GHANA: Ghana Among 36 Countries To Be Visited By Travellers In 2016.

Ghana named among world’s Top Travel Destinations for 2016

Ghana has been listed among 36 countries to be visited by travellers in 2016. The list was compiled by a group of 35 experienced and well-travelled bloggers from around the world, who specialise in adventure travel, ecotourism, cultural travel and family travel.

Ghana continues to find a sustainable means of expanding and harnessing its tourism potential in order to attract local and foreign tourists alike.

In recent times, the country’s Tourism Ministry and its implementing agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority have continued to introduce and expand a wide array of tourism related programmes and activities in order to sustain interest and increase earnings within the sector.

A member of the group who usually writes about the country, Elin Reitehaug reiterates this by a short summary on the country’s tourism sector; ‘’you are invited’’ is the standard phrase uttered when Ghanaians start eating. As a traveler in Ghana, you are always invited. Hike Afadjato, the highest mountain in Ghana, or go bird watching on a canopy walk in the rainforest of Kakum National Park, the country’s first protected area. To spot elephants, visit Mole National Park.

In Bolgantaga you’ll discover the rich culture of the Frafra people, known for weaving the world-famous Bolga baskets. In Elmina and along Cape Coast you’ll find several castles and forts recognised by UNESCO. Enjoy the beaches, which are popular for locals during weekends and holidays, when families and young people come to swim and play. Learn to play drums from energetic musicians at the Art Centre in Accra, or attend cultural events such as festivals and traditional celebrations of birth, marriage and death.’

The list also comprised countries such as, Quebec, South Africa, India, Bolivia, Brazil, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Greenland, Madagascar, Mauritius, Canada, South Africa, among others and was put together by Green Global Travel, an Ecotourism, Nature/Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Preservation Magazine.

Preventing Illegal Ivory Trade

East African region has become a popular transit route for illegal ivory traders. A number of people have been apprehended over involvement in illicit ivory trade within the region.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) is holding 10 people including four Guinea-Conakry nationals, over trying to traffic 80 kilogrammes of elephant tusks through the country while in neighbouring Uganda, 740kgs of Ivory were impounded by Uganda Aviation Police at Entebbe Airport, last year. In April this year, Kenya burnt 105 tones of ivory confiscated from illegal smugglers.

These are among the many examples that show the worrying magnitude of illegal ivory trade in the region, and the threat it poses to the region's wildlife.

Illegal ivory trade has led to increase in poaching for elephant tusks, forcing conservationists to call for more efforts to save the elephant. With the East African region being home to endangered wildlife including elephants, urgent measures should be taken to address the problem.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has raised a red flag over the issue in a yet to be released report by the standing Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Wildlife. The report shows a disturbing wave of ivory smuggling in the East African region.

This calls for more regional efforts to curtail the crime, despite some progress following the first-ever regional anti-illicit trade conference held in 2010.

But more importantly, it also calls for a global partnership to involve the destination countries for the smuggled ivory. Reports indicate that three-quarters of illegal ivory makes its way to China. Deliberate global efforts can go a long way in stopping the illegal trade in ivory.

An intensified global crackdown on criminal gangs that reportedly conspire with corrupt regional bureaucrats to traffic vast quantities of ivory will deliver victory against this crime.

BOTSWANA: Tourism Ministry Confirms Using Outdated Data

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Elias Magosi has admitted that his ministry continues to rely on outdated data when making key decisions regarding the tourism industry in the country.

At the same time, policymakers and investors in tourism sector presently rely mostly on external sources of data for the domestic tourism sector, due to the complex statistical challenge the industry has historically faced.

When appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday, Magosi admitted that so far the data on tourism activities in the country is outdated and that his ministry is working around the clock to ensure that it is updated.

“We are working hand in hand with the government statistics office to ensure that we update the data”, Magosi told PAC on Friday.

The last data on the contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP, wealth creation and job creation is for 2010 and government authorities continue to provide conflicting data regarding its contribution to the economy.

Magosi’s admission come after there have been numerous calls to update both the data as well as policy governing the sector.

In 2015, when making his remarks at the annual Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB), its chairman, Dr Thapelo Matsheka raised concerns about the level of secrecy in the tourism sector.

