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As well as the typical beach holidays and romantic getaways Africa and many other destinations have to offer, there are also several truly unique holiday experiences that Africa has to offer.
A hugely popular destination when visiting Africa is Egypt. Egypt is the home to the only surviving wonder of the ancient world, the breath taking Pyramids, which are so huge they take 40 minutes to walk around once! Children and adults both will marvel at the awesomeness of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, and can even take a tour inside, witnessing the ancient mumies and artefacts. Additionally many chose to go snorkelling to see the true beauty of the marine life in the Red Sea, allegedly the second best reef in the world surpassed only by the legendary Great Barrier Reef. Egypt really does have so much to offer, it is also particularly suited to families, as it can be as relaxing or as adventurous as one decides to make it.
An option which is often overlooked by many when choosing a holiday is a volunteering holiday. Africa boasts a fantastic range of volunteering holidays which not only allow you to see Africa in detail, but to also make a huge difference to peoples lives. There are many different options available when choosing a volunteering holiday, such as teaching, sports coaching and conservation work. Many offer free accommodation, discounted travel, and some even offer a small wage.
In more recent years, as game hunting has lost popularity, more and more tourists in Africa have turned to safari holidays. One of the unique aspects of going on a safari is that it allows you to see all of the animals in their natural habitats. Many tourists set themselves the goal of seeing the big five, that is, seeing an Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.
One of the key factors when deciding on your holiday is often money. Many volunteering holiday programs now include safaris as part of the package, so taking a safari holiday does not have to be as expensive as you might think. Whichever option you decide on, it is important to minimise the negative impact on the natural and socio-cultural environments, especially with a country such as Africa. So why not make your holiday an eco holiday, which will ensure many generations to come will also be able to enjoy Africa in all its magnificent glory.
The land offers exotic natural scenic beauty and its inhabitants truly in their raw forms to mesmerize your traveling experience. So, if you planning a vacation to rejuvenate your senses, Africa holidays will surely charm you.
Many countries of the continent provide daring Africa safaris capable of holding your nerves including Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius, South Africa and others. These holiday safaris give you a chance to hobnob with wild monster and feel their activities. You can also get closer and take some amazing pictures that will remain in your memory for a longer period of time.
Holiday safaris are the main tourist attraction of African nations. People willing to take safari holidays Africa can get appropriate arrangements to fix their meeting with wild beasts. If you are staying at resorts then you can contact their travel & tourism to guide you properly. They will further make you registered with holiday safaris which lead you to see giraffe, gazelle, lions and wild elephants. Imagine how you feel when you see a real lion roaring and establishing his power. The unspeakable emotions and feelings will always stay in your conscious.
African safari holidays are a full package of excitement and danger. Therefore, one should keep utmost care and precaution while planning to go on Africa safaris. Choose your place carefully and always accompany experienced people for the real fun. Do not get out of your vehicle while you are in jungle as monsters can be attacking sometimes. Maintain some distances to capture your fun moments and do not anything that can entice animals to attack you.
Africa offers you some real thrilling safari experiences that you will cherish for long. It is an ultimate vacation which gives you a challenging encounter with several powerful animals of the real jungle. Plan you Africa safari to experience mystique and heart taking encounters and save some good memories.
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. And 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.
Despite plans being flawless and preparations made to the hilt, circumstances still can crop up out of nowhere. Many unpredictable things can happen when you are on safari. You can expect these ‘unpredictable things’ to force you to call off your vacation to return home, or to deal with the emergency immediately while on holiday.
Can anything be done to prepare for these instances? Yes! Purchasing Travel Insurance will ensure that most, if not all the costs for these unforeseen circumstances will be covered. Travel Insurance is purchasable prior to making any significant steps towards your planned African safari. It will definitely serve as a safety net for you and the people you will be traveling with. Getting an insurance cover is important when traveling to Africa; in fact it is a requirement for your own good.
Before you start searching for a company which can assist you with africa travel insurance, there are things that you should keep in mind. You should ask the following
- What kind of insurance do you need?
- Do you travel around the world frequently?
- Are you planning to make trips to other locations besides Africa?
If you answered yes to most of the question, try considering an International Travel Insurance Plan. As the name implies, this insurance plan would ensure that you are given sufficient “International Coverage” wherever you go. The policies set in these plans should cover you well when you travel to Africa.
Here is another thing to keep in mind. Say that a situation arises during your stay in Africa, and as a result, you or someone with you needs emergency medical treatment. After the medical treatment, you have to shoulder the bill for the meantime. In this light, try to check the insurance policy that you are interested in, and make sure that your insurance plan covers reimbursement for medical expenses.
