Kenya Amboseli Safari Park: Kenya Elephant Animal Amboseli Park

Amboseli National Park is the most popular park after Masai Mara, mainly because of the spectacular backdrop of Africa?s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, which broods over the southern boundary of the park. Cloud cover can render the mountain?s massive bulk invisible for much of the day, but the two lodges in the centre of the par are perfectly placed for those classic early morning views.

As well as being a prominent part of the country? tourist portfolio, the park has been at the centre of some controversy since president Kibaki?s 2005 decision to downgrade it from a national park to a national reserve, transferring its administration from the KWS to local authorities. Supporters claim that the move rightfully returns control of the land to the Masai community, but many conservation bodies have argued that it?s simply a political move aimed at securing the Maasai vote, and that degazetting parks is an illegal move that could undermine Kenya?s whole wildlife preservation system. In the wake of the crushing defeat on the constitution referendum, Kibaki?s next move on this issue will doubtlessly come under heavy scrutiny.

At 392sqkm, Amboseli is a small park and lacks the profusion of animal species found in the Masai Mara, but as the landscape provides limited cover for wildlife you have a good chance of seeing some of the larger predators. The vegetation here used to be much denser, but rising salinity, damage by elephants and irresponsible behaviour by safari vehicles has caused terrible erosion. Amboseli can turn into a real dustbowl in the dry season.

Buffaloes, lions, gazelles, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyena, jackals, warthogs, zebras, Masai giraffes and baboons are all present, but the last few black rhinos were moved to Tsavo West in 1995 after a sustained period of poaching. In the permanent swamps of Enkongo Narok and Olokenya, large elephant herds can be seen grazing with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background, probably the definitive Kenyan wildlife shot (and available on innumerable postcards if you can?t snap it yourself)

Erosion and grass die-off is having a dramatic effect at Amboseli; the rains seem to provide less relief every season, and it?s only a matter of years before the lack of food makes the animals move on. It?s important for vehicles to stick to the defined tracks to avoid making things any worse. Hopefully others will follow suit and the grasslands that drew all these animals here in the first place can be preserved.

Amboseli: Distance, Hours, Roads and Means of transport

Amboseli Air safari

Air Kenya has daily flights between Wilson Airport in Nairobi and Amboseli (US$88, one hour), departing from Nairobi at 7.30am. Return flight leaves Amboseli at 8.30am. Mombasa Air Safari flies here from Mombasa and Diani (US$220) on the coast.

You?ll need to arrange with one of the lodges or a tour company in Kenya for a ticket and a vehicle to meet you at the airstrip.

Amboseli by car & 4X4

The usual approach to Amboseli is via Namanga. The road is sealed and in surprisingly good condition from Nairobi to Namanga; the 75km dirt road to the Meshanani Gate is pretty rough but passable (allow around four hours from Nairobi). In the dry season it?s also possible to enter through Kitirua Gate, but this is a bumpy old road and it?s hard to follow. The track branches right off the main Amboseli road after about 15km.

Some people also enter from the east via Amboseli-Tsavo West road, although this track is in a bad way and shouldn?t be considered in a conventional vehicle. During the 1990?s there were bandit attacks in this area, so vehicles have to travel together, accompanied by armed guards. Convoys leave from the Tsavo turn off, near the Sopa Lodge, at around 7am, 9am and 1pm. Allow 2 ? hrs to cover the 94 km from Amboseli to the Chyulu Gate at Tsavo West.

Self-drivers will need a 4WD to make the most of the park. Petrol is available at the Serena and Sopa lodges.

Robert is an East Africa Kenya travel expert. He is director of landmarksafaris.com, a Kenya safari tour company. More on the all-named Elephants of Amboseli safari park here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php/?refferer=ezinearticles

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/

An Africa Hunting Safari Can Have Many Hidden Costs

Some people go on safaris in order to enjoy the sights of nature, others to enjoy the outdoors in exotic locations. Still, others like to combine the two with their love of hunting. Traditionally, hunting safaris in Africa was the main draw and the source for the traditional look you?d expect from these, with khaki clothes, pith helmets, and all. For those who are looking for a new experience while hunting, a safari in Africa may be just what you need, though there are many things to consider.

The Animals

Years ago, you might go on a hunting safari in Africa expecting to bag a lion, or perhaps an elephant with some huge tusks. But due to the endangered status of many African animals, those sorts of safaris are merely a thing of the past. Still, you can expect to hunt exotic creatures like the kudu and the impala while on a hunting safari in Africa. And while you won?t be allowed to shoot at any lions, for those looking to hunt tougher game, you can shoot a cheetah or leopard for your trophy.

The Guides

Most packages for hunting safaris in Africa include a personal guide, which can be a valuable asset for hunters. African game animals have plenty of natural predators to watch out for, so an experienced hunter can make the difference between a trophy and a miss when you?re going after one of these highly-aware animals.

Many companies that offer hunting safaris in Africa also give a guarantee that you?ll get a trophy, since they?re so confident in their guides. And best of all, even if you don?t bag any game while out hunting, you?ll still basically have your own personal guide; most hunting safaris in Africa consist of one or two guides and one or two customers.

