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December 12, 2017 by admin

The Little Big 5 and why they Matter

Source

Everyone knows the African Big 5 – buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino – the popular sightings that people on luxury safaris in Africa look for. They were named so as they were the hardest animals to hunt on foot. But Africa is the second largest continent in the world with an impressively large variety of wildlife, and it would be unfair to focus on only the Big 5. All animals were created equal, after all. Too often overlooked, the less “majestic” creatures have just as much of an impact on the environment and the wild African landscapes. The Little 5, for instance, definitely deserve their own celebrated fame and attention. Not only are they incredibly cute, but some are quite hard to spot, making them even more special.

The Elephant Shrew

This tiny animal feeds mostly on insects, exotic fruits, seeds, and nuts, and has a long snout and long legs which make them extremely fast and able to leap really high. They generally grow to a maximum of 250-300 mm, and tend to get eaten by snakes and raptors. They are extremely shy and cautious, so spotting them is a special treat. They are usually found in Southern African countries in abundance, in a variety of climate including desert and woodland. Although not particularly social, they are monogamous. They are more closely related to elephants and aardvarks than shrews.

The Buffalo Weaver

The buffalo weaver is a bird, but there are three different types: the red-billed, the white-billed, and the white-headed weaver. They are social birds usually found in Eastern Africa, and are known to be loud and boisterous. They nest in communal colonies, but are not known to be tidy in their nest-building abilities. They feed on seeds, insects, and fruits, and can be found in groups on the ground foraging for food. They are the easiest of the Little 5 to spot, and fall prey to snakes, baboons, and other birds.

The Ant Lion

The ant lion is the smallest one of the Little 5, and is found mainly in sandy and dry areas. In their younger years, they start off as larvae, with a large hairy body and small pincher-looking jaws. They are as aggressive as they look, and can live for months without food. They prey on ants and ambush their victims in cone-like traps that they dig themselves, waiting for the unsuspecting ants at the bottom of their trap. Once they surpass the awkward growth period, they tend to look more like dragonflies, even though they don’t fly. At that stage, their main purpose is to reproduce.

The Rhinoceros Beetle

The beetle is found in the Southern African region. It belongs to the scarab beetle family, where the males have a hooked horn on top of their head, a horn that resembles a rhino’s – hence the name. The horns serve multiple purposes; they are used for digging, burrowing for food, and for fighting off male rivals. One of the strongest animals in the world relatively to their size, the beetle can lift up to 850 times their body weight. They take about 5 years to grow into a mature adult, and grow up to 50 mm, feeding mostly on fruit, vegetables, bark, and sap. They are harmless to humans, and are only active at night, and therefore really difficult to spot.

The Leopard Tortoise

Found all over Sub-Saharan Africa, the leopard tortoise is found mostly in semi-dry bush and grassland areas. They get their name in reference to the leopard due to their black and golden markings on their shell when they mature into adulthood, although they are definitely not fast like their namesake. Incredibly resilient despite having their eggs eaten by other species, they can live for up to a century, and can survive in water and on land. They feed on grass and succulents, and are quite solitary, often spotted alone. They only dig to make nests and lay eggs, otherwise they stay in other animals’ abandoned holes during extreme weather conditions.

October 15, 2013 by admin

Botswana’s Best Safaris

Botswana is a landlocked African country, almost the size of Texas. Yet it has the Kalahari Desert, one of the largest inland delta regions in the Okavango Delta and the Savannah, not to mention the Makgadikgadi Pan, the salt flats. It enjoys one of the highest numbers of tourists in Africa due to its diverse landscape and some of the best game in its world class reserves and national parks. The camps available in the Botswana Game Reserves can range from the ultimate in luxury, the comfortably classic camps, the rugged conditions of an adventurer’s camp and the truly exciting Wilderness camps where you can experience raw nature at its best. Unlike many other game reserves, the Botswana game reserves offer the tourist the choice of enjoying the great wilderness from the land, water – in a dugout canoe in the Okavango Delta during the rains – or by air.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Situated in the Ghanzi District, right in the heart of the Great Kalahari Desert, this game reserve is the second largest in the world in sheer size. It offers visitors big game like cheetah, leopard, lion, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, warthog, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, gemsbok and kudu. If you just want to enjoy the wildlife, you can take the photographic safari. The salt flats of Botswana were immortalized by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and his cohorts.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Creative Commons)

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Creative Commons)

The Chobe National Park

Located in the north-western part of the country, the Chobe National Park is the first national park of Botswana and although it’s smaller than the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Gemsbok National Park, it has the largest population of the African elephant in the world. It is also one of the few places where you can see the endangered African Wild Dog in its natural habitat.

