Typically, it begins in the early hours with a morning wakeup call and then you begin to prepare for your first game drive of that day. A nice cup of hot African coffee accompanied by a light breakfast of some bit of toast will help chase away that lousy bit of drowsiness will make you feel great and much ready for the day.
You then set out for the best times for the game viewing which are normally early mornings  just from before  the daybreak onwards and then from the late afternoon up to sunset. The late afternoon drive is most times extensive, turning it into a rather night drive.
The safari begins when you get into the safari vehicle, habitually in a group of around 7 people, there is a lot of excitement and everyone is full of expectation. As you get into the jungle, the bushveld then becomes quiet, with a kind of stillness hanging within the air just before dawn. At this time nocturnal life is settling down, and the noise level subsiding, while daytime life is beginning to awaken with some early birds calling out with beautiful chants to welcome the lightening up of the blue skies.
At this time, you set off with a professional game ranger just at the back the steering wheel and a very well experienced tracker on his special seat up front way above the bull bar. Just between the two of these two men, they will make sure that your wildlife encounter is an exciting one, very safe and informative. travle guide

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You probably have always wondered what language is the word “safari”! This is a word that comes from the East African Swahili language and it simply means “voyage”, “travel” or “journey”. This word however has got an Arab origin as is most of the other Kiswahilli words.  From the earlier times around the 14th and 15th centuries when the Arab traders, ivory hunters and slave traders would travel extensively in the eastern and central parts of Africa, an expedition could sometimes be up to around 4200 people strong. In those days such an expedition was refered to as a “Safariya” and this was a major undertaking.
Then came the Europeans in the heart of Africa for similar reasons; search of trade goods and colonisation. Am sure you’ve all heard of the Scottish traveller and missionary Dr. David Livingstone who, later in the 1800’s, explored the African interior for more than 30 years, unlocking its mysteries and and the natural  secrets. Then later came Sir Henry Morton Stanley, who was a journalist and writer. He was sent by their home newspaper called The herald in the year 1869 purposely to look for Dr. Livingstone who was missing and was assumed to have been  lost. Sir Henry Stanley is said to have found Dr.Livingstone in a small village of Ujiji, just on the side of Lake Tanganyika in the year 1871.
This gives a brief history of safaris and how the word developed and became to be used. A Safari to Tanzania….

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Telecom group Zain to appraise its African operations.

 The Zain group is in the process of reviewing its operations in 16 countries on the African continent. Kenya’s Daily Nation reported that the strategic review follows an expression of interest from several parties to acquire Zain’s African assets. For the first half of 2009 the group saw a 24.1% increase in revenue and Zain’s customer base grew by 37% to 69.5mn customers but the performance of its Africa operations on its own was not enough to convince French Vivendi to continue acquisition talks at a price of USD 10bn. In other telecom news, the first undersea fibre optic cable to reach Africa and run by the Kenyan Seacom group was recently launched. The project, though ran about one month behind its initial deadline, is hoped to cause a lowering of prices for internet access and data transfer because of competition. Seacom has already connected Johannesburg in South Africa, and Kampala in Uganda as well asNairobi in Kenya with the coastal landing stations and is working on connections to Kigaliin Rwanda and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.Meanwhile, Kenya’s Safaricom announced that the company has started offering broadband internet to its customers following the advent of the first fibre-optic cable. News agency Reuters reported that the CEO said some 14 million subscribers have the potential to access fast internet in a region where telecommunications are hampered by lack of infrastructure.Known as SEACOM, the undersea cable links east Africa to South Africa, India, Middle East and Europe, and was launched last week by its owners, a Mauritius-based private equity group. A second cable, The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS), which is fronted by the Kenyan government, is in testing stages and will act as a backup for Safaricom’s customers.