Dr Matsheka warned that if left unattended the issue of high unpredictability and lack of transparency will dent investor confidence. To demonstrate his case, Matsheka gave an example about the establishment of a land bank in the sector, for which Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) was tasked in 2008.

“In 2008, the Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism through the BTO sought to establish a land bank of all concession areas which would allow government to directly influence allocation as well as utilisation through competitive bid of the management plans for both existing operators and the broader market. This was intended to access the true market value and potential of concession areas. Regrettably this has been caught up in unclear allocation criteria and as we speak a number of concession areas remain without a decision of whether to renew for existing operators with the resultant uncertainty to roll out expansion plans by existing operators”, Matsheka said.

Apart from the land bank, Matsheka says in 2011, HATAB compiled and submitted a report entailing a list of impediments that affect business operations in the tourism sector to the government of Botswana but to date no action has been taken.

MALAWI: World’s Largest Elephant Translocations

Malawi hosts one of the world’s largest elephant translocations


African Parks, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, are helping to preserve this threatened species by moving 500 elephants in one of the biggest events ever to happen to Malawi’s wildlife Tourism.

Populations of African elephants are being depleted at concerning rates, with fewer than 450,000 remaining. Poaching and habitat loss have sent numbers into serious decline. Malawi’s recent successes in anti-poaching and management of human-wildlife conflict have led to a population surplus in two of the country’s 9 protected areas, Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve.

This huge relocation starts this week in Liwonde National Park, home to Malawi’s largest population of 800 elephants. This delicate process involves the use of helicopters to dart the elephants, which are then lifted by crane onto trucks to start their 300 km road journey to a newly created sanctuary.

The elephants are being moved to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, close to Lake Malawi, which for years had been depleted of wildlife. Once home to over 1500, now as little as 100 remain. A 16,000-hectare sanctuary has been built, creating a safe and secure habitat for these animals to thrive before being released, in time, into the wider Reserve. As well as the elephant, there are plans to relocate a further 1500 animals from a variety of species to the Reserve.

This is an extremely hopeful story for conservation, elephants and particularly for Malawi. Kelly While from Malawi Tourism says “We are delighted with African Parks’ plans to relocate and reintroduce species into Malawi’s Parks. If Malawi had a perceived weakness in tourism terms, it was that some of its neighbours offered a ‘better’ safari experience. But, as well as helping to safeguard the future for these magnificent animals, these developments will result in a total transformation of Malawi’s wildlife and safaris. Malawi will become one of the most complete destinations in Africa - Lake, Landscape, Culture and now Wildlife experiences of the very highest quality. Warm, welcoming and unspoilt, Malawi really is just waiting to be discovered.”

ABOUT AFRICAN PARKS:
African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in apartment with government and local communities. African Parks manages 10 national parks and protected areas in seven countries covering six million hectares: Malawi, Zambia, CAR, The Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad. To learn more, please visit www.african-parks.org

UGANDA: The Baker Trail

African Explorer and Anthropologist Julian Monroe Fisher, in conjunction with The Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation & Tourism for South Sudan, the descendants of the Victorian explorer Sir Samuel White Baker, Rail Riders Adventure Clothing and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses has announced plans to establish The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail.

According to www.thebakertrail.com ,The trail will stretch from Gondokoro, the location of the modern day capital of the new nation of South Sudan to Baker's View overlooking Lake Albert in western Uganda. Fisher will be in Uganda to start placing historical markers at locations where Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker camped while on expedition in the Central African region during their two expeditions in the 1860's and 1870's.

In January-February 2013, during Phase Two of The RailRider's 2012-16 Great African Expedition, Fisher and his team that included David Baker, the great-great-grandson of Sir Samuel Baker were accredited with correcting maps of Uganda by establishing the true location of Baker's View, the location where Sir Samuel Baker became the first European to see Lake Albert and to subsequently name the lake for Prince Albert.

The concept for 'The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail' evolved out of Fisher's two year research of Sir Samuel Baker in preparation for Phase One & Two of 'The RailRider's 2012-16 Great African Expedition'.
Quoting David Baker from Chirton, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, "Sir Samuel Baker and Lady Florence Baker's achievements are to be commemorated by the establishment of a trail through South Sudan and northern Uganda to Baker's view of Lake Albert.

