Welcome to the first of my East Africa Wild curated blog series, where I’ll be keeping you up to date on all things safari. So, when you’re ready to start planning your dream trip, you can do so with complete confidence.

If you’re even a little “safari curious,” these curated blog summaries will enlighten and inspire you, helping you see a different side to this great continent and guide you in deciding whether a wildlife adventure in Africa is right for you (which being biased, I think it is!).

What a line-up I have for you below, from Robinson Crusoe islands leading the way in sustainable African tourism to virtual space safaris, there’s sure to be something to rouse your travel senses.

Let’s jump straight in…

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From Africa with Love:

The Ultimate Robinson Crusoe Retreat

Source: Financial Times

Looking for a secluded escape from the daily grind? Look no further than Chumbe Island, just off the coast of Zanzibar.

Described as a “Robinson Crusoe retreat” with only 7 cottages, and fringed by Tanzania’s first privately run marine projected area (MPA), Chumbe stands as a jewel of hope for sustainable tourism in East Africa going into 2022. A few of the island’s many sustainable efforts include, zero consumption of single use plastics, hiring locally from the nearby fishing villages, and hosting educational day trips for Tanzanian school children.

“It was all the colour I’d been longing for after the grey days of multiple lockdowns: shimmering silvers, pinks, oranges, psychedelic blues… Chumbe may be the proverbial drop in the ocean, but by the time I left its shores, I felt I’d experienced something genuine in what are otherwise such torrid, confusing times” – Sophy Roberts

Uganda Hosts 4th African Birding Expo

Source: British Herald

As they say, “birds of a feather flock together”, and Uganda’s birds are no exception as the country is set to host the fourth Africa Birding Expo at the Entebbe Botanical Garden from December 10th to 12th. Bird watching is becoming a fast growing trend for travelers who love to see premium birding destinations.

It’s no news to me that Uganda was selected to host, as the beautiful land hosts 1,083 bird species and holds 73% of East Africa’s bird population. The African Birding Expo has a strong presence and will be drawing attention from hundreds of bird enthusiasts, and travel writers.

Would you like to join them?

A Local’s Guide to Kenya

Source: Condé Nast Traveler

Photographer Brian Siambi tells the story of how he fell in love with my hometown Nairobi. A bustling, diverse city inhabited by all peoples from Africa, and home to some of the best cuisine in mine and Brian’s opinion.

To highlight a few culinary experiences to try if you’re in the city; Nairobi Street Kitchen hosting many different restaurants in one place. Cultiva is another exciting new restaurant where it has a farm-table table, ensuring that meals are constantly creative and in season. What’s unique about this place is that you can go from watching captivating sunsets in the Samburu to diving at one of the most pristine beaches in the world on the same day.

“Nairobi is a sum of chaos and beauty; it’s a mix of old trying to stand strong and new trying to disrupt that. It’s a beautiful city that is constantly changing” – Brian.

Feeling inspired to take a visit?

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The Top ‘In Case You Missed it’ Articles:

Extremely Rare Albino Honey Badger Seen at Western Cape Nature Reserve

Source: Getaway

Ever seen a honey badger up real close? South Africa is no stranger to this cute but often ferocious mammal. However, an extremely rare albino honey badger (Mellivora capensis) was recently caught on camera at the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape. Although other sightings have been recorded, this is the first camera footage capturing the albino condition for this species in scientific literature, which is pretty exciting!

Kruger Shalati Gets South Africa’s First 360-Degree Cinema

Source: Getaway

An exciting new must-see attraction for travelers is coming to Kruger National Park. The KRUGER 360 Cinema is a new feature that will be set up at Kruger Shalari’s Train on the Bridge and Kruger Station to provide guests with an immersive movie experience to matter which way they are facing.

The movies suitable for adults and children will focus on conservational stories and cost $5 USD per person (R75). The immersive visuals will put you on the front lines of historic operations such as, ‘REWILD’, the story of six black Rhino’s that were chosen as part of a highly confidential translocation from South Africa to Chad.

If outer-space is of more interest to you, then perhaps the bonus movie ‘Space Safari’ , joined by astronaut Helen Sharman will leave you bedazzled – Leaving Earth and taking a look at our home like never before.

Delta Ups Frequencies to Johannesburg

Source: Travel News

Are you based in the US? If you are, then traveling to South Africa will become easier for you as long as you’re vaccinated from December the 19th thanks to Delta airlines revving up their flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg.

The announcement follows news earlier in the month that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had moved South Africa from risk alert Level 4 (Very High Risk) to Level 3 (High Risk). American Airlines announced they will also be following suit, with flights to Cape Town, along with South African based airlines, United Airlines and Airlink announcing new flights between the US and nearly 40 destinations within South Africa.