Do-it-Yourself Safaris - Guide to Self Drive Kenya Camping Safaris

The self drive Kenya safaris are a viable and exciting option is you have the necessary camping equipment and when you can get a group together. Nothing beats the experience of discovering new frontiers by maps, getting lost and found and all the frills of DIY.

Group self drive safaris

The group will of course help you share the cost of hiring a vehicle and other expenses. It is however highly discouraged to go on a do-it-yourself safari by yourself. Besides the everyday risks of mugging and solitude, you don?t want to be changing a tyre with no one watching your back for that Tsavo lion.

Pros of a self drive safari

There are of course several advantages of a DIY safari over organised itineraries through outfitters. This ranges from the flexibility, independence of being able to choose your safari companions and of-course the thrill of being out and about exploring. It is however also wise to know that going on a self drive safari will cost you as much as an organised cheap safari.

The down side of self drives safaris

Besides the cost, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, security and a lack of local knowledge are also major handicaps in a self drive safari tour.

Your flexibility

With an appropriate vehicle, all accommodation options are open to you even out of the way places and camping and using bandas are two good ways of keeping down your costs.

Camping Equipment Hire for DIY Safaris

If you want to hire camping equipment, there are several places in Nairobi that you can go to for the same. Organize to have at least 2 days to get the vehicle camping, gear, maps, cooking ware, canvas safari bathrooms, supplies and of course water. You may need to also test drive your choice car around Nairobi. Never take the word of a car hire firm as final.

Your check list

Check and double check your equipment and don?t pay until you are sure of the fitness of the car especially. Most importantly find out of the self drive car rental firm has a backup mechanism. Mobile VHF radio or at the least a mobile phone is of course very essential.

Believe me I once had a situation, in the middle of forsaken carnivore territory and not even a match to send smoke signals. Me thinks you wouldn?t want to have been there with me.

Rental/Hiring costs of camping gear

Identification such as passport is required and advance booking is recommended and saves time. Expect to pay 400 for a sleeping bag per day with liner, Kshs 700 for a two person dome tent and Kshs 200 per day for gas stove (gas canisters are extra).

A deposit of Kshs 3000-5000 is payable for most items. For longer trips it may be reasonable to buy some of these items at the big Nakumatt super markets in Nairobi which sell cheap plastic plates, stoves, chairs etc.

It is also possible to hire a vehicle and camping equipment as one package. Some companies in Nairobi offer rather an unusual package of a fully fitted 4WD with roof-mounted tent and everything else you might need for a long self drive safari for up to four people, including mobile phone, fridge, gas cooker and cooking utensils.

Prices range from BP 100 per day (less than 10 days) to BP 80 per day (25 days or more), with a minimum of five days rental; insurance excess waiver is an additional BP15.

Robert has written variously in travel to Kenya East Africa. Degreed in tourism management, he is a travel expert with landmarksafaris.com. For an idea of where to go for self drive safari tours, take the bait here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/carhire/

Kenya Animal Safari; Most Sublime Animal Safari & Tour Park

The landscape in Tsavo is flatter and drier than in Tsavo West, despite the fact that one of Kenya?s largest rivers flows through the middle of the park. The main track through the park follows the Galana River from Tsavo Gate to the Sala gate. The park headquarters, where you can charge and buy smartcards, is at Voi Gate.

Animal Spotting in Tsavo East National Park

Much of the wildlife spotting is concentrated on the Galana River, which cuts a green gush across the dusty orange plains of the park and supports plentiful crocs and hippos. There are several places along the flat topped escarpments lining the river where you can get out of your vehicle, with due caution of course. Most scenic are Lugards Falls, a wonderful landscape of water-sculptured channels, and crocodiles Point, where you may see hippos and crocs.

There are usually armed guards around, but you shouldn?t get too close to the water. Kudus, waterbucks and dik-dik are common along the river banks. Also of interest is the Mudanda Rock, towering over a natural dam near the Manyani gate, which attracts elephants in the dry season.

Large herds of RED elephants

The bush is thinner than in Tsavo West, so wildlife is easier top spot, although it?s not as plentiful. The rolling hills in the south of the park are home to large herds of elephants, usually covered in red dust. The action is concentrated the waterhole at Voi safari lodge, and the Kanderi Swamp, which is home to a profusion of wildlife and the public campsite.

You can expect elephants to stroll through the campsite in the evenings. Further into the park, 30km east of Voi gate is the Aruba Dam built across the Voi River, which also sees loads of wildlife. A lodge has been under construction here for some time.

Your security issues at Tsavo East Park

The area north of the Galana River is dominated by the Yatta Escarpment, a vast prehistoric lava flow. This area has recently been opened up for tourist after a long time closure due to insecurity. Check at the gates the prevailing situation before proceeding here.

Endangered Hirola in Tsavo East animal Park

Until their partial translocation to Tsavo East, the sole surviving population of Hirola antelope was found near Kenya Somalia border in the south Tana River and Garissa districts. Intense poaching (for meat) and habitat destruction have reduced their numbers from an estimated 14,000 in 1976 to a pitiful 450 today, 100 of them being in Tsavo East. There are also around 48 black rhinos, moved here from Nairobi National Park, although how long they last in this hard-to- police sanctuary remains to be seen.

Translocations of elephants to the park

On the positive side, the recent translocation of 400 elephants from the Shimba Hills National Reserve has replenished the populations depleted by poaching, and should herald the start of efforts to rehabilitate the wild northern sector of the park and open it up for tourist activity.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East African travel. Get hooked to the Tsavo National Park here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

A Safari Across the Serengeti

You have decided to take a safari; then I would advise a Serengeti Safari in Northern Tanzania. A Safari across the endless plains of the Serengeti is to witness the last great migration on earth; it is an unforgettable experience. The whole safari across the huge Serengeti is a package with an abundance of animals rivalled no where in Africa; it is compounded with majestic landscapes and the fascinating tribes people you meet; here you will realise you are in Africa proper.

The great migration safari in the Serenegeti comprises of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest in a never ending cycle of movement; closely followed by the predators looking for an easy meal. The Wildebeest follow the rains and there migration is therefore as unpredictable as these rains. It is the last remaining great migration on our planet and as such it is a must to take a safari to witness first hand this great event.

Many safari companies try to predict the whereabouts of the animals. The success of this is dependent on 1. the rains being on time and 2. The rains lasting long enough and then 3. the past experience of the company organising migration safaris in the Serengeti. The problem with these predictions are that in recent years the rains have not been on time or they have even failed leaving some safari-makers with clients in the wrong lodges in the wrong area of the Serengeti. Recently many people on safari in Kenya [as the migration crosses the border and for a short time the Animals are in Kenya] experienced the failure of the long rains and with this failure most of the animals remained in the Northern Serengeti leaving many safari-ists not only in the wrong lodges but in in the wrong country!

How to solve this problem involves a little work on your part. To research your subject and book your safari vacation with care; bellow are a few simple steps to act as a basic guideline.