The trail follows the shoreline of Lake Albert northwards to the Victoria Nile and the mighty Murchison Falls and up the river to the Karuma Falls. This is the bold vision of Julian Monroe Fisher who, in early 2013, travelled along the trail in the footsteps of Sir Samuel Baker. It will take energy, determination and resources to achieve this; our example is Sir Samuel Baker, so we are sure it will come about!"

Quoting Fisher, "The Bakers are respected in South Sudan and Uganda for their 1860's and 1870's expeditions and their effort to abolish the slave trade. Today South Sudan and parts of northern Uganda are emerging from years of conflict. In South Sudan the population is struggling to clean up the landmines of the conflicts of the past in order to move forward to a bright future. The future of the region lies in the success of projects like 'The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail'.

With the support of Honorable Minister Maria Mutagamba, Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ggunga Seguya the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Baker Family, Rail Riders Adventure Clothing and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, the Uganda portion of 'The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail' will be launched in January 2014 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Baker's expedition. This will be a visual sign of the region, expressing to the world that northern Uganda and South Sudan are "open for business".

During the announcement of the project in Vienna, Austria, Fisher said, "The beauty of the people as well as the landscape should be reasons enough to visit the region sooner than later. 'The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail' provides the adventure traveler a route through a spectacular scenery and to historical places, that can be accessed by 4 x 4's, mountain bike and also by hiking and will some day be recognized similar to the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Trail in the USA.

ZANZIBAR: More Than Just A Spice Island

A visit to Zanzibar, or in fact Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibari archipelago – the other larger island is called Pemba – is never one dimensional, nor should it be. On this Indian Ocean island, just 20 minutes flight from Dar es Salaam and of course a bit longer by ferry – the advantage of the ferry is the shorter transit from the port into the CBD of Dar es Salaam and of course the scenic view on arrival in Zanzibar – are several tourism attractions wrapped in to a nice package, worth exploring each and every segment.

Here comes history, heritage, birdlife, wildlife and marine life together like in few other locations across the United Republic of Tanzania and then add the recent arrival of championship golf for extra measure.

An aerial view of the Stone Town and a collection of three towers, the middle one of modern age lined by a minaret and the twin spires of one of the island’s cathedrals, all in peaceful coexistence

Zanzibar, often referred to as the ‘Spice Island’ has always had a magic ring to its name and tourists from around the world in recent years, in part fueled by the challenges the Kenya coast faced, kept flocking in ever larger numbers to this island off the Tanzanian mainland.

The history of Zanzibar takes one back to the early days of civilization when coastal seafarers used the prevailing trade winds to sail their dhows from the Arabian peninsula along the African coast, establishing trade routes where the trade winds took them and beyond.

Much of this history and heritage on the island is centered in and round the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Stone Town’. It is here that museums are found, where buildings have been turned in to monuments and where in the heart of it once a thriving slave market traded captured Africans from the mainland for either the currency of the day or by barters for merchandize brought in by the Arab dhows.

Names of buildings like ‘House of Wonders’ this one sadly in decay due to a partial collapse of the building and in urgent need to be restored, the Palace Museum, the Malindi Mosque and the Aga Khan Mosque, The Old Fort, the two Christian cathedrals, St. Joseph for the Catholics and Christ Church for the Anglicans, both built in the last decade of the 19th Century are part of every organized tour.

So of course is the house where Livingstone stayed before his last expedition into the interior of Africa. The Forodhani Gardens are providing the background for many snapshots taken, selfies too of course these days and the Jafferi House’s rooftop is once again open after a recent refurbishment.

Stone Town is an architectural treasure chest for those interested who will find the influence of Persian, Arabic, Indian and European styles most intriguing. Streets are narrow, walls are thick and ventilation is ingenious to keep the buildings cool at the inside during the often oppressive heat of the day.

If there is one downside it is the rise in traffic levels seen since my last visit a couple of years ago. Tourists need to be nimble on their feet to jump out of the way of scooters, tuk-tuks and cars and are at times more likely to get hit by a car, even if only feeling a gentle touch, than catching one good picture when, lost in thought and trying to get the right angle, they step back into the road just by a foot or two.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the core area of Stone Town should be kept free of vehicles with restricted access for deliveries perhaps once or twice a day and no doubt would tourists be ready to pay a fee to enter the pedestrian area as long as that part of the old town is well maintained and shows itself as the ancient historical treasure it could and should be.

