Gadling

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

For a good number of tourists in Africa, the Kenyan capital of Nairobi is their first port of call. While this rough and ready city isn't the gentlest introduction to the continent, it's a good jumping off point for some of the best game parks in East Africa.

(For tips on what to do in Nairobi other than getting mugged, click here to stay safe!)

Kenya, Tanzania and to a lesser extent Uganda are home to a stunning range of national parks and game reserves that pretty much epitomize the safari experience. Whether you go all out on tented lodges, khaki safari gear and gin & tonics, or rough it with pitch tents, backpacker rags and cold beers, don't miss out on East Africa's game parks.

Need some help deciding where to go? Today's posting should help you get started.

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Nairobi, the less than gentle capital of Kenya, serves as the jumping off point for East Africa's most storied game parks. Indeed, 'Nai-robbery' is home to extraordinary extremes in wealth and poverty, which sadly fuels a staggering amount of street crime.

Despite its infamous reputation however, Nairobi is a wonderfully dynamic and culturally rich city. The outskirts of the Kenyan capital also present numerous opportunities to interact with Africa's charismatic wildlife.

As with major cities the world over, it pays to exercise caution while in Nairobi, though you needn't be paralyzed with fear while passing time here. Indeed, all it takes is a little common sense and an awareness of your surroundings to minimize your chances of becoming a victim.

And, assuming you can get over a somewhat healthy preoccupation with your personal security, you can actually really enjoy yourself in Nairobi.

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Africa abounds with unparalleled wildlife experiences, though few can compare with the experience of staring down a mountain gorilla, especially if it happens to be a male silverback. While these gentle giants have been habituated to human visitors, they are nevertheless a formidable sight in the wild.

Mountain gorillas are largely confined to three national parks spanning three countries: Parq National des Volcans in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and Parq National des Virungas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

However, before you can have a true 'Gorillas in the Mist' experience, you're going to need to jump through all sorts of administrative hurdles, and obtain the necessary tracking permits. While this isn't exactly the most straightforward process, today's post should hopefully help you get started.

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Although Africa is usually viewed in the West as a singular entity, the continent is incredibly varied. From the Saharan desert and the Sahel to equatorial rainforests and acacia-lined plains, Africa offers up an impressive amount of biodiversity.

While most first-timers on the continent choose to safari in classic destinations such as Kenya and South Africa, there is one tiny country that is turning heads in ecotourism circles. Bordering Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda is emerging as one of the continent's top attractions.

Whether you trek along the Congolese border in search of rare mountain gorillas, or unwind with a passion fruit cocktail on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda is a remarkable tourist destination that deserves its share of the spotlight.

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in East Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

African wildlife is awesome.
Here are 20 reasons why:

A single bite from a black mamba, the largest venomous snake on the African continent, has enough toxicity to kill twenty to forty fully-grown men.

A cheetah in pursuit of its prey can reach speeds of nearly 70 miles per hour, and can leap distances of more than 20 feet.

Impalas on the run however can leap 10 feet into the air, and cover distances of 35 feet in a single bound.

Female hyenas boast elongated clitorises that can reach lengths of nearly eight inches - these appendages even have foreskins and scrotum-like fibrous tissue.

Male vervet monkeys develop a turquoise scrotum and scarlet penis once they hit puberty - the brighter the better, at least in the eyes of prospective mates.

Flamingo tongues were considered to be a prized delicacy amongst elite gourmands and nobility in ancient Rome.

Keep reading as this list goes on...

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

There are few words in the English language more exotic and scintillating than safari, a Swahili derived word that literally means journey. For most travelers in Africa, going on safari is pretty much at the top of the to-do list, though it's not too hard to see why. Coming face to face with charismatic critters straight out of National Geographic is a truly kick-ass experience.

Of course, no two safaris are created equal, especially since there are a few potential pit falls that need to be avoided. However, with a little advance planning and a good sense of what you want to get out of your safari, it's pretty easy to ensure that you'll have a memorable journey.

On that note, today's posting is a quick and dirty guide for going on safari...

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Few travel destinations in the world inspire terror in nervous mothers quite like Africa...

(Don't worry Mom - I'm staying safe and wearing clean underwear!)

With that said, it's foolish to make generalizations about the so-called 'Dark Continent' as Africa is home to no less than 53 countries, each offering an incredible spectrum of travel experiences.

So, if you're looking to get your kicks from some uniquely African adventures, then today's edition of Big in Africa is just for you.

15) Come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas (while avoiding guerillas) in the tropical forests of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

14) Look safari chic in your khakiest khaki gear and your floppiest floppy hot while spotting the Big 5 mammals, namely lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and black rhinos

13) Smoke some seriously kind ganja while rocking out to Bob Marley with scores and scores of misplaced Rastafarians on the shores of Lake Malawi

Keep reading as the list goes on...

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

One of the joys of traveling is sampling the local cuisine, even if it pushes your comfort zone and makes you question whether or not it is actually edible. Indeed, appreciating food is all about culture and perspective, which is why it is always good to travel with a hungry stomach and an open mind.

On that note, today's posting is about some of the more bizarre foods you might come across in your travels across the continent. From stir-fried creepy crawlies to ostrich-egg omelets, Africa has its fair share of culinary oddities.

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

The thrill of the safari is one of the greatest pleasures of traveling in Africa. Boasting more than a hundred different species of mammals (350+ if you include bats!), the continent is a veritable Lost World of charismatic creatures. Of course, the whole safari experience can easily be lost on you if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for.

Most people on safari are obsessed with spotting the so-called Big Five, which include such lofty entries as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinoceroses. A common misconception is that the Big Five refers to the five largest animals in the African bush. However, the phrase was originally coined by big game hunters to denote the five most dangerous animals to hunt, especially since each animal in the group has a reputation for pursuing its attacker when wounded.

Fortunately for you, you're here in Africa to observe them, not to shoot them...

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Japan is certainly a weird, wacky and wonderful place. But, every once in awhile you need to take a break from the madness in the hopes of getting perspective on the rest of the world. So, it is with great pleasure that I kick off the first installment of Big in Africa, a special edition and limited-time only column dedicated to traveling through the African continent...

Few destinations in the world strike fear in the hearts and minds of concerned parents quite like Africa. (Don't worry Mom - I'm staying safe, wearing clean underwear and not talking to strangers!)

But, the continent is arguably one of the best places on the planet for adventure travelers, especially if you're easily jaded by the commercialization of the global tourist trail. After all, Africa certainly isn't for wet behind the ears beginners, but it needn't be the sole reserve of leather-skinned veterans.

So, without further adieu, here is a quick and dirty list of 5 things to do before traveling to Africa.