Posts Tagged ‘africa’

Since Europe has so many exciting places to see and fun things to do, you want to cram as much in as possible when planning a trip there. One major step of that is finding cheap flights. Flying from place to place, as opposed to taking a bus or train, saves time and money, so travelers want to get the best deal when looking for flights. This is made relatively easy by the abundance of airline companies that all want the most seats sold on their planes.

In the past the only way to obtain cheap flights to Europe was through a travel agent. The travel agents had access to information that you did not such as which airlines were offering discount tickets and which days were the cheapest to fly. These days the internet has brought many great ways to get this information all with a simple click of the mouse.

The internet has brought a slow halt to the travel agencies business for brick and mortar locations and many have started websites to offer the discounts. This process makes it easy for the traveler to search all their deals and compare them with others that are online. Besides the travel agencies online travelers can go directly to the airlines and request the best fare online to avoid any booking fees.

Using the Internet, a savvy bargain hunter can find the best deals on tickets to just about anywhere. And one can find any type of flight they wish, as well: don’t like to fly all night? Then don’t. Find a flight with a stop somewhere, or vice versa. Many airlines also allow, if it’s early enough, travelers to choose their seats and what menu options they would prefer (some airlines require that vegetarians select their special meal status ahead of time). And if one is not comfortable checking in at an airport kiosk and having the tickets printed out there, they can even be mailed to you in advance.

Trip planner websites are the most popular with internet travelers. These sites allow you to find your hotel, flight and even rental car while booking your trip. You can create a whole vacation package by adding on any activities you will be interested in and receiving a discounted ticket price by purchasing them before arriving. You can sort trips by price, date and even class. The trip can be easily compared to other sites offering the similar packages online.

A new phenomenon of bidding sites have emerged and now it is possible to book trips to Europe ‘ by using auction sites, the traveler has more flexibility to set the price. The way it works it that travelers can bid on a trip and the winning bidder just has to add the appropriate taxes and fees. Keep in mind that you may not win everything that you bid on and there may be some date limitations but when it works out, it can be a great deal. Make sure to do your research ahead of time so that you’re not caught in a bidding war.

Lastly, you can also purchase a ticket directly through an airline. Some customers like to do this directly through the airline but because there are so many more airlines now, it may take some time to research all of the different airlines, sites to find the lowest fares. Also remember that some airlines do not offer the same packages of discounts that travel planning sites offer.

Graham McKenzie is webmaster for South Africa’s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, to book a flight, simply visit our website at: http://www.saflights.co.za

My wife and I love Africa, we couldn’t resist the temptation to visit our friends in Africa and go on safari. Juliette was nearly two years old when we travelled from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania both the mainland and Zanzibar.

Finding food for our daughter or cots in hotels wasn’t a problem we found which made our trip amazing. In fact the whole trip was just perfect. We were very careful to use mosquito nets, to cover her with a strong mosquito repellent she wasn’t bitten once in the whole trip.

So if you are thinking of travelling to Africa with your family but are worried whether your children will enjoy the safari and whether they will be safe, we hope you will be encouraged with our personal experiences. Our daughter Juliette has enjoyed safaris from the very earliest age and have friends who have raised their children so the easy answer is yes children do adapt well to the wild but with some conditions.

Children tend to love the wildlife and a safari is usually a wonderful experience for children of all ages. It can get a bit long and hot for children so we have some suggestions for you;

• take with you some animal spotting safari games
• learn the Swahili names for the animals which will help the children build a relationship with your driver and should provide fun.
• Download “safari games” free from the web this will entertain them when the safari is quiet.  We have a FREE children’s activity pack which you can view or download and print free of charge and includes a safari animal check list with Swahili animal names, plus some other fun stuff.

The only real incident that we had that could be useful for other parents travelling with young children while on safari…
We went on a night drive in Zambia in an open vehicle with other guests from the lodge.As it turned out, it was one of the most fantastic we have ever done. We spotted a young leopard and later found ourselves right in the middle of a herd of buffalo being ambushed by four female lions. We could see that the lions missed their prey. Our daughter in all the confusion started crying: Within seconds the lions who normally consider vehicles as just part of the landscape started to look at the vehicle as a potential prey, a small animal in distress. Fortunately our guide and driver noted the change and immediately drove us away at top speed to safety with a pack of lions following us.