The Cost

One thing that you do need to keep in mind while planning a hunting safari in Africa is that they do cost a lot of money. In order to prepare for such a trip, you would need to get a passport, immunize yourself against local diseases in some cases, and ship appropriate clothing and equipment to your destination country.

Then, once you?ve bagged an animal, you often have to pay trophy fees; most hunting packages include a few in the cost, but only for specific animals. If you bag a leopard, for instance, you?ll have to pay a hefty fee on top of what you?ve already spent. This can rapidly add to the cost of your trip. However, if you?re willing to pay the cost, then a hunting safari in Africa might provide the unique hunting experience that you?ve been looking for.
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

Safari In South Africa

When it comes to travel in South Africa, there are many things for you to see and do. The first thing however that you should keep in mind is that South Africa is a nation in which you might run into a lot of problems. Like any African country, you should check with your own home country to make sure that there aren?t any tourist restrictions on South Africa or on you from South Africa. Once you have checked with your home country, and everything is set to go, there are several things that you should know before you continue to travel to South Africa.

First of all the most important place for you to see is the biggest city, Johannesburg. While it isn?t the capital, it is a place that is full of much cultural diversity and many beautiful and historical sites. You are going to want to spend most of your time there, because this is where you can truly learn about South Africa and talk to people who know the history surrounding this beautiful country.

In Johannesburg, which is nicknamed Egoli, you can visit the capital of the province. You can see the mine dumps, which stand from South Africa?s richest past, and also look at the modern Architecture. In Sandton, you can visit a business, commercial and residential district. This is known as the richest square mile in all of Africa, so it is the financial hub of South Africa. About 50 KM north of Johannesburg you can visit Pretoria, where you will find that City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, which began in December of 2002. This is of great interest because it is a newly formed group of townships, an experiment that you can witness taking place. Don?t forget to visit Dinokeng, which is north east of Joburg and Tshwane. This is a region that has natural, cultural and historical attractions that you can visit.

There are other things that you are going to want to take in while you are in South Africa. You should definitely take in some of the local festivals. South Africa has one of the largest numbers of cultural festivals per capita, cause of the fact that they are a nation hugely seeped in cultures and diversity. These festivals, however, are not very well known. The best thing to do, if you are interested in witnessing one of the festivals, is to contact a local person who would know when and where they are going to be going on.
Greg Chadwick owns and operates the South Africa Hotel Finder website. Please visit our website to find great deals on South Africa Hotels.

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 Historical Tours And Safaris: Cradle Of Mankind Kenya Historical Tour

Kenya; the cradle of mankind

Kenya-Africa is credited as the cradle of mankind, from where the earliest remains of human bones were discovered by Dr Richard Leakey. Evidence of the earliest, man were discovered at Koobi Fora on the shores of L. Turkana, formerly L. Rudolf.

Kenyan Archeological sites

Other Kenya historical tour and safari hotspot areas that remains and tools (adze) of the human ancestry have been found include Kariandusi and Ololgesailie, archeological sites. All early ancestry artifacts are collected and displayed at National Museum at Nairobi. These archeological sites are also developed into Kenya historical tour tourist attractions.

Rock paintings and art in many caves of Kenya

There are also caves believed to have been shelter of the early man across the country. Rock paintings are evident in such areas as the Mt Elgon Kitgum and Makingeny Caves, Mfangano Island and in Malaba district. The USAID has recently given aid to rehabilitate and preserve these caves.

The slave caves of Shimoni; routes of the slave trade

Other caves at Shimoni have been used as stockade for slaves in transit to major markets in Zanzibar for onward transmission to South America & Europe. These are especially favoured by in the itineraries of Kenya historical tours and safaris.

Mau Mau freedom war and landmarks

Recent colonial war between the Mau Mau freedom fighters is also evident. Bombings of the Mau Mau that created lakes can be seen at Aberdares forest and Buffalo Springs Reserve. Accommodation for Kenya historical tourists is arranged in towns closest to such sites.

Where to find the fossils and historical evidence

The National Museums of Kenya and Kenya National archives have impressive collections of the fossils, artifacts and insignia of the different historical eras in the region. They can be seen in the many local museums like the Fort Jesus, Nairobi Museum, Kitale, Kisumu, and rock paintings in Mt. Elgon, Malaba and Mfangano Island and many other Kenya Historical tours archeological sites.

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 more information on Kenya Historical tours visit them@ www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Ideas For Safari Decorations

What is your idea of a safari?

It will depend on how you interpret the word.

Safari is a Swahili word that implies journey or travel. This typically means journey for survival's sake or travel to scour for areas of habitat. Nonetheless, since the earliest exploration of the African safaris and the inevitable bloom of the industry, safari became correlated with leisure travel amidst the wild. It may also be viewed as exploration of nature with the limit ascribing to the safaris alone.

At a glance, safari may present endless arrays of wild creatures, some only having their residence in the safaris while many can be found in other locations like the jungles or the forests. Some 500+ birds are found in the safari, not to mention the insects, bugs and the preys and predators.