You should also make it a point to look over the said policy to see if it covers one of the many activities you may participate in when you get to Africa. Does your Insurance Policy cover any injuries you might get when you take part on a wild and unpredictable safari?
Would the company cover you when something happens during white water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking, dune boarding, or camel riding? The policy should be able to answer your questions in detail. Take note that there are certain programs and activities in Africa that you may not be able to take part in if you do not have travel insurance in the first place.
Be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks for premium payments for addendum to your policy to cover those unique activities that you plan to do in Africa. A few extra costs and effort is quite inconvenient, but you will see how vital they can get if something ever happens.
Keep in mind that the insurance company should provide you with a comprehensive policy. You will need this document in case there are problems on your repatriation when returning to your home country. A comprehensive policy should contain specific details surrounding unexpected circumstance: medical expense coverage, treatment services, and trip interruption, to name a few. These details will help in determining the extent of coverage of your travel.
The Insurance policy document is apparently as important as your passport in many cases. Before leaving for Africa, make sure to leave it at home and/or with somebody that the company can contact in case of emergency. While traveling or in certain situations, have a copy of the Travel Insurance Policy for the crew you are with, state clearly who to call when emergency happens.
Checking the coverage limits of your travel insurance is very important to find out how you are covered in case something happens. One other factor that you should not overlook in the same policy would be the rules regarding reimbursement in case something happens. Getting money back means more to spend on other vacations in the future.
Whenever you plan on an African Safari for business or pleasure, do not forget to consider purchasing travel insurance. It isn’t just for you, it is also for what you have with you. It’s bound to give you the peace of mind that each and every traveler deserves.
Fly540, a Kenya based airline which became the 3rd operator on the Entebbe-Nairobi route in February is positioning it self to take on the continent’s established airlines as the race to capture African skies by regional airlines moves into advanced stages.
Fly540 is a semblance of the low cost carriers as it kicked off with low cost flights on the Entebbe-Nairobi route as compared to Kenya Airways and Air Uganda. With a major motive of becoming Africa’s first budget airline, Fly540 is promising to extend its services to other African regions, a statement from the marketing department read.
A statement also stated that Uganda is the first target, after establishing a nationwide existence in Kenya though soon, it will spread to Tanzania with Mwanza as the first destination of operation thereby offering low cost carrier to tourists and business people traveling between Kenya and Tanzania. According to the statement, “Mwanza first because there is a lot of business travel there. The traffic is very heavy and because people are flying quite frequently, and for them to do so, they also need to save.”
By October, the Tanzania route is expected to be open while there is a plan to extend services to Dar-es-salaam, Zanzibar, Moshi, and Kilimanjaro accordingly before further extending to Angola.
After Angola which will act as hub for Southern Africa, the next target is Rwanda and there after, proceed to West Africa of which, Ghana will act as the hub for the West African Region. After all this is achieved, it will then be a pan African low cost airline, becoming the first airline with hubs in 3 quadrants in Africa that offers services which people require that is; low costs for travel that will be convenient to their budgets.
The airline which has flown about 7,000 passengers on the Entebbe-Nairobi route since it started establishes that it is growing on a monthly basis with a steady increase in sales which is no doubt a step towards achieving their ambitious dream.
This step is set to improve travel with in the East African region there by enabling the branding of East Africa as a single tourist destination with the chance of visiting Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania tourism attraction at the same time. As the plan for the rest of Africa sets in, Africa would become a better place to visit since travel costs will be reduced a factor that has been impeding tourist visits to the continent.
North Africa is a perfect place for filming; it has sweeping vistas, it has seas of sand, it has the Mediterranean, it has new buildings and old alleyways in ancient and bustling cities. In fact, all the attractions and opportunities that make it a great place for filming also makes North Africa great for holidays. We examine the top ten film locations that, along with the other attractions, mean that any North African holiday will be as exciting as it is exotic…
10. The English Patient
The English Patient was filmed in Mahdia and Nefta in Tunisia. The shifting sands and small oasis town feel of the locations almost became another character in the film as the love story played out over them.
9. The Life of Brian
A less straight-laced film at number 9, with Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The film was filmed almost exclusively on location in Tunisia, and includes the Amphitheatre at El Djem, the Kasbah of Sousse and several other towns and areas. One of their most controversial and best films, Brian included all the ‘Pythons’ in various parts as well as half of ‘Goon’ Spike Milligan. Only half of the footage with his character is actually Spike. The pythons met him and got him to film some scenes, but he himself was on a holiday in North Africa, and left to carry on his holiday with only half of his part done!