A range of hotels await visitors, some very small and others larger, and the Zanzibar Serena Hotel is on the waterfront offering spectacular sunsets from the wide terrace overlooking the ocean. This is arguably the best place to see classic artifacts and collectors’ items assembled while the rooms are furnished with the traditional Swahili beds and chests.

Opposite the Serena across the square has a Doubletree by Hilton sprung up, without however offering that priceless waterfront and sunset views while a Park Hyatt opened near the Serena in 2014 – as reported here at the time.

Views over the harbour and out across the Indian Ocean and rooftop vistas across the Stone Town are the hotel’s main plus points. Well-appointed rooms – TV’s in the bathroom above the free standing baths included – and still sparkling from bottom to top, will this modern hotel with an exterior blending into the water front, given some time, no doubt also add a venerable patina which provides the touristy flair and sought after ambience in the more established hotels.

Traveling to Zanzibar with Fastjet, the flight has a short stopover along the way in Kilimanjaro / Arusha and from there take Coastal Aviation which offers almost hourly services on their Cessna C208B Grand Caravans between Terminal 1 of Julius Nyerere International Airport and Zanzibar.

Fastjet will launch Zanzibar flights from the 11th of January from Terminal 2 but the very short processing time of the smaller airlines from Terminal 1 remain a strong incentive to fly with them. Of course, as mentioned, is there the ferry option and many visitors do take the trip out to the island across the ocean before then flying back to the mainland.

Transport on Zanzibar can and should be prebooked , for airport transfers as well as for excursions to the spice farms, the slave caves, the almost mandatory guided tour through the Stone Town and of course when visiting the Butterfly Centre and the forest national park in the middle of the island.

In fact, Zanzibaris came across as a happy and friendly people, inspite of a contentious election which was cancelled half way through at the end of October. It is to be re-staged at a time still to be announced by the Electoral Commission and while the tourism industry feels it should be after the Christmas and New Year holidays, no one is certain when it will take place.

PERU: Critical Gift For Peru Will Benefit The Whole World

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae).

President Obama recently released a 'landmark' conservation policy that will benefit America's rivers, lands, and wildlife resources.
Scientists say a glacier that holds enough water to raise global sea levels by half a meter is crumbling into the sea.
Indonesia responds to the country’s haze that has polluted skies over a large swathe of Southeast Asia, and released upwards of 1.7 billion tons of carbon.

President Obama recently released a presidential memorandum declaring that development projects on America’s public lands, such as energy and mining, should result in in net benefit for the nation’s rivers, lands, and wildlife resources.

After more than a decade of discussion and planning, Peru on Sunday will officially designate Sierra del Divisor National Park, a 1.3 million hectare (3.3 million acre) reserve that is home to uncontacted indigenous tribes, endangered wildlife, and one of South America’s wildest landscapes.

What has been viewed for many years as an iconic experience at SeaWorld San Diego, will soon be no more. As a result of the ongoing public criticism, the amusement park has announced they will phase out the “theatrical” killer whale show by 2016.

This major glacier in northeast Greenland started to melt rapidly in 2012 and now it’s beginning to crumble into the sea. Scientists say the glacier holds enough water to raise global sea levels by half a meter.

Residents of north-eastern China have locked themselves indoors after their homes were enveloped by record high levels of smog. Experts say some areas are experiencing 56 times the levels of harmful air particles considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo has banned clearance and conversion of carbon-dense peatlands across the archipelago in response to the country’s haze that has polluted skies over a large swathe of Southeast Asia, and released upwards of 1.7 billion tons of carbon.

Led by New York attorney general, an investigation is now underway that is aimed at finding out if Exxon Mobil lied to the public about the risks of climate change or to investors about how those risks might hurt the oil business.

Only four northern white rhinos remain in the world, one aging female in San Diego, an one female and two males in a sanctuary located in Kenya. Officials explained that several options may be tried to save this species, including in-vitro fertilization in Africa.

After an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, disaster response officials decided to drop chemical dispersants with the hope they would break up the oil, but it seemed their plan not only failed – it made things worse.