Safari does not only have its focus on the wild. It mainly concerns culture and the interactions of people with the original settlers of the safaris- the lowly creatures.

With these ideas established we can now decide on what safari decoration to use. Let us give our focus on a room them.

The target room for which the safari decorations will be used must be themed primarily with woods or savanna concepts. The wallpapers or the wall paints can appear in shades of cream with touches of high grasses or visions of trees. It may also be that some display of safari activities is seen on the wall. However, be keen not to over-emphasize the decorations.

Now, on your furniture. Having a safari themed room would be more expensive than having it plain and conventional. Nonetheless, safari decorations are relatively more appreciated since they offer novelty and uniqueness. You may start with your wood furniture.

There are many resources where you may find concepts of safari furniture. One of which may be of tribal theme. But you may choose to have it simple with the use of plain wood home furnishings.

The key in safari decorations is to make every idea connected with the big picture. If you have wood furnishings then you might as well accessorize them with articles that you have bought from your recent safari trip. However, if you have nothing of these stuffs, you may choose to seek items from local home furnishing shops.

On top of these, add a touch of Africa with a painting that depicts the life found naturally in its realms. There are many concepts to choose from. Only, secure to it that all will merge as one big concept once you're done with decorating your room.

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

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.

All You Need To Know About African Safari Hunting

You probably have at least one activity that sends chills of excitement up your spine. It could be that you?re a big fan of sports, or that you really love the thrill of skydiving or bungee jumping. What about base jumping? That?s for real risk takers. Or there?s always race car driving at nearly triple the average speed limit. Regardless of what excites you, you probably love it for the sheer joy and thrill of doing something that gets your heart pumping and makes you feel alive. One activity you may not have thought of that certainly fits into the adrenaline rush category is African safari hunting. If you haven?t tried it and love adventure, this is the activity for you.

Do you know much about this amazing sporting activity or do you only know what you?ve seen on TV and movies? Most likely, if all you know is what you?ve seen in the TV and film media, you aren?t getting an accurate picture of what this fascinating sport is all about. It?s fun and you?ll see things you?ve never seen in the wild before. It?s not a cheap sport to engage in but, if you can save money for the thrill of doing it, it?s definitely worth the effort.

Some picture African safari hunting as bouncing around in the back of an old jeep driven by an African native, with everyone carrying high-powered rifles. This isn?t entirely the way it goes, but you get the idea. Safari goers can see everything from elephants and tigers to gazelles and rhinoceroses. These amazing animals aren?t often found in captivity and never found in, say, your own back yard. Some zoos may have them but it?s just not the same as seeing them in their native habitats.

African safari hunting isn?t much about killing animals these days. A lot of animals are protected, so you?re more likely to be carrying camera gear instead of a rifle, but the whole thing is still extremely exciting. Some safaris go out at night, in the pitch darkness, to catch nocturnal animals, like lions, going about their creature-like nightly habits. You can go in small groups in jeeps or in larger groups of like-minded safari buffs. Some safaris have packages where you can sleep in tent villages so you won?t need to go far to see those amazing animals you?ve been dying to get a close-up on. Your guides are usually well trained in spotting for animals and know the best watering holes and other places to track down the kinds of animals you?re looking for.

Instead of heading off to Africa to find a local guide in the middle of nowhere, just sit in front of your computer to get all you need to know about taking in an African safari. The Internet offers many websites where you can sign up for what could easily become the biggest adventure of your lifetime.

Read more from Joe Goertz at: myrecreation-magazine.com

A Luxury Safari Story

It's hard to believe, as the small plane touches down at Sabi Sabi's airstrip, that we are just an easy hour's flight from Johannesburg. It's another world here - quiet, undisturbed, unhurried.

Elliot, who will be our guide for the duration of our trip, meets us off the plane. His ready smile, incredible bush knowledge and quiet confidence will be a hallmark of our visit; one of the things that make us long to go back. After a quick refreshment and cooling lemon towels we are ready to leave for our lodge.

A brief orientation brings us back down to earth. We are in the heart of the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, home to Africa's big game, Elliot explains, and there are no fences between our reserve, the Kruger National Park and Mozambique. Big game? No fences? Open vehicles? The bush is deceptively quiet for a city dweller, concealing hundreds of creatures big and small. One of the other guides tells us that just the day before a pride of lions had brought down a zebra right next to the landing strip. Our safari has begun.

A luxurious African Safari Experience
Our visit to Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve came with the choice of four lodges: Bush Lodge, Little Bush Camp, Selati Camp and Earth Lodge. We opted to spend two nights at the redesigned Bush Lodge and then two at Earth Lodge, which is a popular option available to visitors. Having been told that Bush Lodge had recently undergone a total redesign and remodelling project, I was expecting to see a new-looking lodge. However, on arrival, it was difficult to imagine that Bush Lodge hadn't been there for years, so warm and inviting is the whole atmosphere - not to mention the staff. The lodge entrance manages to be incredibly luxurious while conveying the feeling that you are visiting a close friend's home. Sabi Sabi operations director, Rod Wyndham, who together with wife Lauren run Bush Lodge, explained that the philosophy behind Bush Lodge's redesign centred around a providing a haven in the bush while reflecting the many African influences behind the design. Everywhere there are artefacts from all over the continent - a mix of colonial and ethnic - brought together by rich fabrics and textures and a design that looks out across the bush over a waterhole. After a brief introduction from Rod we were shown to our beautiful suite and invited to return for late afternoon tea followed by an evening safari. For those who have never experienced an African game lodge, it difficult to convey the luxury that exists in such close proximity to totally unspoilt wildlife. We were so taken with our suite we considered missing the evening drive, but eventually decided to give it a go - a very good decision in the end.