8. Cleopatra
As you’d imagine, parts of this epic were filmed on location in Egypt. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor engage in epic war and love scenes close to the Pyramids and over the desert sands – a classic film, it’s low on our list because most holidays to North Africa that go to Egypt will go for the history of the Pyramids and the middle kingdom rather than to see where the stars may have stood.
7. Death on the Nile
A Peter Ustinov classic, Death on the Nile is a great film that seems almost like an advert for holidays in North Africa and Egypt all on its own! The film shows all of the main Egyptian sights, from Luxor to Giza, and is scenic and riveting.
6. Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down was filmed almost entirely in Morocco, using many of the soldiers who were actually in the raid the film depicts. The real life battle took place in Mogadishu, but those looking for the locations on a North African holiday will enjoy trips to Kénitra Airbase and Rabbat in Morocco where the bulk of the film was made.
5. Laurence of Arabia.
With “Arabia” in the title you’d think that this 60’s David Lean classic would have been filmed somewhere on the Arabian peninsula. However, most was filmed in Spain and several other locations such as California, Jordan, Morocco and Wales. The Moroccan aspect was filmed in Ouarzazate, a famous city in southern Morocco that is more castle or citadel than city.
4. Gladiator
A more modern epic, Gladiator also filmed several of its scenes in Ouarzazate, the ancient roman architecture fitting in with the run down province where Maximus becomes a Gladiator for the first time. Ouarzazate is well worth a visit on a Holiday in North Africa, for its own history and culture and for its long history of film production.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones always chooses the most interesting places to go on ‘holiday’. The North African city of Sousse was the location for some of the Raiders of the Lost Ark shoot, in particular the famous scene where Inde comes up against a sword master and lazily draws his gun and shoot him rather than get up close. There was a whole scene planned out for this fight, but Harrison Ford (and everyone else in the cast and crew apart from Spielberg) had very bad diarrhoea, and told the director “Why doesn’t he just shoot him and get it over and done with?”
2. Star Wars
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away was actually 1977 and Tunisia. The sweeping sands and rocky crags of the country made it perfect for the desert plant of Tatooine in George Lucas’s space epic, and the set for Luke Skywalker’s home is a popular tourist destination for fans on holiday in North Africa.
1. Casablanca
Casablanca is the perfect movie from North Africa, with one small problem; none of it was filmed there! While cheating a little, the film still comes number one in our list as you can visit the city and go to Rick’s Café Américain, a tribute bar in the same style as the original set. A great place and city to visit on your holidays to North Africa.
Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With North Africa holidays from AITO, you can tailor-make the dream trip abroad.
Although bird watching is an activity that can be done virtually anywhere on the planet, Africa remains one of the most popular destinations on the planet for a bird watch adventure. Specifically, there is a substantial portion of the tourism industry in Southern Africa that is meeting the needs of bird watching in Africa. Service providers recognize the needs and desires of bird enthusiasts and create safaris and adventures designed with the serious bird watcher in mind.
What Region is Best?
Bird Watching in Africa is also popular on the Eastern portion of the continent. The bulk of the tourism is in the South, but a larger number of species exist in the Eastern nations of Kenya and Tanzania than anywhere else. Boasting over 1300 species, bird watchers in Eastern Africa have the opportunity to see 15% of the world’s bird population in one trip. While the number is not so striking in the South, it is still substantial at 920 species. This equates to about 10% of the world’s known species.
The nations that make up the Southern bird watch areas are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa specifically provides a number of government sponsored parks and reserves where avian life is abundant. Any birder who is interested in researching bird watching in Africa should be sure to look at Kruger National Park, Ndumu Game Reserve, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, West Coast National Park, the De Hoop Nature Reserve, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. These locations provide prime habitat for many of the countries’ 900 species of birds, and ensure that your trip will include many varieties of bird watching opportunities.
When considering East Africa for bird watching, Kenya provides a diverse range of opportunities. From the Central Highlands, which are heavily forested, to the lower lying lakes region, Kenya is a haven for many of Eastern Africa’s bird species. When considering Kenya, be sure to check out Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Kenya National Park and the Kakamego Forest Reserve. Several of these parks also serve as the home to various species of primates that are sure to attract your attention as you keep your binoculars turned towards the trees searching for birds.
Make the Most of this Incredible Bird Watching Destination
As with any major investment, make sure that you know what you are getting before you put any money on the table to go bird watching in Africa. There are a large number of service providers who will be competing for your business, and you should make sure that you are getting exactly what you want. Research the outfitter you choose. Read reviews and don’t be afraid to talk to other people who have used them. Do whatever is necessary to ensure that you get the most out of every precious dollar that you lay down for this once in a lifetime trip.