Children’s food in a safari lodge is no problem as the meals are usually flexible so that isn’t a problem for you either. There won’t be any problems keeping the children amused, this will be a new and thrilling experience where they will be introduced to different cultures and maybe poverty, the experience of Africa may possibly play an important role in the education of your children.

Provided the parents act sensibly there is no real danger to the children. Certainly the first thing to do is sit down with your children before departure and explain that Africa is a different world from the one they are used to, where there is danger around. There is no need to exaggerate but camp rules must be obeyed, because if they’re not, the consequences can be serious. For very young children I would advise you to select your lodge carefully and check with your travel advisor which are most suitable for children. We can guide you on this from personal understanding as we have been on many safaris with our children. We also have a lot of information for going on safari & travelling in Africa

It is recommended that young children should not be vaccinated and are excused in most countries for yellow fever but truthfully I don’t feel this should be of concern. This is a rare disease which you should not encounter  in a safari lodge. More concern is for malaria which is a problem all through the tropics. The locals catch it frequently and it is frequently judged no worse than an attack of flu. But depending on the strain, it may be dangerous and a better solution is prevention. Young children cannot take malaria tablets but please get advice from your doctor. Don’t forget to apply mosquito repellent profusely all over them, cover their arms and legs before the sunsets and make certain that the children sleep under mosquito nets. If you take these safety measures you can reduce the risk of malaria to almost zero.

Don’t be scared about taking your children to Africa,  it is a wonderful experience for them and we have been back with Juliette many times, but do cover them up well and no safaris in open vehicles for very small children

Note: The above information is advice given on the basis of the author’s experience at the time of writing and the author cannot take responsibility for any traveller choosing to take the advise above. Speak to your GP and take advice from the relevant authorities before travelling.

Africa is a whole different world, and its somewhere that a lot of people will not get to see. But as well as some of the superb attractions in Africa, there are also some deathly animals around the entire continent. So let us take a look at some of the deadliest and fierce animals around.

Lions

There are lions throughout the whole continent of Africa, but the fiercest place that you could probably go has to be Tsavo in Kenya. This is where a lot of people lost their lives by Lion attacks. Which is in reality rather strange as Lions do not hunt for humans, but a few of them, particularly the male ones tend to attack a vast amount of people.

Crocodiles

The crocodiles in Africa actually have quite powerful jaws. Attacks by crocodiles in the continent are said to be on the advance. Crocodiles kill their prey and kill humans within seconds by dragging them under the water.

Elephant

Although you may not feel that elephants could ever be harmful, they are probably one of the vicious animals around. It is said that when an Elephant is on Musth, they become very dangerous to humans and have to be avoided at all times. Their weight and size will break down any living thing, including the Lions.

Mosquito

These belittled little insects may seem to be harmless. But they have actually caused the most deaths in Africa and continue to do so. One of the main reasons for the mosquitos deadly streak is simply because they spread the deadly Malaria virus. Malaria is responsible for killing almost three thousand children every single day. In some of the countries it kills more people than AIDs and cholera does. If travelling to countries such as Africa, you should make sure that you get the needed vaccinations in place.

Fabulous Safari Holidays outstanding Namibia Holidays and Botswana Holidays I can guarantee you will be truly delighted and come back a happy person.

Tanzania in one word is: blessed. Amazing parks in their numbers, pristine beaches, enchanting islands, captivating cultural activities and an incredibly peaceful people are just but some of the supporting evidence. High mountains, deep forests, bird sanctuaries, archaeological and historical sites can only persuade you more to pack up and take vacation in this East African paradise.

Serengeti National Park is to Tanzania what Maasai Mara is to Kenya and the Kruger National Park to South Africa. It covers a good 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles) reaching up to the Kenyan border. Serengeti is claimed by many to be the best national park in Africa and I guess it’s as a result of the 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, cheetahs and lions, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration between November and May.