Afternoon tea is taken on one of two huge decks overlooking a waterhole and furnished with huge, comfortable chairs ideal for relaxing and surveying the bushveld. Soon we were heading out again - this time on evening safari with Elliot and Phios. We hadn't driven very far when we spotted two giraffes feeding in a thicket. Given their proximity to our lodge I was very grateful they weren't lions, but didn't admit this to the party we were with - all seasoned bush goers. As our drive progressed, the heat abated, the light softened and the shadows lengthened. We saw a herd of elephants, breathtakingly close; kudu, zebra, hippo and the shy nyala before Elliot's radio announced a sighting close by of 'dogs', which caused instant excitement on our Land Rover. Suddenly it dawned on me - we were about to experience what very few people ever do - African wild dogs, one of the continent's endangered and seldom seen species. En route to the sighting, Elliot explained that while wild dogs are often on Sabi Sabi property, there hadn't been a sighting for a couple of months. He reminded us to remain seated and quiet and we set off. About five minutes away we slowed down and approached the area where Sven, another guide had spotted the dog family - five adults comprising three female and two males. I was struck by how small they are, especially when Elliot explained that they are one of the most successful hunting animals in Africa with 90% success rate. They hunt in packs, efficiently and without fuss. The family seemed to be on the move and soon we were following them. They were on a trail, every so often stopping to survey their surroundings through sight, hearing and smell.

Years of habituation have made the animals at Sabi Sabi almost oblivious of the safari vehicles and the family carried on as if we were not just a few metres away. It was awesome to see these animals behaving normally in their natural habitat. Moving off road to keep with the sighting, the dogs picked up their pace on the trail of some prey until we lost them in a thicket of thorn trees. After trying unsuccessfully to locate them further on - they had disappeared as quickly and quietly as they had appeared - Elliot suggested we stop for sundowners. While we encountered the most incredible wildlife during our stay, including lions hunting, two different leopards, hippo, buffalo and even a snake, the wild dog sighting was the highlight of our game viewing. Sundowners are served in the open bush, a refreshing break before resuming the safari in darkness. Returning to Bush Lodge we forewent the chance to freshen up for dinner in favour of adjourning to the welcoming bar to swap stories with other guests and compare notes on our experiences.

A four-course boma dinner, complete with fresh venison and an array of other dishes, was accompanied by a fine wine from an impressive collection. An early night was called for as morning wake up call was just a few hours away.

Our days at Bush Lodge followed in the same gentle rhythm, two daily safaris, delicious food and wonderful staff, mainly from the local Shangaan communities of Huntingdon, Justicia and Lilydale.

On our third day we transferred to Earth Lodge. The arrival is totally unexpected as the lodge is all but invisible from a distance, being sculpted into the earth and having been recreated to blend seamlessly with the surrounding bush. It was the first lodge of its genre to break with the colonial tradition and the effect is breathtaking. It has clean lines that look out over unspoiled bush, an unadorned cement and pigment finish and uses influences from nature in its every aspect: buck horns as legs for chairs, uprooted trees carved into elaborate furniture pieces, natural skylights, anthill roofs for the suites. Our suite is the most luxurious we have ever stayed in. Dominated by a huge carved wooden bed, it opens up to a private splash pool and the bush. An enormous bathroom with a stone bath has uninterrupted views of the bushveld, and there are indoor and outdoor showers. I indulged in an outdoor shower for the first time although they are also a feature at Bush Lodge. The main lodge has an indoor / outdoor dining area, reading lounge, Zen garden, Camelot spa and a 6000-bottle subterranean wine cellar where we enjoyed unique Earth Lodge cuisine for our last dinner at the reserve.

All too soon the visit was over and we were driving to the airstrip where we had arrived. En route, we saw and heard an African fish eagle, surely one of the most evocative sounds in the wild - and a fitting end to a wonderful experience.

This travel article was written by a guest at "Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

South African Safaris

South Africa safaris include everything from photographic hunting to expeditions. The digital photographic safaris are a combination of personal instruction along with luxury accommodations. This type of safari is ideal for those who want to combine digital photography with the experience of African wildlife. South African safaris can range from three-days to a nine-day.

The South African safari will include visits to habitats with many species of birds, mammals, major rivers and vast landscapes ranging from dense forest to the open dry savannah region. The accommodations are bungalows with roofs, generally made of grass. Although accommodations keep on changing due to the movement of wildlife and availability, there is always a place to stay. Moreover, because of a variety of trees and vegetation available to animals living in the nearby forest, an individual on a South African safari can enjoy the live experience of gaming activities. The vehicles that carry you through the safari depart early morning and bring you back two to three hours before sunset. During the afternoons, you can enjoy sitting by a river or simply getting a sun tan You can also experience night drives and take mid afternoon bush walks to get a closer look at animal trails, insects and reptiles.