1. Firstly if you must book your safari from late July through to the end of September/October then it is necessary to book well in advance. This time of year is so busy most of the loges will become full. There are far to many people on photographic safaris at this time of year.

Have you heard of overcrowding in the Serenegeti? If you have the chances are the safari took place between these over crowded summer months; and most probably the safari was in the Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti. This area of the Serengeti has a good reliable concentration of animals with a year round water supply. Many safari companies [especially the bargain priced safaris] are lazy and send there clients to this part of the Serengeti only. This ensures lower mileage, bigger profits and happy clients because of the abundance of animals? Ensure your safari includes two areas of the Serengeti one should be the south or the north of this huge park depending on the time of year and where the migration is heading.

3. If you have the luxury of booking when tourists are few in Tanzania then try to leave the actual booking of the safari until a few weeks before your departure. If it is low season, March through to the end of June then the safaris [that is the accommodation and to a less extent transport] are at bargain basement rates. Keep checking on the whereabouts of the migration and then book your accommodation through a quality operator accordingly. Safari operators should be able to get luxury accommodation cheaper than you booking directly - this is how the safari operators make there profit.

4. Unfortunately the easiest way to a successful migration safari in the Serengeti is also the most expensive. Book a luxury safari in a semi permanent luxury tented lodge. They are semi permanent as they move several times per year as the migration moves. This almost guarantees you will be up close and personal with the great migration. [Do not let the tent bit put you off; they are huge tents with double beds and furniture and even en-suite bathrooms. Some boast of private butlers for each tent. They are small camps and have an intimate relationship with the surroundings.]

How, is it possible to keep a check on the whereabouts of the migration is easier said than done. There are many sites that claim to have regular updates but some are two years past the sell by date. I would suggest keeping in touch with two or three of the small ?boutique? tour operators in Tanzania ? they have vehicles with drivers who are returning from the Serengeti every week and so know the movements of the animals. They are also small and do not mind keeping you informed of what is happening in order to [hopefully] get a safari out of you? the more helpful they are the more likely you are to book through them.

Take time and plan your safari carefully as the planning is a part of the adventure. Take time to research a little and make sure your ground operator in Tanzania is willing to make your safari special. Many of the safari operators are [rather sadly] only bothered about making a quick buck and the client?s wishes are of no concern to them. Beware of such companies as they exist at the Luxury end as well as the budget end of the spectrum. Tanzania and the Serengeti are amazing; make sure your safari experience is as amazing.

This information is taken from the Juma Page web site and this site is dedicated to providing fee information on Tanzania and safaris http://www.thejumapage.co.uk More info can be seen at form do it your self - to work experience and volunteering - to no expense spared this site is a must before you plan and pay for your trip to Tanzania

African Lion Safari Kenya- Lion Safari In Africa Kenya-Lion Animal Information

With shores fringed with papyrus and yellow-barked acacias, and freshwater that supports protected hippo populations, fish eagles and a blossoming horticultural industry, Lake Naivasha?s beauty is as undeniable as its importance to the region.

A vast range of plains animals and a plethora of birdlife have long called the verdant shoreline home, as have the Maasai, who considered it prime grazing land. Unfortunately for the Maasai, the splendor of the surroundings wasn?t lost on early settlers either and it was one of the first areas they settled, eventually becoming the favourite haunt of Lord Delamere and the decadent Happy Valley set in the 1930?s.

Amazingly between 1937 and 1950 the lake was Kenya?s main airport, with BOAC?s Empire and Solent flying boats landing here after their four-day journey from Southampton. Lake Naivasha is still one of the largest settler and expat communities in Kenya, and can have a resort-like feel to it in high season, when it essentially becomes Kenya?s St Tropez.

Not only does Lake Naivasha?s fresh water bestow it with a unique ecosystem in comparison with the vast majority of Rift Valley lakes, which are highly alkaline, but it also means that the lake can be used for irrigation purposes. While the surrounding countryside has historically been a major production area for beef cattle and fresh fruit and vegetables, today the flower industry rules the roost.

Shade houses have proliferated in the hills recently, and Lake Naivasha is now the centre of Kenya?s US$360 million flower industry. Astoundingly, flowers that are picked here in the morning can be at Europe?s flower auctions the same day. One flower grower alone produced a million rose stems for Valentine?s Day in 2005!

However, the success of the agricultural and horticultural industry is threatening the very survival of the source of their creation, as pesticides and fertilizers are seeping into the lake and reeking havoc with the ecosystem. Irrigation has further destabilized erratic water levels, which had seen the lake almost dry up in the late 1890?s before rebounding to cover almost 1000sq km in the early 20th century. The lake is currently receding again, and now only spreads over 170sq km.

The lake?s ecology has been interfered with on a number of other occasions, notably with the introduction of foreign fish (for sports and commercial fisheries), cray fish, the South American coypu (an aquatic rodent that initially escaped from a fur farm) and various aquatic plants, including the dreaded water hyacinth.

For these reasons Naivasha has been the focus of conservation efforts and in 1995, after years of lobbying from the lake Naivasha Riparian Association (LRNA),the lake was designated a Ramsar site, officially recognizing it as a wetland of international importance. Besides educating the locals dependent on the lake about the environmental issues involved, the LNRA, Elsamere Conservation Center and other organisations work to establish a code of conduct among the local growers that will maintain the lake?s biodiversity. The results are promising, but much work remains to be done.

Its worth visiting the Lake Naivasha Riparian offices and Elsamere if only to support their work in Naivasha.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. He has authored more than 1000 articles on Africa Kenya vacation travel. Learn more of your experience in Kenya lake vacation safaris and plan your african lion safari and get a free quote here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner/?refferer=ezinearticles

Your African Safari By Design

When you ask anyone you know about their last or most favorite vacation they will probably go into great detail about how wonderful it was. Most people will paint you a mental picture of the scenery and all the things to do. Of course, if it rained at all while they were there you will hear about that too. That kind of information may very well make you want to go there, but it doesn?t help you to plan and design a perfect vacation, like an African Safari.

You might think an African Safari is a vacation for a Teddy Roosevelt type person, but not necessarily. You have choices, lots of them.

The planning process for your trip to Africa is like other vacations only more intense. It is intense, unless you have a plan for how to make your plans. You just have to add a lot of special considerations when planning. For starters, why do you want to go? Is it something you have always wanted to do and are passionate about it? Is it a simple case of seeking adventure? Do you want to experience the animals and other products of nature? Maybe you never saw yourself on a safari until your research told you it is much more than hunting very large animals.

You know about the animals. What else do you expect to get out of your vacation? Probably most people think of lions and tigers when they paint their mental picture of Africa. You do have other options. Would you like your African Safari to focus on tracking? Maybe you would prefer a hiking theme. How about an astrological or a photography theme safari? Still not decided? How about a cycling or marine theme?

How much it will cost you varies. Although ?off-the-shelf? African Safaris are available, most safaris are customized for each person or group. The safaris are designed based on what season you are interested in and how long you will be staying. Of course, it also depends on the number of people in your group and what accommodations you want. Your lodging may range from military style tents and cots to pure luxury. What area of Africa are you interested in? Do you want to go to more than one country while you are there? It is your option.