The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration was rightly given a place among the Seven Wonders of World given that this annual event happens no where else in the world . During the migration, thousands and thousands of these African animals start their journey all at once in search of an appropriate mating zone; for territorial conquest and also grazing land. This spectacular event also features prey-stalking predators both in dryland and across the Lakes and chances of survival, needless to say, only favor the strongest.

Rising above the plains of the Serengeti is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is situated between three Lakes : Lake Enaysi in the south, Lake Manyara in the East and Lake Natron in the Northeast which is also the breeding area for Flamingoes in East Africa. Also found in this Conservation Area is the Ol Doinyo Lengai( the name translates into ” Mountain of God” ) which is an active volcano that last had an eruption in 1983. Within this area too is the Ngorongoro crater that is over six hundred metres deep and twenty Kilometres in diameter. This crater shelters most of the plain-dwelling mammals with an exception of the Giraffe, Topi and the Impala. The crater, rather obviously harbours many predators in their highest concentration compared to any other place in Africa. With the endangered Black Rhino being found in this area, a hike in this area is one that you will most assuredly enjoy given that this area too is rich in birdlife more so Flamingoes that enjoy life in the soda-containing Lake Magadi which is situated on the floor of the crater.

Among Tanzania’s many wonderful Parks is the Selous Game Reserve that covers an area bigger than the entire of Switzerland and takes close to a sixth of Tanzania’s Surface Area. This is no wonder given that this Game Reserve is not only one of the biggest in the world but also is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a high concentration of elephants, lions and hundreds and hundreds of other wild animals.

Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ruaha, Katavi and Gombi are among other National Parks in Tanzania. The Country has got also a number of Marine Parks found at Kilwa Reserve, Latham Island Reserve, Rufigi Delta and also Tanga Coral Gardens. There are also a number of proposed National Parks in Tanzania that include Saadani and Kizulo Plateau. You definitely are faced with many amazing options during your trip in Tanzania.

And now, how can the end of this article be neared without mentioning the challenge-tossing Tanzanian Physical feature that has attracted lots of tourists every year in the quest to climb the highest mountain in Africa? Mount Kilimanjaro, resting near Moshi with a spectacular snowy peak, is a good challenge for those who not only want to enjoy a spectactular view of Africa from the Peak but also have many tales thereafter of the wonderful experience in having conquering the highest mountain in Africa.

Spanning across over fifty Kilometres and with a depth of a hundred metres is the Olduvai Gorge which is a historical canyon that was the discovery site of three species of hominid fossils that date back to as early as over three million years ago. The way Olduvai came up was as a result of a river eroding rock in the area following which layers of volcanic soil were exposed and it here that Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made the discovery of hominid fossils. Also standing in the Olduvai Gorge is a museum that has many ancient discoveries.

It is in Tanzania that you will find Lake Tanganyika which is the world’s longest and second deepest fresh-water body. It is around this Lake that traditional dhow fishing boats are built and this lake is also the gateway to Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. You should be on the look out for a pleasantly mesmerizing feeling that comes with being around the grandeur of this Lake.

Finally , through this lines, travel to Zanzibar-one of Africa’s most renown Islands. This tropical island in the Indian Ocean is well known for its beautiful beaches and an easy-going way of life that is perfectly in rhythm with the gently swaying palm trees that amongst the many dhow boats, seem to beckon one aboard. The island finds its history in fishing and spice trade and many centuries down the line, the sources of livelihood have not changed much in Zanzibar and neither has the strong Arabic influence more so on the Island’s architecture. To sum it up, visit the island and see for yourself!

Finally, in one sentence: Africa is blessed with many wonderful destinations, yet few of this beat Tanzania which you should seriously think of as you choose your next destination.

Visit the author’s website africapoint.com to get useful information regarding Tanzania Vacations including Tanzania Hotels and Flights. Africapoint is an online travel agency that also organizes tours safaris in Tanzania and a number of other Countries in Africa.

An African safari or an African Hunting trip can be very rewarding and exciting. Common sense and careful preparation will make this a safe and memorable trip. If you feel you are ready for an African safari, think again. Even if you are traveling to a country you are familiar with, it is still very important to be aware of the physical conditions and safety. Here are tips on what to do before leaving home and while you are abroad.