Of course the South African safari would not be incomplete without a guide. These guides are registered with SATGOUR (south Africa tourism industry) and FGASA (Field guide association of south Africa). Moreover, they are available with any South African tour and safari operator. One, more important feature, these guides can speak in the language requested a no extra cost.

African Safari provides detailed information on African Safari, African Lion Safari, African Safari Vacations, Best African Safaris and more. African Safari is affiliated with Botswana Culture.

Lions, Tigers And Other Safari Theme Ideas

A safari theme is something that can work for any age. From a young kid party to an adult style party Invites can be something fun; you might be able to find pre made cards of every animal. If you have enough people, you could send a different animal card to each person. If you add in a small note, asking the guests to dress up like the invite animal. This might work better for a young kid?s party. Maybe the older guests can dress up in the safari gear and go from there. You might even want to see if you can find some clothing at your local thrift store you can pick up, that way you can give some out when your guest come to your party.

Now for decoration ideas for your safari theme, you can start with what kind of animals that are in the safari. If you are crafty and can't find any animal printed tablecloths you can go out to any fabric stores and find some fabric, from zebra, leopard, tiger stripped all you need to do after that is to hem the edges. You can buy a few stuff animals to decorate the tabletops. Once you have tabletops done you can move on to decorations.

For a safari theme you can find some ivy at your local craft store and hang that around the room, maybe even some large palm leafs. If you want to be a little more crafty try making your own large trees out of large sheets of paper and placing them around.

If you wander around any local store you might find anything that can work for your safari theme. Maybe you can find some leave bowls for punch and some leaf shaped plates. From there, let your imagination go. Make sure you plan for a great, fun party.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

A Jungle Safari Party Will Drive Kids Wild

Safaris are a unique look at wildlife and animals in their natural habitat and often called the adventure of a life time. Because animals are loved by children and they are so easy to find everywhere, a Jungle Animal Safari is a terrific party idea. Invitations can be taped to a box of animal crackers. Decorations can include camouflage netting (which could form a sort of tent or cave for a play area), stuffed animals, and anything with an animal print can add to the festivities. Snakes and vines can be draped in doorways or from ceilings and a CD of animal sounds or jungle drums can be used to add ambience.

Safari Games to be played might include:

Wild Animal Charades Game: Names of various wild animals are written on pieces of papers and put in a bowl (or a safari hat) so that no one can see the writing on them. Then one guest at a time pulls a slip out and has to act out the animal in hopes that the other guests can guess what animal is being acted. The player that guesses it correctly, gets to draw the next slip.

A Safari Expedition Party Hunt: A safari scavenger hunt can be set up, or if there are enough types of animals (either hard plastic or stuffed) a search that requires finding the animal that made the prints can be set up so that teams of guests have to identify the animal that made certain paw and hoof prints. This can be made by creating ?Giraffe Crossing? signs and noting the hoof prints on it, or something more subtle. The ultimate goal is for the kids to locate and identify the matching prints.

Animorphing: Guests pick out the names of two different animals from the hat/bowl. They are then required to draw a picture of what animal would be created if the two animals they drew were to be combined For example, if a tiger and a chimpanzee were the names drawn out by the guest, he would draw something that was part chimpanzee and part tiger and it may be called a chimpiger. Other guests will then try to guess what 2 animals were made to create the new animal.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies http://www.partysupplieshut.com, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Kenya tour and safaris: the ultimate experience

Your Kenyan Safari

The Kenyan holiday experience is touted to be the most comprehensive in Africa. It is the only country that you will experience 3 district climatic conditions namely, Coastal Humid, cool highland and dry desert. The attractions here also range from the beaches 1) white sands, 2) wildlife, 3) the scenery of the great Rift Valley, 4) the green plantations of the highlands, 5) the cradle of mankind archeological sites, 6) No distinct cultural ethical endowments show-copped markets among others.

a) Wildlife Safaris Kenya has managed to maintain its wildlife in natural areas in National Parks and Reserves. The big five wildlife including Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Buffalo is all found in these parks Including the small bovid. Among Kenyans most parks include the indomitable - Massai Mara - Nakuru National Park - Aberdares National Park - Tsavo National Park (11,000 kms equal size of Israel) - Samburu - Amboseli National Reserve - Among other 57 Parks and Reserves Nairobi National Park is the only park located within a capital city in the world. Lions, Zebras, gnus, Leopards, Rhino, Buffalo are 5minutes from the CBD.

Wildebeest Migration

The single most popular wildlife spectre in Kenya is the annual wildebeest migration to and back from Serengeti into the Maasai Mara. The wildebeest migration is such a phenomenon it involves movement of over 10 million animals crossing plains and rivers. The huge migration is such that the satellites in space picks it up as a fluid mass of black trail. The Maasai Mara lodges are usually overbooked and full in the migration months of June-Nov.