An elephant safari in Botswana (Creative Commons)

An elephant safari in Botswana (Creative Commons)

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The KgalagadiTransfrontier Park is situated in the shared border between Botswana and South Africa, and it’s actually called the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. It is a wildlife preserve and conservation area, for endangered flora and fauna. Botswana safaris are one of the best ways for you to take advantage of these incredible parks!

The Okavango Delta

During the rains, the Chobe River turns the entire region into a delta area, full of waterways and canals. Tourists can enjoy the lush greenery and the wildlife, including many species of birds, from a dugout canoe during the rains in the Okavango Delta. There are also separate sanctuaries for rhinoceros and flamingos, which you can visit, while on a safari in Botswana.

 

 

 

September 26, 2013 by admin

Las Palmas – Gran Canaria’s Capital City

Las_Palmas_panorama_by_Matti_Mattila 

The island of Gran Canaria is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world, so it’s no wonder why it attracts millions of tourists every year. From the glorious beaches and amazing food, to the vast number of historical sites and the hospitality of the local people, there’s so much to see and do here!

Especially if you’re holidaying with the family, the kids are going to love Gran Canaria, not lease because of the water parks, funfairs and wealth of entertainment in Las Palmas. If you’re thinking about taking a holiday to Gran Canaria this year, but don’t know where to stay, let’s take a look at the best things about Las Palmas, the island’s capital city.

The History of Las Palmas

Las Palmas was founded in 1478 by a man called Juan Rejon. Rejon was one of the many captains serving in the Castilian navy, and he was given a key role in the conquest of the Canary Islands. Once Gran Canaria has been invaded, Rejon founded and named Las Palmas as the capital city of the island. One of the 600 servicemen he was given to use at his disposal to capture the Canaries was Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, the man who would eventually found Tenerife and La Palma.

Culture

Las Palmas is famous for its culture, and from food and music to museums and theatres, there’s more than enough to keep a family entertained here. No matter where you go on the island, there’s always a vibrant atmosphere, whether the event is traditional or tweaked a little to appeal to the modern tourist audience. When it comes to theatre, there are many wonderful shows that have been adapted to be performed on the beaches, and if you buy your ticket for the evening show, watching the sun come down over the performance is a sight well worth seeing.

Las Palmas is also a popular arts destination, and from the International Film Festival to the Canary Islands Music Festival, exciting culture can be found all over the island! The main festival of Las Palmas is held every June, right when tourist numbers are at their highest, and it also backs onto a carnival that is also well known all over the Canaries. Combined with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found on Gran Canaria, the island’s capital city really is a cultural hotspot.

If you like culture but you also like your bank balance, try Cheapflights.co.uk to get your travel for less.

Nightlife and Beaches

If you’re looking for amazing nightlife, then Las Palmas is the city for you. Not only does it offer a number of places to party until the early hours, but there is also a vast array of great restaurants from which to begin your night. There’s nothing better than some traditional Canarian food to line your stomach before a night of cocktails and dancing!

Las Palmas also has four main beaches, and there’s no shortage of space to get yourself a tan. From Confital and La Laja to Las Alcaravaneras and Las Canteras, each leave their own special mark on the city, and nearly all have great water sports activities to take advantage of.

September 26, 2013 by admin

Cape Town’s Top Hotels

Cape Town

Cape Town, along with Johannesburg, are two of the top tourist destinations in South Africa. Not only do they represent alternative holiday locations, but each offers iconic and diverse attractions that are unmatched anywhere else in the world. Cape Town specifically, is one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, and there’s so much to do here whether you’re holidaying with the family or on your own. With vast, glorious beaches, amazing culture and spectacular cuisine, there’s no doubt that a trip to Cape Town will be a memorable one, so if you’re thinking about experiencing this South African Gem sooner rather than later, let’s take a look at some of the best hotels to stay in.

