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Gombe Nationa Park and Jane Goodall’s Chimpanzee Project
Jane Goodall’s forty-five year chimpanzee project has not only sought protection of wild great apes, but has done this through promoting public knowledge of their many common grounds with us.
Jane Goodall was twenty-six years old when she first touched down near Gombe National Park in Tanzania, where she encountered the Kasakela community of common chimpanzees. Naturally, the community was mistrusting at first and Jane had to earn enough trust to progressively closen herself to them. But over time, Goodall made several major discoveries that smoothed out the jagged edge between the “human” and “animal” kingdoms that were still at the time prevalent, even in primatology.
Jane Goodall observed that chimpanzee communities function similarily to a small human town or village. She found the community housed several families. Like human communities, the Kasakela had a political hierarchy. Families were higher or lower on that totem pole based primarily on the number of alpha males they produced.
She labeled the community’s two high-up families the “F” and “G” family, which enabled Goodall to name rather than number her subjects; a first in the science world.
It was already known that chimpanzees occasionally made primitive tools, but generally assumed amongst the scientific community that tool-making and use was solely a human trait. Goodall observed subject David Greybeard making and using a plant-based contraption to extract termites from wood, but corrected science that tools are far more prevalent in chimpanzee culture than humans knew when she also found David Greybeard and another chimp, Goliath, making more termite-picking tools. Humans had also misconceived chimpanzees to be monkey-like in their diet, eating only fruits and vegetables. But after seeing the chimpanzees eating meat, Goodall confirmed that, much like humans, they are omnivorous.
But lessening the divisions seen by humans between us and great apes was only one facet of Jane Goodall’s efforts to protect chimpanzees. Goodall co-founded the Jane Goodall Institute, an international organization devoted to both educating the public and defending the environment and the rights of animals; a notable offshoot of this is the Roots & Shoots program, which reaches out to kids. Jane has also given her support to the Forests Now Declaration and the Optimum Population Trust, and was president of Advocates for Animals for ten years.
Goodall has worked toward the protection of chimpanzee habitats, an end to great ape poaching and general chimpanzee and animal rights.
Wildebeest Migration - Must See on African Safari Vacation
The annual wildebeest migration is an ideal destination for your dream African safari vacation. The great migration takes place annually in Tanzania on the majestic Serengeti plain. A safari vacation to watch thousands of these beautiful animals move with the changing seasons. Travel to Africa to observe first hand the circle of wildlife as the wildebeest and their young move to greener pastures, followed by deadly predators.
The wildebeest is also called a Gnu and is a member of the antelope family. The animals c. They are well known for their annual migration, which occurs after the calving season. The wildebeests calving season generally occurs between January and mid March. By June, the young are able to begin the great migration with the older animals. The wildebeest herds, numbering thousands move toward the western Serengeti in June. At sometime between June and August the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the Grumeti River.
This annual spectacle is one of the most famous in the world and includes not only wildebeest but zebras and thousands of Thomson’s Gazelles, who follow the massive herds of wildebeest across the plain. This wildebeest migration annual event has been the subject of many nature and wildlife documentaries and your safari vacation will allow you to witness the remarkable wildebeest first hand. When you observe this migration you will witness the drama of life and death on the African plain as the wildebeest herd attracts the greatest predators on Earth including lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. The wildebeest is a strong opponent and have been known to inflict injuries on lions.
For many years, it was believed that the wildebeest made the migration and crossed the rivers in a frenzy but recent research has shown that the wildebeest possesses what is known as a “swarm intelligence” where they work together to explore and overcome obstacles as one. The migration of these incredible animals is a must see on any African safari vacation.
The great migration of the wildebeests and other animals who follow the herds, will create lifelong memories. African safari provides many unique opportunities and the migration is one of the most unique experiences of a lifetime.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Via the Rongai Route
The climb to the Mount Kilimanjaro summit via the Rongai Route is among the most rewarding, life-affirming challenges a climber can undertake. This somewhat gentler route to the highest peak in Africa is less traveled than others, allowing hikers a more gradual ascent along a quieter trail. In addition, Rongai route, unlike the more popular Machame route and Marangu route, affords views of both the northern and southern faces of Mount Kilimanjaro. Popular itineraries allow for five or six days of climbing.
The Rongai route presently begins just south of Tanzania’s border with Kenya. The route, still named for its original starting point in the border village of Rongai, now begins in Nalemoru near Loitokitok. Thus, climbers should note that the Rongai route to the Kilimanjaro summit is sometimes referred to as the Nalemoru or Loitokitok route too.
The trek to the Kilimanjaro summit begins with a hike through tranquil farmlands, fragrant cypress plantations, and patches of mountain forest. Colobus monkeys call from the trees, and bird watchers will appreciate spotting the rare olive ibis, the bold moorland chat, and countless other alpine bird species. Porters may choose to set up camp on the edge of the moorland after several hours of hiking; hikers will benefit from the opportunity to acclimatize.
The following day, the Rongai route up Mount Kilimanjaro continues through an expansive heather forest broken by occasional stretches of rocky terrain. The hiking activities conclude by sunset when porters and climbers make camp in a Kikelewa cave.
The next morning, while climbing Kilimanjaro, climbers will spot the glaciers of Kibo as they move toward “the saddle”, a mountain desert slung between the range’s of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. At this height, little vegetation can survive. The Rongai route becomes quite rocky, and scenery consists mainly of impressive boulders set against rolling white clouds. Looking downward, porters and climbers may see only a blanket of fog.
By the fourth day, moving ever close to the Kilimanjaro summit, hikers will be well aware of the diminished oxygen. Fortunately, the landscape will remain the same - windswept but gently sloping. By nightfall, as they approach the Kibo Huts end of Rongai route, they will see their final challenge: the Mount Kilimanjaro summit.
Reaching the summit is of course the highlight of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Still, some climbers choose not to ascend to the uppermost point, Uhuru Peak; the thin atmosphere and chilled air leave little time for adventure at the highest heights. Thus, regardless of how far one ascends, all hikers receive a certificate from park authorities at a point near the peak. Then, turning onto a downhill trail, hikers breathe in a welcome supply of oxygen as they embark on their triumphant return.