Lion and Oryx

Some years back a story extra ordinaire caught the attention of international media. This was the story of an old lioness called 'Namunyak' in Samburu National Reserve. The lioness had formed a bizarre habit of adopting 4 young Oryx for days on end. The lioness was actually protective of its adoptee(s) that she couldn't go to hunt for fear of her being killed by the males of her pride. This made her loose a lot of weight but still held on strong. On four different occasions the lioness adopted an Oryx calve after the other despite being frustrated by the male lions and disposition of others by the rangers. Namugaki is still out there in the wild while the 4th adoptee was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Rangers can now bee seen mature at the Nairobi orphanage.

Mzee the Tortoise & Owen the Hippo

Haller Park is the former world reclaimed Bamburi Nature Trail at the coast. Reclaimed from cement Quarries of Bamburi Cement Factory the park has been fully rehabilitated with conserving trees and stocked as a zoo with giraffes, hippo gazelles Oryx, Eland, fish, snakes, etc.

A very recent and ongoing development at Haller Park has been the extra ordinary friendship between 100+ old tortoise and a young 5+ hippo. While mzee the Tortoise has seen it all unfold at Bamburi, Owen the baby hippo was orphaned after the mother died elsewhere. Now, the story is said that Own started to spend time with Mzee (Old man) upon arrival at the Park. This bond has now developed such that the two, feed, sleep and walk together. They are inseparable and Owen is especially aggressive to any intruders.

Other stories always emerge of unique unions between different wildlife species including one between a lone buffalo and a murderous black Rhino in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. It all goes to show how free ranging animals take their entitled liberties.

Wildlife viewing in the Mara is done in 8 seater Mini vans and land cruiser trucks. The Mara is so beaming with wildlife that you can almost touch an elephant feeding. 1 - years one metre off the road. And that is from right next to the gate. Balloon safaris are the most satisfying way to view the gazillions of wildlife and especially the big five balloon safaris are booked on demand from Nairobi.

ii. Beach Safaris

Nothing beats a coastal holiday like one experience in the Kenya White Sand Beaches. This is especially good for visitors in need of lazing in the tropical coast sure for a tan and swim. Other water sports available along the beaches include - Water/wind skiing - Surfing - Deep sea fishing - Scuba diving - Swimming with dolphins - Jet skiing - Coral garden snorkeling and - Glass bottomed boat rides into marine parks

The accommodation facilities along our beaches range from 4-5 star deluxe with top of the range international service standards. You can make your choice between beach cottages, lodges, hotel and eco-camps

iii) Cultural Safaris

Kenya has a diverse cultural background from its over 42 ethnic groups. The most spectacular is however the Maasai warrior tribe which lives among wildlife in the Mara Reserve. The Maasai have a specifically intriguing lifestyle as they co-exist side by side with very dangerous wildlife. Their Moran warrior culture prepares young initiates into the warrior (army) age set. These Morans emerge from their clustered life in braided, red ochre hair, clad in very colourful red kikoi (cotton fabric) tyre sand als and complete with a spear, they are a sight to behold.

The Swahili culture at the coast is also very unique including their architecture, dressing, food etc. Cultural safaris are also organized around mythical stories like the Samson-like Lwanda Magere, Warriors, the Nyamgondho man who turned into a tree stamp after chasing away his wife given from the Gods.

The Bomas of Kenya offers traditional dances and foods and is located in the city far 1 day excursions. There are also National Museums that have collected artifacts from traditional societies for display in Museums in most towns in Kenya.

iv) Adventure Safaris

And for that visitor full of energy, Kenya offers a variety of high energy, high adrenaline, dare devil activities for that memorable feeling. The snow-copped 5000m+ Mt Kenya is a challenge to may seasoned mountain climbers. There are several built-up resting camps as well as provided for climbing routes. Climbing gear and guides are lined at base camp for the 5-6 day climb.

Bungee jumping and white water rafting is done 50 km from Nairobi town at Sagana/ that is along the upstream of Tana River.

Biking is usually organized activity within wildlife areas from your lodge. Trekking game safaris are also done in community group ranches in the Maasai Mara area.

Other adventure safaris include the overlander camping, off the beaten truck trips. These camping safaris usually involved covering larger areas and gets more interior, takes longer days but is also the most rewarding.

Adventure safaris will usually include camping in mobile 1-2 man tent units. Catering is provided while transport is by overlanders and or trucks.

v) Sport Safaris Kenya is globally recognized for its world class, record breaking athletes. Our success in International athletic gains is attributed to high attitude training. World standard high altitude camps have now been started and caters for athletes looking to improve performance.

In addition there is now a national calendar of Marathons in Kenya that athletes can test their performance i.e Nairobi Marathon, Lewa Marathon among others. Lewa Marathon is especially unique as it takes place in the middle of a game community reserve. The runners are running in the middle of Lions, Buffalo, Zebra, giraffe etc. It is a world famous event that attracts international participation. Other sparking activities in Kenya popular with visitors include Deep Sea fishing, the Coastal Regarta,---

vi) Nature Safaris

Kenya enjoys a spectrum of scenic attractions test the appetite of any nature loving tourist. From the snow capped mountains in the tropics to the descent dunes to the North East of the Country.