You will have some decisions to make about what you want after you initially arrive in Africa. You may choose to fly into the actual area of the safari, or pick the more traditional over land and canoe route. If you wish the use of a motorized vehicle, you will have to include that in your planning. They are optional.

What about the time of year? You will want to consider the season and climate when planning your life-changing trip to Africa. Most likely, the climate during any given time of the year is not the same as your hometown.

So surf the Internet. Get some kind of a feel for all of things there are to do on an African Safari. Make a list of what is most interesting to you. Find out what time of year you will be going. What is the weather usually like there at that time? Of course, what do you take for clothing? How many people are going? What is the theme of your safari? Make a budget. Decide what kind of accommodations you want or need. What means of transportation will work for you when you arrive in Africa? What or how many countries do you want to visit as a part of your vacation? If you build your African Safari using a design based on good planning, it may very well change your life.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to African Safaris

Malaria Free Safari in South Africa

The Eastern Cape is South Africa's second largest and most diverse province

It's a great sun, sand a sea destination with a coastline that runs from temperate rocky shores in the south to sub-tropical beaches in the north. There is a beach for every reason - from highly developed urban playgrounds to wild and untamed stretches of wae-washed sand. It has some of the best surf in the country - make that some of the best surf in the world. The small towns of Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay are renowned and very popular surf destinations and the Wild Coast has some legendary (and mostly secret) breaks.

The Eastern Cape is not classic lowveld, which is the vegetation type found around the Kruger National Park and is most usually associated with big game. However, this province has some awesome safari destinations. The Greater Addo Elephant National Park, near the town of Addo, conserves a staggering diverstiy of plant and animal life. There are a number of private game lodges, both in the national park and in surrounding private reserves. Best of all - it's totally malaria free. South Africa's first and - to date - only serious commercial ski resort is in the high-lying northern part of the Eastern Cape. OK, it's not exactly Chamonix or Aspen - but its is skiing in Africa. Snowboarding's big, too.

The Eastern Cape's cultural heritage is particularly varied and interesting, and thre are so many interpretive tours, museums and monuments, you'll never be bored. Towns that will particularly appeal to more culturally minded visitors include Graaff-Reinet and Grahamstown.

Nieu Bethesda, which is close to Graaff-Reinet, is a funky little village that owes its poularity to the existence of the Owl House, which is South Africa's most well known example of outsider art. Port Elizabeth is renowned for its excellent township and cultural tours. The Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata is a loving tribute to South Africa's first president. Thre are great tours along the Wild Coast, on which you get to spend time with the local people and see how they live. The Grahamstown Festival or, more accurately, the National Festival of the Arts, which showcases a huge variety of South Africa's visual and performance arts, is held in Grahamstown at the beginning of July.

There are some excellent golf courses, but they're not all as conveniently close together as they are, for example, on the Garden Route. Some of the better courses are to be found in or near Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, East London and Port Edward. A brand new golf course has been built at the rather interesting town of Alicedale, which is experiencing a huge economic revival after spending years as a virtual ghost town.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za/

African Lion Safari - Are You Running Out Of Time!

What can you expect on an African lion safari? The African lion once ruled the wilds of Africa. Today, it has been humbled to the extent where it's future is a little shaky, in fact, there is still a possibility this king of the animal kingdom may have to relinquish it's crown because of a little thing called progress.

So what cost progress? In lion terms, it's been heavy. If an African lion safari is something you crave then it might be a good idea to make the trip sooner rather than later.

The Lion's Demise

The african lion's numbers have been a cause for great concern in recent times in fact, there has even been talk of extinction. It's a dirty word in the world of conservation and while the lion presents as a creature of indestructible dimensions, the sad fact is, the one creature on the planet capable of wiping it out, man, has been responsible for it's dwindling numbers.

Take for example just over 100 years ago, the African lion was around in numbers south of the Sahara desert. Today, it's almost got to the stage where the only place you can see the king of the beasts in it's "natural habitat" are large conservation parks. The reason; man's yearning for progress.

African Lion Facts

The lion is unquestionably at the top of the food chain in Africa. The fact remains, if the lion's demise becomes permanent, then the repercussions for some of Africa's ecosystems could be dramatic. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one area where the survival of the lion is imperitive.

Keeping The African Lion On The Planet

In some parts of Africa the sounds of the lion are no longer heard. It has succumbed to the tunes of progress and has vanished from areas where it once ruled.

Free ranging lions are now in the minority but there is a glimmer of hope in the shape of some hardy individuals hell bent on ensuring the lion's survival. Why does it seem like such a lone battle? Amazing as it sounds, while conservation groups realise the predicament at the moment, convincing those in authority with the power and the finance to fund rescue operations has been a little retarded.

In Central and Western Africa, free ranging lion populations are critically low and it's been a tough battle to keep the big cat's future on the up and up.

Where To See The Lion In The Wild?

One of the more popular African lion safari destinations is the vast expanse of the Serengeti in Tanzania. Migration time across the Serengeti is a treasure trove of activity and it's one of the few times you'll get to see the normally placid big cat get off it's backside and chase prey. And there is plenty of prey to chase as wildbeast begin their amazing migration.

Your travel agent is a great source of information on lion safaris and there are excellent opportunities for travel with experienced operators ready and willing to get you up close and personal with the king. Well, not too close but enough to give you a lasting memory.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Get the latest information on African lion safari.We'll tell you why now is a good time to think about taking one! Plus, read the latest african safari related news and reviews at:http://www.african-safaris-site.com/wp

Hotel Nairobi Kenya - Safari Park Hotel Nairobi Finest Kenya Hotel

Safari Park Hotel - Nairobi

Developed in the 50s as a British Army officer?s retreat, the Safari Park Hotel has grown since the colonial period to a bastion of excellence as a world acclaimed inland lodge resort. The current complex is a complete redefinition of the humble officer?s retreat of the years gone by. Located in the northern suburbs of Nairobi, the safari park hotel is ideal as a getaway within 15 minutes of the town centre. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Nairobi, you will experience the fast pace of the city while escaping back to the expansive serenity of the hotel.

African ambience at the safari park Hotel

Built in a staggering 64 acres of land, the safari park hotel combines the intrigues of African hospitality and unrivalled modernity sprawled in excruciatingly well manicured gardens full of thorn trees and green lawns. This external ambience is amplified by the exquisite African architecture of the interior and art. The hotel combines cutting edge technology in its architecture and infrastructure creating a monolith yet beautiful and appealing touch.

Friendly and helpful staff

At safari park hotel, not only the wild flowers and imposing trees shine but you are greeted by the ever smiling faces at the reception. On arrival, the doorman will treat you like a long gone friend coming back home and the receptionist will welcome you with expected but always welcome and comforting smiles, if only to forget the rigors of the day that was. Attention to your needs is very high here and you almost feel like you are being treated like king if not taking too much of their time.

