Africa through our guides' eyes
Travel tips, background stories and tales from Africa – by our guides and travel experts.
The rhino's fight for survival
Once again the statistics of last year (2014) top those of the previous one: in South Africa – home to over 80% of the world's rhino population – poachers, in their merciless hunt for precious rhino horn, knowingly accept the death of 1,215 rhinos.
Maasai Olympics… or: the hunt for medals instead of lions
The last days of the registration period for this year's New York Marathon are running out. Two Maasai warriors from Kenya, however, have already secured their participation in the famous race. They qualified directly after winning gold medals over 800 m and 5 km at the latest Maasai Olympics.
An eye for an eye!
Ah yes …, the tourist life could sometimes be so much easier. … And cheaper too. But at times even a tour operator is helplessly exposed to the doings and omissions of destination countries.
Meerkat magic
It is afternoon in Namibia. The sun rolls towards the horizon and we – tired from the exertions of the day – head for our accommodation for the night. Unlike usual, though, we are not welcomed today by the usual receptionist or even the manager.
Swaziland – a kingdom in Africa
It never ceases to fascinate me how great the interest of people in Europe is in the region's royal houses. Whether England, Spain, Sweden or Holland – no sooner do they open their royal gates to the media than millions of viewers, listeners and readers stream in.
Walking with lions
Imagine you go out for a walk, but at your side is not a dog but a lion! For some, this thought may be exciting, adventurous and exotic. For others, thick, furrowed question marks form on the forehead and a puzzled "What's going on?" escapes the lips.
Year 1 after Mandela
It was 5 December 2013 when Nelson Mandela finally took his leave of this world for the realm of the dead. A weekend full of memorial ceremonies and obituaries followed. The media reported in every conceivable format: special editions, special supplements and special broadcasts, interviews, talk shows, documentaries, feature films and so on.
Botswana's jewel: my boat trip on the Chobe River
What a winter's day! A felt 25 degrees, sunshine and a brilliant blue sky. Accompanied by four female colleagues, I sit in a T-shirt on board an excursion boat, reach for the nuts, dried sausage and other treats beside me, sip my Coke and gaze out, relaxed, over the railing at the river and its wonders.
How do elephants have sex?
I would ask all young people under 18 to get a parent's consent before reading on. The following article uses words from biology lessons, but it describes animal sex.