Ellerman House Hotel 

Perched high up in the Bantry Bay hills, the Ellerman House Hotel is one of the most exclusive, expensive and luxurious places to stay in Cape Town. Home to various celebrities, politicians and everyone in between throughout the year, this hotel is only a 5 minute walk from the beach, and a 10 minute drive into the city centre. Not only have the rooms been carved out of this spectacular Edwardian mansion, but there’s only 11 of them, meaning peace and quiet like you’ve never experienced it before. With 24 hour room service, and a low-key personality, this is certainly the hotel to stay in if you have the budget.

Cape Grace Hotel

Another luxurious place to stay, but not as expensive as the Ellerman, the Cape Grace Hotel looks out West Quay waterfront, providing beautiful day and night time views of the ocean. Popular with Americans who visit Cape Town, the Cape Grace Hotel counts Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as many Hollywood A-listers as returning guests. Furthermore, it offers accommodation at a price worthy of such style and contemporary luxury. The restaurant here is a highlight, with chefs cooking up 5 star storms day and night.

Mount Nelson Hotel

Mount Nelson Hotel is perfect for families that are looking to splash out – literally! Not only are there two pools here (one heated and one not), but the services offered are worthy or any 5 star hotel, including 24 hour room services, spa treatments and satellite television in all rooms. With over 200 rooms, it’s a little larger than the previously mention hotels, however bearing in mind it’s a family favourite, your kids will have lots of other children to play with!

When it comes to flying to South Africa this year, make sure you compare flights to get the best deals. No one likes to pay over the odds for their airfares, so you can save some money as well as book a holiday of a lifetime.

Steenberg Hotel

When it comes to location, the Steenberg rates 10/10, situated right at the base of the Constantia Valley, an area famous for it’s vineyards and winemaking. The building itself comprises of 3 structures all dating back to the 1600s, and the hotel’s grounds are something to behold too. The Steenberg Hotel does the simple things immaculately, with the service superb and the services leaving little to the imagination. Also offering two great restaurants, one of which stays open until the early hours of the morning (just in case guests get peckish), this hotel simply can’t be missed!

July 24, 2013 by admin

Mauritius: Things to Do on this Island Paradise

Mauritius_FlickrCreativeCommons_Tiger-Samurai

You’d be forgiven in thinking that all you would do on a holiday to Mauritius is relax on the white sands and occasionally take a dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. However, in reality, there is actually heaps to do to ensure that your time on this paradise island isn’t wasted. After you fly to Mauritius, you’re perfectly placed to explore everything that this beautiful island has to offer and with plenty of activities available, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Relaxing on the beaches, strolling through the palm trees and spending time in your luxury accommodation wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing to do for the duration of your stay but if you’re treating yourself to an exotic break that dreams are made of, you may as well make the most of it!

Spot some Dolphins

It’s one thing seeing these gracious, intellectual creatures in captivity – it’s entirely another seeing them in the wild. By sailing the Dolphin Coast, you have a good chance of seeing them in their natural habitat as they leap and bound across the ocean waves. Hop aboard a catamaran and sail the west coast of the island for the best chance of seeing these beautiful mammals.

Fly to Reunion

A 45 minute flight from Mauritius, heading south west, and you will arrive on the breathtaking island of Reunion – a stark contrast to the exotic and sandy Mauritius. As a UNESCO protected natural site, you can imagine the beauty that is within. Its breathtaking volcanic landscapes and stunning scenery is a must-see and well worth a day trip during your stay.

Visit Port Louis

Enjoy an excursion to one of Mauritius’ cities and become enthralled by the beauty and heritage that it possesses. Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and home to plenty of attractions that will please and inspire. Lose yourself in Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens before enjoying the various museums and the interesting Domaine les Pailles – a sugar estate come theme park.

Hike in the Black River Gorges National Park

Embark on the hiking trails and catch glimpses of the native macaque monkeys, before making your way to the Black River Peak viewpoint, where you can see for miles around. Take the opportunity to visit the Frederica Nature Reserve, a recently opened eco-adventure park where you can enjoy night and day safaris and quad biking, among many other activities.

Mauritius is much more than just exotic sun – take the opportunity to explore as much of it as you can when you visit.

