While working in the tourism industry, we were often asked: "Should I go on safari to East Africa or Southern Africa?" The answer is never easy because there are many factors to consider.
First, let me define the regions: East Africa encompasses Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi (although some people consider the latter three as Central Africa). Southern Africa includes South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique.
According to reports from the Volcanic Observatory of Goma, the Nyamulagira Volcano in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) erupted on May 8, 2004. Continuous lava and ash from the central crater of the volcano are likely to destroy wildlife habitats and impact human and wildlife health in parts of AWF's Virunga Heartland near the eruption site.
The African Wildlife Foundation has been committed to rhino conservation for nearly 20 years. A large portion of funding has gone to support black rhino protection and conservation at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.
The most recent support to help protect this endangered species included communication equipment and $15,000. AWF President and CEO Patrick Bergin presented these gifts to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in January.
AWF's 2003 Annual Report, "Conserving Wildlife, Protecting Land, Empowering People," has received the 2004 Gold Award for Special Publications from the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP). The award represents the pinnacle of peer recognition and is the seal of excellence in association publishing. This is the second year in a row that AWF's Annual Report has won the Gold Award.
Recognized for excellence among more than 1,000 entries, the 2003 Annual Report uses stories, testimonials, and breathtaking photographs to convey the importance of AWF's work in Africa.
On April 8, 2004, AWF presented the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) with camping equipment and uniforms worth $74,000 to assist wildlife protection in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. The equipment includes camping tents, tarpaulins, mosquito netting, and other accessories.