The launch of a crowdfunded effort to clean the plastic out of an area expanding over 60 miles in the Pacific Ocean is upon us. Tests of a scaled-down prototype in the Netherlands proved to be successful last week, bringing us one step closer to making the cleanup a reality.

Cambodian authorities have detained four activists linked to the environmental group Mother Nature Cambodia. The four, all Cambodian nationals, await trial at a prison in the country’s southwestern province of Koh Kong.

For nearly a decade, conservationists have pushed for increased protection of Peru’s Sierra del Divisor Reserved Zone. This weekend, their dream became a reality, with official declaration from the Peruvian government making Sierra del Divisor the world’s newest national park.

Environmental groups have welcomed new technical guidelines issued by Indonesia’s forestry ministry, which if implemented correctly, could prohibit new development in Indonesia’s peatlands, keeping them moist to prevent wildfires.

The new book No More Endlings: Saving Species One Story at a Time may prove just the thing. No More Endlings (an endling refers to the last individual of a doomed species) details 47 endangered species success stories.

A group of scientists from the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) and World Animal Protection launched a competition called “Think for Tigers,” which urges anyone associated with academic institutions, NGOs, governments and tech companies to propose an “innovative idea, product or solution” that could help scientists and park personnel monitor or track tigers in the wild.

INDIA: Government To Promote Golf Tourism To Attract More Foreigners

Government is ready to support golf tourism to attract more foreign visitors to the country, which has over 200 golf courses.
This was stated today by Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma who stressed that there is a lot of potential in golf tourism in India.”Golf is at nascent stage in the country and the government is ready to support this niche tourism product. There is a lot of potential of golf tourism in India,” Sharma said at the FICCI Golf Tourism Summit here.He said India has about 220 golf courses and some of these are best in the world.

Seeking industry cooperation, he said “how best it can be explored so that it becomes a strength of tourism industry in the country.”Disagreeing with tour operators, Sharma said there is no off season for tourism in country like India.India has the strength to provide round the year tourism to the world. Something or other is available for tourists in the country round the year, he said.”We have miles and miles of Himalayan range, longest sea beach, desert, wildlife, monuments. India is so vast that we have round the year tourism.”

President of India Golf Tourism Association Rajan Sehgal said “we have about 220 golf courses in the country and about 25 are signature golf courses which are at par with international standard”.Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutsi said India is a late entrant in the golf tourism sector.”The government has given e-tourism visa facility to 113 countries and our aim is to extend the facility to total 150 countries,” he said.

BOTSWANA: Explore Botswana

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has urged those tasked with selling, marketing and promoting tourism destinations to travel and fully explore the country so to know more about Botswana.

Minister Tshekedi Khama was speaking at the official opening of this year’s Tourism Expo Botswana which has attracted exhibitors from countries such as India, Zambia, Iran and South Africa.

Mr Khama said it was imperative that as nations existing in the global village to continuously create and reinvent platforms in which they can promote tourism in their own unique and respective ways.

“Every nation has something unique and wonderful to offer the world and it is for this reason that those tasked with promoting their national tourism heritage should do so diligently,” said the minister.

Further, Mr Khama said successful tourism ventures relied on getting the masses of people to experience what each destination had to offer.

Without enhancing the people’s desire to explore, he said nations cannot significantly build the tourism industry to a point that added onto national economies.

Also, he noted that people were the bloodline for successful tourism and those tasked with selling, marketing and promoting nations’ respective destinations needed to always bear that in mind.

On the other hand, the minister was impressed that Botswana as one of the premium destinations in the world has joined in the global trend of hosting trade and consumer expos designed to create and reinforce awareness.

Nonetheless, Tourism Expo Botswana provides a vital marketing and networking platform for local Botswana tourism suppliers and stakeholders as they are able to interact and create business links with regional and international tourism suppliers.

The expo is a consumer and trade based marketing platform and was held under the theme “Bringing Tourism to the people.” Ends

KENYA: Samburu National Park First In Africa On Google Street View

Google Street View has launched its maps of Kenya's Samburu National Park, which allows internet users to take a virtual safari in the conservancy.

The initiative, launched together with the charity Save the Elephants, wants to promote wildlife conservation.

The project aims to tell the stories of the elephant families in the park.

The Google Street View car drove through the park in February 2015, assuaging any fears that the tool could inadvertently help poachers.