Rooms at the Safari park hotel Nairobi

The safari park hotel has 30 deluxe rooms where you wind down with the fresh air from the balcony of your room or in any of the 174 luxury rooms. Rooms here are way larger than the world standards and you almost feel like you are back home without the usual feeling of enclosure in many hotels

Rooms Facilities of this Nairobi Kenya hotel

The rooms are fitted with large four poster beds, color televisions with CNN and in-house movies. There are lavish marble and gold bathrooms set in a uniquely African style with a standard of comfort straight from Europe. The rooms also have fully stocked minibar and 24 hour room service of the sumptuous cuisines the hotel has to offer.

Restaurants in safari park Nairobi

The safari parks seven international restaurants include the African, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Indian and Continental. The hotel guarantees that you will be spoilt for choice in each of these international culinary oriented standards of its restaurants. Each themed restaurant has a speciality chef from these countries who makes sure food is as good as it takes in its source region.

The innovation in presentation of the food is enough to make your taste buds ache for that ultimate bite of the dishes on offer. Accompaniment to the dinning experience is in the form of a solo piano player or a 7-piece band providing that extra touch toward your total enjoyment.

The Japanese restaurant with its Tepanyaki style Chiyo defines style. Never has dining taken on more creativity and color than in the Tepanyaki style Chiyo, Japanese restaurant. You will delve at the sights, sounds and smells of fresh delicacies being expertly prepared on your steel table by Chef Song and his staff.

For those that like to dine outside with the breeze, you can relax under the giant trees at the Kivuli (shade) terrace or enjoy a bite or drink after a swim by the refreshing pool-side menu. The green landscape and waterfalls will dazzle your senses and give you that feeling of never wanting to leave the safari park.

Entertainment and night in the Nairobi Hotel

As the sun goes down up comes the vibrant night life at the safari park. You are again spoilt for choice of night entertainment. The Cats Club, nightclub will invigorate you with the regions hottest discoth?que or soothes you with the soulful sounds of its contemporary piano bar. The Kivuli, Kigwa or Casino bars offer you a variety in ambiance and quenching specialties of the house.

Nairobi Safari Park Extra Sport Facilities

Other activity facilities at the safari park include the largest swimming pool in Africa, over 2000 square meters in size. The hotel has two tennis courts that are flood lit by night. There are also 2 squash courts in the hotel premises. If yours is a more outdoor approach, horse riding lessons and programs can be arranged during your stay at the safari park hotel.

In addition the safari Fitness Health club has Jacuzzis, sauna, steam room, professional gymnasium and aerobic studio. A professional instructor is available to assist guests with their specific athletic needs. Masseuse services are also available at the Safari Park Hotel.

Robert is a travel expert in Kenya east Africa and tour consultant with Landmark Safaris. Make a free enquiry on the type of Jacuzzi hotel in Kenya you need here. http://www.landmarksafaris.com/hotel/?refferer=ezinearticles

Safari In South Africa - 7 Things To Do You Mustn't Miss Whilst On Your South Africa Luxury Safari

Safari in South Africa - Safari as described in the dictionary says, "an overland expedition ...", so we have taken poetic licence to include many excursions overland to see spectacular sights. Here in no particular order are our top 7 things to do South Africa guide.

Idea 1 - Swim with the Penguins. A sight not to be missed! African Penguins living alongside humans on Boulders beach. Share your swim in the warmer Indian Ocean waters with these special birds who take it all in their stride.

Idea 2 - Walk or be whisked up Table Mountain. Don't forget to take warm clothing even on the hottest day, as the air is very much cooler up there. The views from the cable car and the top are breathtaking.

Idea 3 - Drive the Panorama Drive and pass through God's Window! What more could you wish for than to see the most dramatic of scenery on this drive through Mpumalanga north of Johannesburg through the Blyde River Canyon. Don't forget to take in Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and The Pinnacle along the route.

Idea 4 - Soweto. This really is an experience not to be missed and is definitely a place you must visit for yourself to make up your own mind. Discover the true story of Hector Pietersen and where Nelson Mandela lived before his incarceration on Robben Island.

Idea 5 - The Otter Trail through Tsitsikamma Forest. Take the hike through the most spectacular of scenery along the rugged coastline with secluded valleys and deep river gorges plunging down to the sea. Watch out for the numerous birds including the Emerald Cuckoo, Knysna and olive Woodpecker, Chorister Robin and Grey Cuckooshrike.

Idea 6 - Kimberley's Big Hole is literally a huge hole created by diamond miners in their rush to dig out the diamonds lying on the surface of a nearby hill. Needless to say that the hill is no more and the diamonds have been exhausted too! But the hole is still a sight to be seen.

Idea 7 - Kruger National Park. No trip to South Africa would be complete without a visit to this territory the size of Wales. Rich in both flora and fauna, this truly is a national park for everyone and offers everyone a unique experience whether you stay in a tent or on one of the many luxury safari lodges.

Want to find out more about South Africa? I invite you to visit http://www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com for more ideas on what to expect on your safari in South Africa.

Would you like to get our free guide "The 9 Surefire ways to have the Safari in South Africa you always wanted" and get our newletter Johannesburg to Cape Town monthly delivered to your inbox. Visit http://www.tailormadesouthafricatravel.com/travel-resources/

An African Safari Jao Can Be Described As The Ultimate African Adventure

For a true African adventure, the African Safari of Jao in Botswana is the vacation to book. Jao is known for its high concentration of Lion. It can offer both land and water activities on the river Okavango. This area is known for its predators and, Jao Camp itself, is located on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve.

The camp is on a densely wooded oval shaped island that overlooks the vast flood plains of Botswana. It has incredible habitats and permanent waterways and lagoons. An African safari in Jao is a very memorable safari. The skilled staff at Jao Camp will see to it that all of your needs are met, African style.

The Jao African safari wildlife experience is pure African wildlife at its finest. Chances are good that every wild animal that you want to experience will appear. A Jao African safari experience is the safari of a lifetime.

The Accommodations

Your Jao African safari accommodations will consist of African style luxury rooms. The bedrooms are raised wooden decks above palm carpets, constructed of split bamboo and thatch with canvas walls. Each room also has a ?sala? for midday siestas with a superb view. Each camp can sleep a maximum of 16 people. Each suite includes a flush toilet and basin, shower and an outdoor shower. Underneath a tree canopy of cool thatch you will find the main dining room and pub area. There is a pool and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars. A raised walkway connects the rooms to the dining rooms and lounge areas.

Game Viewing

Your Jao African safari experience offers excellent game drives, mokoro excursions, short guided walks and boating trips. Since Jao Camp is next to the Moremi Game Reserve, night drives are permitted. This allows your African safari Jao trip to include an exclusive view of the nocturnally active animals in the area.

Your Jao African safari will most probably include views of Lion and Leopard in their natural habitats. Tsessebe, Lechwe and Wildebeest roam all over the flood plains. The wildlife appearances in Jao depend mainly on the water levels in the area. But, generally, a diverse group of wild animals will be plentiful on your safari.

