 Mauritius ©Solange Hando

          Then if you need to relax, just check out the paradise island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Travels on my Birthday

Taiwan ©Solange Hando

Which birthday? Well, let us say somewhere on the wiser side of middle-age.

Lovely celebration with the Tsou tribe up in the hills... See the tiny peach in my right hand? Straight from the garden and a special present from the family.

Rio de Janeiro ©Solange Hando

Well, I could show you the clocktower near the beach confirming the date but this is a much more exciting picture.

Loved this view from Corcovado and in the afternoon, went up the Sugar loaf  (front right) up two cable cars. Fabulous.

Namibia ©Solange Hando

I loved Namibia and I still dream about this beautiful cheetah out in the wild, just posing for my birthday, it seemed, in the heat of the day.

Did you know Namibia was the first country in the world to include conservation in its Constitution?

Wildlife always has the right of way and it certainly works, can't beat it.

Peru ©Solange Hando

Hold on, don't let me drift!

This is me on Lake Titicaca with the Uros Indians who build their homes on reed islands. Up there, on the roof of the world, this was indeed an amazing day.

Madagascar ©Solange Hando

My birthday wish? There it was, a real lemur in the wild, hard work for me clambering through the forest but so easy for them swinging from branch to branch...

Watched many different species in different areas, guides knew exactly where to go.

Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Something I'd never done before, flying on a microflight over a volcanic island...on the other side of the world.

Scenery wise, never seen any island as dramatic as this one, canyons, craters and peaks everywhere and, would you believe it, this is a French department...

Costa Rica ©Solange Hando

Celebrating with Local Farmer

Remembering lots of  happy times

and planning many more
Blogged on my birhday
at home
Lockdown 2020

Madagascar Lemur Island, Andasibe

Lemur in Andasibe ©Solange Hando

On the edge of Andasibe National Park, a three hour drive from the capital, this river island is a lovely sanctuary for rescued pet lemurs. Canoes paddle quietly around, just a few at a time, and visitors are guaranteed some of the closest sightings they will ever get.

Above is a black and white ruffed lemur, one of around 100 species of lemurs on the island, this one critically endangered. They are diurnal creatures with a loud call, feed mostly on fruit and enjoy the canopy in low to medium altitude rainforest.

 Iconic Ring-Tailed Lemur ©Solange Hando

These cute creatures are highly sociable and may well jump on your canoe to take a look at you. They live on their own island and love to sunbathe in patches of grass. They spend about a third of their time on the ground and will eat almost anything.

They use their tail for balance and, like other lemurs, will mark their territory with scent.They are very vocal and as in other species, adult females are the dominant characters.

Close Encounter ©Margaret Morris 

Landing is not allowed on the islands but some lemurs are at ease on the river bank. As former pets, they are used to humans and will happily jump on heads or shoulders. They are highly inquisitive and surprisingly gentle and soft.

The common brown lemur stretching on my arm has short dense fur, a black face and orangy eyes. It lives in different types of forests, is diurnal but is known to feed at night during the full moon.

Diademed Sifaka ©Solange Hando

Named after the white crown-like fur around the head, this beautiful lemur also belongs to an endangered species. It has long silky fur and eats 25 different kinds of plants a day to top up its energy.

It is also known as the Dancing Lemur as when on the ground, it moves sideways by hopping on its hind legs. Colourful and truly amazing.

Time for Fun ©Solange Hando

Isn't that wonderful? Now if you visit Lemur Island, do remember this is not a zoo but a sanctuary where these unique creatures are free to roam and feed in a perfectly natural way.

They do not like water so are unlikely to leave and fall prey once again to human predators. Staff ensure full protection while tourism helps to fund conservation.