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As time nears for the 2010 FIFA world cup, host South Africa are hoping the tournament will leave a lasting legacy on the southern nation. With an estimated 483,000 people expected to visit the country, the government has already shown a major commitment to infrastructure development programs, because the tournament prompted construction and refurbishment of the dilapidated structures. With visitors from all over the world coming for the soccer fanfare the country will get a significant boost for the local tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.
The millions of visitors expected to pour into the country for world cup will boost opportunities in accommodation, health provision services, travel services, short-term insurance, event management entertainment as well and arts and crafts. The tens of thousands of jobs that were already created for the preparation of world cup and over 4000 volunteers that are expected to help during the world cup makes the country at a great stake of reaping great in this event. The world cup is seen as a catalyst of the construction of around 25 new hotels in the last couple of years. As part of the 2010 world cup legacy program, a total of 27 one star football turfs are to be built in rural and township areas all around South Africa. All these proposed facilities are to be built with synthetic surface that reduces the cost of upkeep on a continual basis. Hosting world football will leave a lasting soccer legacy in South Africa.
Economically, the word cup will contribute approximately $6.8b to the South African economy, generate 415,000 jobs and contribute $2.3b in tax income to the government. The research findings done so far indicate that 483,257 tourists will spend $1b in total during their stay in South Africa. Despite the global economic meltdown, the tournament will not be badly affected. By the end of July 2009, a great demand of tickets has already been shown; countries like Japan, Korea and USA have already advanced a huge interest for tickets because of their good show in the Confederations cup. USA requested for 93,000 tickets, UK requested for 220,000, South Africa has been allocated 240,000 while the rest of the world will have to share 800,000 tickets.

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Loans Made Easy for Small Traders
A partnership between Fina Bank and the Centre for International Development at Harvard University`s Entrepreneurial Financial Lab has seen a new flavor in the banking industry in East Africa.

Clients of Fina Bank; one of the banks in East Africa will not need collateral anymore to get loans. A new technology that will enable all this is being experimented and once done, the bank will be using psychometric technologies that involve the evaluation based on the entrepreneurial potential or future earning potential of applicants for small business finance. This will replace the screening of new borrowers based on their current wealth, known as collateral-based lending or the social reputation known as microcredit.
The move that has been praised as a breakthrough in profitable lending to small and medium enterprises in Africa will be piloted in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Once it is proved to be successful, it will be very essential in boosting small and medium enterprises in the region financially.

Rwanda to Assess Banks Liquidity Levels
The government of Rwanda through the Central Bank is set to assess the liquidity volumes in local banks; a move that will help to determine whether it should proceed with introducing long-term capital as a stimulus package to accelerate credit to the private sector. The lessening liquidity in local commercial banks has seen a rather tight clutch on private sector’s accessibility to long-term investment capital, a situation that has called for state intervention. The governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) was reported as saying that according to the local banks’ books of accounts, they have comfortable liquidity levels, but they keep warning that it`s for only short term lending. The assessment is set to be conducted throughout the second half of this year.

New Financing Plan for Public Universities in Kenya
Barclays Bank in Kenya is developing yet a new platform in the bonds market that promises to significantly change the way public universities finance their unending needs. The bank is working on an education bonds plan that will be valued on the billions of shillings worth of assets held by the public universities. According to people familiar with the plan, it has got the potential of lowering the cost of education and increasing access to the universities by the prospective students. The aim is to relieve the institutions of their heavy dependence on short term borrowing that has left them with a yawning budget gaps and ramped up the cost of higher education.

Tanzanian: EAC pact with EU to delay
The government of Tanzania has disclosed that the East African Community (EAC) bloc is likely to delay the signing of a new trade deal with the European Union because fresh issues have been introduced in the negotiations. The five bloc members of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi – are among the nearly 80 countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group that are in talks on a new pact with the EU. The Tanzania trade minister said that the issues included government procurement, environment and sustainable development among others.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Rich nations pledge $20bn in three year period.
The rich nations under their umbrella, G8, have pledged financial support amounting to USD 20billion over a period of three years, in farm aid to poor nations, Reuters reported. According to the US, a move to farm aid is much more important instead of food aid, but over 1.02bn people need food help this year, the UN said and food aid is necessary until they can produce their own.