The lagoons are the home to the Hippo and Crocodile. The permanent water areas attract large numbers of these two animals. But the King of the Jungle, the Lion, will be a sure thing. The Jao African safari is known for its abundance of Lion sightings. Have your camera in hand and don?t miss this one of a kind jungle experience.
Ann Marier has written articles about African safari trips providing helpful tips and advice. Another favorite topic of hers is camping where she writes about camping gear and equipment

Spend Your Holiday on an Exotic African Safari

If you're looking for an exciting way to spend your holiday, an exotic African safari might be the answer. There's plenty to see and do for all ages, and it's now easier than ever to book a trip.

Believe it or not, there's more to an African safari tour than what you see in pictures or on the television. For instance, on a Kenya safari you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery highlighted with mountainous backdrops, glistening lakes, savanna grasslands, mist highlands, beautiful rivers, and abundant wildlife. If you take a Kenya holiday during July or August, you might even get to witness an amazing phenomenon - the annual wildebeest caravan. This is a time when millions of wildebeests make their way north to search for lush grass.

Amazing Animals and More

Also on a Kenya tour, activities will often include trips to medicinal springs and the inside of a crater where the black-manned lion, rhino and buffalo roam. You might travel to a nearby lake to see a variety of game and scenery. Many Kenyan safari tours also include nighttime entertainment with music and dance. It's not all wilderness and forests!

Combine Your Kenya Holiday and Tanzania Safari in One

You can now book a "two-in-one" Tanzania and Kenya holiday to make your African safari vacation even more interesting. These two places are filled with wonder and have much to offer visitors. There are lodge safaris, game viewing safaris, and even mountain-climbing safaris - whatever you prefer!

How to Book Your Africa Safari

You can contact a travel agency to book an African safari or you can find a tour company on the Web that specializes in African travel and tours to get the assistance you need. There are many services that you'll need to consider before securing your Africa vacation such as a rental car (or car hire), reserving hotels, obtaining a Visa, getting the necessary vaccines for disease prevention, and booking a flight.

Find a dependable company on the Web that is actually based in Africa for the best possible service. It's great if you can travel to Kenya where the company is located and acquire assistance from them when you need it. Try to find an all-in-one African safari tour package to be sure all your needs will be covered. They can help you get a car rental, hotel room and everything you need. The last thing you want is to arrive in Kenya and realize you missed some important steps!

Quick African Safari Travel Tips

As with traveling to any foreign land, there are a few things you should take along for safety, pleasure, and comfort. A safari can be fun if you take time to prepare.

1. Take a good, dependable digital camera with plenty of photo memory. There will be many, many "photo moments."

2. Keep plenty of mosquito repellent with you at all times. Also, wear long sleeves and long pants to keep mosquitoes from biting and to protect from severe sunburn.

3. Pack several bottles of sunscreen for exposed areas of your skin.

4. Take your own pair of binoculars even if the Africa tour company provides them. You might be required to share theirs with others on the tour, but you can use your own whenever you want.

5. Take along some medicines to prevent headaches or fever, pain, and diarrhea.

6. Secure health insurance coverage, just in case of an emergency. The tour company may provide options for you.

Ask your travel booking agents about other items you might need. They may provide a list for you.

You can enjoy days of excitement on your African safari tour once you've taken these important steps. With online resources, you can now learn all about it before you go!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Take a Holiday - African Safari or Majon's Travel directory.

Kenya Beach Tour-Lamu-Malindi-Mombasa: Top Kenya Beach & Water Safari

Mombasa of Kenya coast

Mombasa Kenya is the oldest and second biggest city in Kenya, and is the centre of the Kenya coastal beaches. It is situated on the South-Eastern part of Kenya and is the biggest, most important port of East Africa. From here you can visit the North Coast beaches, South coast beaches, Malindi and Watamu, Lamu Kenya, Tana River Delta, or even Taveta and enjoy natural beauty and living history.

From its rich history to its diversity of cultures, Mombasa Kenya has its own very special feel, very different from Nairobi. Mombasa Kenya is strongly influenced by Arabic culture and this is quite evident in the food, dress and the architecture.

Malindi the Kenyan beach resort town

Malindi Kenya is thought to have been founded in the 10th century by Arab traders, and it has become an important city-state and a major port. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed there in 1498 and erected a monument; Vasco da Gama pillar that still stands. Nearby are the Gede ruins, an ancient walled city.

Malindi Kenya has beaches offering the visitor a range of world class resorts and quiet relaxing hideaways.

Lamu on the Kenya beaches

Lamu Kenya is a place like no other. It was recently named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of its mediaeval stone town. There are no vehicles on this island; the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport in Lamu Kenya.

Though the oldest surviving town in East Africa, Lamu of Kenya retains an almost unspoiled 19th Century appearance and lifestyle, some of the mosques date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, but almost all other buildings are late 18th century. Its narrow streets, its stone buildings with beautiful carved doors, its busy waterfront teeming with dhows and its fascinating people belong to a bygone age.

Lamu Kenya has changed little in 200 years. Although rapidly-decaying, the town today, is a living monument of its past. Very little architectural development has taken place since this time and the narrow cloistered town plan and arabesque structures are still intact. The island is still largely untouched by ?civilization? which accounts to its unique charm.

On the south-Western tip of Lamu Kenya Island is the small village of Kipungani, about 40 minutes by motor boat from Lamu town and about 40 miles North of Lamu Islands of Kenya Lies Kiwayu.

Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant with Landmark Safaris. He is degreed in tourism and hospitality management and author to 500 Kenya tour articles. For free Kenya beach safari info visit them @ www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/beach.php

Safari in South Africa in the Kruger National Park

If you are a foreigner looking for a good location in South Africa to spend your holiday, or even if you are a South African who just needs a weekend break, the Kruger National Park is ideal. You can find cheap accommodation and there is something to suit any budget.

The Kruger National Park is a nature reserve along the border of Mozambique. This border is clearly seen by the natural barrier, the Lebombo Mountains. The park, which is about 350km long and 60km wide on average, exists of plat grass and bush covered plains better known in South Africa as the savannah or bosveld. There are several entrances or gates to the park, each with its own name.

The Kruger National Park can be divided into three sections: the south, central and the north. The South, which is also known as the hill country of the Kruger National Park has easy access and a large number of camps and game drives. Central consists of open grassy plains, roamed by the large predators and herds. The North is a more remote part of the Kruger National Park, and thus offers more rest. It consists of mopane plains.

There is more than enough accommodation at the Kruger National Park. You will find many rest camps, as well as bush camps, the smaller version of a rest camp. All these camps have different names.

You can book a safari tour with an operator at the Kruger National Park. They will take you out in a 4x4, or minibus. This depends on budget. Some people however argue that a better way to experience the Kruger National Park is to hike. This means a guided walk where you get into close contact with the life on the park. Of course your guide will take all steps necessary to ensure your safety, such as staying out of scent ranges of the more dangerous animals. Many South Africans also prefer to drive the Kruger National Park by themselves. The Park has many facilities which make this possible, such as petrol stations etc.

