Tourism in Africa CGG3O

Different Draws Recreation Culture Environmental/Adventure

Recreation Many nice beaches and resort areas –Moroccan coast –Canary Islands –Tunisia –South Africa Newer tourist areas developing –Gambia –Senegal –Ivory Coast

Morocco South Africa

Culture Egypt –Ancient Egyptian culture (Pyramids, museums) along the Nile Giza Valley of the Kings Tunisia –Remnants of Carthage

Giza Valley of the Kings

Environmental/Adventure Tourism The African Safari Adventure –Primarily in East and Southern Africa The Savannah region (tropical and subtropical grasslands) –Wide network of national parks and game reserves

The African Savannah Covers over 30% of Africa Basically all of the middle of the continent is savannah except for dense jungle areas in the DRC and Gabon

Vegetation Grasses and a few shrubs (not many trees) Very dependent on rainfall –Wettest areas average about 1270 mm of rain –Driest areas only get about 250 mm –More rain = longer grasses, more trees/shrubs Xerophytic (drought resistant) trees –Acacia, Baobab

Seasons Like the Caribbean, the African savannah doesn’t really have 4 seasons like we do –Rainy Season: Winds blow from southeast (Indian Ocean) –Dry Season Winds blow from northeast (Arabian Peninsula) The Savannah is desert-like during the dry season and lush and green during the wet season

Wildlife The savannah is home to the greatest variety of large mammals in the world –Herd animals: wildebeests, zebras, gazelles –Carnivores: lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas –Other big game: elephants, rhinos, buffalo –Hippos and crocodiles in the rivers –Over 2300 species of birds Birds of prey, vultures, ducks, flamingos, pelicans, ostriches, etc.

The Savannah Ecosystem Producers, Primary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Scavengers, Decomposers

Tourism in the Savannah Most concentrated in East Africa –Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia Ex: Kenya –Independent from Britain since 1963 –Developed tourism infrastructure to the point that it attracts over a million tourists annually –Why so popular? Warm climate year round, vast savannah with numerous parks and game reserves, nice beaches Just as important – stable government

Kenya Official languages: English and Swahili 55 national parks and game reserves –Tsavo National Park is one of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries in the world –Well maintained roads Nairobi and Mombasa have international airports Car rental firms Organized tours