With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. A new month is like a sunrise, full of light, hope, and the chance to start afresh. This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Which African country has won the most FIFA World Cup appearances?

This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Which African country has won the most FIFA World Cup appearances?

This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Who is the African athlete who has won the most Commonwealth Games gold medals?

This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Which African country has produced the most professional golfers?

This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Which African player has won the most Grand Slam titles?

New month, new beginnings! This week's quiz is on Sports & Games.... Which African country has won the most African Games Titles?

This week's quiz on Sports and games is........ Who is the African boxer who has won the most world titles?

This week's quiz on Sports and games is........ Which African country has produced the most Formula One drivers?

Maiko National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo - THE SILENT ARK Overview & Significance: - Location: Northeastern DRC, spanning Nord-Kivu, Tshopo, and Maniema provinces. - Size: 10,885 km² (4,203 sq mi) of pristine tropical rainforest. - UNESCO Recognition: Part of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest. - Key Role: Protects Grauer’s gorillas (eastern lowland gorillas), okapis, and Congo peafowl—all endemic to the region. Wildlife & Biodiversity: Iconic Species: - Grauer’s Gorillas: Critically endangered; ~860 individuals remain in Maiko. - Okapi: Striped forest-dwelling relative of Giraffes, found only in Congo’s rainforests. - Forest Elephants: Smaller than savanna Elephants, vital for seed dispersal. - Other Rare Species: Eastern Chimpanzees, Leopards, aquatic genets, and bongos. Threats: - Poaching: Driven by armed groups and illegal mining. - Deforestation: Logging and agricultural encroachment. Key Attractions & Activities: 1. Gorilla Trekking: - Limited habituation programs allow close encounters with Grauer’s Gorillas (permits required). 2. Birdwatching: - Spot Congo peafowl, African grey parrots, and hornbills. 3. Cultural Encounters: - Engage with Mbuti pygmies, learning traditional hunting and forest crafts. 4. River Expeditions: - Canoe along the Lindi and Oso Rivers, home to hippos and Crocodiles. Conservation Challenges: - Armed Groups: Rebel factions (e.g., Simba, Interahamwe) disrupt patrols. - Illegal Mining: Gold and coltan extraction damages habitats. - Community Programmes: Initiatives like ex-rebel recruitment as rangers aim to stabilize the region. Practical Information: - Best Time to Visit: Dry seasons (June–September and December–February) for easier access. Why Visit? > "Maiko is where the Congo’s wild heart still beats—untamed, imperiled, and unforgettable." - For Adventurers: One of Africa’s last true wildernesses. - For Conservationists: Witness frontline efforts to save Grauer’s gorillas. - For Scientists: Discover undocumented species in its dense forests. "In Maiko, every step is a defiance of extinction."

Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo - THE ELEPHANT SCHOOL Overview & Significance: - Location: Northeastern DRC, bordering South Sudan, within the Congo-Nile divide . - Size: 5,133 km² (core park), part of the 14,760 km² Garamba Complex including buffer zones. - UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (1980) for its Guinea-Congolian/Sudanian transition ecosystems and biodiversity. - Key Role: Last stronghold for DRC’s elephants (1,200 remaining) and Kordofan giraffes (62 individuals). Wildlife & Conservation: Iconic Species: - Critically Endangered: - Kordofan Giraffe (endemic to DRC) . - Southern white Rhino (reintroduced in 2023 after northern white rhino extinction). - Elephants: Hybrid forest-savanna populations; poaching reduced from 50 carcasses (2017) to 8 (2019). - Other Wildlife: Lions, Lelwel’s hartebeest, Ugandan kob, and 350+ bird species (e.g., Abyssinian ground hornbill). Conservation Efforts: - Managed by African Parks Network since 2005, with: - Aerial surveillance covering 100% of the park . - Ranger patrols increased by 68% in core areas . - Community programmes to curb poaching and illegal gold mining. Unique Features: - Domesticated Elephants: Historic Gangala-Na-Bodio station trained elephants for forestry (unique in Africa) . - Ecosystem Diversity: Mix of savannahs, gallery forests, and marshlands fed by the Garamba and Dungu rivers . - Geological Landscape: Granite inselbergs and seasonal floodplains. Threats & Challenges: - Poaching: Drove northern white rhinos to extinction (last seen 2008) and reduced elephants by 92% since 1976. - Illegal Activities: Gold panning in buffer zones threatens habitats. - Security: Past conflicts with LRA rebels; improved since 2017. Visiting the Park: - Best Time: Dry season (December–March): for wildlife viewing. Why Visit? > "A battlefield for conservation, where rhinos return and rangers defend the last giants of the Congo." - For Conservationists: Witness African Parks’ anti-poaching success. - For Adventurers: Remote, off-grid safaris with rare species. - For Historians: Explore the legacy of domesticated elephants. "In Garamba, every animal is a survivor—and every visitor becomes a witness to resilience." 🌿🦏