Accommodation at the Kruger National Park is easy to find and not as costly as one might think. There is a selection of accommodation to suit everyone?s preferences. Booking is as easy as clicking a button. There are so many websites which allow you to ?design? your own holiday and then offer very affordable rates. You can also see maps of the Kruger National Park and decide which location you would like to rest at. You can find a bargain deal for your holiday break at the Kruger National Park. Visit the Kruger National Park in South Africa for a safari to remember!

Guitar Lesson: Make A String Safari On Your Guitar

It seems like many guitarists have a hard time reading sheet music. Let's start by learning to know the fretboard!

I think the most important part in learning to know the fretboard is to make a concentrated effort.

To be a poor sight reader is not part of your personality. Maybe it has become a habit to not doing something about it. Let's start with step one!

In this guitar lesson you will learn to find your way around the guitar fretboard and learning the notes on the six strings.

I call this a string safari as it might be a thilling experience to at last understand what you can find on the guitar fretboard.

Let's start by taking a look at the note E. Where can you find it on the fretboard?

With the conventional tuning of your guitar you will have the note E on the first open string. I guess you are aware of the fact that you can find the same note on the second string too.

This is the strength but also the difficulty with fretted instruments. You have a choice as to which string to choose.

On the second string you'll find the note E on the fifth fret. When you play E on the first and second string you'll find that they will have the same pitch but they sound a bit different.

On the third string you will find E on the ninth fret. Now you can practice playing the E notes on these three strings just to get used to the positions. It will help you immensely to know the positions for these notes as you play guitar sheet music.

You can proceed learning more of the guitar fretboard in a similar way. Let's continue!

On the fourth string you will find E on the second fret. This E will be one octave lower. On the fifth string you will find this E on the seventh fret.

On the sixth string you have the open E one octave lower. Let's make an exercice:

Try to play the note E on all the strings going from the first string, nearest your feet, up to the sixth string. What frets do you have to press down?

Using numbers indicating what frets you will have to press down we will get the following row of numbers:

0 5 9 2 7 0

0 means that you play the open first string. 5 means that you play the fifth fret on the second string and so on. Let's make the sequence a little bit longer.

We will play the strings from the sixth string down to the first and then back again. Remember to start with the sixth string!

Here you have the sequence written out:

0 7 2 9 5 0 5 9 2 7 0

You might want to invent other small exercises on you guitar fretboard, like playing all A's on all six strings until you can play them with ease.

Playing all A's on the fingerboard starting with the sixth string down to the first and back again will look as follows:

5 0 7 2 10 5 10 2 7 0 5

Knowing the notes on the guitar fingerboard will be a great help for you when you sight read guitar sheet music as you don't have to guess or search for the note on the fretboard anymore. It will also help you when you try to play a melody by ear or when improvising a solo.

Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your free guitar sheet music and learn to play guitar resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com

African Animals And Safari In Disney World?

We all know that Disney do not have theme parks in Africa. Well, at least not yet. Then why is it that people are talking about taking a vacation in Disney's African theme park lodge?

They are actually talking about The Animal Kingdom Vacation Lodge which is in the southwest corner of the Disney World situated close to the Animal Kingdom theme park. This excitingly themed and interesting lodge was officially declared opened in 2001. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a fusion of African tribal native architecture with the exotic rugged style of East African National Park lodges. The Animal Kingdom Vacation Lodge was designed by Peter Dominick of Disney's Wilderness Lodge fame.

Stunningly breathtaking view of the 33 acre terrain architecture with flowing streams and elevated rock outcroppings can be viewed from half of the rooms at the lodge. Hundreds of friendly animals and birds of mostly African origin roam freely at the area. Most of the almost 1,300 rooms are about 340 square feet big and decorated with hand-crafted African furniture and furnishings. Almost all rooms come with a balcony to view the astounding surrounding.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge also offer fine dining in a casual setting at the Jiko restaurant. Jiko serves light, fast and simple meals. Another restaurant, the Boma is a family restaurant. This restaurant is the African version of the Whispering Canyon restaurant located at the Fort Wilderness Lodge and Villas. Boma serves buffet food in African thatched roofs and most dishes are grills - African tribal style cooking.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is connected to the rest of the Disney World by buses as its location is rather remote and out of the way.

There are two wings at the ladge, branching from the rear of the resort are the Kudu Trial and Zebra Trial forming a semi circle around the central wildlife savanna. Each wing have seven five storey buildings with guest rooms for visitor to stay.

The best rooms are on third and fourth floors. This is because these rooms are high enough to overlook the entire savanna and yet at the same time just low enough to appreciate the flora and fauna at almost ground eye level. The second storey rooms are too low to view the savanna and rooms on the fifth floor are too high for viewing the friendly animals close up.

There are two smaller wings called the Ostrich Trail and the Giraffe Trial. However, rooms from these wings do not enjoy views as beautiful as the ones at the Kudu and Zebra Trail.

By staying in The Animal Kingdom Resort, you not only have a Disney vacation, but a touch of the African plains as well. Interesting mix, don't you think so? So if you are thinking of taking a Disney vacation, why not consider staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World?
Read more exotic travel tales at Chris Chew's blog and website Hawaiian Cruise Vacation and China Travel Lijiang

Family Safaris

The demand for a family friendly safari has increased tenfold over the past year, and since launching our Family Safari Brochure in July 2002 we have had a tremendous response from families with children covering a broad age range.

Many of the operators in Africa have responded well to this new area of the market and some have thought carefully about the requirements and constraints when having children in their camps. Activities to suit children of all ages, specialist guides, meal times, babysitters and private vehicles are some of those that have been considered. The subtle balance of inclusion and exclusion of families can take some planning. Although a family safari is by name an adventurous holiday, you do need to feel that safety issues regarding children have been examined. Safety standards in Africa are very different to those in Europe and we do question lodges and camps quite closely on aspects such as fencing around pools, steep drops and the general suitability for younger family members.

A happy and satisfying family holiday general means that everyone involved can find activities to suit them for most of the time. In many of the family-friendly lodges this has been well catered for. This may mean that the parents enjoy a morning game drive, the youngest child is baking biscuits in the camp kitchen and the older children are collecting dung. It's a great bonus for even the littlest person to come home with their own and very special memories.

Wilderness Safaris in Southern Africa have solved what has been a worry for some parents. In most tented camps it has not been possible to add an extra bed into the standard tents. This has meant that children have to sleep in a separate tent. This may in reality be only five metres away, but it?s too far for comfort. To solve this concern, in some of their camps in Botswana and Namibia, Wilderness have successfully created a family tent by adding an extra tent onto the back of the bathroom. Wilderness have also lowered the age range and they now accept children from 8 years of age in all their camps. However, if you wanted to take any camp on an exclusive basis, perhaps sharing it with another family, this lower limit would be waived. Some lodges will automatically provide a separate vehicle for a family group, which means that you can take your game viewing at a pace which suits you. We would actively encourage all families to take this option, even if it?s not offered as an inclusive. It does mean that if one of the children gets fed up on a game drive, you can stop and calmly enjoy a coffee, just sitting or mucking about under a tree without worrying about other clients and their reactions.

