Tagged: africa travel

December 1, 2011

A Horse Riding Safari

A horse riding safari in Botswana. Photo credit: The Zambezi Safari and Travel Company.

Want to warm yourself on an African wildlife adventure?

If you ride horses, you could go on a Botswana horse riding safari with adventure specialist Zambezi Safari and Travel Company.

On the three-night horse riding safari, guests will join David and Robyn Foot in Botswana at Thamalakane River Ride.

A short drive from Maun, the couple’s base is the small, intimate camp Royal Tree Lodge which has luxury tented accommodation. The camp is nestled in 400 acres of riverine trees and acacia woodland on the Thamalakane River edge.

On safari, guests will spend the mornings and afternoons riding within the environs of the reserve.

The resident wildlife, organizers say, “have become relaxed with the horses’ presence allowing for close encounters and great photographic opportunities.”

Ideal for family safari adventures, the African holiday is designed for riders of all abilities.

The Botswana horse riding safari includes:

Return flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg and on to Maun;
Airport transfers and
All meals and drinks (excluding premium).

Additional nights on safari in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert can be arranged upon request.

For more info, go to Zambezi.com.

October 12, 2011

An African Tasting Menu

An African tasting menu. Photo credit: Singita Grumeti Reserves.

Crave adventure and culinary travel? Then you might fancy Singita Grumeti Reserves (Tanzania) which has introduced an African Tasting Menu.

An award-winning, 5-star safari company, Singita Grumeti Reserves offers this new culinary option which blends international cuisine with the traditional foods of East Africa.

Dining by lantern.

The main epicurean influence is Swahili cuisine which will be served at the1920’s-styled Singita Sabora Tented Camp.

Guests will dine on local dishes including mtori, a thick, traditional soup made from onions, green bananas and meat.

Mezze style platters will be served with dishes such as dagaa mchuzi, dried fish cooked in peanut tomato sauce; mchicha, wild spinach blanched or sautéed with sunflower oil, tomato and onion; and kitandu cha nyama, a meat stew cooked with bitter local greens.

Staple African foods including ugali made from finely ground dried corn caked; pilau and wali (rice cooked in coconut milk served with meat and stew) and piri piri (Swahili for ‘pepper’) and nyama choma, a barbecued meat, will also be on the safari menus.

Each of Singita’s four lodges in the Grumeti Reserves will be staffed by expert chefs.

Local fresh water fish tilapia and chapatis, a type of roti, served with curries and coconut will be items on the Singita’s menus.

Organic home grown vegetables will be sourced from surrounding villages.

Local Tanzanian beers, including Kilimanjaro, Tusker and Serengeti, and a East African vodka, lime and honey cocktail called a dawa will be available.

Non-alcoholic local chai tea and Kilimanjaro filter coffee will also be served.

For more info, visit Singita online.

September 20, 2011

Cape Town & Safari Holiday

Bush bath on safari in South Africa.

Fancy a Cape Town & safari holiday?

Specialist tour operator Sally and Alice Travel Co. is offering a 8-night Cape Town and Safari package at the Cape Cadogan and Garonga Safari Camp.

Tent suite.

Located west of Kruger National Park in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Garonga Safari Camp is a 12-bed safari camp. Camp accommodation here is en-suite safari tents complete with viewing deck with hammock and indoor and outdoor showers.

On game drives and wilderness walks, adventure travelers can view big game – lion, elephant and rhino. Special safari experiences are outdoor candlelit bush baths, tree-house sleep-outs, bush cuisine and picnics and aromatherapy.

Centrally located in Cape Town, Cape Cadogan is a boutique hotel with 12 luxury suites and a fully-equipped villa.

The package includes 4 nights at the Cape Cadogan in Cape Town (bed & breakfast basis) and 4 nights at the Garonga Safari Camp with all safari game drives and guided walks.

For more info, visit Sally and Alice Travel co online.

Images courtesy of Garonga Safari Camp.

June 24, 2011

Redefining The Safari

Canoe safari on the Zambezi River. Photo credit: Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd.

Abby Jeffords, from Glamping Hub, wrote this guest post on safari travel.

The safari, to many, is the original form of glamping.

It is where roughing it meets simple pleasures such as pre-erected tents, cozy cots, fresh water showers, food service and daily outdoor activities.

Meaning “long journey” in Swahili, safaris began as big game hunts. Over time, safaris slowly started to incorporate more contemporary activities such as photography and birding.

Eventually, the game hunts diminished and safaris became a profitable form of tourism.

The main purpose of safaris is to allow travelers the opportunity to experience the wildlife of Africa up close and personal.