Preceding leaving home make certain you have adequate information concerning the country you are visiting, including that on traditions and security. This may be found in travel guides and books. Check that you are updated regarding the latest matters and alterations in the governing.

Remember to make a computer scan of your passport, write your passport number down and possibly memorize it just in case you misplace it. It?s imperative that you take down the diplomatic delegation agencies to the country you’re traveling to. This insures easier processing of your documents in case you misplace or lose them. .Photocopy whatever official documents you may have with you, scan them and e-mail them to your self so that you are able to get at them wherever you are. The web caf?s are just about in every larger and smaller center territories of Africa so you’d have no hassle regarding this.

It is very important to have a medical check up to prepare for a healthy holiday. Remember you are looking forward to having the best time, so you would not like a simple illness to distort every thing you planned. if you have a chronic illness( like diabetes, high blood pressure, sinus problems or even nervous disorder), check with your doctor, who can at the same time give you a letter explaining the same problem in English and the details .

It?s imperativet to understand the health points for the traveller. Diseases like Malaria need to be averted. A few of the foods you will consume will not agree with you. Be prepared! Make certain you’ve seen your dentist lately. And it’s also recommended to pack a medical kit with pain killers , repellants , bandages , and an antiseptic cleaners, for your self and family traveling with you whenever you’re taking regular medicine , make certain to pack sufficient amount to last the travel time .

Ensure that you?re insurance coverage is valid in case you become sick or injured abroad. Some insurance companies specialize in overseas travel insurance and may allow you to buy short-term coverage. Set a limit on your credit card, so if it is stolen, thieves will be unable to takeout a large amount of money on it.

Article of clothings iare very important. Please make certain to understand the climate and weather conditions before your safari. If you’ve engaged a hunting expedition operator, contact the company for recommendation on clothing during the particular time frame of your trip. Keep in mind that decency is desirable by all the African nations.

To relive symptoms of jetlag, eat light, drink plenty of liquids but avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine a couple of days after your trip. Try to unwind and rest on your flight so you will be able to be energetic once you reach your destination .Try to slumber when locals do in order to get accustomed the local time.

Use two wallets. Hide one of them with essential belongings in your jacket pockets. Fill the other with a small amount of money. In case of an assault you can hand this one over. Do not count your money in public, as you might become a target for thieves Know what notes you have in your pocket and wallet. Keep larger denominations away from prying eyes.

Do not ride in any cab you find ? make certain it belongs to an official company. Investigate with the hotel reception about charge per unit* you can predict to spend when using a cab. Always set a toll preceding to getting into the taxi or require for a meter to be utilized. Pick up the hotel?s business card. You’ll be able to present this to a cabbie if you can not find your way back.

These iare a few pointers on journeying to Africa. Whenever you’re preparing for a Safari or a Hunting expedition, some countries to definitly visit include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Botswana and Rwanda. Careful preparation and gearing up will make your vacation to Africa a travel to cherish.

Outdoor Enthusiast and Author Ethan O. Tanner explains the significance of proper planning for anAfrican Safariand how to plan for aHunting Expedition.

South Africa is an extraordinary and unique sub-Saharan African nation. Sailors who have rounded its cape know that it juts impressively into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at Africa?s southernmost point. South Africa has a history as old as any in the world, with extensive documentation of the evolution of mankind in its archeological history. In the present day, the wildlife and biodiversity in the country?s semi-arid plateaus, bush, and coastline are among the most thrilling in all of Africa and possibly the world. Explore this vibrant country, with its juxtaposition of a multiethnic, forward looking democracy and the splendor and community of traditional Africa!

The 11 Languages of South Africa?s Strong Identity South Africa has a unique colonial history that carries over to the present day, and sets it apart from the rest of Africa. Travelers to South Africa are often drawn to the interesting multicultural nature of a modern country that still confronts racial issues from its past head on. Dutch sailors and settlers occupied the country for a large part of the 17th and 18th centuries. They imported slaves from India, Madagascar, and Indonesia to make up for a shortage of skilled labor.

