Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is a reserved area in Mpumalanga South Africa covering of course the Blyde River Canyon  but also the geological formations around Bourke's Luck Potholes.
A remarkable natural site in South Africa, the Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world. The red sandstone of the canyon is covered with a dense and subtropical forest that is simply amazing.
The natural reserve covers more than 290 km² and includes mountains with a height of up to 1,944 m with an elevation that goes as low as 560 m.
Wildlife enthusiast will love the diverse flora and fauna of the reservation, due to the variations in altitude, rainfall and geology.
Some of the most spectacular views in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve are at places named The Three Rondavels and God's Window.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

God's view at Blyde River Canyon

The river at the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Top safari experiences in Tanzania

Tanzania is a country in eastern Africa famous for its wildlife and natural wonders. The country is dominated by large mountains plateaus such as Unjamwezi, with an altitude of around 1200 meters.
The high plateaus are covered with a large savanna ecosystem. Some of the trees that grow there are baobabs, accacia and various cactus-like plants.

If you want to try some safaris in Tanzania a good choice is the northern  part of the country, home of the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.

There are different ways of experiencing a safari but all of them are worth trying. You can just do a simple day trip, try a camping safari or a more lavish experience in a lodge safari.
The Serengeti National Park is home to some of the greatest wildlife resorts in the world but Tanzania has a lot more to offer, just seeing Mt Kilimanjaro will take your breath away. With its 5895 meter altitude this is of course the highest mountain in all Africa.

Safari in Tanzania: baboons 

Tanzania safari camp

Safari in Tanzania: baobab tree

Safari in Tanzania: lions and zebras

The Crook and Flail - Pharaoh symbols in Egypt

Although not many know what they represent, the crook and flail are today well known as symbols of Ancient Egypt Pharaohs. The amazing discovery to the tomb of Tutankhamen showed the world a spectacular golden sarcophagus portraying the young king holding the crook and flail in his hands.
The two items are set to symbolize the two functions of the king: he is a shepherd for its people  but he also uses the flail in order to maintain authority. Having the crook and flail together we see that the Pharaoh must care for the people and punish the wrongdoers.

Tutankhamen sarcophagus with the crook and flail 

Since Pharaohs were thought to be divine in nature it is natural that most gods of ancient Egypt are often shown with a crook and flail.

Egyptian gods, Osiris with the crook and flail

Philae temple, Egypt

Luxor temple entrance, Egypt

Things to visit in Morocco's Capital, Rabat

Rabat is the capital city of Morocco and you can imagine it has a whole lot to offer.
One of the top travel destinations in the Arabian world, Rabat is only the third largest city of Morocco but nevertheless it's the most important in terms of administration and tourism.
The main sights of the city are:

• The mausoleum of Mohammed V. Completed in 1971 it serves as a tomb to Mohammed V, a former sultan of Morrocco and his his two sons, late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. The building is a masterpiece of late Islamic architecture.

The mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

• The ruins of Chellah situated at the outskirts of the city. This is a complex of ruins of an ancient roman town that continued to develop until the middle ages.

The ruins of Chellah, Rabat, Morocco

• The old gates to the city: Bab Oudaïa, Bab El-Had and Bab-Rouah.

Bab Oudaïa gate, Rabat, Morocco

 Bab-Rouah gate, Rabat, Morocco