Come explore...Africa with Lonely Planet Kids

Summary

Embark on a thrilling journey across Africa's 54 diverse countries, where ancient traditions and wildlife coexist. From Morocco's snake charmers to Egypt's revered cats, each region offers unique experiences. Explore Gabon's Loango National Park, where hippos ride the waves, and venture underwater for an extraordinary walk among the coral reefs. Discover the remarkable strength of Africa's dung beetle, capable of pulling over 1,100 times its weight, a testament to the continent's wild and wondrous nature.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Africa is home to 54 countries, making it a vast and diverse continent.
• 🧬 Africa is the oldest continent and is considered the birthplace of the human race.
• 🐍 In Morocco, snake charmers mesmerize snakes with music, making them dance.
• 🐱 In ancient Egypt, cats were seen as sacred and mythical creatures, with the word for cat being 'meow'.
• 🏖️ Loango National Park in Gabon offers the chance to see hippos body surfing in the ocean.
• 🌊 The undersea walk in Mauritius allows visitors to walk among coral reefs underwater.
• 💪 The dung beetle is Africa’s strongest creature, capable of pulling 1,141 times its body weight.
• 🚍 The strength of a dung beetle is comparable to a human pulling six double-decker buses.
• 🏛️ Egypt has a rich cultural history where cats played an important mythical role.
• 🐋 Africa's wildlife, from hippos to underwater coral ecosystems, showcases the continent's biodiversity.

Q & A

How many countries are there in Africa?

There are 54 countries in Africa.

What is unique about the continent of Africa?

Africa is the oldest continent in the world and the place where the human race began.

What activity can one experience in Morocco involving snakes?

In Morocco, one can experience the music of snake charmers as they hypnotize snakes and make them dance.

How were cats regarded by ancient Egyptians?

The ancient Egyptians thought of cats as mythical and sacred creatures.

What is the ancient Egyptian word for cat, and how is it pronounced?

The ancient Egyptian word for cat was pronounced 'meow'.

Where can one observe hippos body surfing in the waves?

One can observe hippos body surfing in the waves at Loango National Park.

What underwater activity is mentioned in the script?

The script mentions an undersea walk in Maius where one can walk among coral reefs.

Which creature in Africa is known for its strength, and what is a notable fact about it?

The dung beetle is known for its strength in Africa, being able to pull 1,141 times its own body weight, which is comparable to a human pulling six double-decker buses.

What kind of music is associated with snake charmers in Morocco?

The music associated with snake charmers in Morocco is described as hypnotic, used to charm and make snakes dance.

What is a fun fact about the ancient Egyptian perception of cats?

Ancient Egyptians considered cats to be so sacred that the word for cat was pronounced similarly to 'meow', indicating a special connection with these animals.

Why might one need their biggest muscles in Africa, as mentioned in the script?

One might need their biggest muscles in Africa to compete with the strength of the dung beetle, which is known for its remarkable ability to pull heavy loads relative to its size.