Five Facts About The Zebras

The stripes on a zebra are like the human fingerprint. No two are the same. So too, are journeys to Africa. For 40 years, African Travel, Inc. has taken the time to get to know each traveler and craft their unforgettable moments across Africa. So when we say #WeKnowAfrica we know the right Africa for you.  Zebras are part of one of the most awe-inspiring moments you can witness on safari, which is the great migration across the plains of the Serengeti.

Here are five of our favorite facts about this beautiful animal:

1. The Zebra can run up to 65km/h. They combine this speed with amazing stamina and zig-zag motions to evade their predators.

2. Zebras are very social animals, and will only sleep when they are close to neighbors in order to easily warn each other if predators are nearby.  They also prefer to graze together, and can often be seen grooming each other.
    

3. Although the zebra may appear to not be camouflaged very well, when they are in a herd the zebra’s distinct stripes merge into a big mass, making it hard for predators to single them out individually.

4. All zebra are close to their mother, however, the males also form very strong bonds with their fathers.

5. Zebras communicate with each other through various nonverbal expressions including sniffing, but also through their ears and tail through positioning. They can turn their ears in almost any direction and they harness this to communicate their mood, for example, the ears stand erect when they are calm and friendly.

To learn more about this fascinating creature talk to our safari specialists about crafting a tour to witness them across the great migration, or ask about our World’s Greatest Show & Safari - Serengeti.

10 Facts About The Big Five

Africa is without a doubt the destination of choice for travelers looking to experience the world’s best game-viewing. Out of all the images and feedback we receive the “Big Five” is always mentioned. One of the most frequent questions asked is, "what are the Big Five?”  The “Big Five” consists of the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and African buffalo.

We have compiled a list of 10 facts about the “Big Five” so that you can show off your African wildlife knowledge on your next safari!

1. African elephants communicate with each other from 5 miles away and at a frequency that humans cannot hear.

2. African elephants are the world's largest land animals. The biggest can be up to 7.5m long, 3.3m high at the shoulder, and 6 tons in weight.

3. African lions are the most social of all the big cats and live together in prides. A pride consists of about 15 lions.

4. Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. Despite this, the males eat first.

5. Rhinos are very inventive and make their own sunblock. Rhinos which will soak in mud for up to three hours at a time, rely on mud to protect their skin from biting pests and the blistering  sun.

6. The closest living rhino “relatives” are tapirs, horses and zebras. They are part of a group of mammals called odd-toed ungulates.

7. The leopard is a very strong climber and pound for pound, the strongest climber of the large cats.

8. Leopard cubs are born blind and completely rely on their mothers.  Their eyes begin to open after about ten or more days and for the first few months, their eyes are bright blue.

9. The African buffalo is one of the most abundant of Africa’s large herbivores. It will also not live in an area with less than 10 inches of rain water.

10. Unfortunately all of these wonderful animals are all victims of population decline due to a mixture of environmental issues along with poaching and trophy killing. For example, In 1975 there were an estimated 250,000 lions in Africa, yet today the continent-wide population stands at 25-30,000.

At African Travel, Inc. we are passionate about the conservation of this beautiful continent along with protecting the landscapes and animals for years to come. Find out how you can give back on your next safari by adding a volunteer tour to your trip.

African Travel, Inc. President, Sherwin Banda's Return to South Africa

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting my homeland South Africa. This visit was special for so many reasons – one of the main ones was getting to experience the wonderful work being done by The Amy Foundation. The Amy Biehl Foundations story is remarkable, and continues to attract volunteers from all over the world. As I grew up on the cape flats of Cape Town during apartheid, I know first hand the hardships that face the communities in this area.

The Amy Foundation aims to empower and uplift the youth of the communities by providing after-school programs in dance, drama, sports, music, cooking and more to children living in vulnerable communities around Cape Town. The programs help to keep kids off the street and engaged in an environment where they can learn life skills and most importantly, have fun!

 I also experienced a safari at Shamwari Game Reserve, which was truly breathtaking.  

Returning to the bush and experiencing the sights and sounds of Africa while on safari is truly one of my favorite things in the world. I am in a constant state of euphoria as I listen and see the magic unfold in the bush. Watching the sky change from day to night is like witnessing a beautiful masterpiece being painted before your eyes. Being in nature and completely surrounded by Africa’s wildlife is an experience everyone should have. One of my favorite moments on safari was being encircled by elephants. Being so close to the gentle giants is a moment I will cherish forever.  

Being amongst the wildlife also made me more passionate than ever about the need to protect and preserve this magical landscape for decades to come. Shamwari Game Reserve is home to some of the most advanced anti poaching units in the country. It is also home to The TreadRight Bat Hawk which works to aid Shamwari’s mission to stop poaching and protect the Africa’s wildlife.

The sustainable development and conservation philosophies of the Amy Biehl Foundation and Shamwari Game Reserve supports African Travel, Inc’s. vision to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we do business and reaffirms our pledge to the TreadRight Foundation. Our parent company, The Travel Corporation founded The TreadRight Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps to ensure the communities and environments we visit remain vibrant for generations to come.