When heading to a country in Africa I have not traveled to before I always do my homework. The only thing I knew about Madagascar when I booked that destination was I would find lemurs on the island, so I had a lot of research to do to find out what else I might encounter. Since mainland Africa is known for several species of "five stepper" snakes - meaning if you get bit you have about five steps to take before you start dying - I first checked to see what venomous snakes w

Standing at baggage claim recently at a hectic airport here in the States I was reminded of a day when I landed in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar on a flight that originated in the capital city of Antananarivo. I had been in country for a week already exploring the northern sections of the country tracking various species of lemurs. That day, I was headed to the southern part of the island nation to Berenty; one of the few places where ring-tailed lemurs remain in the wild. I boar

I was again alone in Africa, this day in a hut in the Olifants Camp of Kruger National Park in South Africa. Even though I travel Africa alone seemingly a brave girl soldiering forth in life, I am also somewhat of a girly girl and the girly girl came out one day in that hut when I went into the bathroom to pee. All was well as I walked in until - on the wall above the toilet - I spotted a huge spider. It may seem like the big fish that got away story but in my mind this gu