The route follows one of the roads through the 165 sq km (65 sq mile) central Kenyan reserve and does not let the user go off-road.

Elephants, zebra and a leopard can be seen dotted along the way.

The Kenya Tourist board says it is the country's first national park to be accessible in such a virtual way.

"We hope that by bringing Street View to Samburu, we will inspire people around the world to gain a deeper appreciation for elephants," Google Kenya's Farzana Khubchandani said.

The Samburu county governor, Moses Lenolkulal, also attended the ceremonial launch.

"The more people experience our culture, our people and the majestic elephants and other wildlife with which we co-exist, the more we are able to conserve and sustain the Samburu culture and its fragile ecosystem for generations to come," he said.

Two of the main families of elephants captured by Street View are the Harwoods and the Spice family who have been identified by the shape of their tusks.

David Daballen, head of field operations at Save the Elephants,that he could recognise more than 600 elephants.

He said he hoped the glimpse into the park would inspire people to help with the elephants' plight.

Conservationists say the ivory trade and loss of habitat are putting Africa's elephant population at risk.

According to Save the Elephants, an estimated 100,000 elephants were killed for their ivory in Africa between 2010 and 2012.

ECUADOR: Mexican man arrested in Galapagos for iguana trafficking

Ecuadorean police say they've arrested a Mexican man for trying to smuggle 11 iguanas — an endangered species — from the Galapagos islands.

Police Capt. William Herrera told Ecuavisa TV on Monday that the man was trying to ship nine marine iguana babies and two juvenile land iguanas by air to the mainland with Uganda as the ultimate destination.

The alleged trafficker, who authorities said had previously committed similar crimes in New Zealand, was trying to transport nine marine iguanas and two land iguanas, all endemic to the islands' fragile ecosystem.

The Ecuadoran Environment Ministry said in a statement that the man had intended to send the reptiles to Uganda "with the aid of other foreigners who had come to the islands on the pretext of tourism."

Officials say each iguana could fetch up to $25,000 on the black market. They said the man was arrested over the weekend and belonged to an international trafficking ring. They identified him only as Gustavo T.

Stopped in the town of Puerto Ayora, on the island of Santa Cruz, the man, whose name was not released, was transferred to a mainland prison in Guayaquil.

In Ecuador, trafficking in endangered fauna is punishable by 1-2 years in prison.

The Galapagos have a unique collection of wildlife whose isolation helped naturalist Charles Darwin validate his theory of evolution.

Ecuadoran authorities are investigating his possible involvement in a global network of traffickers in protected species.

In 2013, a German man was sentenced to four years in prison for trying to take four iguanas out of Ecuador in his luggage.

The Galapagos Islands, isolated 900 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are known for inspiring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and are home to a large number of endemic species, animals that are only found there.

The archipelago has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.

Africa’s Most Deadly Snakes

Step in line, humans! You’re the superior animal on the planet, sure, maybe, but do you have two-inch fangs loaded with the milk of death? Can you choke a cow with your body? If someone is kicking you, can you bite their ankles to stop them…forever? Maybe you’re not as awesome as African snakes then. Here are 10 African snakes to respect and fear that are among the most lethal on any continent.

Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

A rich yellow color variation is painted up and down the gleaming body of the Cape cobra, although darker-toned ones (purplish, copper, mahogany) are also common. It depends on the region — the yellow varietal is found mostly in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana and Namibia, while the ones found in South Africa all the way to the Cape coast have a shadowier tint. They’re known to be anxious and aggressive. It takes about four hours for the venom to work through a grown human’s body. Paralysis leads to respiratory failure, with a 60-percent mortality rate from bites.

Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)

Of all the venomous snakes in Africa, this one is the heftiest, weighing in at approximately 18 pounds (eight kilograms) and around seven feet (two meters) long. It also carries the highest reserve of venom in its body of any snake globally. Unlike the Cape cobra, these are relatively passive ground dwellers, although to spot one is to fear one. They’ll kill a lumberjack-sized man. They have facial features that include horn-shaped projections on the snout that kind of make it look like they’re wearing a freaky cat mask. They also have the longest fangs of any snake in the universe, which stay embedded in the flesh of their prey until it’s dead. They’re found in the forests of most of sub-Saharan Africa.