The leaders of the African countries of Ethiopia, Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa discussed food security and farming with their G8 counterparts and pushed for climate-change compensation. On the other hand, the European Union and Japan urged a code of conduct for responsible investment in the developing nations where farmland acquisition is on increase.

East African governors disagree on dollar reserves.
East African central bank governors have failed to agree over how much dollar reserves is to be held by each country ahead of the introduction of a single regional currency in the year 2012. This disagreement stemmed from different interpretations of the necessities that each country is supposed to hold enough dollars to cover six months of imports. The countries that form the East African Community, that is, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are planning to have a common legal tender by the year 2012 and this is expected to reduce the cost of currency conversions across the regions and will also eliminate the risk of volatile interest rates for cross-border investments within the region.

‘SADC not effective at coordinating power projects’
The South Africa’s energy minister Dipuo Peters has commented that Southern African Development Community (SADC) is not effectively coordinating power projects in the region. According to the minister, unprecedented growth in region has put a strain on electricity power supply and joint efforts between SADC member states is seen as the best way to balance supply of and demand for the electricity. SADC has several viable projects waiting to be developed, and the more cost effective tariffs should see renewed private investment in energy projects within the region.

Africa’s hard knock from global crisis
The finance minister of South Africa revealed that African countries have taken a severe knock from the global economic crisis and some of the financial obligations to help the continent have not been realized. Minister Gordhan told a conference to discuss the World Development Report 2009 that only about 10 to 15 countries in Africa had the capacity to be able to implement counter-cyclical responses to help them overcome the financial / economic crisis. He said economic growth in some African countries has “gone into the deep negative figures” and that their fiscal deficits ranged from 10-15%, making the situation constraining to most countries’ ability to respond significantly to the global economic crisis.

RWANDA
Remittances to Rwanda rise despite the global hiccup
Remittances sent home by Rwandans working abroad have increased by 26% y/y for the first five months of 2009 up to USD 71.4M from USD 56.8M previously despite the global economic downturn. According to the central bank of Rwanda, remittances for 2009 are now forecast at between USD 160M and USD 200M making it the country’s second largest foreign exchange earner after tourism which is said to have brought in USD 218M in 2008. The African Development Bank said that remittances and the aid inflows to Rwanda had increased bucking the expected trend as a result of reforms as well as improved economic conditions in the country.

Meanwhile Fitch has affirmed Rwanda’s long-term foreign and local currency rating IDR at B- with a more positive outlook and also confirmed a short-term foreign currency IDR of B and a country ceiling of B-. The ratings agency said it continued to be impressed with Rwanda’s obligation and dedication to reform and also the continued country’s growth performance, but notes that although per the country’s capita income has doubled over the last four years, it still remains below the B median. Fitch also forecasts that the economic growth in Rwanda will continue in the 6% to 7% range on the back of government efforts to enhance the business environment and address the infrastructure deficit in the country.

KENYA
Kenya tax body feels the pinch of the global economic downturn.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) fell short of its revenue target by KES 12bn on the back of the global economic downturn, only gathering KES 481bn out of KES 493bn the body had budgeted. The KRA’s target for the current 2009/10 financial year is KES 545bn but meeting the new targets will be quite difficult as severe drought is badly affecting agricultural production and high inflation is upsetting the profitability of businesses and the affordability of goods for the Kenyan wananchi, thereby affecting the country’s tax revenues. This elevates the question of how Kenya hopes to finance its planned budget expenditure.

Meanwhile, Kenya central bank is expected to retain its key rate at 8%, according to most market players, although more cuts are anticipated later this year. As the country struggles on the back of weaker exports, the Central Bank of Kenya has adopted a monetary easing stance to boost growth. At its last meeting in May, the
MPC cut the rate by 25bps, ending speculation of most analysts who had expected a decision to hold it at 8.25%. According to Reuters, the government expects the growth of 3% this year after expansion of 1.7% last year.

