Slum Tourism

Slum tourism is one the latest travel fads (along with safari companies adopting schools and orphanages for their well-heeled clients to pop into and deliver pens and soccer balls). One of Africa's biggest slums - Kibera in Nairobi, is on the tour list and of course Soweto is a must for anyone traveling through Johannesburg. I'm sure there are many out there who find it inconceivable that someone would want to spend a day of their vacation visiting shacks and taking photos of urban poor. But it's often a highlight of someone's trip, and certainly not the main reason people visit a country like Kenya, Namibia or South Africa.

Visiting a township or slum is an optional side trip. Why not see how many locals live and have a chance to interact? Because the townships and slums are not just poor people living in shacks surrounded by trash. They are vibrant communities. There are schools, restaurants, shops, laughter, life and music. It's an education for both parties involved. It's also an opportunity for local folks to benefit directly from tourism to their country.

I'm fine with township and slum tours as long as it's done responsibly. I'm also fine with safari companies adopting schools and orphanages. The more the merrier.

_{Image of a Soweto Barber - © Getty Images/Hamish Blair}

Slum Tourism originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 14:48:06.

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Rainy Season - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The rains have arrived in East and Southern Africa. Great news for some, and absolutely devastating for others. Torrential rain in eastern Uganda caused mudslides last week that claimed the lives of more than 80 people, with hundreds still missing. The Ugandan government says it needs to evacuate thousands more of its citizens from the area in order to keep them safe.

In Samburu, Kenya they're dealing with some crazy flash flooding that has destroyed six lodges including the Save the Elephants Research camp. This comes on the heels of a terrible drought that wracked the whole country this past year. Things got so bad that thousands of wildebeest and zebra had to be relocated to Amboseli Reserve in the past few weeks, just to feed the lions.

The local ungulate population had basically diminished to the point where desperate lions were preying on what was left of the Maasai's cattle. The Maasai will defend their cattle against any and all predators, and the lion situation in Kenya is already quite dire. Hence the zebra shipment, a wildlife version of meals on wheels.

In Zambia safari operators are welcoming their "Emerald Season", a great time for birding and getting the boats out on the Luangwa River. But as the staff working for Robin Pope Safaris illustrate, the rains are both good and bad. Here are some quotes:

Yona, Kitchen Porter - I like the dry season as there are more jobs for people as all the camps are open but my maize grows during the rains which is good.

Lameck, Chef - I prefer the dry season as in the rains there is lots of mud in the villages and it is difficult getting around. Bicycles don't work too good in the mud.

Geoffrey, Waiter - I prefer the rains as the weather changes a lot so it is more interesting - it can be cold one day then hot and then very wet another day, so it is always changing which is what I like. Also, the trees are all sprouting and there is more vegetation and of course the different birds change their colours and they are very good.

_{Samburu, completely flooded, March 2010 - Image from WildlifeDirect.org}

Rainy Season - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 14:30:52.

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For blogs discussing Uganda safari packages these include:

• Uganda Safaris
• Uganda Safari blog
• Gorilla tracking tours
• Uganda East African safaris
• Uganda travel blog
• African Lion Safari
• East Africa Safari blog