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23 Standing Wave Surf the Zambezi River ... A few years ago a bodyboarder from New Zealand came across a standing wave near Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, which forms the border between Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. He began riding it, and in 1997 Morey Bodyboards sponsored the first World Standing Wave Championships at a port of the river called Rapid 11. For US$90, you can hire a board, fins and a lifeiacket and ride for about two hours under the supervision of a guide. Apart from all the normal spins and rolls you can do on a bodyboard, there is also the chance you'll get tubed for up to fIVe minutes. The practice has become so popular that people ride the rapids every day. Rapid 11 and Rapid 2 both hold a standing wave of up to 15 feet. For more information or to find yourself a gUide, call the Victoria Falls Tourist Office at 011-263-13-4376 or the Zimbabwe Tourist Office in South Africa at 011-27-33-1337. This salty body of water separating Africal\~om Arabia is one of the best places in the world to snorkel and scuba dive. The narrow Gulf of Aqaba, which washes onto the shores of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, is perhaps the ecological epicenter. Egypt is a good starting point. From the relatively upscale town of Sharm el Sheikh and the national pork of Ras Mohammed, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, to the bohemian traveler mecca of Dahab further up the coast, you'll find world-class dive sites and some regard for reef ecology. The stark red mountains of the Sinai Peninsula run right down to the coast and from the beach you can gaze across the water to Saudi Arabia. Slip under the surface and you'll be astound- ed by the diversity and color of the sea life. For more information, call the Egyptian Tourist Board in New York 1212-332-25701 or the Tourism Office in Cairo 1011-202-285-35761. 24 Dive the Red Sea, Egypt "- 25 Soil the Cape Verde Islands ~ The Cape Verde Islands, some 260 miles off the western coast of Africa, lie on the same latitu- dinalline as Senegal and the Caribbean. Offering gorgeous coves, deserted beaches and nat- ural harbors, you can sail around the ten-island chain by day, watch bands of dolphins and fly- ing fish and absorb the African-Mediterranean culture by night. All of the islands have harbors, but the islands of Sal, Boavista, Santigo and Brava offer the best anchorages. Sao Vicent has boat repair facilities. If you are looking for a little more adrenaline than a deserted beach can offer, most of the Cape Verde Islands have great surf. The best time to go is November through April, and bring your own board. For more information, contact www.capeverdetravel.co.uk. 26 Circumnavigate Zanzibar by Dhow ~ Ancient dhows IArab lateen-rigged boats) have been sailing around the turquoise waters of Zanzibar for hundreds of years, bringing spices from the island to other parts of the world. They are still used today for offshore fishing and transportation from beach to beach. As the sun stretches long shadows over the sand, wade through the gentle surf and climb aboard for a sunset sail. The salty vessel keels sideways as the white sail nestled in the damp, dark wood is hoisted high into the pink skies and glides you silently across the deep. The light chatter of the crewmates and the splash of ocean water against the old hull are the only sounds. Keep a sharp eye out for dolphins and dancing fish. To set sail, contact the Tanzania Tourist Board 1011-255-51-41244), or Zanzibar Tourist Board 1011-255-54-33485), or ask any fisherman along the beach. Boats hold up to six passengers. Expecl to pay US$15-25 a boat for a half-hour of sailing. 27 Camp the Caprivi Strip A This narrow piece of land between Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Angola and Zimbobwe is ideal for independently exploring the African bush. Drive east along the Caprivi strip of north- eastern Namibia until you get to Ndhovu Safari Lodge, a tented camp on the Kavango River liust upstream of the famed Okavango Deltal. From there you can do boat trips and game dri- ves in the Mahango Game Reserve, home of the rare Sable and Roan antelopes and tons of elephants. By night, you'll hear the howls of the lions and hyenas who lurk nearby. By day, you'll see elephants grazing in the distance and hippos hanging out in the river. Continue east to Lianshulu Lodge on the Kwando River and Mdumu Park, then Chobe National Park, Botswana, for an up-close look at wild game and stunning sunsets on the Chobe River. Lodges and camp- ing are available. For visa and other information call the Namibia Embassy at 202-986-0540. Or call the Ministry of Tourism in Windhoek at 011-264-61-284-2lll. 28 Camp at Kpa-Tawe Waterfalls, Uberia A The 100-foot Kpa-Tawe Falls, ringed with giant trees, is an excellent spot to camp. To get to this paradise, drive four and a half hours north of Monrovia. A 4x4 is the ideal transport due to one particularly rough stretch of dirt road. Turn left off the main road at Phoebe Hospital and follow the dirt road through several dirt villages. Expect to poy a small fee for camping and be sure to proVide all of your own supplies, including a tent. Be sure to look for the elephants, Duiker Iminiature antelopel and chimpanzees. Entry into Liberia requires a valid passport and entry visa, which you must obtain before arrival. Be prepared to provide two possport photos and pay US$25. Be sure to file for your exit visa seven days or less prior to your departure. Lastly, be prepored to poy a US$30 exit tax. Before you go, call the Liberian Consulate at 212-687-1025 and check the US State Department's Travel Warning List at travel.state.gov 29 Safari Kruger National Park, South Africa IArea: 20,000 square kilometersl _ Kruger, a vast park on the border of Mozambique, has the largest variety of wildlife in southern Africa. Kruger's well-developed infrastructure makes it easy for independent travelers: you can drive and camp in designated areas throughout the park. Most abundant game: The Big FIVe, as well as zebras, wildebeest, crocodiles and cheetahs. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Travel in Africa, +27-12-343-7499., www.travelinafrica.co.za/krugerof.html or email wom@mweb.co.za. 30 Safari Serengeti National Park, Tanzania IArea: 14,763 square kilometersl The endless golden plains of the Serengeti are home to the largest concentrations of antelope and wildebeest on earth. During the annual wildebeest migration from early May until mid July, up to two million animals cover the landscape. The migration, as well as the calving season in February, is a great time to see predators in action. Watch for the rare rhinos and pythons. Distances are vast in the Serengeti, so bring your binoculars. Most abundant game: wildebeest, Thomson's gazelles, Grant's gazelles, hartebeest and topis lall mid to large antelopes), elands Ithe largest antelope), zebras, Cape buffaloes, lions, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, ostriches, giraffes, vervet monkeys, baboons, warthogs. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Mountain Travel Sobek, 1-888-687-6235, www.mtsobek.com. 31 Safari Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania IArea: 8,300 square kilometers Itotal)' 260 square kilometer Icrater)) Declared a World Heritage Site in 1978, the Ngorongoro Crater's 600m-high lush, emerald-green walls are an impressive backdrop for game viewing. The wildlife has grown accustomed to vehi- cles so it's easy to get close to the animals. Ngorongoro is a good place to spat black rhinos and the more rare leopards and caracals Ismail catsl. Most abundant game: wildebeest, Thomson's gazelles, zebras, Cape buffaloes, hippos, lions, elephants, regal crowned cranes, flamingos. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Thomson Safaris, 800-235-0289, www.thomsonsafaris.com. 32 Safari Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya IArea: 320 square kilometersl Open grassland, abundant game and umbrella-like acacia trees characterize the Masai Mara. Part of the Serengeti eco-system, Masai Mara is Kenya's most popular park. The annual wildebeest migration moves into the park in July and August and out again in October. It is another great place to see predators in action. If you're lucky, you'll see leopards, cheetahs and rhinos. Most abundant game: lions, hippos, elephants, Maasai giraffes, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, Grant's gazelles, topis, hartebeest, wildebeest, impalas, warthogs, hyenas, baboans, iackals. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Intrepyx Expeditions Unlimited, 800-369-6984, www.epyx.net. 33 Safari Amboseli National Park, Kenya (Area: 392 square kilometers) 'f Amboseli is known for its stunning views of Mt. Kilimaniaro. Although the park's wildlife is not as abundant as Masai Mara, you'll see huge herds of elephants, black rhinos and, n you're lucky, cheetahs. Most abundant game: lions, Cape buffaloes, gazelles, wildebeest, iackals, warthogs, zebras, Masai giraffes and baboons. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Cheli & Peacock Ltd, +254-154-22551 or +254-154-22552, www.onsafari.com/east_afllUort.htm. 34 Safari Etosha National Park, Namibia IArea: 20,000 square kilometersl This huge park is an accessible, dO-it-yourself park, and a good place to see most of southem Africa's mammals. The vast, barren Etosha pan sparsely covered in the arid scrub makes game viewing easy. Certain waterholes are lit at night for a look at noctumal animals such as Rhinos. Keep your eyes open for cheetahs. Most abundant game: elephants, giraffes, .nrmnhn.,. and impalas Itwo gazelle-like antelope)' lions lespecially in the dry season), hyenas, iackals, ostrich- es, warthogs. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact African Travel, 1-800-421- 8907, www.africantravelinc.com or email ati@africatravelinc.com. 35 Safari Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana IArea: 15,000 square kilometers) Moremi is part of a unique wetland ecosystem where the Okavango River spreads into many meandering channels across thousands of square kilometers. The park is home to hundreds of species of birds and mammals specially adapted to this wetland environment. You can explore Moremi by mokoro Idugout canoe) along the channels or by foot. Tented camps are set up right in the midst of the wildlife. Most abundant game: elephants, hippas, water buffaloes, lions. For more information, or to safari with an outfitter, contact Premier Tours, 800-545-1910, info@premier- tours.com, premiertours.com, www.premiertours.com. • WARNING: NO MATTER WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN AFRICA, YOU SHOUlD AlWAYS VERIFY THE REPUTATIONS OF THE OUTATTERS YOU MEET, BUUSHIT OPERATORS ABOUND: SHARK-DIVING GUIDES WITHOUT PERMITS OR SCUBA MASTERS WITHOUT CERTIFICATION, MEAN MORE DAN-