The content and timing of meals is another area that most family-friendly camps have looked at. There are few parents that don't enjoy a child-free evening meal at the end of the day (those of us with young children particularly) and children are much happier eating something they recognise at a sensible time. This is also made possible by the general availability of babysitters, childminders or nannies; available at most lodges during the day and evenings at very reasonable rates, but don't expect a fistful of official European-style qualifications. As with many African women, most will have successfully raised large families of their own.

Kwando Safaris located in Botswana's Okavango Delta have a specialist children's guide, Lisa Reed. Lisa has worked extensively with children from the very young to teenagers. To begin with she prepares special materials which are sent to the children at home and she then takes them through a purpose-designed programme while they are in the bush. Serious though it may sound, it's beautifully crafted to entertain, educate and match each child's concentration threshold.

Another question is of course whether to travel to an area that is malaria-free or not. South Africa offers a range of safari camps in malaria-free locations, which of course can be successfully combined with any number of family orientated beach lodges and activities on the Indian Ocean coast or in Cape Town. We have already successfully combined these areas for several families and this includes Charlotte at Aardvark who recently took her husband and seven and nine year old boys to South Africa.

For those who are happy to take preventative medication for malaria, Malarone has now been launched in the UK in a children's formula. It is the first malaria tablet to be designed for kids and so far it has been licensed in the UK, USA, Denmark as well as a couple of other European countries. The best news is that the tablets are small and film-coated, so they are not bitter to taste. The course starts the day before travel and finishes only seven days after your return home.

If malaria isn't an issue, Kenya genuinely welcomes families. Not only at camps such as Rekero and Cottars in the Masai Mara, but also in some of the ranch style properties that offer a perfect base for a family holiday. The private properties such as Loisba and Lewa Downs provide comfortable settings with any number of varied and wonderful activities on tap, in addition to traditional game drives. These properties are owner run and many have raised their own children in the bush, a fact which is most reassuring.

Robin Pope Safaris in Zambia have an itinerary which is particularly suited to families by offering Nkwali Camp in the South Luangwa. It has open lawns shaded by huge ebony trees and a large fenced swimming pool. All the staff are child friendly and safety conscious. Game drives, walks, visits to the local school, cooking and collecting leaf, dung and feathers all feature on the activity list and safari packs and colouring books are all provided. Each programme will be tailored to the number of children and their ages. And meanwhile Robin & Jo Pope are currently renovating their own house at Nkwali, which will be available for exclusive bookings shortly.

Tangala House is another private residence in Zambia, this one is located on the banks of the Zambezi River close to Victoria Falls. It's beautifully equipped and is therefore an ideal place for families with all the facilities of a family home, including nannies. A wide range of activities are on offer in the immediate vicinity including canoeing, rafting, game drives, white water rafting and elephant riding.

Another option would be to do a private mobile safari, possibly in Kenya, Botswana or Tanzania, which country would depend to a degree on the age of your family. Accommodation would be in simple but comfortable tents with your own personal guide and camp staff. You would have the option to tailor-make all your game activities at a pace to suit and involve all the family with the safari experience.

The restrictions with older children are obviously fewer and once they are twelve years old, they are considered to be adults except on some of the more adventurous activities. An excellent teenage holiday would be to spend some days in Victoria Falls indulging in some of the more active pursuits and to combine this with perhaps a walking, canoeing or riding safari.

Many families will combine a safari with some time on the beach, which you can do very well in South Africa, Kenya or Tanzania or you might wish to just concentrate on a beach and water activities type of holiday. If that is the case, you can't do much better than Mauritius where there is a wide range of excellent hotels and resorts that welcome families with children of all ages. The variety of activities is excellent and most hotels have children's clubs that are open on a daily basis.

Each individual family will have its own criteria when putting together a holiday to suit, so it is exciting to see that there is now a tremendous variety of exciting, educational and relaxing options throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean to chose from. As more families are taking the opportunity to visit Africa, it really is worth planning well ahead for either a trip during a half term or a main school holiday. We are now finding that the most popular properties are getting booked up well in advance.

Be warned though, once you have introduced the family to Africa they will keep asking you for more.

http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/articles-family-safaris.htm

John Spence originally cut his teeth as a cocktail barman in Cape Town and white water raft guide in Zimbabwe. This unorthodox first travel to Africa buried a strong seed of love for that continent which has grown and grown. Endless weird and wonderful trips to Africa on horse back, by canoe, on foot, light aeroplane and behind the wheel of his own Land Rover have yet to fully satisfy his thirst for knowledge of Africa. John?s two children are also set to become safari experts and are beginning to accompany him on some of his less adventurous trips so he?s a good person to talk to about family holidays as well. An itinerary to Africa designed by John will be based on a huge bank of knowledge and a big injection of enthusiasm and adventure.

A Honeymoon Safari Challenge

Four countries and six locations (including river, beach, Delta, desert and coast) in eighteen days sounds more like a challenge for charity than an enjoyable and inspiring holiday. But that?s the sum of a fabulous trip we recently arranged for Stephen and Bryony Wolf on their honeymoon. Always of the opinion that a well paced trip does not include too many countries, too many locations and too few nights in one place, we felt challenged by the request to include Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in one itinerary.

After three days relaxing at the River Club on the banks of the Zambezi close to Victoria Falls, a short flight took them to Chief?s Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Located in the Mombo concession, game viewing here is incredible with very dense animal concentrations particularly predators. A short hop by light aircraft to Maun was followed by a direct flight to the Namibian capital Windhoek. Here they had a one night stop at Hilltop House a simple but comfortable bed and breakfast. And then onto the three night Schoeman?s fly-in safari, a legend in itself providing some of the most extraordinary visions of the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Kaokoland accompanied by guides who have lived and breathed this part of Namibia since birth.

Next came another flight, this time to Johannesburg and an overnight at our favourite boutique style hotel, Ten Bompas, only a short drive from the airport.

The finale to their spectacular holiday was a four night stay at Rocktail Bay Lodge on the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa. A great beach location, wild and safari-like, with wide open beaches and superb diving and snorkelling.

A great challenge and a great trip.

http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/articles-honeymoons-challenge.htm

Charlotte Opperman first visited Africa on honeymoon in Kenya, when a love of Africa (and hopefully her husband) was born. She has since visited Botswana, Namibia and the Seychelles. Charlotte has also tested a number of our trips with her husband and two sons. So far they have visited Mauritius, South Africa (twice) and Kenya, so she is a great person to talk to if wanting to travel to Africa with children. A keen horsewoman Charlotte rides and competes regularly, and has ridden in both Southern and East Africa. Her desire for comfort in unspoilt surroundings makes her a good yardstick when planning a safari for many of our clients. Her close attention to detail ensures our clients never leave home unprepared.

Botswana Riding Safari Welcomes Non-riders

Traditionally known for it?s superb riding, Okavango Horse Safaris now offer game drives and mokoro (dug out canoe) trips for non-riding partners. The main camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta, has a couple of vehicles, and with specialist guides flown in from Maun, non-riders can be sure that they will see the best game the region has to offer.