ANGOLA
Angolan central bank to contain drop in forex reserves
The Angolan central bank has announced its plans to implement measures to contain the drop in foreign exchange reserves in Angola, as a result of the lower oil-tax revenues following the drop in crude oil prices. The Central bank governor Abraao Gourgel said that the average monthly income from oil taxes fell from USD 1.33bn in Q1 of 2008 to USD 283mn for the first five months of 2009. Reuters reported that Angola’s foreign exchange reserves are down 30% this year to USD 12.2bn.

Meanwhile, Angola’s inflation rose to 13.95% in June, up from 13.83% in May on the back of rising food prices and that of non-alcoholic beverages; this is according to the national statistics institute. Month-on-month inflation for June stood at a figure of 1.11% up from 0.95% in May. The current 2009 government budget allows for an inflation rate of 12.5% which has been upwardly adjusted from 10% previously.

BOTSWANA
Botswana’s GDP drop by 20.3%
Botswana’s GDP has contracted by 20.3% in Q1 of 2009 on the back of reduced diamond mining output. As a result of the global economic slowdown, the global demand for diamonds has suffered a decrease and the economy is anticipated to face a deep contraction over the next two years.

According to the central statistics office, mining and quarrying contributed 68.6% to the decline in the country’s GDP. Water and electricity did also record a fall of 4% y/y in Q1as a result of a fall in consumption from the mining industry.

Meanwhile, the country’s inflation has slowed to three-year low of 7% in June. According to the Central Statistics Office, Botswana’s consumer price inflation rate slowed to a near three-year low of 7.0% y/y in June from 8.4% in May. Lowing inflation could lead to open the way for more interest rate cuts to boost such a weak economy. However, as inflation remains above the 3-6% target band, reports emerged that the Central bank governor Linah Mohohlo said last month that Botswana had room for further rate cuts, and later in June he announced a 150bps cut in the bank rate to 11.5%, bringing total cuts since December to
400bps, the agency said.

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Rwanda on her small size is endowed with great natural and manmade attractions, un paralleled with any other country on the African continent. The “thousand” hills characteristic of Rwanda provide a unique scenic beauty , while the outstanding mountain features on the west and the plains in the east with the unique flora and fauna are part of the exquisite beauty that blanket Rwanda and make it so special. Rwanda is a magnificent country with an assurance of social comfort, rich in cultural variety and rare smile that tourism worldwide should not miss. The culture is also shown in the arts and crafts made by the Rwandese artisans and you can learn more about the culture when you visit the National Museum of Butare. Accommodation is available for people visiting the parks and other tourist attractions.
Rwanda has substantial natural resources for tourism with variety of tourism and ecosystems, climate and culture. Some of its features are outstanding by international standards while others are unique. The main attractions so far visited by tourists are:
The Volcanoes National park famous for the rare mountain gorilla and is soon being accorded a world heritage status. Just two hours’ drive from Kigali, there you will visit the Golden Monkeys, Dian Fossey tomb, you will experience Muhabura and Bisoke hiking, nature walk and you enjoy the warm climate of the high attitude and for gorilla trekking you have to be at Kinigi office at 7:00 am.
Rwanda’s fresh water lakes such as Kivu, Muhazi, Burera, Ruhondo and numerous lakes in Akagera National park offer opportunities for water activities and sports. The plains of Eastern Rwanda which make up the Akagera National park, the Nybarongo/Akagera River line region all display unusual habitats of great diversity, offering a wide range of recreational activities.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe forest is the largest Afromontane forest in Africa and has now been declared a national park. It is just four hours’ drive from Kigali and for primate lovers you will find 13 types of them among which the famous Chimpanzee, the Colobus etc… There many types of birds like the rare Blue Bird Turacco, waterfalls and many types of orchids.
Akagera National park
The Akagera Ntional park which the place to be for safari with its complex mix of terrains, marshlands and lakes, vegetation and animal life plus the conducive “spring like” climate and offers an enchanting and adventurous environment. Here you can meet big mammals such as zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes and elephants. During the boat tour you can enjoy the calm of Lake Ihema, discover hippopotami and crocodiles. As for birds, it has more than 525 species. You could encounter unique species such as shoebill and the papyrus gonolek. Among the endemic species, there are ibis, jacanas, herons, plovers, sandpipers and many others.