The Natural tropical forests of Arabuko SoKoke is a must go for any nature tourist. The coastal forest has resident elephant regulations. Among the endemic species include the elephant shrew, and the little scoops owl. The community butterfly project is also a must see for visitors.

Kakamega forest is a remnant of equatorial forest running through to DR Congo. The forest canopy is so high and interlocked it creates a permanent dark under cover. Activities in many of Kenyans forests includes bird watching, forest walks, camping Biking etc.

The Great Rift Valley provides scenic beauty observed from the Eastern Escarpment. The Rift Valley floor is dotted with active volcanic activity in the form of geysers, hotsprings and smouldering mountains, fresh water, lakes and crater lakes. L. Bogoria is an exciting destination where one boils eggs off the steam of hotsprings, flamingoes are plentiful in these lakes including Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria . Preferred accommodation is exclusive camps and lodges.

vii) Charity & Mission Safaris

The philanthropy safari magnitude is growing exponentially due to the increasing North South pro-pour movement. Needy situations in Africa including Kenya are a result of HIV/AIDS, Education, poverty environment, Hunger etc. There exist very ideal projects with which charitable financial and human resources are channeled to Kenya including: - Destitute Homes - Conservation Organization - School teaching - Hospitals - Churches/mosques/temples

Participants in this kind of travel include

-Gap year students -volunteers -Missionaries -Internship programs etc

There are as such organizations and tour operators that handle the traveling, orientation, booking and other logistics of such groups. Others also understand placement of these human resources in needy institutions as volunteers, teachers, interns, missionaries etc.

Accommodation is mainly hostels, home stays & Budget hotels due to the lengthy stay and the fact that this group is more of workers than tourists.

viii)Historical Safaris

Kenya is credited as the cradle of mankind, from where the earliest remains of human bones were discovered by Dr Richard Leakey. Evidence of the earliest, man were discovered at Koobi Fora on the shores of L. Turkana, formerly L. Rudolf. Other areas that remains and tools of(adze) of the human ancestry have been found include Kaariandusi and Ololgesailie, archeological sites. All early ancestry artifacts are collected and displayed at National Museum at Nairobi. These archeological sites are also developed into tourist attractions.

There are also caves believed to have been shelter of the early man across the country. Rock paintings are evident in such areas as the

a)Mt Elgon Kitgum and Makingeny Caves b) Mfangano Island and in Malaba district.

The USAID has recently given aid to rehabilitate and preserve these caves. Other caves at Shimoni have been used as stockade for slaves in transit to major markets in Zanzibar for onward transmission to South America & Europe. Recent colonial war between the Mau Mau freedom fighters is also evident. Bombings of the Mau Mau that created lakes can be seen at Aberdare forest and Buffalo Springs Reserve.

Accommodation for historical tourists is arranged in towns closest to such sites.

Visiting Kenya for Safari

Tour operators have already pre-packaged safaris on Beach, Nature, Historical, Wildlife, Adventure Cultural, charity and Mission, Sport activities. You will need to select from a pre-arranged list of the sum.

Alternatively, some tour operators have facility to tailor a safari, whereby you fill in a form indicating your preferences from which the tour operator makes your itinerary with your endorsement. Accommodation in Kenya depends on your budget and you are able to choose from budget to 5 star deluxe.

On land transport also offers you options between 8-seater minibus, self driven cars or 4x4 and coaches.

I welcome you to Kenya for an experience worth its weight in gold.

Robert Muhoho

Robert is a tour consultant in Kenya and has planned business and vacation safaris for over 10,000 tourists in the East African region. He is a tour operation- major and involved in National tourism policy development in Kenya.

For more information please visit: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner/ http://www.eastafricasafari.blogspot.com

Botswana Safaries

From the massive, dry desert of the Kalahari to the splendid Okavango delta, a maze of waterways coursing through the desert sands ? Botswana safaris offer you a breathtaking contrast that will be a feast for your senses, bored and tired of the sameness and uniformity around them.

Here is a brief sketch of some top destinations:

The 10,600-acre Khama Rhino Sanctuary was set up in 1993 to rescue the vanishing white rhino. Beginning with only four, the rhino population has now swelled to nearly 20. Plans are afoot for the introduction of the nearly extinct black rhino to the sanctuary as well. It is run by a community trust involving locals from the area. The entrance fee with a vehicle is only $5, and contributions from visitors keep it going. For accommodation, there is the Mokongwa Camp or the Boma camp offering various facilities at suitable prices.

Chobe National Park has an area of 4,079 square miles just over the borders with Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is also a picture of contrasts - from a lush river region in the north to the dry bush land in the south. About 45,000 elephants have made it their home. If you can ensure that you are not trampled by any one of them, then try fishing too. You will find more than 90 species, including the mighty tiger fish. And remember, the big cats rule here as well. Accommodation is no problem: Chobe Safari Lodge is moderately priced and comfortable.

