{
"video":
    {
    
    "id":"africa-westcentral-dest",
    

    "smil":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/data/xml/africa-westcentral-dest.smil",

    "title":"Destination: West and Central Africa",

    "transcript":"\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHello, I’m Patty Kim. We’re headed now to West \u0026amp\u003B Central Africa.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ENow, this region probably doesn’t get as much as exposure\u003Cem\u003E \u003C/em\u003Eas the rest of Africa, but for the intrepid traveler, that’s just one of its many charms.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EYou see, less tourism means more chances to meet local people and experience traditional ways of life.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWith epic festivals, booming cities and nature parks you can call your own, this is one trip you’ll definitely never forget.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIf you’re looking for variety and an original travel experience, then you’ve come to the right place \u002D West and Central Africa.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EComprised of over 20 countries and an array of landscapes to suit whatever your mood \u002D from lazy beaches to overland adventures, from jungle to desert.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe Sahara desert stretches across Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad before transitioning into a belt of dry grasslands called ‘The Sahel’… and into savanna and tropical forests stretching from Senegal in the west to the heart of Africa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EDespite its many attractions, the region is for travelers with serious skills.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe tourist infrastructure here is not \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ealways\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E as developed as \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ein other parts\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E of Africa, and political conflicts can bring a leisurely travel to a sudden halt.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EConsult the US State Department website for traveler warnings before visiting the region – and plan your adventures accordingly.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe lush rainforests of the Republic of Congo offer a wondrous setting for wildlife lovers.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESome of the best opportunities for seeing animals are at Odzala National Park.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHere, a patchwork of wide clearings, called “bais”, dot the landscape.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ETheir abundant vegetation and mineral deposits attract a menagerie of animals, including forest elephants…sitatunga (\u003Cem\u003Emarshbuck\u003C/em\u003E)…wild hogs, and rare lowland gorillas, to name just a few.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWorking together, park officials and a variety of governmental and non\u002Dgovernmental organizations have developed new wildlife tourism opportunities in this special place – in the hopes that dollars raised will aid to wildlife conservation, here, and across the region.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFor more wildlife watching, head west to the coast of Gabon to Loango Park.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EMembers of the local communities within the park act as eco\u002Dguides, scientists and wardens – and with good reason.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAt its mangroves and shores, it’s not just people who come to the beach.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHere forest elephants wander across the sand.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EHippos play in the surf.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAnd whales come to mate off Gabon’s shores.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWhile there are loads of chances to see wildlife in this part of Africa, it’s the region’s cultural heritage that truly sets it apart from the rest of the continent.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022 style\u003D\u0022margin\u002Dleft: 0.5in\u003B text\u002Dindent: \u002D0.5in\u003B\u0022\u003EIn many places, modern life is still influenced by age\u002Dold traditions.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESouthern Mali is Dogon Country.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAt its center is a stretch of broad plateaus and stunning cliffs, known as the Bandiagara.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe cliffs shelter the villages of the Dogon.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAn intensely spiritual people, the Dogon are also famous for their artistry.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThey create elaborate masks and dances for their religious festivals.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EOne festival, the Dama, is particularly important.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt marks the passing of\u003Cem\u003E \u003C/em\u003Elife into death… and establishes a connection between this world and the next.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022 style\u003D\u0022margin\u002Dleft: 0.5in\u003B\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIn Ghana, ceremonies both old and new intermingle.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFunerals especially are anything but a drab affair.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ECoffins sometimes come in fantastical designs.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAs a procession makes it way, mourners pay tribute to the deceased’s life…and ask for blessings as the deceased joins other honored ancestors. \u003Cem\u003E\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIn Togo and Benin the traditional religion Vodun – or as its more commonly known in America – voodoo – is an integral part of the community’s spiritual health.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EOne tradition is the Epe Ekpe festival, held every September in the coastal town of Glidji, [GLEE\u002Djee] Togo.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFollowers purify themselves for the upcoming year, give thanks and ask for divine blessings.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EOn this day, the festival priest receives a lucky sign – this year will be a fortunate one for Vodun followers, and travelers lucky enough to witness the raucous celebrations.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ETo genuinely experience the region’s rich cultures this is the sort of place where you put down the guidebook and hit the road.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EOr, you could always ditch the car and join a camel caravan.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp class\u003D\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EEither way, thrilling travel opportunities will be right around the corner.\u003C/p\u003E",

    "description":"\u003Cp\u003EFor the intrepid traveler, West and Central Africa presents exciting new places to explore. Check out a plethora of festivals and colorful celebrations or hire an eco\u002Dguide to see a menagerie of wildlife throughout this rich region.\u003C/p\u003E",
    
    
    "credit":"National Geographic",
    
    

    
    
    
    "still":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/media/africa-westcentral-dest/africa-westcentral-dest_480x360.jpg",
    
    
    

    
    "allowUserEmbed":"True",
    

    "url":"http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/culture-places/local-life/africa-westcentral-dest/",

    "related":
        {
        "link":
            [
                
                {
                 "name":"Africa Facts, Photos, Map, More",
                 "url":"http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/continents/continent_africa.html"
                }
                

                
            ]
        }
    }
}