March 16, 2013 by admin

Essential Know-How for Females Travelling in Morocco

Marrakech

Morocco is one of the most visually stunning destinations in the world and attracts a countless number of tourists every year. From its green oases to its eclectic and unique cities that offer the traveller a variety of unique cultural experiences, it is no wonder that this country has become a global vacation destination. However, due to its traditional nature, the female tourist must take a few additional steps to help ensure that she adheres to some basic measures for both personal security as well as to fully enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Stick to the recommended tourist attractions

Although this country does indeed have many visually unforgettable sights to offer, western and European women are advised to frequent destinations that attract large amounts of tourists. This is mainly due to the fact that these areas tend to be safer and offer a better understanding of the needs of a foreign traveller. English speaking natives will be more eager to help and females are less likely to feel harassed or looked down upon. Sites such as www.touroia.com can give lists of the top attractions and will greatly aid in planning the perfect getaway.

Women Buying in Sale a

Deal with any harassment with a level head

Although harassment is not altogether common, there are instances where it may occur. This is mainly due to the rather traditional nature of some of the Moroccan males. Avoid taking it personally, as it reflects a cultural nuance rather than an individual violation. Most instances will result in nothing more than “cat calls”, however should one be groped by a man, make a scene. Other local men will come to assist and they may even employ the services of the Brigade Touristique, the tourist protection police. Once again, such instances are rare but nonetheless should be taken into consideration.

Learn basic French

French is one of the most widely spoken languages in Morocco. As when travelling to any foreign country, not only does having a basic grasp of the language expedite any questions one may have, it also shows respect to the native population. Such essential phrases as “Can you tell me where…”, “How much does this cost?” and “Thank you” can go a long way in showing the Moroccans that you have made an effort to adopt their culture, even if only temporarily. Websites such as www.fodors.com/language/french can provide a handful of useful phrases that can be quickly learned.

Dress Modestly

Native Moroccan women often times do not adhere to the rather flattering western or European dress codes. This needs to be carefully taken into consideration when walking the streets. Blending in can help reduce the chances of drawing unwanted attention and also serves to show respect to the long and colourful religious and cultural history of the region. Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting shirts coupled with flowing skirts or dresses. This wardrobe is also a great way to beat the scorching heat of the sun during the long summer days. Additionally, http://www.authentic-morocco.com can give some excellent suggestions for stylish and comfortable apparel.

All of these precautions may paint this country in a negative light, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it is extremely rare for any type of harassment to amount to anything more than a passing remark. By showing respect this unique culture, respect will be given in return.

With an increasing number of low cost airlines offering flights to and from this country on a daily basis, more and more female travellers are choosing to experience all that Morocco has to offer. By following these few simple tips, any such trip can provide memories that will last a lifetime.

January 27, 2013 by admin

Magical Egypt

Dahab, Sinai, Egypt by Jay8085, Flickr (Creative Commons)

Looking for a fabulous holiday which can offer a mind blowing experience as well as a relaxing beach holiday is not as hard to find as you may imagine, and it won’t cost you a year’s salary either. A holiday to Egypt can offer some of the most spectacular and world famous historical sites that you could imagine. Then you can retreat to a wonderful, air conditioned hotel or flop onto your own private beach and gaze out to the calm clear waters of the Red Sea.

It sounds pretty simple, and it really doesn’t need to be complicated. Egypt has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, especially around the Red Sea regions. The impeccably clear sea hosts some well renowned dive sites which is an attraction in itself.

Luxor Temple Close Up, Egypt

To holiday around the town of Sharm el Sheikh will give you the best of the beach and sea. With the hotels and entertainment wholly geared towards tourism it will give you the full-on pampered luxury of a great holiday.  It is easy to book onto a tour which will either take you by flight or bus to Cairo or Luxor to see the sites along with a tour guide. It is a pretty exhausting day but the thought of having to recuperate the following day on the soft silken sands is enough to book yourself on twice! If you are booking package holidays with Thomas Cook or a similar agent, they will happily advise you on how to book these tours.

There are so many things to do and see here. You can take a trip out at night into the desert to have tea in a Bedouin tent under the stars, or visit a coffee bar on the edge of a cliff that transforms into a nightclub at midnight, illuminating the sea. With so much to see and do you’ll certainly never want to leave.

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