Archive for January, 2011

How To Choose An African Safari And Save Money

Adventure holidays don’t come any better than an African safari. The problem many are faced with is lack of knowledge about safaris and budget restraints.

In this article we’ll give you some tips in how to find the right African safari for you and your family and how to save on costs.

Choosing Your Destination

This is your first step. Once you know where you’re going then you can start to plan around it. Planning for a safari is vital. There are many things to consider such as:

clothing requirements
health risks
political climate which means the area you may be visiting could be volatile
budget requirements

There are two ways you can decide upon your destination. Either pick one country and make that your safari destination or choose several as part of a tour.

One important piece of advice you should adhere to is if you are inexperienced in traveling through Africa then the second option is not a good idea if you are planning to do it on your own. Why? Because there could be many pitfalls you will be unaware of. Remember there are still areas considered volatile in Africa and you and your family’s safety should be your prime concern.

Visiting several destinations in your initial visit is best achieved within a tour situation. You’ll have experienced guides at the helm whose prime role is to keep you out of harms way and to have an unforgettable experience.

If decide to visit one destination then there are some great choices. This will be difficult but a short list to help you make your decision includes South Africa which has the famed Kruger National Park Botswana Tanzania and Kenya.

If you are a real animal enthusiast then the annual wildbeest migration across the Serengeti will be an experience all on it’s own simply because the animals are on the move. The prey vs. the predator will be on full display and being on safari doesn’t get any better than this.

Budgeting

This is difficult in the sense your main savings will come in securing a good deal with the airline you’re flying with. This will be your main expense and getting the help of a savvy travel agent is a must.

Going on a tour can be a big money saver on an African safari because you know what your cost is up front as opposed to going it alone. Staying at some of the lodges at the various national parks in Africa can set you back a good deal so know what your costs are well beforehand so you don’t receive any unexpected surprises.

About the writer:  Want The best tips and tricks in preparing for an African safari vacation ?Don’t spoil your African safari trip by being unprepared.

Horseback To Nauyaca Waterfalls

It’s an area of the world still intact to its origins; where zones of jungle and lush greenery exceed the resorts and clubs; where horns and the fervent chatter of countless conversations subside to a steady Baru River wind. In Costa Rica popular fare of its tourism does not revolve around Spring Break or the number of boldname celebrities the country draws in; its tourists are ecologicallyconscious and visit to embrace the natural attractions.

One such vestige of our devolving planet is hidden an hour by horseback into Costa Rican jungleNauyaca Falls. Hidden in the hills between San Isidro el General and Dominical it is the highest and most expansive of the country with furious channels of water careening over the top lip crashing over three levels of rock and into a number of different pools at the base. Engulfing Nauyaca are towering walls of trees and vine and bushes and the sounds of animals native to the area.

Getting to the Falls was not as much of a commitment as I had assumed. The commute to San Jose from my room at the Paradisus Playa Conchal was an hour’s bus ride and from there another 30 to the Nauyaca Office. It was there that I was introduced to Don Lulo the tour’s guide wellversed in both English and Spanish the horses and Costa Rica’s jungle. Lulo and his family have been guiding ecotourists like me to the Falls for over fifteen years.

The tour shared breakfast with Lulo’s family before saddling up to follow a trail that would quickly disappear into a small parting in the trees. As we ventured further the path would dip into waisthigh mud only to mount back up to rocky hill and I couldn’t help but appreciate the confident footing of my horse. I could tell that it knew the land as well as Don Lulo. Even when it was up to its knees in the thick mud it would choose every step exactlycertain.

When we arrived we tied up our horses and surveyed the scene the building sound of rushing water as we approached the falls was finally revealed as the thick channels of water exploding on the surface of a pool at the base of Nauyaca. When our guide without hesitation dived in we all followed suit eventually climping a rope up the falls to a ledge where the bravest of us me included leapt into the serene tepid jungle air.

Somewhere between noon and one a consensus vote sent us heading back to the tour office. It wasn’t that we had tired of the place but all of that swimming and diving can incite the most unruly of hunger pangs. Following lunch I thanked Don Lulo and his family for the experience and vivid memories that would follow. The falls I had decided would be something of tradition and an apex of future Costa Rican vacations.

About the writer:  Enid Glasgow is a travel writer interested mostly in American and Caribbean travel.

Hopewell Rocks: Marvel At The Tides In The Bay Of Fundy

“Hopewell Rocks” is definitely a four star attraction far exceeding the hype. There are sections for Rvers in the parking lot. The entrance fee is good for two consecutive days. There is an interpretation center restaurant gift shop and playground for children. Go to the beach while it is still low tide. The high tide was expected about 4:30 PM and it was already past noon. Walk the paved trail and follow the signs to the flower pots the main attraction. It has numerous benches for resting and two KYBOS outdoor toilets and leads to the overlook and stairs to the beach. A shuttle is also available for those too tired or physically challenged to take the hike for one dollar each way a nice convenience for those who need it.

A sign to the beach entrance warns people about the time to return to safety without being caught by the tides. The tides at the Bay of Fundy are some of the highest in the world. At Hopewell Rocks they were expecting a high tide of 36 feet. That means that the tide rises and ebbs at six feet per hour. The highest tide expected this year is at the new moon in October which is 49 feet: 7 feet rise per hour. A person unaware of his or her surroundings can find him/herself surrounded by water in very short order.

The flowerpots are pillars sculpted by the winds tides freezing and thawing of water. They originally start out as sea caves. As the erosion increases the cave deepens and a pillar is formed. The ceiling caves in and you have a freestanding pillar with trees and grass on top of it: ergo a flowerpot. A walk along the beach reveals not just a few pillars but many. There are caution signs and cables up warning people to stay out of the caves and between the pillars because of falling rocks. Low tide was at 10:30 that morning. So the tide was coming in at a rapid pace. Parts of the beach were inaccessible already. At the appointed time I left the beach white hair and wisdom sometimes do walk hand in hand and started to record the movement of the tide up the beach on film. Met people from around the world: a gentleman from Germany many people on tour from Canada and the USA. Staff personnel are around to answer questions and to do beach sweeps. They are very personable truly enjoying the privilege of seeing the constant wonders of Mother Nature at work.

The reason why the admission fee is for two days is because a person may not have the time to be there for both high and low tide. Another reason is that the park might be closed when the tide reaches its zenith or its nadir.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a fulltime RVer who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and like the migrating birds seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music. A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures links and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.