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

Two thirds of the world’s snake species are categorized as colubrid, of the colubridae family — that’s about 1,760 different species. The boomslang is one of the only ones that can end a human’s life with a bite. Male boomslangs (translation: tree snake) are a vibrant green with black scales, and the females are a dusty brown. Both reach about five feet in length and can camouflage well on the ground and in trees. While the boomslang is a very timid snake, thee’s nothing timid about its bite. Here’s how the journey to glory can go after a bite: the haemotoxic venom clots the blood, causing the internal organs to shut down. There’s bleeding from every orifice. Respect and fear.

Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

This really potent snake inhabits folklore and history. Many believe it was the asp Cleopatra used to off herself. Fast moving and ornery when crossed, it’s found mainly in the sands of the North African deserts, but its range also extends further east into the Asian continent. The toxicity of its venom varies, as does its method of using it: some spit by a muscular contraction of the venom ducts, and some just bite. The most lethal ones in Africa can kill an elephant in three hours. Anything smaller than an elephant should probably take heed.

Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)

The smallest of all the mamba species, the lemon-lime-colored eastern green grows to an average length of 5.9 feet (about 1.8 meters). It’s full of venom which bodes poorly for those who may tamper with them for sure, but it’s far less aggressive than its darker-colored sibling. Green mambas are arboreal, and rarely come down from the East African tree branches (they’re mostly found in Kenya) they wind through. When they’re born, they’re yellow, but then turn into a very shiny, very lovely lime green color. If threatened, they’d rather run, and can slither away at about seven miles per hour.

Saw-Scaled Viper/Carpet Viper (Echis genus)

This monster is usually out after dark, which is when most of its hapless human victims have been bitten. In Africa it mostly inhabits dry or savanna regions north of the equator, but the eight saw-scaled viper species are found as far across the globe as Sri Lanka. Dry-looking and the color of dirt, their scales rub together to produce a sizzling or sawing sound, hence the name. They’re also categorized as sidewinders for their sideways motion. They move slowly, but can strike quickly, and their sour temper coupled with quick-acting venom has not fared well for some folks.

Western Bush Viper (Atheris Chlorechis)

Another arboreal inhabitant found in the lush woods of West Africa from Gabon to Guinea, this snake is a sight to behold: a solid green the color of the healthiest leaves, it has faint yellow spots running along its dorsal. These snakes are quite small, with adults reaching only about 20 inches (50 centimeters) in length. While bites are not common, they’re an emergency if they happen, especially because there’s no established antivenin. Their venom is haematoxic, which means that blood will clot, often leading to fatality if untreated.

Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

According to Venemoussnakes.net, the puff adder is responsible for the majority of fatal snake bites on the African continent. This has been attributed partly to the lack of infrastructure in rural areas that could slow efforts to rush someone to a hospital to receive treatment. It’s quite the ubiquitous snake, found in all areas from Africa to Southeast Asia excluding rain forests. Puff adders in the Southern African region reach up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) long. They are heavily set and brown with chevron-like patterns running along the back. The combination of patience and camouflage make this snake dangerous to stumble upon — they’ll stay motionless on the ground for weeks waiting for a meal. Their cytotoxic venom causes swelling, extreme pain, and shock.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra

This guy will feign death in a strategic way in order to avoid being molested, then turn the tables and make the would-be attacker the victim. Considered the second most dangerous snake in the world, this cobra is really a marvel. In order to disable its prey, it will spit venom up to eight feet (2.4 meters), usually aiming for the eyes. Its juice can cause blindness in a human being. While other cobras spread their hood before spitting, the Mozambique does not need to, and can launch from any position. Found mostly in the savannas of subtropical Africa, it prefers watery areas…and to be left the hell alone.

The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Let’s start with its neurotoxic venom: it attacks the nervous system, reducing the ability to see, smell, move, and breathe. It’s the most aggressive snake in Africa and the fastest (it can run after you at 12 miles per hour or 20 kilometers per hour). It’s the largest of the continent’s venomous snakes (up to eight feet or 2.5 meters in length), and its venom is strong enough to kill up to a dozen people in an hour. This is because the black mamba can strike up to 12 times in a row, pumping venom into one or multiple victims each time. Sub-Saharan Africans know to watch themselves, to watch the trees above, and to tread lightly on the ground.