Today, however, the world of safaris has expanded and transformed into a genre of travel that encompasses more than just wild game drives and dusty tents in the African wilderness.

In fact, safari company Zambezi Safari & Travel Co. Ltd. has identified 13 different types of safari to whet the appetite of any adventurous traveler.

Here are three of the more unusual safaris:

Canoe Safari: On this tour, professional guides take you slowly down the Lower Zambezi River, where some of the finest game and birds can be viewed as you meander by the scenic, unspoiled shores of Zimbabwe. Spectacular sunrises and full service encampments are in store in this safari adventure.

Special Interest Safari: Perhaps you would like to immerse yourself in the world of primates in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Or visit the shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast. Or witness the bat migration in Kasanka National Park. Or roam the deserts of Namibia. Special interest safaris take you to unfathomable places and expose you to the most incredible wildlife exhibitions.

Bush and Beach Safari: Get the best of both worlds with safaris that take you from the calm and serenity of the African coastline to the wild and untamed landscapes of the interior. With typically one week on the beach and one week on safari, these combination trips are perfect for honeymooners looking for romance and adventure.

Find out about the other ten safari types via Zambezi Safari & Travel Co. here.

For more info on glamping safari options, visit Glamping Hub’s Africa Accommodations page.

This is a Guest Post.

June 3, 2011

Camping Near Ngorongoro Crater

EssentialTravelzebras Camping Near Ngorongoro Crater

Top: Affectionate zebras; Bottom: The vast Ngorongoro Crater – bird’s-eye view. Photo credits: Brett Perlstein.

Kerri Prissman wrote this sponsored post on camping near the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. She writes for Essential Travel, providers of travel extras, travel information and travel news.

The Ngorongoro Conservation area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest surviving volcanic caldera (a cauldron-like feature) having erupted over 3 million years ago.

The crater floor is often said to resemble a natural enclosure, protected by the 600-meter high natural wall. The area’s volcanic mass provides for the most breathtaking grasslands and resembles a gigantic hole in the ground stretching 172 square miles.

The fertile environment, home to spectacular flora and fauna, provides a majestic breeding ground for wildlife such as lions, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, the famed black rhinoceros and many more. Complementing the array of wildlife, are the famous pink flamingos which sit along the rim of the Soda Lake and are visible so far as the eye can see.

The Circle of Life

The foot of the crater closely resembles the setting for the opening scene of The Lion King. Descending into the crater, you can observe the perfect co-existence of all the animal and plant species and become more aware and respectful of the sheer beauty of life’s seemingly endless cycle.

Simba Campsite

A variety of accommodation packages are available, ranging from beautiful and expensive luxury safari camps to budget-friendly camping sites.

The most well-known of the budget camping areas is the Ngorongoro Simba Campsite, which is built on the rim of the crater and offers campers the unique and privileged experience of awakening to a 360 degree view of the crater. It is often this closeness to nature that provides a more meaningful experience in the wild.

The Simba Campsite welcomes families and is a bustling hub for overland tours and travelers. Its amenities are by no means 5-star, but its aesthetic offerings far outweigh the lack of luxury.

Practicalities

Ngorongoro safari tour packages are offered in conjunction with Serengeti and Lake Manyara Tours.

Lake Manyara is home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the Serengeti Plains are celebrated for its endless and vast beauty and the great Wildebeest migration.

Travel to Arusha, a rustic town in Tanzania, where the safari tours begin their voyages. Many safari experts contend that no matter what time of year you choose to go, there will always be an abundance of game life within the crater grounds.

The rainy seasons (April-May) do pose road difficulties with slippery mud and a more dense terrain. It may be in your best interests to book your trip in conjunction with the Wildebeest Migration for the best game viewing experience.

This is a Sponsored Post.

May 24, 2011

A Summer Safari Holiday

ImaginativeTravellersKenyanElephants 1024x768 A Summer Safari Holiday

Kenyan elephants.

Africa’s dry season is a great time to see wildlife in their natural environment.

From May to October in Southern Africa and July to October in East Africa, the Big Five are easier to see around water holes without long grass, say The Adventure Company and Imaginative Traveller.

These travel companies are now offering special summer safari trips for wildlife-lovers.

ImaginativeTravellerAfricanLion 1024x863 A Summer Safari Holiday

An African lion.

Here are a couple of their African safari holidays:

Waterfalls & Wildlife, Zimbabwe – 12 days. This tour offers the “best of Zimbabwe and eastern South Africa with beautiful landscapes, world class game reserves and diverse cultures…..Heading into South Africa, the tour takes in Kruger National Park on a night time game drive, Blyde River Canyon, the largest green canyon in the world and God’s Window, offering awe-inspiring views over the Kruger Plains.”