Days can also be arranged so that riders and non-riders meet up for lunch or at overnight fly camps. These are simple tented camps where clients will spend one or two nights. For riders there are some 60 horses to choose from, and either a five or ten day itinerary. A maximum of eight people can ride for between four and six hours a day, and on both the longer and shorter itineraries there is the opportunity to fly camp.

Also based within the Okavango Delta is African Horseback Safaris. Again they have a great reputation for good horses, excellent riding and game viewing, though they are perhaps more suitable for riders than non-riders. Another recommendation for riders and non-riders travelling together, is Ant?s Nest in South Africa?s Waterberg region. There are also excellent riding safari opportunities in South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. In Zambia it is possible to take day rides from Chundukwa River Lodge on the Zambezi, and from Shiwa House in the north for longer trails. Shiwa is part English stately home and part Tuscan villa, and this extraordinary bush location provides a unique base for your four day riding trail through indigenous forest and open plains.

Anyone considering going on a serious riding safari (rather than just hacking gently in the bush) should be able to rise to the trot for ten minutes, should be comfortable at all paces, and be happily able to gallop out of trouble. It is a great advantage if you are a fit and proficient rider as your safari will be much more enjoyable.

http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/articles-botswana-ridingsafari.htm

John Spence originally cut his teeth as a cocktail barman in Cape Town and white water raft guide in Zimbabwe. This unorthodox first travel to Africa buried a strong seed of love for that continent which has grown and grown. Endless weird and wonderful trips to Africa on horse back, by canoe, on foot, light aeroplane and behind the wheel of his own Land Rover have yet to fully satisfy his thirst for knowledge of Africa. John?s two children are also set to become safari experts and are beginning to accompany him on some of his less adventurous trips so he?s a good person to talk to about family holidays as well. An itinerary to Africa designed by John will be based on a huge bank of knowledge and a big injection of enthusiasm and adventure.

Campaign for Real Safaris

I can still tell you exactly where I was when I saw my first African elephant. I can tell you who I was with when I saw my first glimpse of a leopard, a pride of lions and even the Victoria Falls. This underlies what a privilege it is to visit such wonderful unspoilt areas and see for yourself the wildlife and the people who live, work and survive in these stunning places. It was while I was working in Zimbabwe that I saw so many of my firsts.

Several friends and work colleagues were trainee or newly qualified guides, so on our days off we would spend more time in the bush. It was enthralling, and very addictive. When I finally returned to the UK a year later I knew I would get into the safari business somehow.

It is now ten years since I arranged and sold my first tailored itinerary and I still enjoy it to this day. But the one trend I feel rather uncomfortable about is the need for more luxurious & extravagant lodges. It seems to be out of control and somehow missing the point. So often the luxurious nature of a lodge is sold as its most important virtue over and above the unspoilt location, excellent game viewing and, most important of all, superb guiding.

A good safari operation should be run by experienced enthusiasts, not just business and marketing gurus. I feel very strongly that staying in a remote unspoilt area, in a simple camp only accessible by light aircraft, is a luxury. In an area where you can witness great game through the eyes of good guides with comfortable camp conditions, this is the true privilege.

Why not allow us to come up with a real safari for you? It can be as comfortable or as strenuous as you wish. Please don?t be led only by the glossy brochure, slick website and promise of the Big Five. Often the best guides and safari operators are not that proficient at marketing themselves. They often generate business though word of mouth alone.

Some of the ?real safaris? we are particularly excited about:

Mokoro Trails (Botswana)
See wonderful game and birds as you glide quietly through the channels and flood plains of the Okavango Delta by makoro (dug-out canoe).

Mahale (Tanzania)
In a dramatic location at the base of the Mahale Mountains overlooking Lake Tanganyika, lies this stylish rustic camp from where you trek into the forest in search of chimpanzees.

Palmwag Rhino Camp (Namibia)
A mobile camp that has been set up in conjunction with ?Save the Rhino Trust? in rugged northern Damaraland to help track and monitor the desert Black rhino.

Olivers (Tanzania)
Located close to Tarangire National Park Olivers has a simple base camp, fly camps and mobile camps which allow you to enjoy the diversity of terrain, the wide variety of wildlife species and the migration from December to February by vehicle or on foot.

Katavi (Tanzania)
In one of the most remote parts of south west Tanzania, with some of the greatest concentrations of game, including sable and roan antelope, is a simple tented camp from where you can game view by vehicle or on foot.

John Spence originally cut his teeth as a cocktail barman in Cape Town and white water raft guide in Zimbabwe. This unorthodox first travel to Africa buried a strong seed of love for that continent which has grown and grown. Endless weird and wonderful trips to Africa on horse back, by canoe, on foot, light aeroplane and behind the wheel of his own Land Rover have yet to fully satisfy his thirst for knowledge of Africa. John?s two children are also set to become safari experts and are beginning to accompany him on some of his less adventurous trips so he?s a good person to talk to about family holidays as well. An itinerary to Africa designed by John will be based on a huge bank of knowledge and a big injection of enthusiasm and adventure.http://www.aardvarksafaris.com

 

Some Interesting Safaris To Seek Wildlife

Thinking of wildlife safari? Africa has got it all. Nearly a hundred percent of its reserves and wildlife sanctuaries feature wildlife of some sort. However, the coverage of wildlife species and the varieties that you may see differ as the region changes.

We have created brief descriptions of the top five Tanzanians wildlife safaris that rank near the top of the list in all Africa. Please read on?

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The worse you can call Ngorongoro is amazing. That would be more than that, there is definitely not a word that can describe this conservation area.

Ngorongoro is the home of the largest caldera on earth. With walls reaching to 2200 meters high, this is fairly equal to Mount Kilimanjaro before the eruption. Thus the consideration for it being one of the world's natural wonders.

The caldera itself is not a plain heap of land that stood on its place and make people amazed. No. In fact, once the caldera settled, it began to create pools of water that attract some 30,000 wildlife species at any given time. More like a Garden of Eden, Ngorongoro harbors the largest congregation of games in the entire earth.

Tarangire National Park

Elephants?elephants?elephants?its obvious. When you want to see large herds of elephants with accompanying buffaloes, your best bet would be the Tarangire. The number of elephants concentrating here is almost 600 individuals during the peak season.

However, less tourists visit here since they are attracted to neighboring national parks such as the magnificent Serengeti and the mighty Ngorongoro. The dry season harbors the largest population of elephants along with other enormous animals and plain beasts, which benefit from the vast water resources of the Tarangire River. They disperse during winter though.

Lake Manyara National Park

Ask anything about Lake Manyara and collect them all in one heap, tree climbing lions will emerge as the top answer. It is true. Climbing lions that prefer sleeping the day up on the tree branches than lying comfortably in the grasslands as all other lions do.

While it gather its fame from the strangely dispositioned lions, it is also popular for its large congregation of lake birds such as the pelicans, Egyptian geese, storks, quelea, flamingos and cormorants.

You may also find the usual wildlife species here complemented by the rare animals such as the lord of the forest- Sykes monkey and the Olive baboon.
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com