Submitted Photo “Africa Adventure with Bonnie Bowen” is the program for the April 7 First Friday Lunch Bunch at Audubon Community Nature Center. In stories and pictures, Bowen will tell of her visit to Zulu Nyala: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Zulu Nyala is a privately owned game reserve, home to more than 40 different species of animals and birdlife in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions.

Area residents are invited to go on an “Africa Adventure with Bonnie Bowen” at Audubon Community Nature Center’s First Friday, April 7, at 11 a.m.

The self-proclaimed nature lover will share her experience visiting Zulu Nyala: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

In stories and pictures, Bowen will relate how the trip “fell into (her) lap,” being accosted by a scammer in Johannesburg, and seven days and nights at Zulu Nyala that included twice daily open jeep rides around the bush with their Zulu guide, Sandiso.

“Most folks go there for the mammals,” Bowen relates, “but I am more of a birder. Luckily so was our guide!”

Bowen is a retired crisis counselor who enjoys hiking and photography.

Those interested are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and stay after the program to visit with the speaker and the program participants. The fee is $8 or $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9 to 15.

Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling 716-569-2345 or through “Programs and Events” at AudubonCNC.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and – depending on the weather – hike, snowshoe or cross country ski more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members. For more information, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.