African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Africa's top five National Parks

The National Park Service throughout Africa preserves the natural and cultural resources for education, outdoor recreation and inspiration of future generations throughout the continent and the world. 

The five most famous National Parks in Africa are the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Virunga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kruger National Park.

Africa's top five National Parks are spectacular national parks for animal migration and sheltering threatened and endangered African animals.

Rhinoceroses get their name from their most famous feature, their horns.
Baby rhino

Five most famous National Parks in Africa.

Maasai Mara National Reserve (Masai Mara in Tanzania) is located in south-west Kenya. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it forms Africa’s most incredible and most spectacular ecosystems.

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya has nearly 150,000 visitors from across the world come annually to witness the wildebeest migration and river crossings. With the wildebeest migration in July – October, this is the best time to see this incredible movement of the wildebeest migration.

Serengeti National Park was established in 1951, making it Tanzania's oldest national park. The park is arguably one of the most famous in the world and covers 5,700 square miles of grassland, riverine forest, woodlands, and savannah.

It is famed for its spectacular scenery, wildlife and its part in the impressive annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other animals. It was listed in 1981 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and hosts an average 90,000 visitors each year.

Lions hunting wildebeests in Southern Africa
Lions hunting wildebeests in Southern Africa

Established in 1925, Virunga National Park is Africa's oldest national park and is often considered the crown jewel of parks on the continent. It lies in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, it was created to protect mountain gorillas stretching over 3,000 square miles with forests, savannas, and active volcanoes and the Rwenzori Mountains. Virunga National Park is known for being the African continent's most biologically  protected area and is home to endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla and the okapi. 

On Friday April 24, 2020 a government official said the attack was the deadliest in recent history. He said about 60 militiamen had ambushed a convoy of civilians that was being protected by the rangers. The park closed to tourists on March 23, 2020 following advice from experts that gorillas might be vulnerable to complications from catching Covid-19. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to a multitude of birds, butterflies and endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Some 300 wild gorillas live in the park, accounting for nearly half the world's population. The park also boasts more than 160 species of trees but the main tourist attraction is gorilla tracking, which generates a steady stream of revenue for the Uganda Wildlife Authority. 

Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve in 1898 and is home to a vast number of species, including more than 500 types of bird and more than 100 reptiles. It also boasts a huge diversity of trees and flowers. Kruger National Park is also known for big game, as well as more than 255 recorded archaeological sites. Several rivers traverse the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to a multitude of many different monkey species.
Monkey laughing
List of National Parks in Africa

Botswana
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Chobe National Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve
Moremi National Park

Ethiopia
Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park
Awash National Park
Bale Mountains National Park
Mago National Park
Neshisar National Park
Omo National Park
Simien National Park
Yangudi National Park

Kenya
Aberdare National Park
Amboseli National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
Mount Elgon National Park
Nairobi National Park
Meru National Park
Samburu National Park
Sibiloi National Park
Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo West National Park

Lesotho
Sehlabathebe National Park

Malawi
Kasungu National Park
Lake Malawi National Park
Lengwe National Park
Liwonde National Park
Nyika National Park

Mozambique
Gorongosa National Park
Limpopo National Park
Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier (spans South Africa and Namibia)
Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Caprivi Game Park
Daan Viljoen Game Park
Etosha National Park
Fish River Canyon Park
Hardap Game Park
Khaudum Game Reserve
Mahango Game Reserve
Mamili National Park
Mangetti Game Reserve
Mudumu National Park
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Naute Recreation Resort
Skeleton Coast National Park
Von Bach Game Reserve
Waterberg Plateau Park

Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Volcano National Park

South Africa
Addo Elephant National Park
Agulhas National Park
Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier
Augrabies Falls National Park
Bontebok National Park
Camdeboo National Park
Garden Route National Park
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Karoo National Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Kruger National Park
Mapungubwe National Park
Marakele National Park
Mokala National Park
Mountain Zebra National Park
Namaqua National Park
Table Mountain National Park
Tankwa Karoo National Park
West Coast National Park

eSwatini
Hlane Royal National Park

Tanzania
Arusha National Park
Gombe National Park
Ruaha National Park
Rubondo National Park
Serengeti National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Mikumi National Park
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Conservancy
Mahale Mountains
Selous Game Reserve
Mkomazi Game Reserve

Uganda
Kabelaga National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Zambia
Blue Lagoon National Park
Isangano National Park
Kafue National Park
Kasanga National Park
Lavushi Manda National Park
Liuwa plains National Park
Lochinvar National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park
Luambe National Park
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Nsumbu National Park
North Luangwa National Park
Nyika National Park
Sioma Ngwezi National Park
South Luangwa National Park
West Lunga National Park

Zimbabwe
Gonarezhou National Park

The name hippopotamus means river horse.
The name hippopotamus means river horse. 

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Chic African Culture

From sheltering the world's threatened and endangered species to highlighting amazing patterns of animal migration, Africa top five national parks are the world's most spectacular national parks Virunga National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Serengeti National Park, Kruger National Park.

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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African Spirit Tree Test

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Africa boasts a remarkable array of unique trees, each showcasing distinct qualities that set it apart, much like the diverse personalities of people. The majestic Baobab, with its thick trunk and expansive canopy, symbolizes wisdom and resilience, while the vibrant Protea embodies courage and boldness with its striking flowers. Which tree do you resonate with? Are you as wise as the ancient Baobab or as daring as the brilliant Protea? Discover your true spirit by taking this engaging quiz designed to match you with an African tree that reflects your personality. Each tree symbolizes unique characteristics and qualities, so dive in to explore the connection between your spirit and these magnificent natural wonders. Get ready for a fun journey of self-discovery. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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