The descendants of the interracial marriages that occurred subsequently now make up a large population of the present day Western Cape, and are known as ?Cape Malays.? These Cape Malays displaced many of the indigenous Xhosa and Bantu peoples. Ultimately, the British colonized South Africa when the Dutch were no longer able to continue fighting battles against resistance from the natives.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is the center of life for the City Bowl. The vibrant waterfront Mecca is not only a historic site, but is a shopping haven with offerings that include markets, craftworks, theaters, and live entertainment. Included in the area are the Telkom Exploratorium and the impressive Two Oceans Aquariums.

Robben Island, which is just a short boat trip from the waterfront, is one South Africa?s foremost historic sites. Originally the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC), used it victual ling station. Later it was used a leper colony and asylum. Next it was used by South Africa?s military. In 1960, the Department of Corrections began to use it to house prisoners. It is famous for being the prison home for over twenty years to the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

There are many museums and art galleries available. The Castle of Good Hope is located in the center of the city. Bo-Kaap cobbled streets are lined with charming old buildings. In contrast to the ancient buildings is South Africa?s first mosque. It also contrasts culturally with the country?s oldest homestead and wine farm located in the Cape, Groot Constantia. Historically, The Groot Constantia is linked on the Constantia wine route to the estates of Helderberg and Durbanville. The hills of Table Mountain or Lion?s Head, located only a short trip from the entertainment of Century City offer multiple areas to walk and climb.

While most of the popular areas are in the Western Cape and along the coast, more pristine wilderness and less urbanized culture and peoples can be found inland. The commercial capitals of Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria (the administrative capital) provide an interesting counterpoint to the surrounding African wilderness. Never more accessible than today, South Africa is a wonderful and historic land of global culture. Don?t miss this great chance to explore the crown jewel of the oldest and most diverse continent in the world! UNRESTRICTED

Since the day that we could contain animals in these water tanks we have been going to see them. However slowly diving holidays have become even more popular than ever.

So why would you go to a sea life centre? Mainly the chance to get up and close to these animals is a great opportunity. If you want to go and see these animals just down the road instead of travelling just around the world then this is easily possible. It is much cheaper to go to the sea life centre. What’s the point in going on a diving holiday if you haven’t really thought about it.

There is a common misconception that these diving holidays are extremely expensive and only for those that can afford to embark on these luxury holidays. However these holidays are now really quite cheap. If you are actually there it is a clear and present way to demonstrate to people what these marine species are like in the wild. Anyway, the diving holiday can be a treat, you can still visit the Sea Life Centre, it’s just not the same or nearly as fun. So there is plenty of sun and sand, a few drinks and a dive in the ocean, preferably before drinks.

So although you can go straight to the sea life centre without travelling that far, do you really get that much of an experience out of it. These diving holidays do really give people the opportunity to experience something that a lot of others won’t do and not to mention you will probably have the most amazing time of your life. If you want to spice things up a little more then you can go shark diving, obviously for the more adventurous of the lot of you though, but these holidays are becoming extremely popular.

These creatures have been going extinct or endangered for all sorts of reasons. Is there however a prevailing force that is causing these creatures to become endangered. To be honest we are the problem!

An endangered species is a term used to describe a species whose numbers have become so low it is at risk of becoming extinct. We cannot stop evolutionary change, so of course some animals will change and become extinct. However we are to blame for a lot of things. First of all when a safari was first started it was designed as a hunting party for rich people to hunt animals that were considered a thrill to catch. The animals were hunted down and killed, because of this there are few of them left in the world.

We do not hunt all that many animals now as we did say a hundred years ago (mainly because they are all gone). All of the endangered species like the Tiger, Lion and Rhino are all protected. We instead are now trying to save as many creatures on the planet without directly injuring or killing them. Safari is the best way to get people on side, or to teach them about some of the problems in the world. Diving holidays have become very popular in the eyes of many governments to try and the marine life before it gets to even worse stages.

Pollution is proving to be another major problem; we may not be shooting these animals anymore. However our actions in the rest of the world are causing damage to the entire environnement. Some people don’t even know that a safari is more than just a holiday, its a massive experience. Kenya safari holidays are a great way to have fun and see the world.