What was a lake millions of years ago is now the Nxai National Park, covering 2,787 square miles of arid basin that goes from a strangely desolate yet inviting dust bowl in winter to a shallow, wet wonderland when it rains in summer. When the weather is wet, flamingos, wildebeests, and zebras (and inevitably their predators too) can be spotted migrating here in the thousands. For accommodation, Planet Baobab is there for your comfort.

The Mashatu Game reserve, occupying over 100,000 acres, is the largest privately owned wildlife area in Botswana, and part of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Apart from lions, leopards, zebras, kudu, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, and hyenas, it also offers you riverbeds full of baboons, ancient archaeological sites and splendid sandstone dikes!

For accommodation, although known as an expensive spot, Mashatu Main Camp is quite reasonable compared to most Botswana lodges.

The 1,881-square-mile Moremi Wildlife Reserve is located on the magnificent Okavango delta. More than 300 bird species teem in the delta's massive maze of inlets and islands, in addition to the hippos, crocodiles, elephants passing through, and lily pads that appear to stretch on forever. Avoid the summer-wet season if you can, as there would be too much water for the traditional ?mokoro? (a type of canoe) ride at that time of the year. Make yourself comfortable at the Audi camp, which offers extremely moderate rates and plenty of attractions.

Botswana safaris are available in various types. The three main ones are mobile safaris, luxury honeymoon safaris and fly-in safaris. In mobile safaris 4x4 vehicles are usually pressed into service to cover larger areas or a variety of different habitats in a single trip. Luxury honeymoon safaris are for the romantic couples who want to spend time sipping champagne on a private terrace while gazing out over the vast plains of Botswana. Fly-in safaris utilize top luxury safari camps in high-density game areas like the Okavango delta.

Botswana provides detailed information on Botswana, Botswana Safaries, Botswana Culture, Botswana Agate and more. Botswana is affliated with African Safari Vacations

What To Remember For Your Safari Clothing

 

Whatever you do, don't leave behind any essentials of an African safari tour?

And that is the first commandment.

The least thing you want to know once you get on board is that you have left a vital gear behind. Safari by nature, requires a number of essentials that are literally helpful while you are on your travel. On the other hand, you may need to drop some of non-essential things since they will only add up to your luggage weight. Remember, pleasure of the safari adventure is not measured by the number of useless gears that you have with you (which in the end makes you uncomfortable because of weight) but by the comfort of having gears that are truly needed while on trek.

One of the most indispensable is off course the safari clothes. You would want to be comfortable during your trip but never forget the protection. Long sleeves shirts are a must. They do not only cover you from harmful mosquito bites but may also cover your skin against exposure to sun. Along with these, you can also have some long pants with you to serve as protection during winter nights (if you are traveling during winter) and mosquito plague.

The number one rule of thumb with safari clothes is to make less exposure to animals as much as possible.

This can be done by avoiding bright colored clothes that attract animals. This is perhaps the reason why most safari clothes appear in colors such as light brown, khaki, light green and tan. White clothes and other colors are definitely shades that you must avoid. They may either refrain you from viewing animals closer or they may attract danger towards you. You can also have the advantage of keeping yourself cooler with neutral colors as they don't trap as much heat during the day.

Mobility must always be the top consideration. Don't bring with you more than 25 pounds worth luggage since you will travel a lot and will transfer from one small vehicle to another. Make it also a point that your safari clothes and gears are packed in waterproofed materials such as that of the duffel bags.

The majority of safari guides recommend only 2 to 3 days supply of clothing as there will be facilities for laundry in lodges and camps. However, if you are planning to stop over some African city restaurants, you may consider bringing one set of more dressy clothes.

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Africas Top Safari Vacation Destinations

Are you ready to take a walk on the wild side? Why not spend your days and nights among the lions, elephants, cheetahs, impala, hyena and warthogs in a land abundant with wildlife. You can sit beside a campfire, under a moonlit sky lit brightly with millions of stars. Some of the most exotic, historic and beautiful places in world. The biggest attraction, of course, is the thrill of the hunt, to catch a glimpse of some of our worlds wild and endangered animals. This guide covers the top rated destinations for your next expidition.

1. Tanzania

Along the plains of the Serengeti you can visit this remote location. Herds of animals run free in an untamed wilderness. Serengeti comes from the Masai word Siringit meaning the place where the land runs on forever. The flat grassy plains that make up about a third of the park land. The Serengeti is well known for its wildebeests. Every year two million animals migrate and they are followed closely by predators.

2. Kenya

Kenya is the origional lion-hunters delight. As an observer, you will be able to explore the natural wonders of this regions most recognisable animal. Explore celebrated archaeological sites and important antiquities. There is plenty of shopping for you as well. Special holidays of all kinds are also catered for - Camel Safaris, mountaineering, fishing, and golfing.

3. East Africa

This is one of the very best destinations in Africa no matter what time of year it is. Each season has its advantages and each area has its best moments. If you have already decided to go on a safari, visit a travel agent specializing in safari vacations to plan an itinerary that will allow you to get the most out of your trip. You can benefit by having a travel agent custom design you vacation and find you the best deals on airfare, hotel accommodations and transportation. If you want to experience all that Africa has to offer, however, you should get yourself a tour guide to take you right into the heart of the countryside!

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