City tourism
The City tourism offers now to visitors the chance to discover the Capital city before they drive to the country side, and are overtaken by a thousand hills that overtake one’s breathe. Kigali City tour takes the visitors around the busy town where they are able to learn about the history of the town from the colonial era to democracy, from the slums to suburbs. This tour takes around four hours and you can buy souvenirs after tasting Rwandan food in one of the fine restaurants in Kigali. Safaris and Travel tips…

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South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique have signed an agreement to share the tourism spin-offs of the 2010 Fifa World Cup through “border-free” tourism packages. This means more cheaper opportunities for the Fifa World Cup fans come 2010.
South Africa’s provincial Limpopo Tourism Parks Board, the Zambia National Tourist Board, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Mozambique struck the deal creating the Limpopo-Zambezi Destination at the Tourism Indaba conference and exhibition in Durban.
These agreements will see the creation of new package tours between and within the four countries and this will result in the easing of border formalities to smoothen the route of travellers through border posts, and joint marketing and branding in support of all the package tours.
The Victoria waterfalls, located at the border between Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south, is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is 1 708 metres wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. Remember that South Africa is not only an important emerging economy in its own right but rather, it is also a key gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.

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More Kruger camps for South Africa 2010 tourists
The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to South Africa: Good news for South African tourists finally here, most especially for those who intend to watch the 2010 Fifa World cup. The whole nation is working around to make sure extreme comfort for the travellers. In regard to this, a third of the beds available in Kruger National Park’s Skukuza, Berg-en-Dal and Pretoriuskop camps will be reserved for foreign tourists through the duration of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced this great news at the Tourism Indaba in Durban. SANParks tourism and marketing director Glenn Phillips told delegates that 30% of available accommodation in the national parks would be reserved for 2010 tourists, with the remainder for the general public.
The most exciting part of this decision is that approximately 15 000 people will get to see the national parks for the first time in their lives. The government wants to use this event to optimise marketing opportunities while they continue to build the brand. Other parks close to the World Cup matches that have been contracted are Addo Elephant National Park, Garden Route National Park, Tsitsikamma and the Knysna lake area, Marakele and Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
To the parks, this event is more than just about sport, but rather they want to send a message to the world is that SANParks is on track to deliver to everyone’s expectation.

It’s highly believed that the move will send a positive signal to critics who didn’t believe South Africa would be ready to host the World Cup, adding that SANParks wanted to see optimal occupancy in all national parks during the event. Key to this is the retention of the regular client base, as the event falls during the extended school holidays.
MATCH income
SANParks has also signed a contract with MATCH, a professional services company selected by Fifa to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology during the 2010 World Cup event in South Africa. This makes all those intending to travel access an all-in-one kind of service within South Africa. SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said new mobile tents would also be erected in the Kruger camps and this will provide an additional 420 beds that will form part of the legacy beyond 2010. These tents will be used after the tournament in all our national parks as and when they are needed.
You can’t afford missing the fascinating giraffe found in the world-famous Kruger National Park. It is no wonder that South Africa is one of the world’s fastest growing travel destinations .
Remember that there are also special visas for 2009, 2010 fans for the huge tourism opportunities in 2010. You can’t afford to miss the Kgalagadi’s desert, Kruger’s wildlife, Mapungubwe’s ancient heritage, and so much more.

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