Tanzania Trails – 8 days. “Covering around 15,000km², the Serengeti Plains support the largest concentration of plains animals anywhere in the world with the nearby Ngorongoro Crater offering opportunities to see wildlife including the endangered black rhino.”

For more info, visit the Imaginative Traveller.

Images courtesy of Imaginative Traveller.

April 26, 2011

Best Beach Camping?

Beach camping in Mozambique.

Beach camping trips can be some of the best outdoor experiences.

In Mozambique, Zambezi Safari and Travel Company features beach camping in its new island hopping safari adventures.

Kayak fishing off Ibo Island, Mozambique.

Called the African Caribbean and the new Mauritius, Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago is a wild African haven.

Ibo Island, once Mozambique’s trading center, is at the heart of these islands. The island is known for its native bush, coral reefs, mangrove forests and hidden coves and marine life.

The new island-hopping safari adventures include: Dhow Safari (8 day) and Kayak Adventure (8 day).

Island camping in Mozambique Dhow Safari: “Embark on five days of island hopping by traditional sailing dhow, kayaking, snorkeling and sleeping on the beach in mobile camps. The itinerary takes in Mogundula, Ulumbwa and Matemo Islands, culminating with three nights of barefoot luxury at secluded and romantic Ibo Island Lodge.”

Kayak fishing in Mozambique Kayak Adventure. “Kayak into the clearest of blue water with pristine corals below, paddle up tranquil estuaries and visit unexplored fishing villages. As with the dhow safari, accommodation is provided in lightweight mobile camps on the islands’ beaches, followed by three nights at Ibo Island Lodge.”

For more info, visit the Zambezi Safari and Travel Company site.

Images courtesy of Zambezi Safari and Travel Company.

April 13, 2011

African Safari Fishing Holidays

Deluxe suite and plunge pool at Royal Zambezi Lodge in Zambia.

Fancy an African safari fishing holiday? At Zambia’s Royal Zambezi Lodge, you can experience world class fishing, extreme canoeing and wildlife viewing.

The five star, family-owned, luxury safari lodge overlooks the Zambezi River and views of elephant, hippos and crocodiles.

Local professional guides and staff share their knowledge of their home in the Zambezi Valley.

Fishing enthusiasts can join resident experts on fishing trips which are known for their great tiger fishing.

If they’re new to fishing or fly-fishing, experienced guides will offer fishing instruction to novices.

Guests can drift down the river in a canoe on the Zambezi and get up close and personal to spectacular African wildlife.

On game drives, the open safari vehicles give guests the chance to see lion, leopard, hyena, elephant, buffalo, snakes, crocodiles and bird life.

For more information, visit the Royal Zambezi Lodge.

Image courtesy of Royal Zambezi Lodge.

January 25, 2011

Camels, Canoes & Camping

ZambeziSafari Camels, Canoes & Camping

What is your adventure of a lifetime?

Adventures in Africa like 2011 trips offered by Zambezi Safari and Travel Company may be ours.

Adventures range from walking with camels in Kenya to gorilla trekking in Gabon to self-driving across the Serengeti plains.

Here are 3 adventures with Zambezi:

3 nights canoe trail in Botswana: One canoe; two paddles; two travelers. This canoe adventure takes you along the waterway linking Botswana’s Okavango Delta and its Linyanti and Kwando systems. Each night is spent at ‘fly’ camps with your own personal guide and cook.

5 nights walking with camels in Kenya: This low impact safari with an experienced Maasai guide will end each day sleeping under the stars.

13 nights going wild in Gabon: This adventure includes four-wheel drive safaris in the savannas; safari by dugout canoe and exploring the forest canopy walkway in Lékédi Park.

Image courtesy of Zambezi Safari and Travel Company

December 7, 2010

Savvy Safari Savings

A Selous Safari room view.

Fancy an African safari holiday?

Selous Safari Company is now featuring special offers on Tanzania safari holidays.

Adventure travelers can save on travel until mid-March 2012 at the Selous Safari Camp in the Selous Game Reserve and Jongomero Camp in the Ruaha National Park.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis through tour operators, packages include a seven-night safari holiday in June, September and October with Tanzania Odyssey.

The package includes:

Scheduled direct flights from Heathrow;

Internal air transfers;

Accommodation on a full-board basis with three nights at Jongomero;

Four nights at the Selous Safari Camp;

Daily game-drives in open sided 4×4 vehicles and

All national park and concession fees.

Image courtesy of Selous Safari Company