Cape Town, usually referred to by locals as ‘the mother city’ is the largest city in the Western Cape of South Africa. With a population of 3,500,000, this bustling metropolis is also the center for business, a major port, and headquarters for some of the largest corporations in the region. Its beauty and landscape make it one of the most renowned tourist destinations in the world and its diverse population gives it a unique culture. Situated at the base of the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town is truly the premiere city of the Western Cape of South Africa.
The landscape of Cape Town is unforgettable. The most outstanding feature of Cape Town is the constant and unavoidable presence of Table Mountain. Rising over 3,300 feet above the city bowl of Cape Town, it dominates the city and much of the Western Cape of South Africa. Riding the cable cars through the clouds to the top affords both a view of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the cliffs and coastline of the Cape. The weather of the Western Cape is generally mild year round, which makes Cape Town a pleasant place to live and work.
There are many suburbs of Cape Town, each with its own personality. This is the result of the diverse heritage of the Western Cape of South Africa, which includes Indonesian, French, Dutch, British, and German settlers as well as the native Afrikaners who inhabit the region. This makes for an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants, and the largest collection of Cape Dutch style architecture in the world.
There are an endless amount of attractions in Cape Town including whale watching, diamond emporiums, and the beaches of the Western Cape ‘Riviera,’ but perhaps the most important sites to see are the historical ones. The Western Cape of South Africa is home to news-making places like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for his protests of apartheid.
These landmarks are important reminders of a time when Cape Town was forcefully segregated into restricted districts. In 1948, when apartheid was introduced, the Western Cape of South Africa experienced extreme unrest, with little economic growth. As the popularity of apartheid declined and prisoners were released, Cape Town was finally able to take its place as a world class venue.
Cape Town industries include tourism, manufacturing, mining, drilling for oil, and the importing and exporting of goods. Many major companies have headquarters in Cape Town and the real estate market in the Western Cape of South Africa is booming.
The educational system of the Western Cape of South Africa is also centered in Cape Town. This is thanks to the generous local donations that help fund both the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, which are the leading universities in South Africa.
Cape Town has survived an incredible amount of adversity to become a city that the Western Cape of South Africa can be proud to call its most well-known city. In fact, this extremely diverse city on the Western Cape of South Africa is a model for all world class destinations to take a look at for their own inspiration.
From city breaks to luxury safaris and wine tours, there are a great range of luxury holidays in South Africa. It is a fascinating country – the unique geography ranges from the safari reserves to verdant winelands and subtropical regions, and exploration of the diverse South African countryside is hugely rewarding.
It combines fascinating tracts of untamed wilderness with a refined sense of luxury – the wine here is world famous, there are excellent guided tours to all the major sights and destinations, and there is also an excellent range of luxury hotels in South Africa. You can combine safaris and wildlife tours with great accommodation and plenty of comfort – truly the best of both worlds!
If you are still looking for inspiration, here are some great ideas for a luxury holiday in South Africa…
Visit Cape Town in Style
Cape Town is an essential place to visit on any South Africa holiday. The Victoria and Albert Waterfront is a delightful place to stroll along and take in the sights and from here, you can catch a ferry for Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Cape Town has some superb beaches, and whether you hike or take the cable car, a visit to the top of Table Mountain (which overlooks the city) provides unforgettable views over the city and the Cape of Good Hope.
Take a Luxury Safari
When most people think of holidays in South Africa, they think of safaris. There is an amazingly diverse range of wildlife in this country, from big game animals like rhinos, elephants and lions to many other animals, including giraffes, zebras and hippopotami. A South Africa safari holiday gives a unique opportunity to see these animals up close in their natural environment. Best of all, it is possible to safari in style! The luxury lodges of Kruger Park and the other game reserves are wonderful places to stay out in the wilderness, so you can enjoy every comfort after a day on safari.
Explore the Winelands and Follow the Garden Route
It has long been famous for its outstanding wines, and no luxury holiday to South Africa would be complete without a visit to the wine producing valleys. These are unique in Africa; unusually they have a Mediterranean climate that provides the perfect conditions to produce some of the world’s finest wines. You can take a driving tour of the winelands, sampling the wine and admiring the countryside, and then head out into the lakes, mountain passes and lush forests of the Garden Route along the west coast.
Go Multi Centre
If you want to go further on your luxury holiday than South Africa on its own, you can combine it with a visit to another nearby African country. You could combine a city break in Cape Town with a safari and then go and see the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zambia or follow up a Kruger safari with a beach retreat in Mozambique, or one of a dozen other combinations. Southern Africa is an amazingly diverse region, and a multi centre holiday is a great way to sample the highlights of several different countries.
Amanda Wood is a South Africa expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in luxury holidays to South Africa, Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and Dubai. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
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